Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research
• Speaking / Presenting
• Writing /Publishing

Dave Mc Donald, The Preacher Genealogist, has been conducting genealogy research since the American Bicentennial era. Research, teaching and education are his core tasks. He's conducted client research for more than 45 years, and taught his first class (for adults) as a junior in high school. He's been a course coordinator on matters of churches and their records, the old Northwest Territory and subsequent states, as well as advanced methods and analysis. His ongoing mantra for mentoring genealogists--amateurs and professionals--is The Joy of Genealogy... finding, and retaining the delight in genealogy even after leaving the "newbie" ranks behind.

Dave's been a volunteer board member across our field, including service as president of APG. He served on BCG's board for nine years and held their credential for 15. He was on NGS's board of directors for four. He's edited state society newsletters, published in a number of local and state society quarterlies and the NGS Quarterly.

His research interests include, but are not limited to, the American Midwest and Great Plains, transcontinental migrations, and German and English immigrants. He has lectured widely on these topics, as well as religions and their records, the Draper Manuscripts, federal land records, and the Federal era (post-Revolution to the Mexican War). His client work has included lineage society work, DNA and as an courtroom expert on heirships. His research for the city of Chicago was crucial for the city's expansion project on O'Hare Field in the early '10s.

Publications/Media
Wisconsin State Historical Society & Library (home of the Draper Manuscripts)

Research Time Periods

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

Degrees
BA, Beloit College (History & Government) 1986
MDiv, Eden Seminary (Parish Ministry) 1993
DMin, Christian Seminary (Small Group Leadership) 2009