Faculty

COURSE COORDINATORS 

Knowledgeable, entertaining and experienced, John Philip Colletta is a popular Washington, D.C.-based lecturer on topics of family history research and writing. For twenty years, while laying the foundation for his career in genealogy, he worked half-time at the Library of Congress and taught workshops at the National Archives. Today Dr. Colletta lectures nationally, teaches at local schools, and conducts programs for the Smithsonian Institution’s Resident Associate Program. He is a faculty member of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.), the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and Boston University’s Certificate in Family History program. His publications include numerous articles, both scholarly and popular, two manuals — They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Arrival Record and Finding Italian Roots: The Complete Guide for Americans – and one “murder-mystery-family-history,” Only a Few Bones: A True Account of the Rolling Fork Tragedy and Its Aftermath. Dr. Colletta has received many professional awards and honors and appears frequently on podcasts and local and national radio and television. His Ph.D. in Medieval French is from The Catholic University of America. Visit www.genealogyjohn.com.

  

Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS. Tom has edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002. A trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, he is a professor emeritus at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C, who works full time as a genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. He coordinates courses at Samford University’s Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research,  the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the British Institute and he teaches in Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program. With over forty years of research and teaching experience, he frequently lectures, teaches, and writes about genealogical methodology. His interests include “blocked” lineages and genealogical problem solving. His latest publication is Mastering Genealogical Proof (Arlington, VA: National Genealogical Society, 2013).

 

 

Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL. A professional researcher, educator, author, and lecturer, Pam has developed, coordinated, and taught courses at Samford University’s Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Boston University’s Professional Certificate Program in Genealogy, St. Louis (Missouri) Community College, and NGS. Former NGS director of education and publications and former board member of NGS and FGS, Ms. Sayre is co-author of Online Roots: How to Discover Your Family’s History and Heritage with the Power of the Internet (2003) and Research in Missouri (1999, 2007), former FGS FORUM Digitools columnist, and past editor of APGQ. A popular seminar presenter, she has spoken at genealogy conferences and seminars in thirty-one states.

 

Richard G. “Rick” Sayre, CG, CGL, is a longtime genealogical researcher, lecturer and writer. His areas of research interest include urban research methodology, technology and mapping tools for genealogists, military records, immigration, the Ohio River Valley, and Western Pennsylvania. Rick is the coordinator for the Land Records: Using Maps course at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University. He has also lectured at IGHR in the Advanced Methodology, Advanced Military, Research in the South, Techniques and Technology, and Land courses. Rick holds an M.A. in Management Information Systems and is a retired military officer, having served 31 years in the U.S. Army. He has returned to government service working for the Defense Department as a civilian.

 

Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, is the author of The ‘Lost Pensions’: Settled Accounts of the Act of 6 April 1838 and Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Inventory 14 (Revised). He has co-authored several books relating to records in Northern Virginia. He has authored articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Family Chronicle and many other genealogical publications. He is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 4,900 titles in print located in Westminster, Maryland. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than twenty-seven years, he specializes in the records of the National Archives, especially those that relate to the military. He was the Clan Scott Genealogist (1985 – 2000). He is a member of the Company of Military Historians, has been a Governor-at-Large of the Virginia Genealogical Society, on the editorial board of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and a former Director of the Association of Professional Genealogists. A faculty member for several years of the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Samford University and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. He was awarded the Grahame T. Smallwood, Jr. Award by APG in 2008 and the UGA Silver Tray Award in 2009.

 

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. Paula is an internationally recognized genealogical educator, researcher and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She researches across the U.S and coordinated and taught at multiple genealogical institutes and conferences. She serves on the Federation of Genealogical Societies Board, and is President of the Northland Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. You can see Paula’s blog at http://paulastuartwarren.blogspot.com/.

 

 

 

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS. Joshua is the Business Development Manager – North America for brightsolid online publishing, and a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. A frequent speaker at genealogical societies, libraries, and other organizations, his previous speaking engagements include GENTECH, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conferences, the National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and RootsTech. Active in the genealogical community, Joshua is the current Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), where he also serves as chairman of the Conference Planning Committee and co-chair of the FGS/ISGS 2011 National Conference. He previously served as chairman of the Bylaws and Outreach committees as well as Parliamentarian for FGS. Joshua is former Director of Education and Programs at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and was a featured genealogist on the series premiere of NBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?. 

