About Us

About US

 

 

How I Got Started

    In December 1999, while researching my family history, I discovered that my grandmother, Jean Friar, had a forgotten pension from a hospital in New York State, where she had worked as a 23-year-old nurse from 1942 to 1947. When I told her, she didn’t believe it—her exact words were, “If I had money owed to me, I would know about it.” Like many people, she assumed no news meant no money. I guided her through the recovery process.
    As a result of my investigation, she received a check for $7,895.92 in January 2000, followed by a monthly pension of $71.97 until her passing. She was so surprised, she even called the hospital multiple times to be sure they hadn’t made a mistake. They hadn’t.
    She thought that was the end of it—but in 2011, I uncovered an additional 482 shares of stock in her name, totaling over $41,000.
  That experience sparked a lifelong passion for genealogical and forensic research—helping families recover what’s rightfully theirs and uncover what others might have missed.

 

Passionate about Genealogy 

    My interest in genealogy began in the late 1980s—working on an IBM 5155 portable computer that weighed over 30 pounds and had a nine-inch amber screen, running on DOS. A lot has changed since those early days!

    Today, in addition to the wealth of online records and research tools, we also utilize advanced DNA analysis to solve complex genealogical puzzles. These tools have opened doors to discoveries that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

 

about Friar Genealogical Research, LLC 

    Friar Genealogical Research, LLC specializes in investigative and forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), focusing on cold cases, unidentified remains, and genealogical “brick walls.” We assist law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and families by combining DNA analysis with traditional genealogical research methods.

    Our work also includes probate research, where we identify and verify rightful heirs—often starting with little more than a name and date of death. Many of the individuals we locate have no prior knowledge of the decedent or their inheritance rights.

    We use a combination of public records, proprietary databases, and specialized investigative techniques to reconstruct family trees and uncover connections that might otherwise remain hidden.

    Founder Justin Friar began researching family histories in 1992. After successfully helping several individuals recover lost inheritances and assets, he established Friar Genealogical Research in 2011. In 2017, the practice expanded to include DNA analysis for adoptees, unknown parentage, and cases involving misattributed parentage.

  

Continuing the search for answers

Genealogical research often requires creative problem-solving—especially when conventional records are missing or incomplete. At Friar Genealogical Research, we combine traditional research, digital tools, and DNA evidence to help break through even the toughest brick walls.

One of the more unique historical examples of this persistence involved Isaac Phillips (1766–1834), who left behind a fortune of more than $5 million. For nearly 70 years, his descendants attempted to prove their legal claim to the inheritance—but key genealogical evidence was missing.

The breakthrough came in 1891, when the family Bible—buried in 1866 with Susana Phillips—was exhumed. The genealogical information inside resolved the case, and the rightful heirs were confirmed. By then, the estate had grown to over $6 million.

This case reminds us that genealogy is often the key to unlocking truth, even generations later.

Honoring Connecicut’s History: The Hartford Cicus FIRE


Friar Genealogical Research has long had an interest in the families and stories connected to the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire. Past efforts to use DNA analysis, such as the Doe project in 2000, were limited by the technology of the time and yielded inconclusive results. While further DNA work may not be feasible currently, we continue to explore ways to preserve the history, document family connections, and support genealogical research related to this event. This ongoing interest reflects our broader mission to combine traditional research and modern techniques in service of families seeking answers and historical clarity.

 

Justin S. Friar

Investigative Genetic Genealogist

Credentials & Membership

Education

  • Completed the Certificate in Genealogical Research at Boston University (2018)  
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT
  • Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice – Tunxis Community College, Farmington, CT

Continuing Education & Training

  • Solving Crimes Using Relatives’ DNA: Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) and Familial DNA Searching (FDS) – University of New Haven, CT

 

Professional Affiliations

Member of the following organizations:

  • Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council (CPGC)
  • International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
  • New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
  • Commissioned Notary Public – Connecticut

 

Lineage Society Memberships 

Verified descendant of members in the following heritage and lineage societies:

  • Baronial Order of Magna Charta (BOMC)
  • The Society of Mayflower Descendants
  • Sheriffs & Constables of Colonial & Antebellum America
  • Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
  • Descendants of The Founders of Ancient Windsor
  • Thomas Munson Foundation
  • Rich Family Association
  • Bloodlines of Salem

Currently engaged in editing and revising a comprehensive, 8,397-page ancestral record, documenting over 14,843 ancestors.

The Crew

A Team You Can Rely On

 

A MEMBER OF THE FOLLOWING ASSOCIATIONS

 

 

 

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© 2025 Friar Genealogical Research, LLC