Your Own Detective Story: The Why and How of Genealogy

Each person’s genealogy is their own detective story which can solve the mystery of who, what, when, where, and why of their family history. Many tips and examples are given in this presentation on how to conduct family history research, get organized, record your findings, share your research, and preserve what you may have inherited.

Elissa Scalise Powell, Certified Genealogist®, a western Pennsylvania researcher for over 35 years and former Shrewsbury, MA resident, was co-director and creator of the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and an instructor and module creator for Boston University's Genealogical Research Certificate program. She was the mentor for three of ProGen Study Groups cohorts and author of two chapters in 2018 Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice and Standards. She was a Trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists for nine years and BCG President. She was a Director for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) for six years; taught genealogy courses locally for fourteen years and at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) for twenty years; co-edited the North Hills Genealogists cemetery book series and was their charter president. She appeared on the PBS-TV show Ancestors2 cemetery episode, and on the Travel Channel’s Dead Files twice, and contributed research to Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates. She is a national speaker on such topics as Pennsylvania records, methodology, professional development, and society management.