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Michael Hait, CG, is a full-time professional genealogist, with over fifteen years of research experience across the United States. His specialties include Maryland research, African American genealogy, and records of the Civil War and Reconstruction era. Michael is a frequent contributor to genealogy magazines and journals, and a popular lecturer in the Mid-Atlantic area. He has lectured at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information on Michael’s available services, visit http://www.haitfamilyresearch.com.

 

Angela Packer McGhie is a professional researcher, lecturer and instructor. She serves as the administrator of the ProGen Study Program and president of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Angela is the coordinator for the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and has taught at the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) and Howard Community College. She enjoys presenting lectures at regional and national conferences and is a contributing author to the APG Quarterly. Angela was honored in August of 2010 with a certificate of appreciation from the Association of Professional Genealogists for her leadership and service.

 

 

Debra Mieszala, CG, specializes in forensic genealogy, 20th century research, and the Midwest. She does genealogical research for the military to locate relatives of service members missing in past wars, and formerly did adoption-related research as a Confidential Intermediary in Illinois. A national-level lecturer and author, she has taught at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. Debbie’s work has been published in NGS Magazine, The Digital Genealogist, and OnBoard! She is a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). She is a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. As a member of the BCG Outreach Committee, she writes press releases on newly certified genealogists. She has attended IGHR and NIGR, and holds a certificate in paralegal studies.

 

EVENING LECTURERS

Pam Stone Eagleson, CG, of Kennebunk Maine is a researcher, writer, and teacher who conducts client research nationwide with an emphasis on New England, mid-Atlantic, and the Midwest.  Winner of the 2004 NGS Family History Writing Contest, Pam has attended IGHR, NIGR, SLIG and VIGR. She is a member of  NGS,  NEHGS,  numerous regional and local historical and genealogical societies, and  co-administrates the Stone DNA surname project.  She is a current NGS board member and has previously served on the APG board. She has B.A. in sociology and history from Northwestern University, M.S. Ed. from  the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham,  and a C.A.S.  in Museum Studies from Tufts University.

Also Michael Hait, CG, and Angela Packer McGhie will present evening lectures. See the Evening Activities tab for schedule.

STAFF

  

 Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and Deborah Lichtner Deal

 Deborah Lichtner Deal is a director of GRIP. She is a member of the Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) Board of Trustees. Deborah serves as the chairperson of the OGS week-long Summer Workshop and Ohio Genealogical Society Historian. She was the 2010 Exhibits Chair for the annual OGS conference.  She is a Past President of the Muskingum County Chapter, and has served as chapter Newsletter Editor, Cemetery Chairman and Library Volunteer Coordinator. She was secretary and vice-president of the Morgan County Genealogical Society.  Ms Deal is a member of APG, NGS, NEHGS and many state and county genealogical societies.

 Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, is a director of GRIP. She is the President for the Board for Certification of Genealogists and the Professional Genealogy course coordinator for Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University. She also is an instructor for Boston University’s on campus and online Genealogical Research Certificate course. She was the course co-coordinator of the AG/CG Preparation Course at the 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She taught a beginning genealogy course for 14 years at a local community college. She was honored in May 2010 with the National Genealogical Society’s President’s Citation in recognition of outstanding, continuing, or unusual contributions to the field of genealogy.

A western Pennsylvania researcher since 1986, Elissa is a past-President of the North Hills Genealogists [of Pittsburgh] and of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society. She was a Director for the Association of Professional Genealogists for six years; co-edited a cemetery book series and appeared on the PBS-TV show “Ancestors 2″ in the cemetery episode. She is a contributing author to many publications such as the APG Quarterly and the NGS Magazine. She lectures regionally and nationally on such topics as Pennsylvania records, methodology, professional development and society management. You can see her in a video presentation on the BCG website and video lectures from the 2009 and 2010 Professional Management Conferences on the APGen.org website (PMC webcast) or at https://learning.familysearch.org/researchcourses.

NOTE: CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board and the board name is a trademark registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.