A century-old family secret uncovered by New York Times correspondent Susan Saulny illuminates the booming genealogy research market, valued at over $4 billion globally. Her discovery that two DeGrange brothers—one who passed as white in Chicago, the other who remained Black in New Orleans—reveals how racial identity shaped parallel American trajectories across three generations.

The story emerged through extensive archival work with French documents and assistance from American Ancestors, a national research center specializing in antebellum records. Saulny's investigation connected to broader patterns of Creole migration, including Pope Leo XIV's maternal grandparents, who similarly transitioned from documented Black or mulatto status in New Orleans to white identity in Chicago.

This personal revelation underscores how genealogy services, DNA testing companies, and historical research firms are capitalizing on Americans' quest to understand complex family histories. The industry's growth reflects increasing demand for professional genealogical assistance, particularly among African American families seeking to reconstruct lineages fractured by slavery and segregation.

The DeGrange case demonstrates that family history research now extends beyond simple tree-building into examining systemic racism's economic and social impacts—a trend driving sustained growth in heritage tourism and specialized archival services.