Ahern, Dennis J.
Anderson II, Joseph C.
Bielawa, Matthew
Black, Kathryn Smith
Clunies, Sandra MacLean
Duffy, Janis P.
Feeney, Vincent E.
Fitzpatrick, Colleen
Ganz, Carol
Goodwin, Sandra
Gravel, Diane Florence
Grundset, Eric G.
Hatcher, Patricia Law
Hickey, Walter V.
Hoff, Henry B.
Howells, Cyndi

Johnson, Judith Ellen
Johnson, Kevin
Jones, Jr., Henry Z "Hank"
Lambert, David Allen
Lambert, Irene P.
Leclerc, Michael J.
Locke, Patty Vigeant
Lynch, Daniel M.
Mathews, Barbara Jean
McNiff, John
Melnyk, Marcia Iannizzi
Mishkin, David L.
Moughty, Donna M.
Nudd, Jean
Peluso, Nancy
Powell, Elissa Scalise

Prescott, Laura G.
Rapaport, Diane
Roberts, Richard Clarke
Roth II, Emery
Ryall, Allison L.
Sage, Jay
Scott, Craig Roberts
Sharbrough, Beau
Shea, Jonathan D.
Shibata, Edward Isamu
Smolenyak, Megan Smolenyak
Söderberg, Reverend Adam
Strickland, Edwin W.
Sweet-Hart, Christine L.
Taylor, Maureen A.
Ullmann, Helen Schatvet
Waters, Horace

Dennis J. Ahern has been a trustee of the Acton Memorial Library since 1982. Dennis is currently documenting all of the Civil War veterans of Acton, MA. A native of Arlington, MA, he is a past vice-president of the Arlington Historical Society where he has lectured on the Civil War veterans of that town. Dennis is also the creator of several websites on Irish genealogy and has lectured on a variety of subjects in Ireland as well as New England.

Joseph C. Anderson II, FASG is the co-editor of The American Genealogist, editor of The Maine Genealogist, and editor of the Maine Families in 1790 project of the Maine Genealogical Society. He has published 17 books and 40+ articles focused on solving tough genealogical problems in Maine.

Matthew Bielawa is the assistant registrar at Central Connecticut State University and has done extensive research in various archival repositories in Ukraine and Poland. He serves as the vice president and webmaster for the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast and has authored numerous articles on Ukrainian research for various American and Canadian genealogical publications. He is webmaster of www.halgal.com, a site dedicated to genealogical research in Galicia, Southeastern Poland and Western Ukraine.

Kathryn Smith Black is a retired chemical engineer who has been doing professional genealogy for more than ten years. She has had articles published in The New England Historical and Genealogical Register and The New Hampshire Genealogical Record. She regularly volunteers at NEHGS, the Connecticut Historical Society and the LDS Family History Center in Nashua, NH.  She is a member of NEHGS, APG, the Connecticut Historical Society, a founding member of Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, and a life member of the New Hampshire Genealogical Society.

Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG is a professional genealogist, author, and lecturer. Current President of the National Capital Area Chapter of APG, and the APG Board of Directors, she has served on the adjunct faculty of NIGR and IGHR and is a past winner of the NGS Family History Writing Contest.

Janis P. Duffy is a reference supervisor at the Massachusetts State Archives and their volunteer coordinator. Past President of TIARA, member of NEHGS, NGS, and various other genealogy societies. She has made many trips to Canada and Ireland in search of her roots. Janis has assisted with research tours to Ireland for the past three years.

Vincent E. Feeney, Ph.D. received a Ph.D. in History from the University of Washington in 1974 and has lectured since 1977 at the University of Vermont as an adjunct professor of Irish History. He is the author of a variety of articles and publications. From 1998-2001 he was the president of the Chittenden County Historical Society in Burlington, VT and is currently working on a history of the Irish in Vermont.

Colleen Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. is a recognized expert in optical laser measurement techniques, with many years of experience developing innovative technologies for NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Defense. She is also an avid genealogist. In Forensic Genealogy, Dr. Fitzpatrick shows that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to get the most from your genealogical materials.

Carol Ganz is a reference librarian in the History and Genealogy Unit of the Connecticut State Library, where she works with a variety of patrons and genealogical materials, and specializes in church records and related resources. She is a member of CSG and NEHGS, serves as historian for her local church, and takes an active role in local historical societies.

