Directory of Members

Peggy is a speaker, educator and researcher who has been conducting genealogical research for her family and clients for over 40 years. She has conducted extensive research on her family in the Midwest, and in Sweden and Scotland. She specializes and teaches in five areas of genealogical interest: DNA, Genealogical Methods and Records, Genealogical Technology, Swedish Genealogy, and Preserving Family History and Family Heirlooms. 

Peggy serves as the VP, Projects and member of the board of the Manatee Genealogical Society (FL.)  She leads both the DNA and the Technology for Genealogy Special Interest Groups for her local society.  She holds a BS in Zoology from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.  Following a successful career as a Global Human Resources Executive, she opened her genealogical business centered in the west coast of Florida. Peggy teaches multiple times per month on a variety of genealogical topics. Peggy is the co-course coordinator for the DNA Foundations course at IGHR (Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research,) a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and a graduate of ProGen.

Graduate of ProGen 44

She specializes in four areas of genealogical interest: DNA, Using Social Media, Genealogical Technology with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Preserving Family History and Family Heirlooms.  Swedish and Midwestern research are her personal research areas of focus.

DNA Presentations

• What Can I Do With My DNA? 13 Things You Can Do With Your DNA
• DNA Tools - A Tour
• How is This Match Related to Me?
• Which Matches Do I Pursue?
• How to Get Your Matches to Respond
• Figuring Out a Mystery Match – How Am I Related to This Person?
• GEDMatch – What is it and How do I Use it?
• Clustering – What is it and How to Do It
• Clustering – I Have Clusters - What’s Next? 
• How to Upload Your DNA Data and Where to Upload It
• Keeping Track of Your Matches
• DNA Basics – Getting a Solid Foundation
• Why are 2^nd Cousins Genetic Genealogy Gold?
• X-DNA – How Do You Use It?
• Using the New Tools – Thru-Lines, Clustering, Theory of Relativity
• The Shared Centimorgan Project and DNA Painter
• DNA - Most Frequently Asked Questions – What are the top 8 questions most frequently asked about DNA?

General Genealogy Presentations

• NEW – AI For Genealogy – Artificial Intelligence has been around longer than you think. It is now in use across the genealogy world. Learn more about AI and its uses in genealogy, with a special emphasis on using ChatGPT and other tools to enhance your research process.
  • NEW – Newspapers for Genealogical Research – The Facebook of Yesteryear - Uncover the stories of your ancestors! Learn techniques and tools to locate and leverage historical news articles to build a more complete and vivid family tree. Identify the multitude of items chronicled in print that can serve as keys to the past. This presentation will offer strategies for discovering and piecing together genealogical information from the rich tapestry of printed news.
  o NEW - Essential PC Tools – Learn all about keyboard shortcuts, tab consolidators, bookmarks, alternate keyboards, and text expanders in this practical session, which will speed up your research.
  o NEW – Shaky Leaves and Hints – Using, Evaluating, Accepting, and Rejecting - Is that hint about your ancestor? Should you add it to your tree? How do you know? This session will provide tips on working with hints, evaluating those hints, and accepting or rejecting them.
  o Genealogy for Busy People – 15 Minutes at a Time – How do you find time for genealogy? Get ideas on how to move your efforts forward in short increments. This session includes a handout with over 100 tasks you can accomplish in 15 minutes or less.
  o Highly Rated - What to Do With Your Stuff - Planning for the Future of Your Genealogy and Artifacts – Every year, genealogical research, records, and heirlooms end up in the trash. This session provides ideas and strategies to ensure your research and treasures don't find the same fate.
  o All About Your Name – A Look at Surnames - Topics covered include: the history of surnames, ways to learn more about yours, and those who share your name. Get tips on places to research your name, finding others on the same hunt, DNA options, and groups you can join.
• Think You Know the Census?  Think Again!
• A Roadmap to Researching in a New Location
• Continuing Your Genealogical Education – How, What and Where?
• Creating a Family History Legacy
• Ramp Up Your Genealogy with Social Media
• Who Wants My Stuff?
• Using Online Sources for Your Genealogy
• Using Podcasts to Expand your Genealogical Knowledge
• Techniques to Enhance Your Search Results
• Introduction to Genealogy
• Introduction to DNA/DNA 101

Other Areas of Expertise include:  Swedish Records and Research, Midwestern Research, The Genealogical Proof Standard, US Federal Census, State Census, Genealogical Technology and Using Technology in Your Genealogy, Google Photos, Google Maps, Family Tree Maker, Evernote, Zotero, Airtable.

Comfortable with Zoom, Webex, Skype, and other virtual platforms.  Can provide a Zoom platform for presentations.

• IGHR - co-course coordinator, DNA Foundations
• Legacy Tree Webinars
• Utah Genealogical Society DNA SIG
• The Villages Genealogical Society, Florida
• Genealogy Club of Newton, CT
• Citrus County, Genealogical Society, FL
• Old York Road Genealogical Society, PA
• Harford County Library, Maryland
• Iowa City Genealogical Society, IA
• Lee County Genealogical Society, FL
• Manatee Genealogical Society, FL
• Cuban Genealogical Club of Miami
• Tampa Heritage Festival
• Sarasota Genealogical Society
• South Bay Genealogical Society
• OTOW Genealogical Society
• Pastfinders Genealogical Society
• Charlotte County Genealogical Society
• Lakewood Ranch Genealogy Club
• Jacksonville Genealogical Society
• Northland Genealogy Society (Kansas City)
• Waukesha County Genealogy Society (WI)
• Jewish Genealogical Society of Sarasota