Life & Work with Julian Rebelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Rebelo. 

Hi Julian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started doing genealogy research on my own around 8 years ago and started my own small business called JRebeloGenealogy in 2019. As an avid visitor of antique/second-hand stores, I noticed a common issue that old family photographs and other genealogical documents were separated from their families. These photos often travelled further from their place of origin and become altogether removed from their identities and loved ones. Using my love of family history and genealogical research, I decided to create The Chosen Families Project, a podcast and research blog, which uses the power of genealogy to understand the origins of the people in these photograph, tell their stories, and hopefully return them to their loved ones. Additionally, I wanted to be able to welcome them into a family they can call home once more–as part of my chosen family. Through the project, I also want to initiate conversations about genealogy, what can be changed in the traditional genealogy community. I began this project as just research blogs back in the Fall of 2021. I then began the podcast in the Spring of 2022 in order to have a different platform to express the stories of these individuals. 

The name of the project stems from the ideology of queer people choosing their own Chosen Family. Queer people are sometimes left out of their biological families and find chosen families in others; I follow the same idea, whereby I adopt these strangers into my life as part of my family, even if they have been separated from their own. 

As of today, I have published numerous research blogs and podcast episodes and have been able to successfully return documents and photographs back to loved ones. Some of my most recent work was from a mother and daughter from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who I told their story on my podcast recently, and am hoping to find a relative to send to. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest obstacles I face with the project is finding a close relative to claim the photographs/documents. Additionally, this project requires a lot of background research, which sometimes can be time-consuming. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As of today, I am a student currently studying at Monmouth University as a Chemistry Major with a minor in Graphic Design. I also have my own small business JRebeloGenealogy. I also love embracing the creative side of me. I love being a creative and expressing myself artistically, as well as using my intellectual abilities and my love of history, all of which culminate into my work. I hope to eventually utilize all my abilities to pursue the up-and-coming field of forensic genetic genealogy professionally. 

I am most proud of the moments I am able to return the photographs to the loved ones through this project. It gives me a sense of promise and gratitude to continue the project. A recent example is when I was able to send photographs and documents belonging to an Air Force veteran back to his grandson. Through this, I was able to connect with his grandson, and I was able to hear stories about his grandfather, as well as how great the work is I do as a whole. 

I would say what sets me apart from the others is my combined abilities in both science and art. Having a chemistry and developed graphic design background allows me to be multifaceted in many different platforms. 

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I would saying during the Covid-19 Crisis, I was able to look inwardly and consider what I wanted to do professionally. This had definitely influenced me into the direction of how this project was able to begin in this first place. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.julianrebelo.com/blog
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thechosenfamiliesproject/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thechosenfamiliesproject