Behind the Research

Born in California in the early 1970s, Sonia is a U.S. Navy veteran, wife, mother of three grown children, and proud grandmother...affectionately known as “Yawny” to her grandchildren and great‑nephews. A person of faith, she is a committed Christian who values community, church involvement, and meaningful service.

A true introvert at heart, Sonia finds joy in quiet moments as well as time spent with family. Her interests include volunteering, cooking, traveling, photography, reading, water sports, and event planning. Known within her family as the one entrusted with writing obituaries, Sonia has a special gift for honoring lives with compassion, dignity, and care. This sensitivity carries into her work as a family historian, where she is deeply committed to preserving stories, memories, and legacies with warmth and respect.

Sonia Jideonwo is a lifelong entrepreneur with a deep commitment to families, community, and service. After separating from the U.S. Navy in 1996, she launched her own business and spent eight years as a licensed Family Child Care Provider, caring for children from infancy through early childhood. She later held supervisory roles with the Merced County Office of Education (Head Start Program) and the Stanislaus County Office of Education (Child and Family Services Division), supporting children and families through education and early intervention programs.

Since 2014, Sonia has served as a full-time Regulatory Administrator for a university College of Nursing, ensuring compliance and excellence in nursing education. She has also worked as a Mental Health Technician at Valley Recovery Center of California, providing compassionate care to individuals in recovery. Across every role, Sonia’s work reflects a passion for people, history, and stories, skills she now brings to helping others discover and preserve their family histories.

Sonia values education and lifelong learning as foundations for personal growth, service, and leadership. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership, preparing for a career in ministerial leadership and early childhood education. Her academic background reflects a strong foundation in business and social sciences, supporting her work with families, children, and community‑centered research.

• Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration/Human Resource Management
• Associate of Arts: Social Sciences
• Associate of Arts: Liberal Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Associate of Applied Science: Business Administration

Sonia’s passion for genealogy began in 2002, when she started researching her own family history. With more than two decades of dedicated research, she proudly serves as the family historian for her family, preserving stories, connections, and legacies across generations.

Since 2019, she has expanded her knowledge by attending the annual African American Genealogy Seminar hosted by the Greater Sacramento African American Genealogy Society, gaining valuable insight and training that continues to inform and enrich her work as a family historian.

Ancestry:

Sonia has been engaged with Ancestry.com since 2002, drawing on one of the world’s most extensive genealogy platforms to explore, record, and safeguard family histories. As a recognized leader in the field, Ancestry.com offers access to billions of historical records and collaboratively built family trees that span continents and generations. Through years of sustained research, Sonia has developed her own family tree and supported others in creating accurate, well-documented genealogies that strengthen historical insight and foster connections across generations.

User:  Ainos74Yelir 

www.ancestry.com

Find A Grave:

Sonia has been an active member of Find a Grave for over 10 years, contributing to one of the world’s largest online repositories of cemetery and memorial information. During this time, she has created and managed memorials for deceased individuals, ensuring accurate documentation of burial locations, biographical details, and family connections. She has also taking photos (upon request) for those seeking photos of headstones and memorial sites. Sonia's work supports genealogists, historians, and families by preserving essential historical records and honoring the lives of those who have passed.

Find A Grave ID:  48906398 

www.findagrave.com

National Genealogical Society (NGS):

Sonia is an active affiliate of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), reflecting her ongoing commitment to excellence in genealogical research and historical integrity. Through her involvement with NGS, she stays engaged in educational initiatives, evolving research methods, and collaborative efforts that support both professional and family historians.

Grounded in the belief that every family story matters, Sonia’s affiliation with NGS strengthens her work in preserving accurate records, honoring heritage, and helping individuals connect more deeply with their ancestral past.

https://www.ngsgenealogy.org

Greater Merced Black Chamber of Commerce (GMBCC)

Position: Board of Directors Member, Executive Secretary

Tenure: January 2026 - Present

Facebook: TBA

Instagram: www.instagram.com/gmbcc.209

Chapter Website:  https://gmbcc.vercel.app

National Chamber of Commerce Website: https://www.uschamber.com

Sonia serves as an Executive Secretary to the Greater Merced Black Chamber of Commerce (GMBCC).  She assists the organization in achieving its mission and vision to support Black-owned businesses.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Position: General Member

Tenure: 2009 - Present

Instagram: www.instagram.com/naacp_merced

Local Branch Website: https://mercednaacp.com

National Website: https://naacp.org

Sonia is an affiliate of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), where she supports initiatives advancing social justice, equity, and systemic change. She actively contributes to efforts focused on education, health equity, economic justice, and civil rights. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and honoring the legacy of those who have long advocated for racial justice.

National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

Current Position: General Member, 2009 - Present

Previous Position: Executive Board Member, Corresponding Secretary: 2010 -2012

National Website: https://ncnw.org

From 2010 to 2012, Sonia served as Corresponding Secretary and Executive Board Member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Merced, California Branch. In this role, she worked closely with the President, Vice Presidents, and executive officers to support the organization’s governance and operations. A dedicated NCNW member, Sonia is deeply committed to advancing the empowerment, leadership, and social progress of women of African descent through initiatives focused on education, economic empowerment, and equity. Inspired by the vision of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, she is devoted to uplifting communities, strengthening families, and fostering collaboration for lasting social change.

St Matthew Baptist Church's Shower Ministry

Tenure: January 2026 - Present

Website: https://go2smbc.org

Sonia serves as a volunteer during the weekly Shower Ministry at St Matthew Baptist Church.