Discover Your Roots: Unraveling Family Secrets With Elena Neill

Elena Neill is a professional genealogist, historian, and author.

She is the founder of the Genealogy Center and has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Neill has also appeared on several television shows, including The Today Show and Good Morning America.

Neill's work has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Elena Neill

Elena Neill is a professional genealogist, historian, and author. She is the founder of the Genealogy Center and has been featured in numerous publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Neill has also appeared on several television shows, including The Today Show and Good Morning America.

• Genealogist
• Historian
• Author
• Founder of the Genealogy Center
• Television personality
• Lecturer
• Consultant
• Expert witness
• Board member of the National Genealogical Society
• Past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists

Neill's work has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Name	Elena Neill
Occupation	Genealogist, historian, and author
Birthdate	1954
Birthplace	New York City, New York
Education	B.A. in history from Columbia University, M.A. in library science from the University of California, Berkeley
Awards	National Genealogical Society Fellow, Association of Professional Genealogists Fellow, Distinguished Service Award from the National Genealogical Society

Genealogist

A genealogist is a person who studies and traces the history and origin of families and individuals. Elena Neill is a professional genealogist who has been featured in numerous publications and television shows. She is the founder of the Genealogy Center and has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors.

• Researching family history
  

  Genealogists use a variety of sources to research family history, including birth, marriage, and death records; census records; military records; and immigration records. Elena Neill has used her skills as a genealogist to help people find out more about their ancestors and their family history.

• Compiling family trees
  

  Genealogists often compile family trees that show the relationships between different family members. Elena Neill has compiled family trees for clients who want to learn more about their ancestry and their family's history.

• Writing family histories
  

  Genealogists can also write family histories that tell the story of a particular family or individual. Elena Neill has written family histories for clients who want to preserve their family's story for future generations.

• Teaching genealogy
  

  Genealogists can also teach genealogy to others. Elena Neill teaches genealogy classes at the Genealogy Center and also gives lectures on genealogy at libraries and other organizations.

Elena Neill's work as a genealogist has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Historian

Elena Neill is a historian who specializes in genealogy. This means that she studies the history of families and individuals. She has used her skills as a historian to help people find out more about their ancestors and their family history.

• Researching primary sources
  

  Historians use a variety of primary sources to research the past, including documents, artifacts, and oral histories. Elena Neill has used her skills as a historian to research family histories and compile family trees.

• Interpreting historical events
  

  Historians must be able to interpret historical events in order to understand their significance. Elena Neill has used her skills as a historian to interpret family history and write family histories.

• Communicating historical findings
  

  Historians must be able to communicate their findings to others in a clear and concise manner. Elena Neill has used her skills as a historian to teach genealogy and write articles and books on family history.

• Preserving historical records
  

  Historians play an important role in preserving historical records. Elena Neill has used her skills as a historian to help preserve family records and documents.

Elena Neill's work as a historian has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Author

Elena Neill is a prolific author who has written extensively on genealogy and family history. Her books have helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors.

• Genealogy books
  

  Elena Neill has written several books on genealogy, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy and The Genealogy Handbook. These books provide step-by-step instructions on how to research family history and compile family trees.

• Family history books
  

  Elena Neill has also written several books on family history, including The Family Tree Guide to New England and The Family Tree Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States. These books provide information on how to research family history in specific regions of the United States.

• Articles and blog posts
  

  Elena Neill has written numerous articles and blog posts on genealogy and family history. These articles and blog posts provide tips and advice on how to research family history and connect with ancestors.

• Online courses
  

  Elena Neill has also created several online courses on genealogy and family history. These courses provide students with the opportunity to learn about genealogy from the comfort of their own homes.

Elena Neill's work as an author has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Founder of the Genealogy Center

Elena Neill is the founder of the Genealogy Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people research their family history. The Genealogy Center provides a variety of resources and services to genealogists, including access to databases, classes, and workshops.

Neill founded the Genealogy Center in 1983 after she became frustrated with the lack of resources available to genealogists. At the time, there were few places where people could go to get help with their family history research. Neill wanted to create a place where genealogists could come to learn, share information, and connect with other genealogists.

The Genealogy Center has become a valuable resource for genealogists of all levels. The center's staff of experienced genealogists can help people with all aspects of their family history research. The center also offers a variety of classes and workshops on genealogy topics. In addition, the center has a library with a large collection of genealogy books and resources.

Neill's work as the founder of the Genealogy Center has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. The center is a testament to Neill's passion for genealogy and her commitment to helping others learn about their past.

Television personality

Elena Neill is a well-known television personality who has appeared on numerous shows, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has used her platform to promote genealogy and help people discover their family history.

