Our Educators

Family History Academy is privileged to have world leaders in the genealogy field offer courses and workshops on our platform. All are experienced researchers and educators who enjoy sharing tips and strategies to help you build your genealogical skills and knowledge.

If you are interested in offering courses/workshops for Family History Academy, please contact us.

Allison Beard

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, APG

For more than 20 years, Allison Beard has led communications and marketing efforts for several non-profit associations, trade groups, and advocacy organizations in the Washington, DC, area. Her experience covers all areas of communications, including social media planning and strategy, editing, publishing, marketing, and graphic design.

Mia Bennett

MIA GENEALOGY

Mia Bennett is a UK-based professional genealogist who specialises in using DNA to solve family history mysteries. She is also a speaker and workshop coordinator. Mia is Chair of Gloucestershire Family History Society and is an alumnus of both SLIG (having attended three times) and GRIP. She is an Associate of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA).

Fiona Brooker

MEMORIES IN TIME

Fiona Brooker is a professional genealogist who has been actively researching her family history for over thirty-five years. She has gained a Higher Certificate in Genealogy from the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies and is a ProGen graduate. Fiona has served as both President and Treasurer of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG). She has organised family history conferences and expos in New Zealand.

Tom Jones

SPEAKER, AUTHOR

Tom Jones, PhD, CG^® is a genealogical author, editor, educator, and researcher. He is the author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation. He happily shares his expertise online and in person at genealogical conferences, institutes, seminars, and workshops locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Leah Larkin

THE DNA GEEK

^{A biologist-turned-genealogist, Leah Larkin, PhD, loves using DNA to solve family mysteries and teaching others to do the same. She blogs at theDNAgeek.com, runs several Facebook genealogy groups, and lectures internationally and online. She also collaborates on new approaches for genetic genealogy, including the revolutionary "What Are the Odds?" tool at DNApainter.com.}

Michelle Leonard

GENES & GENEALOGY

Michelle Leonard is a Scottish professional genealogist, speaker, author and historian. She runs her own genealogy and consultancy business specialising in DNA Detective work. She is particularly focused on solving adoption, unknown parentage and all manner of unknown ancestor mysteries using a combination of DNA expertise and conventional research methods. She is a regular speaker at major genealogy events and is a co-author of Tracing Your Ancestors Using DNA: A Guide For Family Historians.

Annette Lyttle

HERITAGE DETECTIVE

Annette Burke Lyttle owns Heritage Detective, LLC, providing professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the national, state and local levels. She is coordinator of the SLIG Fall Virtual Intermediate Foundations course. Annette is editor of The Florida Genealogist and President of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Kimberly Powell

LEARN GENEALOGY

Kimberly Powell is a professional genealogist, author, and educator specializing in genealogical writing, pre-1850 family history, land records, DNA, and solving complex problems. She is past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, serving seven years as a board member and on the Professional Development Committee.

Judy Russell

THE LEGAL GENEALOGIST

The Legal Genealogist Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. An internationally-known lecturer and award-winning writer, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist^® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists^®. Her blog is at https://www.legalgenealogist.com.

Jeanette Sheliga

JEANETTE'S GENEALOGY

Jeanette Sheliga of Jeanette’s Genealogy lives in Lockport, NY and has been researching her family tree since 2002 and lecturing since 2011. She has had the privilege to speak for societies and libraries locally and virtually all over the world. Jeanette is the President of the Virtual Genealogical Association (VGA), holds many offices in her local societies, completed ProGen Study Group 49, and has attended numerous genealogy institutes.

Cathie Sherwood

FAMILY HISTORY ACADEMY

Passionate about history and addicted to family history, Cathie Sherwood has been researching her Irish, English and Scottish ancestors for over forty years. As the Principal and Founder of Family History Academy, Cathie coordinates innovative and interactive genealogy education opportunities in partnership with experienced and highly-respected lecturers.