Directory of Members

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. She brings decades of experience in family research and hundreds of successfully solved genetic genealogy cases.

Known for her compassionate approach, Kate helps clients uncover ancestral mysteries while providing them with more complete family medical histories and a stronger sense of identity. Her presentations captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged throughout.

Kate discovered her passion for teaching during her cancer journey, finding fulfillment in sharing knowledge with fellow genealogists. She approaches her work with integrity, deliberately addressing historical injustices and dispelling common myths in her presentations. Past speaking engagements include RootsTech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, and NAAP/RTK's Untangling Our Roots.

Her 2025 speaking schedule features appearances at RootsTech, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, the Foundation for East European Family History Studies, Ontario Ancestors Webinar Series, Ohio Genealogical Society, Nebraska State Genealogical Society, Minnesota Genealogical Society, Florida State Genealogy Society, Oklahoma Genealogical Society, and presentations at local libraries and genealogical societies.

Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. She has served as a pastor in Fort Wayne since her ordination in 2012.

Kate is available for 1:1 training on DNA, or she can address traditional and genetic genealogy topics in a group setting.

She specializes in HighRoH, Endogamy, and otherwise difficult genetic genealogy cases.

She is most familiar with UK and NW European/US Colonial/US Midwestern genealogy.

She has familiarity with Latin, Greek, German, Spanish, French and Italian languages (she trained to be an opera singer, go figure)

• Squeezing All the Info Out of Your DNA Matches
• Colonial Origins & DNA
• Breaking Down Brick Walls with DNA
• Introduction to Genetic Genealogy
• Adoption & DNA
• Jewish Settlements in the Ohio River Valley: DNA Case
• When the DNA is a Thorny Thicket - Endogamy & HighRoH
• Murder in the Mountains: Grandpa’s Birth Father in Court Records: DNA Case
• Breathing Life into Grandpa’s V-Mail: Creating a Narrative History of WWII Service
• Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries with DNA
• An Ever-Growing Tree: Descendancy Research and DNA
• Let Tech Work For You: Harnessing the Power of Apps and Tools
• Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt: Using DNA to Affirm Documentary Evidence
• Facts and Fables: Crafting Your Family Narrative
• Building a Family Medical History When Adoption Obscures the Truth
• Genetic Genealogy, Empathy, and the NPE Community
• Using Artificial Intelligence to Amplify Your Genealogy
• Sleuthing Immigration and Migration Patterns with DNA
• Faith of Our Fathers (immersion into your ancestors’ faith life, practice, and religious songs, customized to your region/ethnicity)
• Grandparents’ Songs - the music that defined generations, customized to your interest.
• DNA Case studies can be designed for just about any region/time/ethnic background. For example, Ireland (using Y and atDNA), a Maltese diplomat fathering a child in VA during WWII, an extraordinarily interesting European-descent, 19th-century con-man who is the ancestor of a famous R&B singer.

Reasonable honorarium plus travel/per diem reimbursement.

She has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, Illinois Genealogical Society, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, NAAP/RTK’s Untangling Our Roots, and the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Future speaking engagements include Rootstech 2025 and Ohio Genealogical Society 2025, as well as local library & genealogical society presentations.