Sarah Dery has been with American Ancestors since 2017, working closely with the Chief of Research. In her role, Sarah manages the Research & Library Services team, overseeing the day-to-day operations, supporting the researchers and genealogists, and coordinating correspondence with clients. She is always eager to lend a helping hand wherever needed, playing a key role in applying her extensive genealogical knowledge to assist both in-person and virtually. Her expertise and willingness to support others make her an invaluable asset to the American Ancestors team.

A graduate of Rhode Island College in Providence, Sarah holds a B.A. in Anthropology and English Literature. Her passion for Anthropology was sparked during her participation in a week-long archaeology dig at James Madison’s Montpelier in Virginia. Sarah’s genealogical expertise is particularly focused on families with roots in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and French-Canada. 

After a year-long research project focused on Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's ancestry, Sarah has developed expertise in researching enslaved individuals, particularly in the Southern states. She now contributes her skills to the 10 Million Names project, working toward the goal of recovering the names of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically, the territory that would become the United States) between the 1500s and 1865.