Arlene H. Eakle, Ph.D., is the president and founder of The Genealogical Institute, Inc. and a professional genealogist since 1962. She holds both MA and Ph.D. in English History (University of Utah) and an Associate degree in Nursing (Weber State University). She has completed post-graduate computer, web design and ecommerce courses (Bridgerland Applied Technical Center) and attended the Newberry Library (Chicago) Community and Local History course. She also attended the Dan Kennedy Ultimate Marketing Boot Camp and is a member of his Marketing Inner Circle.

She is an expert in tracing ancestors from the Southern States including the Appalachian Triangle-southwest Virginia, northeast North Carolina, southeast Kentucky and east Tennessee. Her research for Scots-Irish and Native American pedigrees from this Triangle, although difficult to document, is especially successful. She is experienced in New York research, tracing ancestors from New England and New Jersey across New York into Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee. And she is skilled in researching English, Scottish, Irish, Swiss and German ancestors.

Dr. Eakle was one of the founders and original trustees of the Association of Professional Genealogists serving as president, 1980-1982, and as editor of the APG Newsletter and Green Sheet, 1982-1985. She edited the only periodical for genealogy teachers, Teaching Genealogy, 1988-1989. She currently edits four serials: Research News, Immigration Digest, Virginia Genealogy Notebooks and Researching Your Roots in New York (with Linda E. Brinkerhoff). 

Friday 4:30 p.m.  FR-024.  Migration Patterns into the Central United States. OH, IN, IL, MO, KY, TN, AR, OK - specific sources and their locations, exact routes (including stopping places along the way), places of origin for group migrations, and the foreign influx from Europe and Canada. [I]

Saturday 10:00 a.m.  SA-039.  American Court Records.  Over 95% of all adults in America have appeared in court at least once during their lifetime. The evidence from court records can build a pedigree as no other source.  Also included:  how to use indexes, how can legal terms and age limits aid your proof?  [IA]

Sunday 12:30 p.m.  SU-087. Tracing a Southern Pedigree.  Trace ancestors back through Arkansas to Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland origins. New search strategies and little used sources to help you bypass burned court houses, gaps in vital records, and ancestors always on the move. One of the most significant migration patterns (VA and NC to TN to AR to CA) is discussed in detail: sources available to help trace such a pedigree, where they are located, and how to search them. Also included new finding aids and state-wide indexes available.  [All]