Exploring Genealogy in Social Work: Tracing Lineage, Influence, and Legacy
- Dr. Dorothea Ivey
- May 31
- 2 min read
Dear Finley Family,
I’m thrilled to share some news that is not only close to my heart but also historic in the field of social work education. This fall, I will be teaching a brand-new graduate level course on Genealogy for Social Work Practice, the first of its kind to be implemented within a social work curriculum in the United States. This course will explore how personal and collective family histories shape identity, culture, and resilience across generations.
As many of you know, our Finley legacy is deep and wide, filled with powerful stories of faith, sacrifice, and triumph. It has been a guiding light in my own work as an educator, artist, and researcher. This class will allow students to reflect on their own family roots and see how those stories influence their journey in the profession of social work.
For any family members interested, I invite you to follow along with me on this blog. I will be posting occasional updates here on the Finley Legacy site about what we are exploring in the course each week. I’m happy to share resources, tips, and tools for those who might want to begin or deepen their own genealogy journey.
Attached to this blog post, you’ll find:
A starter resource that may help guide you if you're thinking about researching your own family history.
Whether you’re a seasoned family historian or just getting curious about your roots, I hope this site inspires you as much as it’s inspiring me. Our story as a family is powerful, and it’s one worth preserving, celebrating, and passing down.
With love and excitement from LaGail,
Proud Finley Descendant and Curator of Our Legacy
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