Harrisburg Genealogist Shares Tips as Finding Your Roots Guest Reflects on New Discoveries
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Asia Tabb
aired; July 14, 2026
For many people, researching their family history starts with a single question. On a recent episode of The Spark, host Asia Tabb welcomed back Cumberland County resident Megan Robertson, who previously shared her experience appearing on PBS’s Finding Your Roots with Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. This time, Robertson returned to talk about what has happened since the episode aired, alongside Harrisburg-based professional genealogist Sarah Dobson Fullem, who offered practical advice for anyone interested in tracing their own family tree.
Robertson said her appearance on Finding Your Roots answered long-standing questions about her great-grandfather’s family while opening the door to entirely new connections. “By the time the show aired that evening, at least two dozen people had reached out to me on Facebook and Instagram,” she said. Those messages led to conversations with newly discovered relatives, family photographs and information she never expected to uncover. Looking back, Robertson said one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was being able to share those discoveries with older family members before several of them passed away. “To be able to give that information to them while they were still with us is just invaluable.”
As more people explore their ancestry through DNA testing and online records, Fullem said successful genealogy research still begins with the basics. “You start with what you know,” she said. From there, researchers can build a family tree using census records, birth and death certificates, church records and local historical societies. She also encouraged people to verify every source rather than relying solely on online family tree suggestions. “Each individual genealogist, whether they’re a hobbyist or a professional, has to do their due diligence in the research and look at the documentation.”
Megan Robertson, Sarah Dobson Fullem,and Asia Tabb check out Megan’s family tree
Fullem, who specializes in probate and heir research and serves as president of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, said genealogy is about much more than collecting names and dates. Understanding the lives and circumstances of previous generations often provides important context for family stories. “They were humans too, just like the rest of us,” she said, noting that researching the past can help people better understand the decisions their ancestors made.
Whether inspired by a television program or a family mystery, both guests agreed that exploring your roots can create lasting connections across generations. For Robertson, the search continues as she hopes to learn even more about relatives she has yet to find. For others beginning their own genealogy journey, Fullem’s advice is simple: start with the information you already have and let the records guide you from there.
Listen to the podcast to hear the full conversation.