Speaker Biographies

Deborah A. Abbott, PhD, is a professional genealogist specializing in genealogical methodology, manuscript collections, and African American family research. She coordinates the African American tracks at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and the GRIP Genealogical Institute. She teaches at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR). She also teaches African American genealogy research on Ancestry Academy entitled “Needles and Threads.”

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Julia A. Anderson has a master’s degree in history and higher education and is an Accredited Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist Lecturer™ with expertise in the United States Gulf South. She is a full-time research specialist at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, an adjunct faculty member at Salt Lake Community College where she teaches online classes on genealogy research and accreditation and the owner and managing member of Anderson Genealogical Research, LLC.

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Nancy Gilbride Casey has been researching her family roots since the early 2000s. She began her award-winning, blog Leaves on the Tree, in 2018 to share her discoveries. Nancy’s writing has been featured in genealogical publications in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, in Stirpes, and Ontario Ancestor’s Families. A member of NGS and several state societies, Nancy also edits the Denton County Genealogical Society’s DCGS News and is contributing editor for Stirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society. She holds a BA in communications from Cleveland State University.

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Henrietta Martinez Christmas is a 15th generation New Mexican and well-known genealogical and historical researcher. In 2021, she was honored by His Majesty King Felipe VI with the Order of Isabel la Católica, intended to “reward those extraordinary behaviors of civil individuals, made by Spanish and foreign people, which benefit the Nation or that contribute in relevant ways to favor relations of friendship and cooperation of the Spanish Nation with the rest of the international community.” Henrietta volunteers with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Specialty Research in Spain to help women who wish to honor their ancestors who aided the American Revolution; six of her own patriot soldiers rendered aid by donating two pesos in 1781. She also provides historical records research to document these men who lived in the villa of Santa Fe during King Carlos III’s reign. She authored Family Tree Magazine’s “State Research Guide for New Mexico” (May/June 2023) and was an instructor of the 2023 TIGR Hispanic research course.

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Diana Elder, AG, AGL, is a professional genealogist accredited in the United States Gulf South region. Diana authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored the companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. Diana and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, host the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast and share research tips on their website, FamilyLocket.com.

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Jason Felihkatubbe (Choctaw) has been researching genealogy for nearly 30 years. He specializes in Native American research with an emphasis on the Five Tribes (Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole). A member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, he serves as the chair of the education committee for the Wichita Genealogical Society (WGS), editor of the Ark Valley Crossroads, the official publication of WGS, and leads WGS’ Native American Research and Ancestry Special Interest Group.

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LaDonna Garner, M.A., is a historic consultant, professional genealogist, and historic preservationist  focused on research in the U.S. She presents and instructs at colleges, conferences, society events, workshops, and in one-on-one consultations. She is an active member and volunteer for numerous organizations in various volunteer and leadership capacities. Garner’s current projects include reenacting, rediscovering forgotten communities, and cemetery preservation for a greater understanding of people, places, and cultural heritage.

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Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS, FTxSGS, is an academic librarian and educator who has researched her family history since 1997. She is the digital scholarship librarian at California State Fullerton and has taught a graduate-level genealogy course for San Jose State since 2016. Colleen is a nationally recognized genealogy educator and speaker specializing in methodology, Mexican and Chicano research, libraries and archives, and technology. She has coordinated course(s) for TIGR and taught for SLIG and IGHR.

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Debbie Gurtler, AG, Assistant Director of the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, has a BA in family history from Brigham Young University and is fluent in Spanish. She holds Accredited Genealogist credentials for the U.S. Mid-South, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, and Chile. She lived in South America for five years and is a frequent speaker on Hispanic research topics at local and national conferences.

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Jean Hibben is a retired Southern California college professor (MA, speech communication; PhD, folklore), national speaker and author.  Jean did background research for two genealogy television programs. A former board-certified genealogist who’s been researching for 45+ years, Jean has served on various society boards. As current first vice president and webmaster for Corona Genealogical Society, Jean is associated with the Corona, California, FamilySearch Center (former director, current staff trainer), and writes a column for the Jefferson County, New York, Genealogical Society’s Informer.

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J. Mark Lowe, FUGA, describes himself as “born to be curious.” He is a professional genealogist and educator who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. He coordinates “Research in the South” courses at IGHR, SLIG, and TIGR, has worked on several TV series, hosts a YouTube channel, and conducts webinars.

 

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Annette Burke Lyttle, CG®, provides professional genealogical services in research, education, and writing. She speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. She is coordinator of the Foundations: The Research Process course and the Writing the Stories of Our Ancestors course for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists and editor of The Florida Genealogist.

