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A native of San Jose, California, Karen Auman has lived in several regions of the U.S., which gives her an appreciation for the culture and history of America. A true history nerd, she loves spending time in an archive reading old, musty documents.

She specializes in researching “brick wall” ancestors, using DNA and documents. As a full-time professor in BYU's history department, Auman created the Genetic Genealogy course and taught advanced family history research courses, including in the American South. The Mid-Atlantic is another area expertise.

Karen has spoken at multiple RootsTech conferences, the Federation of Genealogical Societies national conference, and at the National Genealogical Society annual conference. She received her BCG Certified Genealogist credential in 2016 (see her listing here).

Auman holds a PhD in History from New York University, a Masters of History, a Masters of Business Administration, and a Bachelors in European Studies. Her training and knowledge of the old German writing, necessary for her academic work, is also very useful when researching Pennsylvania Germans.

Auman’s book, The Good Forest: Salzburgers, Success, and the Plan for Georgia, was released by the University of Georgia Press. It covers Lutheran migrants to Georgia, who were among the first to settle the new colony.

Geographic Specialities
U.S. Mid-Atlantic (NY, PA, NJ, DE) 
U.S. South
U.S. Midwest

Publications/Media
The Good Forest: Salzburgers, Success, and the Plan for Georgia (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2024). Available at UGA Press, Amazon, and other retailers. 

Research Time Periods

• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century

Languages
English; reading knowledge of French, German (including old German script)

Honorifics/Credentials
CG®

Degrees
PhD History, New York University