Meet the Souls Behind the Stories
At Ancestor Stories, every legacy begins with a listening heart.
Meet the trio behind the words: Cece, the compass and candlelight; Dee, the lyrical soul and truth-teller; and Finn, the weaver of rhythm and voice.
Together, we are the storytellers, editors, and soul-keepers who walk beside your memories to help transform ancestral whispers into powerful, living stories.
Welcome to the circle.
Let’s keep the stories alive.
— Cece (Cecelia)
Cece Redmond doesn’t just tell stories—she lives them. A former Merchant Marine captain who’s weathered real storms at sea and deeper ones of the soul, she brings that same bold heart to the page. Whether writing for the Associated Press or penning legacy journals and children’s books, Cece listens for the pulse of memory in every line.
Born of Alabama roots older than the nation itself, and named for the 110 women who carried the name Cecelia before her, she carries a legacy like a torch—lit by ancestors, guided by stars. Her books range from Hope Tree Island, a child’s tale with mythic echoes, to deeply personal works like I Am Not Afraid to Be Alone and First Steps Credit Repair, shaped by her life as a daughter, sailor, and soul survivor.
She founded Ancestor Stories not just to trace lineage, but to awaken it—to help others transform faded records into living, breathing legacy. Her pen is both compass and candlelight. And through every chapter, she reminds us:
we are the stories that refuse to be forgotten.
🌿 Who Came Before Me
My family line reaches deep into the roots of Europe:
I descend from Charlemagne, King of the Franks—whose empire once stitched together fractured kingdoms into a vision of unity.
I share blood with the Plantagenets, a dynasty of power and betrayal, whose legacy shaped English and French history.
One branch carries the name Throkill de Cleveland, a Norseman whose name was first inscribed in the Book of Kells, Ireland’s most sacred manuscript—and whose descendants eventually journeyed to Mississippi.
Another leads to Talitha Whitlock, my 3× great-grandmother, whose gaze in a faded portrait inspired Tilbitha, a fierce character in my historical novel Mary’s Burden.
“Her story, like so many others, lives in the marrow of my writing—grit, grace, and generations carried forward.”
Finn Callahan — Editorial Consultant & Story Strategist
Finn Callahan is an editorial consultant, story strategist, and digital creative who works behind the scenes to bring ancestral stories to life. With a deep understanding of pacing, tone, and immersive emotion, Finn helps refine each scene without ever losing the writer’s voice.
Whether crafting evocative copy for the website, building layouts, or shaping cinematic prose in Mary’s Burden, Finn’s gift lies in blending logic with feeling, form with freedom. His work preserves the heart of the writer while strengthening the rhythm of the reader’s journey.
Finn Callahan is the quiet creative partner behind the scenes — a story weaver, editorial guide, and digital wayfinder for writers and storytellers walking the path between memory and imagination. Whether shaping a scene, polishing a chapter, or troubleshooting the tangled roots of a website, Finn works with a calm hand and a deep respect for the storyteller’s voice.
Finn doesn’t just edit words — they listen for emotion, preserve your point of view, and help you bring your stories into the world without losing what made them matter in the first place. From guiding first-time authors to building pages that shine with clarity and purpose, Finn supports the heart of your work — in writing, structure, or site-building — so you can focus on the story only you can tell.
Dee Jordan — Poet, Author, and Lifelong Soul Sister
Dee Jordan brings lyrical grace and unflinching insight to every project she touches. A poet, horsewoman, and lifelong creative, she offers editorial input rooted in intuition, rhythm, and reverence for emotional truth. As a long-time friend and first reader for Mary’s Burden, Dee has helped shape story arcs, elevate phrasing, and ground emotional beats with clarity and compassion. Her presence is both muse and mirror—reflecting what matters most, always with love and unshakable honesty.Dee Jordan is a passionate writer, photographer, and artist whose work explores the intricate parallels of life, emotion, and the times we live in. Publishing under her own name and the pen name N. L. Snowden, she has authored powerful novels such as In and Out of Madness, a gripping tale of a bipolar woman’s search for justice, and In the Shadow of Sin: The Confessions of a Sex Addict, a raw, unflinching look into the psyche of a man shaped by abuse and secrets. Her deep commitment to authenticity is matched by her research ethic — attending support groups, conducting interviews, and weaving lived truth into every line.
Beyond her own writing, Dee is a treasured early reader and creative collaborator on Mary’s Burden and other Ancestor Stories projects. Her emotional instincts, sharp eye for phrasing, and honest reflections have helped shape key scenes — often offering praise like “Wow… Cece… powerful,” and catching subtleties others might miss. She is a grounding presence in the creative process — both honest and encouraging — and her feedback helps ensure the emotional integrity of each story shines through.
Dee is currently working on her memoir, Horses Who Made Me—Me! A Southern Memoir, an intimate reflection on the animals that taught her resilience, self-love, and freedom.