Currently accepting clients for...

• Family History Research

Professional genealogist since 2005, researching since 1989.

Author of the Amazon best-seller, Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist: Beyond-beginner Genealogy Skills for the Busy Family Historians and The Occasional Genealogist blog.

I specialize in northwest Georgia family history research, the records, the repositories, and the research challenges specific to this region. I currently accept full research projects or local record retrievals (northwest Georgia only). Learn more and get details at my website, georgia-genealogy.com.

DNA is a regular part of my Southern research toolkit, particularly for untangling the complex match patterns common in southern communities. I currently don't offer in-depth DNA analysis as a service, though.

Testimonials
"I have been actively researching my family for many years and have run into several unknown ancestors and proverbial brick walls. I entered the realm of genetic genealogy to try and solve these issues but, for the most part, found myself frustrated and floundering around with hundreds of matches, and unable to make much progress. I decided I needed professional help and Jennifer has more than met the need. Using her 4 Bucket technique, she was able to quickly identify the most likely families for two unknown branches of my tree. In addition, she was able to specify my most likely direct ancestor in the first family, and has provided me the tools to continue working on the second family, as well as being able to extend the same procedures to other branches."
--Ronnie P.
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see my Google profile for more

Publications/Media

• "Research Guide: Georgia," Family Tree Magazine (January/February 2025)
• Essential Skills for the Occasional Genealogist (2023)
• "Don't Sell Your Research Services Short," APG Quarterly (March 2013)

Repositories

• Cherokee County History Center
• Bartow History Museum
• Etowah Valley Historical Society Library
• Sequoyah Regional Library System (Cherokee, Gilmer, and Pickens Counties)
• Calhoun-Gordon Library
• Any repository in Cherokee, Bartow, Gilmer, Pickens, or Gordon County, Georgia

Research Time Periods

• 19th Century

Certificates
Graduate of NIGR (2008, now GenFed)
IGHR:

• Advanced DNA (2019)
• Intermediate DNA (2016)
• Writing and Publishing for Genealogists (2011)
• Advanced Military Research (2008)
• Advanced Methodology (2007)
• Intermediate Research (2005)

Degrees

• B.A. Math/Economics (Agnes Scott College)
• M.S. Operations Research (Georgia Tech)