Directory of Members

Booking now for Spring and Fall 2026 and 2027  virtual seminars and single event webinars.

Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A., is a freelance writer, instructor, and internationally recognized lecturer, specializing in Eastern European genealogical research, writing your family history, and using the Internet to trace female and immigrant ancestors. She grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 1987 and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh in 1997. Lisa is the author of eleven books, including The Family Tree Polish, Czech and Slovak Genealogy Guide, and the award-winning Three Slovak Women, and hundreds of magazine articles.  Lisa is a contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine and works as an online educator and writing coach through her website Research Write Connect. She also developed the Eastern European Research Certificate Program for the National Institute for Genealogical Studies Lisa is a frequently invited speaker for national conferences, genealogical and historical societies, and webinars. An avid genealogist for more than 30 years, Lisa also chronicles her family history adventures on her blog, ">The Accidental Genealogist.  Visit Lisa's website for more information.

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction Writing

Recipient of the 2002 Mary Zirin Prize, Association for Women in Slavic Studies Honorable Mention
2004 Write Your Memoir Contest Third Prize "The Family Tree" Newsletter Contest
June/July 2004 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards, Honorable Mention

Eastern European Research (esp. Slovak)
Writing Your Family History/Creative Nonfiction Writing
Finding Your Female Ancestors
Immigrant Cluster Communities
Technology (AI Writing Tools, Scrivener, Notion, Trello)
Organizational Techniques

Detailed descriptions for all lectures are available at: https://lisaalzo.com/lecture-topics/

• Finding Immigration and Naturalization Records: Advanced Strategies and Techniques
• New Frontiers in Genealogy
• Notion for Genealogists
• No More Excuses: Ten Family History Writing Tips for
• Ten Things Every Eastern European Genealogist Should Know
  Show, Don’t Tell: Creative Nonfiction Writing for Genealogists
• Cause of Death: Dissecting Coroner’s Records for Genealogical Research
• Scrivener for Easier Family History Writing Projects
• Overcoming Brickwalls in Eastern European Research
• Trello for Genealogists
• No Easy Button: Using Immersion Genealogy to Understand Your Ancestors
• Finding Your Femme Fatales
• Online Genealogy for the Absolute Beginner
• Family History Writing Made Easier: Cloud-Based Tools Every Genealogist Can Use
• Timesaving Apps for Busy Genealogists
• DIY Publishing for the Family Historian: Tips, Tricks and Tools
• Make Those Skeletons Dance: Exploring Your Family’s Dark Side
• Diseases, Disasters, Distress: Bad for Your Ancestors, Good for Genealogy!
• Ten Ways to Jumpstart Your Eastern European Research
• Demystifying Eastern European Research
• Writing Your Family History Step-by-Step
• Beginning Slovak Genealogy
• Immigrant Cluster Communities: Past, Present and Future
• Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors
• 365 Ways to Discover Your Family History
• Crossing the Pond: Successful Strategies for Researching Eastern European Ancestors
• Three Slovak Women: Telling the Story of One Slovak-American Family Using Oral and Social History
• Packrat or Genealogist? Effective Methods for Organizing Your Family History Research”
• Tracing Your Immigrant Ancestors
• Murder, Mayhem, and Town Tragedy

Currently accepting virtual speaking engagements

Will Supply laptop

Lisa's books are available for purchase at her lectures
Will develop new lectures upon request
Will travel to some U.S. locations; contact for particulars
Audio/video taping negotiable
No home housing, please

2025

Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (in person)

Polish Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast (virtual conference)

Legacy Family Tree Webinars (MyHeritage)

Numerous libraries and genealogical societies

2020-2024 Virtual presenations for various societies and organizations.

2019 Conferences

RootsTech Salt Lake City

RootsTech London, UK

MyHeritage Live, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International, Lincoln, NE

Indian River Genealogical Society, Vero Beach, FL

Northwest Genealogy Society, Arlington, WA

Midwest Roots, Indianapolis, IN

Ohio Genealogical Society, Mason, OH

Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree, Burbank, CA

San Diego Genealogical Society, San Diego, CA

Salt Lake Christmas Tour, Salt Lake City, UT