Sandra Goodwin is the current president of the Massachusetts Society of Genealogists, after having served several years as president and vice-president of the Worcester chapter. She taught social studies in the public school system for twenty-nine years and has been doing genealogy for the past fourteen years. She has been teaching beginning and intermediate courses at local public libraries for more than a year, as well as a "Family History Writing" course as an introduction to MSOG's First Annual Family History Writing contest.

Diane Florence Gravel, CG is a full-time, professional researcher with 20 years of experience in the legal profession prior to becoming a genealogist. She is co-editor of New Hampshire Families in 1790 and serves as Vice President of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists.

Eric G. Grundset has been Library Director for the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C. since 1983. He is the author of many articles that have been published in a variety of publications. Eric is a member of the DAR's Technology Advisory Committee, which is responsible for planning and implementing the DAR's ongoing digitizing and indexing projects. A former vice president of the National Genealogical Society and a former president of the Virginia Genealogical Society, Eric has lectured at numerous NGS and FGS conferences since 1984 and at countless local and regional events since the late 1970s.

Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG is a professional genealogist specializing in problem solving whose articles have appeared in over a dozen publications. She is the editor of the NYG&B Record. She is a former trustee of the Association of Professional Genealogists and in 2000 was elected a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. A popular lecturer and instructor, she has spoken at many national conferences and institutes. Read more about Pat Hatcher under featured speakers.

Walter V. Hickey has been with NARA since 1990, serving at both the Waltham and Pittsfield Regional Archives. Prior to joining the National Archives, he was the Special Collections Librarian at the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, having previously taught Social Studies for a number of years. He has written articles for many genealogical society newsletters and is a frequent speaker to such societies.

Henry B. Hoff, CG, FASG is editor of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. For fifteen years he was editor or consulting editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. He is the author of many articles and the compiler, editor, or co-editor of several books.

Cyndi Howells, a genealogist for more than 25 years, is the creator of Cyndi's List; author of three books for genealogical research on the Internet; a past-member of the board of directors for the National Genealogical Society and an active member in several other genealogical groups. Read more about Cyndi Howells under featured speakers.

Judith Ellen Johnson is the Genealogist at the Connecticut Historical Society Museum in Hartford, CT.

Kevin Johnson is an employee of the State Library's History and Genealogy Unit. He has been presenting at schools, historical societies, and genealogical societies in Connecticut for over eight years and has given more than 280 presentations.

Henry Z “Hank” Jones, Jr., FASG has been a professional genealogist since 1965. Hank is an entertaining genealogical lecturer, an accomplished writer, and a respected Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. He is best known for his extensive work with Palatine genealogy and for his popular book, Psychic Roots. Hank also has a long career as an entertainer and screen actor. Read more about Hank Jones under featured speakers.

David Allen Lambert is currently the NEHGS Online Genealogist, and formerly served as the Microtext Department Manager and Reference Librarian for NEHGS. David has been on the NEHGS staff since 1993, having been a member previously. His interest in genealogy started at the young age of seven, and has increased over the past four decades. He is currently a consulting editor for The New England Historical and Genealogical Register.

Irene P. Lambert, MGA, a Master Graphoanalyst, has been analyzing handwriting, teaching, giving seminars, and writing articles since 1987. She has specialized in Genealogy Handwriting Analysis for the past ten years, assisting clients in understanding the personality of their ancestors through the analysis of their handwriting. Irene was named Graphoanalyst of the Year in 2005 by the International Graphoanalysis Society.

Michael J. Leclerc is an active professional genealogical researcher, consultant, and author. He is Director of Special Projects at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. His research specialties include New England and Eastern Canada, as well as general research and methodology. He serves on the Board of Directors of the FGS and is a past board member of the APG. He is co-chair of the 2006 FGS National Conference in Boston.

Patty Vigeant Locke is a member of AFGS in Woonsocket, RI and ACGS in Manchester, NH. She has a variety of previous genealogy speaking experience in the New England area. She is the Chairperson of the Research Department at the American French Genealogical Society.

Daniel M. Lynch is a 22-year computer industry veteran with an even longer track record in the field of genealogy. A consultant to the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, he has taught and written numerous genealogy articles, is a frequent lecturer on both genealogy and technology, and was featured on ABC News' Good Morning America as part of their 2004 genealogy special. Dan is a fourth-generation native of CT with Irish and Italian heritage and has also lived in RI and MA. He is an APG member and former board member and officer for the CT Society of Genealogists.

