About Me
Bringing science and heart together to reconnect families.
Hi, I’m Melanie Hayward (née Dunstan)
Genetic Genealogist, Licensed Private Investigator & Skip Tracer, Nurse Practitioner and Midwife based in Cairns, Queensland. I help people find their missing family and reclaim a deep sense of belonging through DNA research, genealogy and compassionate guidance.
When people know where they come from and who they belong to, they feel loved, safe, whole, and confident in their own skin. That belief drives everything I do.
My Story
Some of my fondest memories are around the Christmas table, listening to my grandfather share discoveries from our family tree. Mum and Grandpa mapped the branches; I didn’t start adding my own until my early twenties.
After moving to Cairns, I attended a DNA group at the local Cairns & District Family History Society and was instantly hooked. I ordered my first Ancestry DNA kit that night and began confirming our tree with the help of many generous family testers. I’ve loved finding new cousins (and following their lives on Facebook!) and turning names into stories.
I’ve been fortunate to learn from many brilliant minds, including Louise Coakley. I spent many hours studying her Genie1 resources — a reliable, practical reference I still recommend to those starting out.
Early on, I supported my first adoptee case to search for a birth father. It’s not my story to share, but the journey taught me the emotional weight of this work and the care it requires. She feels like family to me — and that experience cemented my purpose.
I live in Cairns with my husband, our daughter, and our cats Ezra and Shadow. When I’m not untangling DNA puzzles, you’ll find me reading family histories, teaching, or planning our next Far North Queensland adventure.
Curious about the kinds of cases I work on? Visit Stories & Interesting Tales to see selected anonymised learnings and reflections.
How I Work
my blend of science + heart
I combine the compassion and counselling skills of a nurse and midwife with the precision of a licensed private investigator. Clients can expect a confidential, supportive space and a structured, puzzlesolving approach to DNA analysis and genealogical research. Every discovery is carefully referenced and explained in plain English, so the science becomes a story you can hold.
What this looks like in practice:
- Thoughtful intake and clear research goals
- Ethical, privacy-first handling of sensitive information
- Rigorous DNA match analysis and triangulation
- Grouping matches into family lines and building out trees
- Practical guidance for contacting matches (what to say, when to reach out)
- Compassionate support throughout the process
Teaching others to use genetic genealogy to answer questions, break through brick walls, and confirm (or gently disprove) family stories is one of my great joys.
Credentials & Qualifications
This mix means I’m sensitive to clients’ needs, able to hold space for complex emotions, and trusted to manage confidential information — while bringing investigator-level structure to the research.
Certificate of Genealogical Research (Distinction) — Society of Australian Genealogists
Licensed Private Investigator & Skip Tracer
Certified Life Coach
Ready to start your journey to connection?
I offer a free 30-minute consultation (Zoom/phone/in person) to understand your goals and discuss the best next step.