An old photograph can hold a whole family story—until nobody remembers the names of the people in it.

For Muskogee families hoping to reconnect those names, places and memories, Relic Roots offers a local starting point.

Founded by Rikisha Morgan Harrison, an Independent Historical & Genealogical Researcher, Relic Roots focuses on family history, ancestry, historical records and the stories that connect generations.

Harrison is also a storyteller and author, with books available on Amazon under her name, according to the Green Country Online profile.

More than names on a family tree

Genealogy often begins with a date, a surname or a document, but the larger question is usually personal: Who were these people, and what was their life like?

Relic Roots’ profile describes an approach that connects records with the people, places and experiences behind them.

Its work includes helping people begin a family-history search, organize family information, interpret historical records and document discoveries for children and grandchildren.

The profile also connects Harrison’s work with broader Oklahoma history, including Black and Freedmen history.

For readers in the Muskogee area, that connection puts individual family stories within the history of the communities around them.

Three ways to begin at home

Start with a conversation.

Ask relatives about full names, maiden names, nicknames, earlier homes, schools, work and family traditions.

Write down who supplied each detail so you can return to the information later.

Look closely at what you already have.

Check the backs of photographs for names and dates, and gather funeral programs, letters, family Bibles, military papers and newspaper clippings.

Keep the originals and make copies for research rather than writing on irreplaceable documents.

Save the memories alongside the facts.

With permission, record a relative describing the people in a photograph or a childhood memory.

A list of names can show how people are related; a story can help the next generation understand who they were.

What to know before reaching out

Relic Roots is based in Muskogee and does not operate a public walk-in storefront, according to its Green Country Online profile.

Readers should contact Harrison directly about current availability, research needs, programs and updates.

Before requesting research, it helps to gather what you already know and choose one question you would most like answered.

Ask about the scope of the work, any fees and what information or documents you should provide.

The profile lists 918-537-0300 and the Relic Roots Facebook page as contact options.

Read the full Green Country Online profile for more about Relic Roots, its services and frequently asked questions.

This spotlight is adapted from Green Country Online’s profile, which records owner-confirmed updates to Harrison’s professional title, phone number, local ownership and book availability in September 2026.

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