Barbara Jean Mathews, CG specializes in colonial Connecticut research. She was a former contributor to the Connecticut research area of NewEnglandAncestors.org. She is a verifying genealogist for the Massachusetts Society of The Colonial Dames of America, a book editor, and Vice President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

John McNiff was raised in Warwick, Rhode Island. After college he joined the National Park Service. Presently he is a ranger at the Roger Williams Memorial National Park. His presentations on various historical personalities have always been well-received and appreciated by those in attendance.

Marcia Iannizzi Melnyk is a professional genealogist who has taught beginning and advanced genealogy courses for more than 15 years. She is the author of The Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research, Fourth Edition, The Weekend Genealogist: Timesaving Techniques for Effective Research, The Genealogist's Question and Answer Book and Family History 101. Marcia is President, and a founding member, of The Italian Genealogical Society of America, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, former executive board member of the New England Regional Genealogical Conference as well as many local and national societies.

David L. Mishkin received a B.S. degree in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1969 and has graduated from their Photographic Preservation seminar series.  He recently completed two terms as the President of the NERGC and has served as the Conference Chair for the 2002 Cape Cod Conference and the 2005 Portland, Maine Conference. He has also served as the Exhibitor chair for the 1998 conference in Portland, Maine. He has served as LAC Co-Chair for the National Conference in Providence, RI in 2000. Mr. Mishkin was a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and served as secretary for the organization.

Donna M. Moughty is a former Regional Education Sales Manager for a technology company, 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.

Jean Nudd has worked for the National Archives and Records Administration since 1994, managing the genealogy reading room in Pittsfield, MA. She holds a masters degree in local history from Arizona State University and a bachelors degree in American History from Plymouth State College in New Hampshire.

Nancy Peluso has been a librarian at the Connecticut State Library for more than 20 years, and the federal documents librarian for 10 years. She has presented numerous workshops on federal and state web pages to librarians across Connecticut.

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG is a Pennsylvania researcher and the Professional Genealogy Course Coordinator at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University; BCG Trustee, Booth Coordinator, and OnBoard columnist; Western PA Genealogical Society Book Review Editor; and a contributor to publications such as APG Quarterly, Digital Genealogist, NGS NewsMagazine and NGS Quarterly. She was an APG Director, past-president of two societies, co-editor of tombstone inscription books and appeared in the cemetery episode of KBYU-TV’s Ancestors 2.

Laura G. Prescott is a professional researcher, writer, and speaker. She attended Dartmouth College (History, 1980). Laura speaks to national audiences on the use of manuscripts in genealogical research, genealogy on the Internet, and computerized genealogy for Mac users. She writes for Ancestry, the Digital Genealogist, NGS NewsMagazine, and New England Ancestors magazines. She's a member of APG and vice president of the Genealogical Speakers Guild.

Diane Rapaport is an attorney (former trial lawyer) and award-winning author, who has made a new career as a family historian. She uses her legal training to help people find their ancestors in court records, and she writes regular magazine columns: “Tales from the Courthouse” in New England Ancestors and “Scottish Genealogy” in The Highlander. Her new book, New England Court Records: A Research Guide for Genealogists and Historians, was published February 2006 by Quill Pen Press (www.QuillPenPress.com).

Richard Clarke Roberts, Unit Head of the Connecticut State Library's History and Genealogy Unit, is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and holds masters degrees from the University of Connecticut and the University of Rhode Island. He is a member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and the Association for Gravestone Studies. He is currently president of the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor and a director of the New England Regional Genealogical Conference. He is co-chair of New England Connections 2007.

Emery Roth II is an English teacher and curriculum and computer specialist who has been actively researching his own genealogy for the past 11 years. He recently retired as Director of Technology for Regional School District #12, CT.

Allison L. Ryall received a B.A. degree in History from the University of Southern Maine in 2006 and is working on completing a second B.A. degree in Russian Studies. She has on-site research experience in a variety of archives in the United States and Russia. Allison was the chair of the Ancestors Road Show at NERGC 2005 Portland, the co-chair of the Ancestors Road Show at FGS Boston 2006 and is the program co-chair of NERGC 2007 Hartford. Allison has a professional background in events marketing, promotions, and planning.

