Instructors
Melinde Lutz Byrne 
Director of the Genealogical Programs
Instructor, Forensic Research
- Fellow and former President, American Society of Genealogists
- Author and editor
- Co-editor, National Genealogical Society Quarterly
- Editor of Donald Lines Jacobus Award winning book
- Serves on Genetic Genealogy Standards Committee since 2014
- Certified Genealogist®, Board of Certification of Genealogist®
- Bachelor’s degree from Miami University and advanced course from the University of Oregon and Simmons College
Connie Lenzen
Instructor, Foundations of Genealogical Research
- Certified Genealogist, Board for Certification of Genealogists®
- Past President, Board for Certification of Genealogists®
- Former Director, National Genealogical Society
- Recipient of 2010 National Genealogical Society’s President’s Citation
- Working professional genealogist
- Author and lecturer
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, Portland State University
Julie Michutka
Instructor, Evidence Evaluation and Documentation
- Specialist in evidence analysis
- Regional lecturer
- Teaching assistant, Excelsior College online Genetic Genealogy course
- Former Latin teacher: middle school, high school, and university classes
- Certificate in Genealogical Research, Boston University Center for Professional Education
- Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Latin, University of Michigan
- Teacher’s Certificate, University of Michigan School of Education
- Research interests include immigration, early Massachusetts, and Slovakia
Allison Ryall
Instructor, Problem Solving Techniques and Technology
- Modern records research expert
- Technology specialist, online research
- Grader, National Genealogical Society’s Home Study Course
- Program Director, NERGC 2011
- FGS Ancestors Road Show co-chair
- Bachelor’s degree in History and Russian Studies, University of Southern Maine
- Master’s degree in American and New England Studies, University of Southern Maine
Angela Packer McGhie
Instructor, Professional Genealogy
- Intermediate Genealogy course coordinator, Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research
- Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course coordinator, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
- Holds the credential Certified Genealogist℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists®
- Director, Mentor and Former Administrator, GenProof Study Groups
- Trustee, Board for Certification of Genealogists Education Fund
- Instructor, Genealogical Institute on Federal Records
- Contributing author, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly
- Lecturer at national genealogy conferences including NGS, NERGC, RootsTech
- BS in Psychology, Brigham Young University
Jennifer Zinck
Instructor, Forensic Research
- President, Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council, Inc.
- International lecturer
- Genetic genealogy specialist
- Modern records research specialist
- Program director, NERGC 2019
- Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management
- Certificate, Genealogical Research Program, Boston University
- Certificate, Practicum in Genealogical Research, Excelsior College
Melissa A. Johnson
Instructor, Professional Genealogy
- Certified Genealogist® from the Board for Certification of Genealogists®
- Instructor, Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
- President, New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists
- Chair, Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Development Committee
- Reviews Editor, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly
- Trustee, Genealogical Society of New Jersey
- Vice President, International Society of British Genealogy and Family History
- BS in Business Administration, Susquehanna University
