TIGR 2017 Faculty

Five notable genealogy researchers, speakers, and Texas records experts lead the inaugural Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) under the leadership of TIGR coordinator, Kelvin Meyers.

Well known to Texas genealogists from TxSGS Conferences plus local and national society workshops and programs, these instructors will bring insight and clarity to Texas research and records.

Teri E. Flack

Teri E. Flack is a genealogy and historical researcher, consultant, and lecturer who has been researching family history for over 35 years.

She chairs the TxSGS Records Preservation and Access Committee (RPAC) and serves as the Texas state liaison to the national RPAC. Teri spent much of her career in Texas government working with the Texas Legislature. She used that experience in 2013 and 2015 to work with the genealogical community in Texas to prevent legislation from passing that would have further restricted access to Texas birth and death records. For her work in records preservation and access, Teri was elected a Fellow of the Texas State Genealogical Society. Teri serves on the Texas State Historical Resource Advisory Board, a state-level board dedicated to the preservation and use of Texas’ documentary heritage. She is the first genealogist to serve on the board in over a decade.

Teri was recently elected Vice President for Administration of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She is also a member of the Travis County Historical Commission, serving as Travis County Historical Marker Chair. Teri is a volunteer archivist at the Texas State Archives, currently processing over 1,100 volumes and 300 cubic feet of Galveston County records and creating findings aids to make them accessible to the public.

Kelvin L. Meyers

Kelvin L. Meyers is a fifth-generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist since 1996 and a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. As a graduate of Texas Tech University with a history major, he is an avid research historian.

After being employed for ten years in the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library, Kelvin now has a solo practice as a forensic genealogist serving clients that include probate attorneys, trust department of banks, the US Immigration Service and energy companies. Kelvin also conducts research for clients with Southern brick wall problems.

Kelvin is a 1989 and 1990 alumnus of the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University and has returned to IGHR as lecturer. In 2016 he co-coordinated with J. Mark Lowe, “A Swing Through the South,” at SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogical Research). He is a past board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, a past President of the Lone Star Chapter of APG, and a founding member for the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG). Kelvin recently published the guide for Research in Texas for NGS (National Genealogical Society), Research in the States Series. Kelvin also currently serves as the chairman of the history and archives committee for First United Methodist Church in Dallas.

Anne Gillespie Mitchell

Anne Gillespie Mitchell is a genealogist and senior product manager at Ancestry. She has been chasing her ancestors through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina for many years. Anne holds a certificate from Boston University’s Online Genealogical Research Program.

You can also find her on Twitter (@ancestryanne) and Finding Forgotten Stories (http://www.finding-forgotten-stories.com).

John A. Sellers

John A. Sellers is a fifth generation native to Hopkins County, Texas. He graduated from Texas Tech University, with a degree in advertising/public relations, and received his teaching certificate in history from Texas A & M, Commerce.

He has been doing genealogical research since 1985. His favorite area of research is in the courthouse. He has visited courthouses in several southern states and has conducted extensive research in Texas and Louisiana.

He is an active member of the Hopkins County Genealogical Society and has served fifteen years on the executive board and as President, 1997-1998. He was a speaker at the FGS National Conference in 1997 and 2004, and NGS in 1994. He has been the featured speaker for more than 60 all day seminars located in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

He is an Assistant Vice President – Director of Marketing with City National Bank of Sulphur Springs. He is former Mayor of Sulphur Springs and serving his second term on the City Council.

Cari A. Taplin

Cari A. Taplin, CG^SM lives in Pflugerville near Austin, Texas.

She holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for several state, local, and national societies, currently serving as the Education Chair for the Austin Genealogical Society, and on the boards of the Association for Professional Genealogists and the Federation of Genealogical Societies. A state and regional speaker since 2004, Cari focuses on midwestern states, methodology and researching family legends.

As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking and research services. Visit www.genealogypants.com for more information.