Jen Shaffer

In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by “The Formidable Genealogist,” Jen Shaffer, to discuss how uncovering the histories of our ancestors allows us to move forward with empathy and understanding.

They discuss how professional genealogy can be a powerful tool for exploring ancestral trauma and finding a path toward healing, and how you can get started uncovering your own family tree.

Born in Iowa and currently residing in Minnesota, Jen Shaffer has had a lifelong passion for history, which she has channeled into a career as a professional genealogist. Jen is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, where she also serves as the Booth Coordinator for both in-person and virtual industry events. She possesses a remarkably broad knowledge base covering diverse time periods, geographic locations, and languages. A graduate of St. Olaf College with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Russian Language and Russian Studies, Jen particularly enjoys working with Slavic and Scandinavian records. Her linguistic background includes the formal study of Russian, Spanish, German, Latin, and Norwegian. She has developed a specialized talent for “brick wall” research, expertly distinguishing between individuals with identical names to identify the correct ancestor with precision.

Uncovering the “Formidable” Truth: What I Learned from Jen Shaffer about Ancestry, Healing, and Connection

For me, genealogy has never been just about collecting names and dates on a digital tree. It’s about the stories. It’s about the “why” behind our ancestors’ choices and the “how” of the trauma or resilience they passed down to us.

In our latest episode, I talked with a woman who lives and breathes these stories every single day: Jen Shaffer. Known online as “The Formidable Genealogist,” Jen isn’t just an expert—she’s a force of nature in the world of family history. Based in Minnesota but with roots in Iowa, Jen has been a professional genealogist since 2017, and her passion for the work is infectious.

Our conversation went far beyond the typical “how-to” of searching records. We delved into the heart of why we do this work and how it can actually change the way we live our lives today.

One of the things that makes Jen truly formidable is her background in linguistics. With degrees in Russian Language and Russian Studies, she doesn’t just look at a document; she reads between the lines.

Jen has formally studied Russian, Spanish, German, Latin, and Norwegian. Think about that for a second. When we find a record of an ancestor from the “old country,” we often see a name and a date. But Jen sees the context. She sees the nuances of a village priest’s handwriting or the specific terminology used in a land deed that reveals whether our ancestors were thriving or just surviving.

The core of our discussion centered on ancestral trauma. Jen and I discussed how genealogy provides the necessary historical context to understand the “broken” parts of our family trees. Perhaps you have a grandfather who was distant or a great-aunt who struggled with addiction. Without context, these are just painful family traits. But through the lens of genealogy, we might discover a history of forced migration, extreme poverty, or the loss of multiple children to illness.

As Jen pointed out, when we find these stories, we aren’t looking for excuses but instead for understanding. By uncovering the trauma our ancestors faced, we can begin to heal the patterns they left behind. It’s about moving from a place of judgment to a place of empathy.

If you picture a genealogist as someone sitting alone in a dark basement at 2:00 AM, Jen wants to change your mind. One of her biggest messages during our interview was that genealogy is a team sport.

In the past, you had to travel to dusty archives and keep your findings in a private binder. Today, the world of family history is incredibly collaborative. Jen highlighted tools like WikiTree and the FamilySearch World Tree, where researchers from all over the globe work on a single, shared human tree.

She reminded us that we don’t have to solve every mystery ourselves. There are cousins out there—people we’ve never met—who might hold the very piece of the puzzle we are missing. Whether it’s through DNA matches on Ancestry or collaborating on a public tree, the community aspect of genealogy is where the real magic happens.

Jen isn’t just doing the work; she’s teaching it. She posts on TikTok, Instagram, and Blue Sky. She’s taking a subject that can sometimes feel “stuffy” and making it accessible, fast-paced, and fun for a whole new generation.

Talking to Jen reminded me of why I started Just Like Nana. We are the bridge between the past and the future. When we do the hard work of digging through records, linguistic barriers, and painful memories, we aren’t just looking backward. We are clearing the path for the generations that come after us.

Are you ready to find out more about your family? Check out Jen’s work at theformidablegenealogist.com and follow her social media for your daily dose of genealogy inspiration. And as always, keep digging, keep asking questions, and remember: you are the sum of all those who came before you.

• Metamora Historical Society: https://metamorahistoricalsociety.org/
• Ancestry.com
• WikiTree: https://www.wikitree.com/
• Family Search Tree: https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/

• The Formidable Genealogist: https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/
• Discovering the Free Side of Ancestry.com [Free Research Guide]: https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/product-page/discovering-the-free-side-of-ancestry-com-pdf-research-guide

Do you have stories about the “Elizabeths” or Nanas in your own family tree? We want to hear from you!

• Website: justlikenana.com
• Share Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.