Steven Donald Norris was born in a small town in Iowa in 1948. An avid learner from an early age, he went on to attend Pomona College, where he graduated with a degree in Theology in 1971. He then pursued further theological studies at the Claremont School of Theology, initially aiming for a career in academia.
Life, however, led him through diverse professional paths. His first career was in retail, where he managed major department stores such as The Broadway and Target.

He later explored the financial world as a commodities broker in Newport Beach, California, before settling into a long-term and fulfilling career as a certified real estate appraiser, a profession he has practiced for over 35 years and continues to enjoy part-time.

Steven’s deep passion for genealogy began in his youth, inspired by road trips across the Midwest with his mother, visiting distant relatives and collecting family stories. What began as a hobby evolved into a lifelong pursuit of ancestral discovery. His genealogical research eventually led him across Europe, where he connected his lineage to royal bloodlines and, remarkably, traced his ancestry back to Charlemagne the Great.

More significantly, Steven’s research took him further into the ancient world. Over 30 years ago, he uncovered a familial link to the extended family of Jesus of Nazareth, tracing his connection through the apostle James and others. This discovery laid the foundation for his first book, Unraveling the Family History of Jesus, a scholarly and meticulously documented work that explores the lives and influence of Jesus’ relatives from 100 BC to 100 AD. Building on this, Steven published Identifying the Patriarchs from Non- Biblical Sources, where he traced the ten generations from Noah to Abraham roughly 4000 BC to 2000 BC-through ancient Sumerian records. His groundbreaking research identified the same figures named in Genesis 10 within external Sumerian documents, offering compelling historical evidence of their existence and long lifespans. For instance, he draws a striking comparison between the biblical figure Nimrod and the Sumerian ruler Meshkiagazzer, suggesting they were in fact the same individual.

In both books, Steven brings ancient texts to life, giving historical depth and human context to biblical figures. His work provides a fresh lens through which to view Judeo-Christian heritage, combining faith, scholarship, and genealogical insight in ways that resonate with readers across backgrounds. Now in his mid-70s, Steven resides in a quiet mountain village near Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear, California, where he continues to write, research, and reflect on his decades-long journey through history and faith.