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Allyson Maughan is a research consultant, speaker, and writer. She is a graduate of ISU in secondary education in 2001, Gen Proof in 2023, ProGen 53 in 2022, and the SLCC certificate program in 2019. Allyson passed AG Level 1 2023 and tested Level 2/3 in February 2024. She enjoys historical pictures, poetry writing, and shares tips on familypicturesandpoetry.blogspot.com.

 

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Bernard Meisner began researching his family over 30 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes. Although he knew only one grandparent– his maternal grandfather– he has successfully identified all his great-great-grandparents, several third- and fourth-great-grandparents, and his Meisner eighth-great- grandparents. He is co-leader of the Dallas Genealogical Society’s German SIG and a member of the TxSGS, Germanic, and NGS Genealogical Societies.

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Kelvin L. Meyers, a fifth generation Texan, has been a professional forensic genealogist since 1996. He is a frequent speaker to U.S. genealogical societies and family associations. After ten years in Dallas Public Library’s genealogy department, Kelvin now has a solo practice as a forensic genealogist serving clients including probate attorneys, bank trust departments, the U.S. Immigration Service, and energy companies. He also specializes in southern brick wall problems for clients.

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Gail Jackson Miller, CG®, is a professional genealogist, teacher, writer, and lecturer specializing in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee.  She became certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists in 1999.  Client work with families has been her focus for over 25 years.  She also enjoys sharing her experience while speaking and teaching nationally, regionally, and locally.  In her prior life, she was a nationally recognized biology teacher working with high school and college students.

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Michael John Neill writes Genealogy Tip of the Day, has researched for nearly forty years, worked as an educator for thirty years, and leads genealogy research trips.

 

 

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Andrew Redfern is a passionate family historian and technology enthusiast. Since his initial interest in researching his family tree in the mid-1980s, Andrew has developed a deep interest in how technology can enhance the way we explore and preserve our family histories. Recently, Andrew began exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can enhance the work of genealogists and is sharing his findings with numerous organizations in Australia and globally. With backgrounds in education, technology, and theatre, Andrew endeavors to engage his audience through  informative and entertaining session. He often employs unique techniques to get the audience involved and strives to ensure questions are answered and concepts explored.

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Diane L. Richard provides professional genealogical services, including research, lectures, and writing. She is the longtime editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society journal and author of 500+ articles. She has presented many talks about the availability and richness of underutilized genealogically relevant records while providing research tips, techniques, tools, strategies, etc. Diane is co-leader of Tar Heel Discoveries, an in-person program offering guided North Carolina genealogical research and vice president of North Carolina Historical Records Online (NCHRO), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public access to original North Carolina records.

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Katy Rowe-Schurwanz has always loved stories.  Growing up, her maternal grandparents told her tales of their family history, inspiring her to become a genealogist.  After studying creative writing, history, and anthropology at Southern Methodist University, she joined FamilyTreeDNA in 2015.  As product owner, Katy has been a customer advocate for the improvement of FamilyTreeDNA’s tests, tools, and features to help customers discover their ancestral past and break more brick walls.  Katy uses her passion to help ensure that everyone can discover their family story.

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David Ryan is a professional genealogist and historical researcher based in Cork, Ireland. He has worked as a professional genealogist for the past ten years and is a member of the executive board for the Association of Professional Genealogists. He is an experienced genealogical speaker and has delivered presentations at events throughout Ireland and internationally. He is currently undertaking a masters degree in public history and cultural heritage with the University of Limerick.

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Michael L. Strauss, AG®, is a professional credited Genealogist and a nationally recognized genealogical speaker. He has been employed as a forensic genealogist for 25 years, has a BA in history, and is a United States Coast Guard veteran. Michael is also a qualified expert witness in the courts in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and an approved genealogist with the United States Army to locate DNA-qualified persons MIA from Korea, Vietnam, and World War II. Strauss has been a faculty member of IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP, has been involved in Civil War reenacting for more than 25 years, and reenacts the Mormon Battalion with the Utah Living History Association.

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Edward Swierczewski has been a professional educator and genealogist for over 30 years. He completed multiple courses from GRIP and SLIG and is a ProGen alum. He founded Integrative Genealogy LLC and serves as the chief genealogical officer. He is an award-winning genealogical writer and a Laura G. Prescott SLIG Scholarship recipient. With a deep passion for sharing his knowledge with others and a commitment to life-long learning, he has presented webinars locally and nationally.

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Roslyn Torella specializes in Italian and immigrant genealogy, has over 25 years of research experience, and has written a monthly Italian genealogy column for La Gazzetta Italiana for several years. Her research has been featured in the NGS Magazine. Roslyn holds an MBA from Youngstown State University and founded “Mahoning Valley Roots,” a genealogy business. She retired from a federal career in information security and project management.