Ellen Kowitt
Discovering Connections, Adding to Your Story
Sole Searching Genealogy & Historical Research
Currently accepting clients for...
- Family History Research
- Speaking / Presenting
- Writing /Publishing
Family History Research
- Ethnicity / Religion
- Family History Research
- Immigration / Naturalization
Speaking/Presenting
- Family History Research
- Methodology & Resources
Writing/Publishing
- Author/Writer
- Editor
Helping discover connections, break through brick walls, or learn something new to add to a family story are the goals. Ellen is dedicated and provides high quality work informed by her volunteer experience, a valuable peer network, and her professional marketing and communications background with corporations and nonprofit organizations in New York, Washington DC, and Colorado. As an experienced genealogy researcher, educator, and author, Ellen accepts select engagements for short-term or retainer projects. Packages for new clients are available at www.EllenKowitt.com.
Testimonials
See www.EllenKowitt.com for other testimonials.
"My tree has grown exponentially and many questions have been answered. I look forward to learning more!"
"Ellen is an excellent researcher. She has a deep understanding of all things Jewish genealogy, and if you need anything across the pond in Eastern or Western Europe, she's my go-to girl!"
"If you're looking for lecturers for your society, get her on the calendar! I'm sure her schedule fills up fast. She's worth all 5 stars!"
"Ellen is thorough and conscientious. You can tell she really loves researching and connecting people to their roots."
See www.EllenKowitt.com for other testimonials.
"My tree has grown exponentially and many questions have been answered. I look forward to learning more!"
"Ellen is an excellent researcher. She has a deep understanding of all things Jewish genealogy, and if you need anything across the pond in Eastern or Western Europe, she's my go-to girl!"
"If you're looking for lecturers for your society, get her on the calendar! I'm sure her schedule fills up fast. She's worth all 5 stars!"
"Ellen is thorough and conscientious. You can tell she really loves researching and connecting people to their roots."
Additional specialities or search keywords
Jewish
Jewish
Publications/Media
Select publications:
-"Accessing U.S. Synagogue Records for Jewish Family History Research" - NGS Magazine, April/May/June 2026.
-The Lizerbram Family History: A Long Journey to San Diego. Dec. 2025. Lulu Publishing.
-From Scheinman to Simon. Fall 2024. Lulu Publishing.
-America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story. May 2023. Lulu Publishing.
-"The Case of the Missing Ancestors: 8 Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew" - Family Tree Magazine, Jan/Feb 2021.
-"Bridging Daughters of the American Revolution and Jewish Genealogists " - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Fall 2020.
-"Comparing Jewish Resources on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com, and MyHeritage.com" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Aug. 2019. -"Yahad-In Unum Documents Holocaust Mass Gravesites in Nine Countries" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Feb. 2019.
Select publications:
-"Accessing U.S. Synagogue Records for Jewish Family History Research" - NGS Magazine, April/May/June 2026.
-The Lizerbram Family History: A Long Journey to San Diego. Dec. 2025. Lulu Publishing.
-From Scheinman to Simon. Fall 2024. Lulu Publishing.
-America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story. May 2023. Lulu Publishing.
-"The Case of the Missing Ancestors: 8 Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew" - Family Tree Magazine, Jan/Feb 2021.
-"Bridging Daughters of the American Revolution and Jewish Genealogists " - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Fall 2020.
-"Comparing Jewish Resources on Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com, and MyHeritage.com" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Aug. 2019. -"Yahad-In Unum Documents Holocaust Mass Gravesites in Nine Countries" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Feb. 2019.
Lectures
See www.EllenKowitt.com for a current list of lecture topics including:
-Endgame Genealogy;
-Surfing USA: Jewish Institutional Records and Resources;
-U.S. Synagogue Records as a Genealogical Resource;
-Secrets for Researching Jewish Genealogy Revealed (alt. titles: What's Jewish About Jewish Genealogy; Getting Started Tracing Your Jewish Roots);
-New Jewish Resources on the Genealogy Giant Websites;
-Strategies for Navigating Jewish Ancestry in Ukraine;
-The Tracks of Smoke and Water at Babyn Yar: Identifying Victims and Survivors;
-Documenting Jewish Families or Communities Lost in the Holocaust by Bullets;
-The Case of the Missing Ancestors: Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew;
-Nancy Drew’s 21st Century Guide to Navigating Foreign Languages;
-Shoestring Strategies for the Thrifty Genealogist.
See www.EllenKowitt.com for a current list of lecture topics including:
-Endgame Genealogy;
-Surfing USA: Jewish Institutional Records and Resources;
-U.S. Synagogue Records as a Genealogical Resource;
-Secrets for Researching Jewish Genealogy Revealed (alt. titles: What's Jewish About Jewish Genealogy; Getting Started Tracing Your Jewish Roots);
-New Jewish Resources on the Genealogy Giant Websites;
-Strategies for Navigating Jewish Ancestry in Ukraine;
-The Tracks of Smoke and Water at Babyn Yar: Identifying Victims and Survivors;
-Documenting Jewish Families or Communities Lost in the Holocaust by Bullets;
-The Case of the Missing Ancestors: Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew;
-Nancy Drew’s 21st Century Guide to Navigating Foreign Languages;
-Shoestring Strategies for the Thrifty Genealogist.
Research Time Periods
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century
Languages
Basic proficiency in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, French, Russian
Basic proficiency in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, French, Russian
Certificates
-SLIG 2025 Organizing, Preserving, and Disaster-Proofing Your Family Archive with Annette Burke Lyttle;
-Gen-Fed 2023 at National Archives, Washington, DC;
-GRIP 2021 Immigration Records with Rich Venezia and Marian Smith;
-SLIG 2021 Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and Soviet Union with Joe Everett (Jimmy B. Parker Award Recipient);
-SLIG 2019 Advanced Methods with Tom Jones.
-SLIG 2025 Organizing, Preserving, and Disaster-Proofing Your Family Archive with Annette Burke Lyttle;
-Gen-Fed 2023 at National Archives, Washington, DC;
-GRIP 2021 Immigration Records with Rich Venezia and Marian Smith;
-SLIG 2021 Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and Soviet Union with Joe Everett (Jimmy B. Parker Award Recipient);
-SLIG 2019 Advanced Methods with Tom Jones.
Affiliations
-Director, JewishGen U.S. Research Division 2020-present;
-Founding National Vice Chair, Jewish Specialty Research, Daughters of the American Revolution 2020-present;
-Past President, Jewish Genealogy Society of Colorado;
-Past President, Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, DC;
-Former Director, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies;
-Israel Genealogy and Research Association (IGRA);
-National Genealogical Society;
-NY Gen & Bio
-Director, JewishGen U.S. Research Division 2020-present;
-Founding National Vice Chair, Jewish Specialty Research, Daughters of the American Revolution 2020-present;
-Past President, Jewish Genealogy Society of Colorado;
-Past President, Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, DC;
-Former Director, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies;
-Israel Genealogy and Research Association (IGRA);
-National Genealogical Society;
-NY Gen & Bio