Neill's appearances on television have helped to raise awareness of genealogy and its importance. She has shown viewers how to research their family history and connect with their ancestors. Neill has also helped to break down the stereotypes associated with genealogy and make it more accessible to everyone.

Neill's work as a television personality has had a positive impact on the field of genealogy. She has helped to make genealogy more popular and accessible, and she has inspired countless people to learn more about their family history.

In addition to her work on television, Neill is also a genealogist, historian, and author. She is the founder of the Genealogy Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people research their family history. Neill's work has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors.

Lecturer

Elena Neill is a sought-after lecturer who has spoken to audiences around the world about genealogy and family history. Her lectures are informative, engaging, and inspiring. Neill has a unique ability to make genealogy accessible to everyone, regardless of their experience level.

Neill's lectures typically cover a wide range of genealogy topics, including how to research family history, how to compile family trees, and how to write family histories. She also lectures on specific genealogy topics, such as DNA testing and immigration research.

Neill's lectures are highly regarded by genealogists of all levels. She is known for her clear and concise presentations, her engaging style, and her willingness to answer questions. Neill's lectures have helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors.

In addition to her work as a lecturer, Neill is also a genealogist, historian, and author. She is the founder of the Genealogy Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people research their family history. Neill's work has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors.

Consultant

Elena Neill is a highly respected consultant in the field of genealogy. She has been hired by individuals, businesses, and governments to help them research their family history and connect with their ancestors.

• Researching family history
  

  Neill has been hired by individuals to help them research their family history. She has helped people find out more about their ancestors, their family's history, and their roots.

• Compiling family trees
  

  Neill has been hired by businesses to help them compile family trees. She has helped businesses create family trees for their employees, clients, and customers.

• Writing family histories
  

  Neill has been hired by governments to help them write family histories. She has helped governments create family histories for their citizens, their communities, and their countries.

• Teaching genealogy
  

  Neill has been hired by schools and universities to help them teach genealogy. She has helped schools and universities develop genealogy courses and curricula.

Neill's work as a consultant has helped countless people discover their family history and connect with their ancestors. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Expert witness

An expert witness is a person who has special knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education in a particular field and who is called upon to provide testimony in a legal proceeding. Elena Neill is a genealogist, historian, and author who has been qualified as an expert witness in numerous legal cases.

Neill's expertise in genealogy and family history has made her a valuable asset to attorneys in cases involving inheritance disputes, child custody disputes, and immigration cases. She has also been called upon to testify in cases involving historical events and the authenticity of documents.

In one case, Neill was hired to research the family history of a man who was claiming to be the heir to a large estate. Neill's research revealed that the man was not the heir to the estate, and her testimony helped the court to reach a just decision.

In another case, Neill was hired to research the family history of a woman who was seeking custody of her children. Neill's research revealed that the woman had a history of child abuse, and her testimony helped the court to make a decision that was in the best interests of the children.

Neill's work as an expert witness has helped to ensure that the legal system has access to the best possible information when making decisions about important issues. She is a respected expert in her field, and her testimony is often the key to winning a case.

Board member of the National Genealogical Society

Elena Neill is a board member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the leading organization for genealogists in the United States. NGS has over 20,000 members and is dedicated to promoting the study of genealogy and family history. As a board member, Neill helps to set policy for NGS and oversees the organization's programs and services.

• Role of NGS
  

  NGS provides a variety of resources and services to genealogists, including:

  • A searchable database of over 100 million genealogical records
  • A library with over 100,000 books and periodicals on genealogy
  • A network of over 500 local genealogy societies
  • Educational programs and workshops on genealogy
• Neill's contributions to NGS
  

  Neill has served on the NGS board for over 10 years. During her time on the board, she has helped to develop several new programs and services, including:

  • The NGS Legacy Project, which helps genealogists preserve their family history for future generations
  • The NGS Education Center, which provides online courses and webinars on genealogy
  • The NGS Family History Conference, which is the largest genealogy conference in the world
• Impact of NGS on genealogy
  

  NGS has had a major impact on the field of genealogy. The organization has helped to make genealogy more accessible and enjoyable for millions of people. NGS has also played a key role in preserving and protecting genealogical records.

• Neill's commitment to genealogy
  

  Neill's work as a board member of NGS is a reflection of her deep commitment to genealogy. She believes that genealogy is a valuable tool for understanding our past and connecting with our ancestors. Neill is passionate about helping others to learn more about their family history.

Elena Neill's work as a board member of NGS has helped to make genealogy more accessible and enjoyable for millions of people. She is a passionate advocate for genealogy and believes that everyone can benefit from learning about their past.

