About the Author

Tamara Buzyna Adams is a first-time author, showcasing her meticulous research skills and her ardent passion for genealogy. Deeply immersed in her own family’s history project alongside her mother, Helen, she brings over 25 years of experience in uncovering and preserving ancestral stories from her Russian, Ukrainian, and Finnish heritage. Using her parents’ adventurous spirit, she vivaciously seeks out any experience, especially travel, that brings her closer to understanding not only her own heritage but of those surrounding her. 

Tamara’s indomitable spirit, undoubtedly inherited from her ancestors, allowed her to follow her ambitious ideas of researching her grandmother’s diaries and searching for descendants, and she was successful! 

After five years of researching her grandmother’s diaries, her work reached a remarkable milestone in November 2024, when her book cover was displayed in New York City’s Times Square. The next day, she presented a six-hour seminar of her findings to the spellbound descendants of those who were on the ship with her grandmother. Her dedication comes full circle with the publication of her first narrative book, Last Ship to Freedom, in spring 2025.

In addition to her extensive genealogy research experience, Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Elmhurst College, and a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Florida A&M University. Her background in science and research is evident in her attention to detail when uncovering family histories and piecing together her past.

Tamara lives in Alpharetta, GA with her husband and 2 children. Prior to pursuing genealogy, as a pediatric Occupational Therapist, she specialized in improving fine motor skills, enhancing upper body strength, and supporting functional daily activities to promote independence and well-being. She later embraced the role of a stay-at-home mom. While raising her children, she actively volunteered in their schools. 

Her hobbies span a wide range of creative and adventurous pursuits, including photography, graphic design, scrapbooking, card making, travel, and anything related to snow. In her free time, she enjoys diving into genealogy websites to research her friends’ family histories. Fun fact: She has always been fascinated by dinosaurs since childhood and dreams of joining a dinosaur dig one day! Perhaps a different kind of genealogy, tracing the lineage of prehistoric giants!