Jay Sage is the immediate past-president of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston. His passion for genealogy developed in 1996 when his last parent died, leaving him, as the eldest child, responsible for preserving the history of his family. He is a research scientist and has been a computer hobbyist since the early days of personal computers.

Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG is the CEO and President of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 2,950 titles in print located in Westminster, Maryland. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than twenty-one years, he specializes in the records of the National Archives and focuses specifically on those that relate to the military. He is an APG Director and IGHR faculty member.

Beau Sharbrough is a Houston native and received a Philosophy BA from Texas A&M in 1977. His programming career began in 1980. He is presently director of content acquisition at Footnote.com. Beau was a product manager at Ancestry.com, and is a former president of GENTECH. His volunteer projects include starting websites for FGS and GENTECH, and founding the Lexicon Working Group. He writes regularly on technical topics in family history, with an occasional overdose of humor. He maintains the RootsWorks.com website.

Jonathan D. Shea, AG a New Britain native, is a professor of foreign languages at Central Connecticut State University and Housatonic Community College. He is the president and reference archivist of the Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast and has authored several works dealing with the linguistic aspects of genealogical research. Professor Shea has on-site archival research experience in archives in the US, Canada, Ireland, Wales, England, Poland, and Lithuania.

Edward Isamu Shibata, Ph.D. is a third generation Japanese-American born and raised in Gallup, NM. He received S.B. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology after which he was a physics professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, for 32 years. In 2004 he moved to Falmouth, MA, where he pursues family genealogy as one of his retirement activities.

Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak is the author of several books and numerous articles, lectures widely, and conducts research for the U.S. Army and television programs. Her website is Honoring Our Ancestors.

Reverend Adam Söderberg is a native New Englander, born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated Triton Regional High School in Byfield, MA, in 1980 and was a drummer/songwriter for the next sixteen years. During this time, he was also employed by the U.S. Postal Service, ending up as a postmaster in Salisbury, MA. In 1997, he answered the call to pastoral ministry and entered seminary. He graduated from the Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies; American Christian College and Seminary with a bachelor's degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Religious Studies; and Bangor Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. After a nine year pastorate in Maine, on December 4, 2005 he was installed as the 17th Senior Minister of South Congregational Church, Hartford, Connecticut. He will present Sunday Morning Special Session S-401, "'Sinners at the Hands of an Angry God': A Portrayal of Reverend Jonathan Edwards."

Edwin W. Strickland II grew up with a strong sense of family history and came to genealogy in 1974 at the tender age of 24. He has been a life member of Connecticut Society of Genealogists since 1975 and serves on their Board of Governors (2006). He was elected Genealogist of DFAW at its founding in 1983 and has served in that post for over 19 years. He is a member of the Connecticut Professional Genealogist's Council and has been a researcher listed by the Connecticut State Library. He has taught Introduction to Genealogy for Enfield (CT) Adult Education.

Christine L. Sweet-Hart, CG is a board-certified genealogist, Program Co-Chair and Ancestor Road Show Co-Chair of NERGC 2007. Christine has fourteen years experience researching in Massachusetts repositories. Currently, she is the editor of the Massachusetts Genealogical Council Newsletter, and works as a volunteer for NEHGS. She has written several articles for GenealogyToday.com, runs three websites for the USGenWeb project, and is involved in several records preservation projects. She is a former Chapter Representative for the Greater Boston Chapter of the APG, and spent fourteen years in public health administration as a project, operations, and compliance manager.

Maureen A. Taylor is the author of several books and articles on genealogy and photo history. She is a frequent lecturer at New England Historic Genealogical Society and an instructor at Samford Institute (2001).

Helen Schatvet Ullmann, CG, FASG lives in Acton, Massachusetts. She is associate editor of The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, a consulting editor for the Newbury Street Press, a librarian at an LDS Family History Center, and a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Published work includes databases of some Norwegian records, articles in various genealogical journals and several books, including Nutmegger Index, Volumes 128 (1996), Descendants of Peter Mills of Windsor, Connecticut (1998), A Mills and Kendall Family History (2002), and Hartford County, Connecticut, County Court Minutes, 1663-1687, 1697 (2005).

Horace Waters has worked for the National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region, Waltham, MA, for four years. He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and a B.S. degree in Life Sciences, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A ninth-generation New Englander, he has 15 years experience with New England genealogical and historical records. He is a member of the NEHGS, NGS, and the Society of American Archivists.