Speakers

Kandie Adkinson has researched Kentucky land patent records for over 31 years: 6.5 years at the Kentucky Historical Society in the Document Preservation Division, and, since 1984, at the Secretary of State's Land Office. Her duties also include the development of the Land Office website.

Russell P. Baker is a past president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society and recently retired after a long career at the Arkansas History Commission. The author of a several genealogical publications, he has lectured for nearly 40 years at numerous genealogical conferences and is a nationally known teacher of genealogical theory and practice.

John Baker, Jr. is the author of The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family's Journey to Freedom. For more than thirty years, he has been researching, conducting interviews, and collecting photographs and information about them and the hundreds of others enslaved on the plantation.

Terry Barton is a "retired" Engineer/Manager and President of WorldFamilies.net providing DNA project services. Terry leads the Cobb County Genealogical Society, Barton Historical Society and the 200+ Barton DNA Project, is active in his church, speaks as a Master Gardener, is an ardent family historian, amateur genealogist and genetic genealogy pioneer.

James Beidler writes “Roots & Branches,” an award-winning weekly newspaper column on genealogy that is the only syndicated feature on that topic in Pennsylvania. He is also a columnist for German Life magazine and is editor of Der Kurier, the quarterly journal of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society.

Ann K. Blomquist, MEd, is the author of 13 genealogy books and the editor of the Jefferson County TN Genealogical Society Journal. She is an experienced teacher and lecturer.

Darla Brock has been a Manuscripts Archivist in the Public Services Department of the Tennessee State Library and Archives for the past ten years. She has published a number of Civil War related articles and contributed to a college textbook on Tennessee history.

Jana Sloan Broglin Jana Sloan Broglin, CG, is an FGS Director and a past Ohio Genealogical Society Trustee. She is a member of FGS, OGS, APG, GSG and ISFHWE.

Christopher C. Child has worked with NEHGS since 1997, author of several articles in The New England Historical & Genealogical Register and New England Ancestors magazine, where he is the editor of the genetics column. He is the genealogist of the Newbury Street Press, an imprint of NEHGS.

Gordon J. Clarke is responsible Software Developer and Affiliate programs in addition to coordinating the development of FamilySearch Web Services. Over the last 25 years, Gordon has organized and led numerous companies and projects, creating and delivering Internet, desktop computer, and other solutions for many industries.

Karen Clifford, AG, is a college instructor in genealogy & computers, Co-Chair of the Testing Committee for ICAPGen, author of several books including The Complete Beginners Guide to Genealogy, the Internet & Your Genealogy Computer Program, and President of Genealogy Research Associates, Inc.

Carrie Ann Cook is Vice President/Webmaster of Gregath Publishing Company. She holds a BS in Education and is a published author/illustrator/photographer. She conducts tours and has lectured at the local Vo-Tech in subjects including Genealogy, Writing and Computers.

J. Stephen Cotham is the manager of the Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection. He was founding editor of the genealogical magazine Tennessee Ancestors. Areas of expertise are Tennessee research (especially East Tennessee) and Tennessee land records. In 1999 he was appointed to serve as County Historian for Knox County, Tennessee.

Amy Johnson Crow, CG, is a researcher, author, and editor. She is the webmaster for FGS. Amy is currently pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science degree at Kent State University.

Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG, is president of BCG. She specializes in New York City area research and is the author of articles in NGSQ, NYG&B Record, and NEHGS Register.

David Dilts, AG, is a Senior Reference Consultant in U.S. Reference at the Family History Library. He is accredited in LDS Records and German research and has served in ICAPGen and the Utah Genealogical Association.

Ed Donakey focuses on strategic relationships for FamilySearch, where responsibilities include directing the global strategic relations team. His emphasis is on genealogical affiliates and technology partners, leading technology negotiations, and serving as the primary executive contact. Ed holds a BA is in Philosophy and completed graduate studies in Political Philosophy at Brigham Young University.

Victor S. Dunn, CG, specializes in brick-wall solutions, land records, and platting. An instructor at the Virginia Track of IGHR, he currently serves as treasurer of NGS. Mr. Dunn is a contributor to major genealogical publications including feature articles in NGS Quarterly and NGS NewsMagazine.

