Speakers
The experienced and talented people who will be bringing you their knowledge and sharing their secrets. See who they are and what they will be speaking about!
Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D.
Professional genealogist specialising in DNA evidence.
In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’s Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS) (Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor).
Blaine is or has been an instructor for genetic genealogy courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research. Blaine is a graduate of ProGen Study Group 21, a trustee for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s Board of Trustees, and a board member for the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Speaking in: Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra & Sydney
Louise Coakley
Professional genealogist – Genie1
Louise Coakley has been researching family history for more than 20 years and using DNA since 2011. She presents on DNA, convenes a DNA Interest Group and a DNA Drop-In Clinic, maintains a website to guide beginners, and guides others to help them explore, interpret and apply their DNA results to their unique family situations. Louise created and leads the Facebook support group Using DNA for Genealogy – Australia & NZ and co-administers several other DNA groups and projects.
Speaking in: Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney
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Kerry Farmer
Professional genealogist – Family History Research
Kerry is a researcher, presenter and teacher in family history and genealogical studies and has been teaching family history classes since 1997. With degrees in both science and humanities, she is on the Board of the Society of Australian Genealogists and convenor of their Education Committee. She is also the Director of Australian Studies, developing the Australian Records certificate for the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. Kerry is a regular speaker at conferences & other events.
Speaking in: Canberra, Sydney
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Michelle Patient
Professional genealogist – The Patient Genie
With a degree in Pure and Applied Chemistry and technical qualifications in Geology, Michelle Patient has a love of data, facts and research. Working for many years in civil engineering laboratories before moving into programming databases for marketing projects, she has spoken to various community and work-related groups since the 1970s. She has been using computers and the internet since the 1980s, and since becoming addicted to genealogy in 1999 she enjoys helping others make the most out of using technology to help further their research.
Speaking in: Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney
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Helen Smith
Professional genealogist – Dragon Genealogy
Helen is a speaker, researcher and author and has been researching family history since 1986 in Australia, England, Ireland and Wales with forays into other areas. She has spoken in every state and territory in Australia, and internationally in New Zealand, Canada, USA, England and aboard the Unlock the Past cruises. She is the author of Death certificates and archaic medical terms and has written for ‘Inside History’, ‘Australian Family Tree Connections’ and other family history journals.
Speaking in: Brisbane, Sydney
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Fiona Brooker
Professional genealogist
Memories In Time
Fiona’s passion is to help you research and discover Yesterday’s Moments through your family history, stories, DNA and photographs and preserve and create Tomorrow’s Memories for future generations.
Speaking in: Sydney
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including the topic she will speak on.
Mike Murray
Professional genealogist
TimeTrackers
After retiring from a career in industry and international consultancy, Mike joined his wife Lesley in running TimeTrackers. Mike has had many speaking and educational engagements on a variety of genealogical topics, and is heavily involved with the WA Genealogical Society (WAGS), and, with Lesley, convenes the London and South England Special Interest Group.
Speaking in: Perth
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Gail Edwards
Gail is a Council member of the South Australian Genealogy Society, co-administrator of the South Australian DNA Project and member of the Society’s DNA Special Interest Group. She is on the organising committee for a U3A family history group and teaches family history for beginners at her local library, provides individual tuition on more advanced topics as well as helping people who have taken a DNA test but don’t know what to do next.
Speaking in: Adelaide
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