“Sometimes the truth isn’t quite the story that was handed down.”

My Story

Julie Mertz a professional woman with curly gray hair, wearing glasses, a white shirt, a pink blazer, and a pearl necklace, smiling against a gray background.

Hi, I’m Julie. I’m a genetic genealogist, family historian, and lifelong collector of stories, photographs, documents, and the little details that turn a list of names and dates into real people.

My interest in genealogy began with my own family, but over the years it has grown into something much more. DNA added an entirely new dimension to the search—and, in my own family, revealed that sometimes the truth isn’t quite the story that was handed down. Since then, I’ve helped others use traditional genealogy and genetic genealogy to answer questions about biological family, reconnect relatives, and put names back where they belong.

The Relative Truth is where I share some of those discoveries, along with the stories I uncover in my own family tree. Some are ordinary, some surprising, some funny, and some complicated. Because genealogy, I’ve learned, isn’t really about collecting names. It’s about discovering the people behind them—and following the evidence wherever it leads.

I have completed the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Certificate program through Ramapo College and have worked on more than 200 genetic genealogy cases involving unknown parentage and family identification. I’m also a member of the National Genealogical Society, DAR, AHSGR, ISOGG, and IGGA, and I continue to study advanced genealogy and DNA research.

If you are like me and have a DNA mystery in your family, come on over to DNAngels and see if we can help you.

Memberships & Affiliations

Genealogy is always a learning process. These memberships and affiliations connect me with others in the genealogy community, provide opportunities to continue building my skills, and allow me to contribute to work that is meaningful to me.

  • DNAngels

    VOLUNTEER GENETIC GENEALOGIST

  • Moxxy Forensics

    VOLUNTEER INVESTIGATIVE GENETIC GENEALOGIST

  • Association of Profession Genealogists

    MEMBER

  • National Genealogical Society

    MEMBER

  • Investigative Genetic Genealogy Association

    FOUNDING MEMBER

  • American Historical Society of Germans from Russia

    MEMBER

  • Ramapo College

    CERTIFICATE HOLDER & IGG VOLUNTEER

  • Daughters of the American Revolution

    MEMBER