Wendy Bebout Elliott, Ph.D., FUGA, is a nationally known speaker and author with five chapters in Redbook and two articles in Encyclopedia of Immigration and Migration in the American West. Wendy is a university professor in U.S. History. She is immediate past President of FGS.

Diane VanSkiver Gagel, M.A., OGSF, is a retired college instructor, freelance writer, and professional genealogist. She has a M. A. in American Studies. Diane has been a speaker at NGS, FGS, and the Ohio Genealogical Society Annual Conferences. Diane has served as Chairman of the Board of the Ohio Genealogical Society and is the Immediate Past President of OGS as well as a Fellow of OGS.

Linda Woodward Geiger, CG, CGL, is an accomplished researcher, a national lecturer, and a published author. She is a principal of RIGS Alliance workshops, and the treasurer of the TOTA, Georgia Chapter.

Jim Greene has 30 years experience in the computer industry, working at IBM and Novell before joining FamilySearch in 2002. He is the product manager of the FamilySearch Research Wiki, Forums, and the Family History Library.

Jeffrey Haines, CG, a professional genealogist specializing in the Carolinas and Caribbean, is currently editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal and president of the North Carolina Chapter of APG.

Amy Harris, PhD, AG, is an assistant professor of history and family history at Brigham Young University and a commissioner for ICAPGen. She is currently finalizing a book manuscript, Share and Share Alike: Sibling Relations in Georgian England.

Kenneth W. Heger, Ph.D., is the Deputy Director of Access Programs at the National Archives. He has spoken at the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the National Institute on Genealogical Research as well as local societies. He has published in numerous state and local genealogical publications.

Cherel Henderson is the executive director of the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville, an FGS board member, and co-chair of the FGS 2010 Conference.

Jean Wilcox Hibben, CG, has doctorate in folklore and MA in speech communication, is president of both the Corona Genealogical Society and Southern California Chapter of the APG, secretary of the GSG, national speaker, and staff trainer for the Corona, California Family History Center.

Maureen Hill is an Archives Specialist at the National Archives Southeast Region in Atlanta. She earned a Masters of Library and Information Sciences from Valdosta State University in 2009. She has been working at NARA since 2006.

Lynne Hollingsworth is the former Manuscript Archivist of the Kentucky Historical Society and is currently the Grant Writer for that agency. Ms. Hollingsworth was raised in Cincinnati and received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in History and Public History, with a concentration in Archival Management, from Western Washington University. She has worked in the library and archival fields for 31 years.

Jim Ison, AG, CG, is Manager of Strategy and Planning at the Family History Library and FamilySearch Support division. He has served as Vice-President and President of the Salt Lake Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, a genealogical researcher, editor, and educator, has co-edited NGSQ since 2002 and is an APG board member. An active genealogist since his teens, Tom writes and speaks frequently on genealogical methods with broad application across geographic areas, time periods, and levels of expertise. He is known for informative, well-organized lectures.

Roberta "Bobbi" King researches federal land patents, homestead records, the rectangular survey system, and homestead laws. She serves as VP of Administration for FGS, columnist for the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and writes on homesteading and public land records. She is a Nebraska native living in Colorado.

Nancy Waters Lauer is a researcher, lecturer, college instructor, and award-winning author. Nancy is a member of several national and local genealogical societies including APG, GSG, NGS, and ISFHWE (Secretary). She has presented at national and regional conferences; e.g., the BYU 2008 and 2009 Conferences, and the 2008 FGS GSG Track.

Michael J. Leclerc is Director of Special Projects at NEHGS. He works on book projects, edits the weekly eNews newsletter, and is a contributing editor for New England Ancestors magazine. He has published numerous articles in journals and popular magazines. He is a former board member of APG and FGS.

Diane Loosle, AG, CG, has worked at the Family History Library for 16 years in various positions. She is currently the FamilySearch Genealogical Community Services manager.

Ransom H. Love is the Director of Strategic Relationships for FamilySearch and has been working in the genealogical market for more than six years. Ransom's group negotiates 3rd party relationships by creating an online genealogical community with commercial and non-profit organizations worldwide.

J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA, a professional genealogist, author, lecturer, instructor at IGHR, SLIG, director of RIGS Alliance, researches primarily in original records and manuscripts throughout the Southeast.

