Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research

Professional genealogist since 2005, researching since 1989. Specializing in small done-with-you projects (coaching) or large done-for-you research focused on Southern research.

Lecturer and online instructor specializing in technology, methodology, DNA, and time-saving techniques.

Author of the Amazon best-seller, Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist: Beyond-beginner Genealogy Skills for the Busy Family Historians.

Please see the "Geographic Specialties" section for details on record retrievals.

Educational Experience

Former DAR staff genealogist, Graduate of NIGR (2008, now GenFed), IGHR: advanced DNA (2019), intermediate DNA (2016), Writing and Publishing for Genealogists (2011), Advanced Military Research (2008), Advanced Methodology (2007), Intermediate Research (2005)

Geographic Specialities
Southeast U.S., especially north Georgia and families that migrated through Georgia.

Specialty Services

I will perform record retrievals at the Cherokee History Center or Sequoyah Regional Library System for unique or hard to access items.

Normally I do not perform record retrievals or small research projects but I am willing to perform research in any repository in Cherokee, Bartow, Gilmer, Pickens, or Gordon County, Georgia. There are many more than listed under "Repositories" in my profile.

You must do all the "fact finding" about how to access the facility, its hours, who to contact for more information, how/if copies can be made, etc. (the exceptions are Seqoyah Regional Library System and Cherokee History Center). I price record retrievals or local repository research (small projects) based on your project and my availability as they are outside my normal offerings. These usually are not charged as a flat-fee but a half- or full-day rate.

I will consider repositories in other Northwest Georgia counties (north of Cherokee County) for full-day rate record retrieval projects.

For large research projects, other repositories can be accessed. The repository list is for specialty services.

Testimonials
I have been actively researching my family for many years and have run into several unknown ancestors and proverbial brick walls. I entered the realm of genetic genealogy to try and solve these issues but, for the most part, found myself frustrated and floundering around with hundreds of matches, and unable to make much progress. I decided I needed professional help and Jennifer has more than met the need. Using her 4 Bucket technique, she was able to quickly identify the most likely families for two unknown branches of my tree. In addition, she was able to specify my most likely direct ancestor in the first family, and has provided me the tools to continue working on the second family, as well as being able to extend the same procedures to other branches.
--Ronnie P.
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see my Google profile for more

Publications/Media
Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist (2023)

Lectures

• The Genealogy Roll-up: The Essential Shortcut Every Genealogist Needs
• The D.E.P.S. Chart: Your Secret Weapon for Genealogy Analysis
• Is That Source Correct? Learning Source Evaluation
• Clueless? Maybe Not! (hands-on workshop)
• Brick Wall Simplified: Live! (2+ hr seminar)

Check out The Occasional Genealogist Academy for online courses.

Repositories

• Cherokee County History Center
• Bartow History Museum
• Etowah Valley Historical Society Library
• Sequoyah Regional Library System (Cherokee, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties)
• Calhoun-Gordon Library
• Any repository in Cherokee, Bartow, Gilmer, Pickens, or Gordon County, Georgia

Research Time Periods

• 19th Century

Degrees

• B.A. Math/Economics (Agnes Scott College)
• M.S. Operations Research (Georgia Tech)