Adina Newman
Dr. Adina Newman, EdD, the creator of My Family Genie, is a professional genealogist and educator. Her specialties include Jewish genealogy, genetic genealogy, social media, and New England, and she presents on these topics in a variety of venues, from major genealogy conferences to local genealogy societies. Her findings have received international media attention, including mentions in The Daily Mail, AP News, and The Times of Israel, and she has made appearances on several news outlets such as NPR and I24NEWS. She co-founded the DNA Reunion Project at the Center for Jewish History, a program to raise awareness about the potential of DNA testing within the Holocaust survivor community and provide survivors and their children with commercial DNA tests. She volunteers as a moderator for a Jewish genetic genealogy Facebook group and on the program committee for her local Jewish genealogical society. She was also a 2020 recipient of the AncestryProGenealogists scholarship.
You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok as @MyFamilyGenie.
Geographic Specialties
New England, New York City, Quebec, Eastern Europe
This is amazing...I think it might honestly be one of the coolest things that has come from this experience [Southern Charm]. I sent it to my parents and brother and they thought it was great, too. I can't thank you enough and think what you do is really awesome." ~Craig Conover, Star of Bravo TV's Southern Charm "Dr. Adina was an absolute pleasure to work with - she was extremely professional and thorough. I was constantly amazed at how much work she was able to conduct in the very little time that we worked together. In a matter of hours, she was able to locate my biological father from the very little anecdotal information I had and the third and fourth cousin matches from my AncestryDNA results. I cannot recommend working with her enough!" ~Chelsea R., Boston, MA "Dr. Adina was recommended by an acquaintance to help me locate information regarding my grandfather and his father's family. She has been extremely competent, prompt, and helpful. She was able to find information about my extended family that has eluded me for some time (years). Another positive has been her reasonable rate." ~Elizabeth L., Waterbury, CT
Sample of Lectures (please contact for full list of available presentations) DNA Basics: Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy DNA and Endogamy: Making Sense When Your Matches Don't Make Sense Jewish Genealogy 101 The Jews of New England DNA Painter Basics: Strategies to Enhance Your Genealogical Research Join the FAN Club!: Using Cluster Research to Break Down Your Brickwalls The Art of Finding Living People #Genealogy: Incorporating Social Media into Your Genealogical Research Googling Your Genealogy A Millennial's Guide to Genealogy ?
NARA Boston, Massachusetts Archives, Rhode Island State Archives, other New England-based archives
- 21st Century
- 20th Century
- 19th Century
Basic latin, Can read French, Hebrew, Italian
ProGen 50 (Chat Day Co-Discussion Leader) Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University)
Association of Professional Genealogists New England Historic Genealogical Society (Jewish Heritage Center) Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston Israel Genealogy Research Association Utah Genealogical Association National Genealogical Society
Doctor of Education (Ed.D), Educational Leadership, the George Washington University MAT, Elementary Education, Brandeis University Ed.M., Education Policy & Management, Harvard University BS, Social Studies Education, Boston University BA, History and International Relations, Boston University