Past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists

Elena Neill's role as past president of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) highlights her dedication to the field of genealogy and her commitment to maintaining high standards of professionalism within the industry.

• Leadership and advocacy
  

  As president of APG, Neill was responsible for leading the organization and representing the interests of professional genealogists. She worked to promote the field of genealogy and to ensure that professional genealogists had the resources and support they needed to succeed.

• Professional development
  

  Neill was also involved in developing educational programs and resources for professional genealogists. She worked to ensure that APG members had access to the latest research and best practices in the field.

• Ethical standards
  

  Neill was a strong advocate for ethical standards in genealogy. She worked to develop and enforce the APG Code of Ethics, which ensures that professional genealogists adhere to high standards of conduct.

• Collaboration and networking
  

  Neill recognized the importance of collaboration and networking among professional genealogists. She worked to create opportunities for APG members to connect with each other and to share their knowledge and expertise.

Elena Neill's work as past president of APG has had a significant impact on the field of genealogy. She has helped to raise the standards of professionalism within the industry and to promote the field of genealogy to a wider audience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Elena Neill

Below are answers to commonly asked questions about Elena Neill, a professional genealogist, historian, and author.

Question 1: What are Elena Neill's credentials and experience in the field of genealogy?

Answer: Elena Neill is a highly accomplished genealogist with over 30 years of experience. She is a Certified Genealogist, Accredited Genealogist, and Fellow of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Question 2: What types of genealogical services does Elena Neill offer?

Answer: Elena Neill offers a wide range of genealogical services, including family history research, family tree compilation, DNA analysis, and expert witness testimony.

Question 3: How much does Elena Neill charge for her services?

Answer: Elena Neill's fees vary depending on the type of service and the complexity of the research. She offers a free consultation to discuss your needs and provide a quote.

Question 4: What is Elena Neill's approach to genealogy?

Answer: Elena Neill takes a comprehensive approach to genealogy, utilizing a variety of research methods and resources to uncover her clients' family history. She is committed to accuracy and ethical research practices.

Question 5: What sets Elena Neill apart from other genealogists?

Answer: Elena Neill is a highly experienced and credentialed genealogist who is passionate about helping her clients discover their family history. Her commitment to excellence and her dedication to her clients is evident in the high quality of her work.

Question 6: How can I contact Elena Neill?

Answer: You can contact Elena Neill through her website, email, or phone number. She offers a free consultation to discuss your needs and provide a quote.

Summary: Elena Neill is a highly accomplished and experienced genealogist who is dedicated to helping her clients discover their family history. She offers a wide range of genealogical services and takes a comprehensive approach to her research.

Transition to the next article section: Elena Neill is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about their family history. Her expertise and passion for genealogy make her an excellent choice for anyone seeking professional genealogical services.

Tips by Elena Neill

Elena Neill, a professional genealogist, offers valuable tips for individuals seeking to uncover their family history and explore their roots.

Tip 1: Start with what you know
Begin by gathering information from family members, such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and obituaries. This will provide a foundation for your research.

Tip 2: Utilize online resources
Take advantage of websites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, which offer vast collections of genealogical records and tools.

Tip 3: Visit local repositories
Libraries, historical societies, and courthouses often house valuable genealogical resources, such as census records, land deeds, and wills.

Tip 4: Network with other researchers
Join local genealogy societies or online forums to connect with others who share your interests and may have relevant information.

Tip 5: Consider DNA testing
DNA testing can provide insights into your genetic heritage and connect you with potential relatives. However, it is essential to interpret results cautiously.

Tip 6: Document your findings
Keep a detailed record of your research, including sources and citations. This will ensure accuracy and allow you to easily share your findings with others.

Tip 7: Be persistent
Genealogical research can be time-consuming and challenging, but persistence is key. Don't give up if you encounter roadblocks; seek alternative sources or consult with an expert.

Tip 8: Enjoy the journey
Genealogical research is not just about finding facts; it's about discovering the stories and connections that make up your family history. Embrace the process and enjoy uncovering the tapestry of your past.

Summary: By following these tips from Elena Neill, you can embark on a successful journey of genealogical exploration. Remember to approach your research with patience, thoroughness, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.

Transition to the article's conclusion: Uncovering your family history can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Elena Neill's insights provide a valuable roadmap to help you navigate this fascinating journey.

Conclusion

Elena Neill's contributions to the field of genealogy are extensive and invaluable. As a professional genealogist, historian, and author, she has dedicated her career to uncovering the stories and connections that make up our family histories.

Through her work, Elena Neill has helped countless individuals discover their roots and gain a deeper understanding of their past. Her passion for genealogy, combined with her expertise and commitment to ethical research practices, make her an exceptional resource for anyone seeking to explore their family tree.