Raymond Madsen, AG, is an Accredited Genealogist (England) and Manager of Family Reconstitution and Record Linkage for FamilySearch. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University. He has been a professional genealogist since 1977. Ray began work for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1978 as a British Reference Consultant.

Ruth Maness, AG, is a senior research consultant of the International unit of the FHL. She is co-author of Passport to Paradise series.

Charles S. "Chuck" Mason, Jr., CG, specializes in Southern New Jersey and 19th and 20th century death records. He is Past President of Mt. Vernon Genealogical Society, Past President of NIGRAA, teaches genealogy for Fairfax County Adult Ed. A frequent contributor to the NGS NewsMagazine, he also authors "Genealogy News and Issues" for their online newsletter Up Front with NGS.

Rhonda R. McClure is Directory of Research Services at NEHGS, nationally recognized genealogist and lecturer on New England, celebrity research, and computerized genealogy; compiler of more than 120 celebrity trees; past contributing editor of Biography magazine, author of ten books, including Finding Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors and Digitizing Your Family History.

Julie Miller, CG, is a professional researcher, lecturer, and writer. She is a member of the NGS board of directors, President of the Colorado Chapter of APG, genealogy columnist, and a volunteer at the National Archives, Rocky Mountain Region.

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, is a former president of BCG and ASG, longtime editor of NGSQ, and heads the Advanced Methodology track at IGHR.

Paul Milner , a native of England, is co-author of Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Scottish Ancestors and Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your English Ancestors. He is the product review editor for the FGS FORUM, past FGS Board member, and current APG board member.

George G. Morgan is an internationally recognized genealogy expert. He is the prolific author of eight books and literally hundreds of articles. His most recent book is the 2nd edition of How to Do Everything: Genealogy, published by McGraw-Hill, and both editions of the book The Official Guide to Ancestry.com. He is co-host of the weekly podcast, The Genealogy Guys Podcast at genealogyguys.com and The Genealogy Guys Videocasts at genealogyguys.blip.tv.

Frederick E. Moss is advisor to the FGS board on legal and technological matters and a member of the NGS Genealogical Standards Committee.

Donna M. Moughty is a former Regional Education Sales Manager for Apple Computer, and now a Professional Genealogist. In addition to private research and consultations, Donna teaches classes and lectures on a variety of subjects including the Internet and Irish research as well as computer topics. She writes a weekly Blog and has published articles in the Digital Genealogist.

David Ouimette manages the Collection Management team at FamilySearch, prioritizing the acquisition and online publication of historical records worldwide for family history research. He specializes in the records of Ireland, Quebec, and New England, and authored Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide.

Constance Potter is an archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and specializes in federal records of genealogical interest. She has spoken at the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the National Institute on Genealogical Research as well as local societies. She is also the contributing editor to the "Genealogy Notes" section of Prologue.

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, is the Professional Genealogy course coordinator at IGHR, BCG trustee, instructor at SLIG, and at Boston University's Genealogical Research program.

Richard Rayburn, MA, is the Regional Archives Director for the National Archives Southeast Region.

David Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA, is employed by the Family History Department in Salt Lake City as the Chief Genealogical Officer and Director of the Planning and Coordination Division. He is both an Accredited Genealogist and a Certified Genealogist.

Don Rightmyer is editor of Kentucky Ancestors, the quarterly family history and genealogy publication of the Kentucky Historical Society. He previously worked as the staff genealogy researcher for the Society and worked for seven years as reference librarian and Kentucky Room supervisor at the Boyle County Public Library. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a major in military history and did graduate study in American history after retiring from a USAF career.

Michael Ritchey is the Community and Content Manager of FamilySearch Wiki, director of the Provo, Utah South Family History Center, and a freelance professional genealogist.

Carol Roberts is Director of Preservation Services at Tennessee State Library and Archives. She has been involved in archival preservation for over 22 years at TSLA, helping county archives and officials care for permanent records; coordinated disaster preparedness workshops and training, and recently completed a successful IMLS Caring for Collections Grant for TN.

Bryce Roper is a Product Manager for FamilySearch, the largest genealogical organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bryce graduated from the University of Utah and has worked for FamilySearch since 2005.

Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG, author, lecturer, columnist, past VP Association of Professional Genealogists, Trustee: Board for Certification of Genealogists, past VP Federation of Genealogical Societies. Author of fifteen books including Courthouse Research for Family Historians.

