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 others to 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 will discover connections and add to your unique Jewish family story. Select clients are accepted for short-term or retainer projects.
Ellen is a veteran Jewish records researcher and leader in genealogy activities worldwide. She has the capacity to complete projects solo or to recruit the right team of experts to collaborate and deliver outstanding results. Her lectures and articles are informative, energetic, and constantly evolving to provide current and relevant content for all types of audiences. She continues to add to her knowledge toolbox by attending professional conferences, webinars, and genealogy institutes. She has completed the ProGen study program, and Ellen keeps the APG code of ethics in the forefront of her research and reporting.
Testimonials
Marty Dubin: "Ellen interviewed my 91-year old mother with sensitivity and respect. She answered my mother's questions and so much more, and all the documents and pictures were so exciting to see. We can't thank her enough." Carolyn Lehman: "Ellen had a thoughtful and calm demeanor as she demonstrated her significant knowledge of genealogy. She navigated and enhanced my family tree using online resources and then downloaded a GEDCOM file to my desktop. She skillfully identified and integrated marriage and other vital records for my German Jewish family. After 10 hours of work, my tree has grown exponentially and many questions have been answered. I look forward to learning more!" Dina Carson: "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! I've also heard her lecture at different genealogical societies. She always provides an entertaining and informative talk. 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!" JoAnn Altomare Advensky: "Ellen was a terrific resource for troubleshooting. She knows how to access most online records, and when she doesn't, she knows the right people who do. Ellen is thorough and conscientious. You can tell she really loves researching and connecting people to their roots.
Marty Dubin: "Ellen interviewed my 91-year old mother with sensitivity and respect. She answered my mother's questions and so much more, and all the documents and pictures were so exciting to see. We can't thank her enough." Carolyn Lehman: "Ellen had a thoughtful and calm demeanor as she demonstrated her significant knowledge of genealogy. She navigated and enhanced my family tree using online resources and then downloaded a GEDCOM file to my desktop. She skillfully identified and integrated marriage and other vital records for my German Jewish family. After 10 hours of work, my tree has grown exponentially and many questions have been answered. I look forward to learning more!" Dina Carson: "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! I've also heard her lecture at different genealogical societies. She always provides an entertaining and informative talk. 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!" JoAnn Altomare Advensky: "Ellen was a terrific resource for troubleshooting. She knows how to access most online records, and when she doesn't, she knows the right people who do. 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
America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story. May 2023. Available on Lulu: softcover or hardcover versions. Article featuring Ellen Kowitt by Megan Hamby, "Identifying and Recognizing Jewish Patriots: Committee Helps Members, Prospects Unearth Genealogical Treasure." Daughters of the American Revolution American Spirit Magazine, January/February 2023. Book review of David Watson Kruger?s "Families of the Diaspora: Alkalay, Behmoiras, Merenzón, Barcan" in National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), December 2022. ? "Find Your Jewish Roots Online" - Family Tree Magazine May/June 2021. "Plans to Grow the JewishGen USA Research Division" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy Spring 2021. "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, August 2019. See download. "Yahad-In Unum Documents Holocaust Mass Gravesites in Nine Countries" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, February 2019. "A Colorado Immigrant's Tale of Three Husbands" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Feb. 2018. "Mass Graves: Babi Yar and Former Soviet Territory Sites" - Jewish Graveyard Rabbit Blog, March 2009. "Colorado: Tuberculosis Victims' Graves, Records" - Jewish Graveyard Rabbit Blog, January 2009. "Twenty-five Years and Nine Name Changes Later: How I Found My Great Grandmother" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, December 2008.
America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story. May 2023. Available on Lulu: softcover or hardcover versions. Article featuring Ellen Kowitt by Megan Hamby, "Identifying and Recognizing Jewish Patriots: Committee Helps Members, Prospects Unearth Genealogical Treasure." Daughters of the American Revolution American Spirit Magazine, January/February 2023. Book review of David Watson Kruger?s "Families of the Diaspora: Alkalay, Behmoiras, Merenzón, Barcan" in National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), December 2022. ? "Find Your Jewish Roots Online" - Family Tree Magazine May/June 2021. "Plans to Grow the JewishGen USA Research Division" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy Spring 2021. "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, August 2019. See download. "Yahad-In Unum Documents Holocaust Mass Gravesites in Nine Countries" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, February 2019. "A Colorado Immigrant's Tale of Three Husbands" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, Feb. 2018. "Mass Graves: Babi Yar and Former Soviet Territory Sites" - Jewish Graveyard Rabbit Blog, March 2009. "Colorado: Tuberculosis Victims' Graves, Records" - Jewish Graveyard Rabbit Blog, January 2009. "Twenty-five Years and Nine Name Changes Later: How I Found My Great Grandmother" - Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy, December 2008.
Lectures
-New Jewish Resources on the Genealogy Giant Websites -U.S. Synagogue Records as a Genealogical Resource -Inside America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story -Tips & Tricks for Navigating JewishGen -Researching Jews in the Pale of Settlement -The Tracks of Smoke and Water at Babyn Yar: Identifying Victims and Survivors -Secrets for Researching Jewish Genealogy Revealed (alternate titles: What's Jewish About Jewish Genealogy; Getting Started Tracing Your Jewish Roots; Introduction to Jewish Genealogy) -An Overview of Jewish Records in the Golden Medina/USA -Documenting Jewish Families or Communities Lost in the Holocaust by Bullets -The Case of the Missing Ancestors: Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew -Shoestring Strategies for the Thrifty Genealogist
-New Jewish Resources on the Genealogy Giant Websites -U.S. Synagogue Records as a Genealogical Resource -Inside America's Alligator Family: The David Crystal Story -Tips & Tricks for Navigating JewishGen -Researching Jews in the Pale of Settlement -The Tracks of Smoke and Water at Babyn Yar: Identifying Victims and Survivors -Secrets for Researching Jewish Genealogy Revealed (alternate titles: What's Jewish About Jewish Genealogy; Getting Started Tracing Your Jewish Roots; Introduction to Jewish Genealogy) -An Overview of Jewish Records in the Golden Medina/USA -Documenting Jewish Families or Communities Lost in the Holocaust by Bullets -The Case of the Missing Ancestors: Genealogy Tips from Nancy Drew -Shoestring Strategies for the Thrifty Genealogist
Research Time Periods
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
- 18th Century
Languages
Basic proficiencies in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, French, Cyrillic
Basic proficiencies in Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish, French, Cyrillic
Certificates
SLIG 2019 Advanced Methods with Tom Jones; SLIG 2021 Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and Soviet Union with Joe Everett (Jimmy B. Parker Award Recipient); GRIP 2021 Immigration Records with Rich Venezia and Marian Smith; Gen-Fed 2023 at National Archives, Washington, DC.
SLIG 2019 Advanced Methods with Tom Jones; SLIG 2021 Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and Soviet Union with Joe Everett (Jimmy B. Parker Award Recipient); GRIP 2021 Immigration Records with Rich Venezia and Marian Smith; Gen-Fed 2023 at National Archives, Washington, DC.
Affiliations
- Director, JewishGen U.S. Research Division 2020-present - 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 Member: Israel Genealogy and Research Association (IGRA) National Genealogy Society NY Gen & Bio
- Director, JewishGen U.S. Research Division 2020-present - 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 Member: Israel Genealogy and Research Association (IGRA) National Genealogy Society NY Gen & Bio