Stuart W. Sanders is community services administrator and Civil War heritage specialist for the Kentucky Historical Society. He is former executive director of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association and is a contributor to the book Kentuckians in Gray: Confederate Generals and Field Officers of the Bluegrass State and forthcoming volumes of Confederate Generals in the Western Theater and Confederate Generals of the Trans-Mississippi.

Pamela K. Sayre, CG, CGL, is Director of Education and Publications for NGS, coordinator of Samford's IGHR Techniques and Technology course, past FGS and NGS director, and past editor of the APG Quarterly.

George Schweitzer is holder of three doctorates (history, philosophy, chemistry), lecturer at over 200 conferences, and author of 19 genealogical books.

M. Scott Simkins is the Head Conservator at the Family History Library. Scott has trained in conservation and book repair at Brigham Young University and has taken courses at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies, as well as at the J. Willard Marriott Library at the University of Utah. Scott teaches basic preservation and book repair on a regular basis. He has served as Treasurer of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers and is a member of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

Susan Sloan is a professional genealogist who specializes in lineage society applications and teaching genealogy classes. She holds a Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. Since 2003 she has spoken to genealogical society meetings and taught classes on a variety of topics in several venues.

Diana Crisman Smith , Treasurer, Genealogical Speakers Guild; Director, International Society of Family History Writers and Editors; Webmaster and Chapter Rep, Great Lakes Chapter APG. Writes how-to articles and product reviews for online and print publications and presents a variety of topics at conferences throughout the US and at sea. Lay librarian at the Westlake, OH, Family History Center.

Drew Smith, MLS, a librarian with the University of South Florida Tampa Library, is an FGS Director and president of the Florida Genealogical Society of Tampa. He is author of the book Social Networking for Genealogists, editor of the Federation's newsletter FGS Voice, and a former columnist for Digital Genealogist magazine.

C. Ann Staley, CG, CGL, is a lecturer, instructor, trip leader, and professional genealogist; NGSQ Advertising Manager; Faculty, The National Institute for Genealogical Studies; Chair, APG Chapter Review Committee; former Director, Federation of Genealogical Societies; Board for Certification of Genealogists associate since 2000.

Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL, is a researcher, lecturer, St. Louis Community College's instructor, and writes for NGS NewsMagazine and APG Quarterly. Besides her involvement in various national genealogical organizations, she chairs St. Louis Genealogical Society's Education Committee and holds a tested concentration of Genealogical Instruction from BCG.

Paul Starkey is currently the manager of FamilySearch Indexing. He has worked for FamilySearch since 1984 in system and product development in many areas including CD-ROM and internet databases. He received a B.S. degree from Brigham Young University.

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, works internationally in genealogical and historical research, lecturing, consulting, and writing. Specialties include unusual records, problem solving, major repositories, American Indian research. Course Coordinator and instructor for SLIG, former APG officer, former MGS board member, and currently serves on the FGS Board of Directors.

Laine Sutherland is Director of Public Services, Tennessee State Library and Archives and the current president of Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society. She has lectured at the Society of Southwest Archivists annual conference, Conference of the Inter-Mountain Archivists, Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University, Vanderbilt University, and Lipscomb University. She has authored three genealogy related books.

D. Joshua Taylor is a professional genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Currently the Research Coordinator at NEHGS, he is a recipient of the Rubincam Youth Award from NGS. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies, as FGS parliamentarian, and chairs the FGS bylaws and outreach committees.

Lori Thornton is Technical Services Librarian at Carson-Newman College. She also teaches Management Information Systems classes for the School of Business. She enjoys helping patrons with their genealogical research and researches for herself and others, writes articles, and speaks for genealogical groups.

Cath Madden Trindle, CG, is treasurer of FGS and Projects chair for California State Genealogical Alliance and SMCGS. She is well known as a speaker and researcher throughout California.

Kent Whitworth is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society. Prior to joining KHS, Kent served as the Director of the East Tennessee Historical Society.

Ari Wilkins partnering with Dr. James Rose, is co-owner of Black Genesis. She is a former board member of the Dallas Genealogical Society and a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.

Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF, is the Manager for The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN. He is a former president of both FGS & NGS, and the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society. He is coeditor of the Periodical Source Index.