Genealogy Essentials Series 2 – Speaker Biographies

August 3, 2026 – September 16, 2026

Registration opens June 15, 2026

Barbara Coakley – Barbara Coakley’s passion for family history began over 30 years ago when she received an envelope of family papers. Her quest to uncover the stories of her ancestors has led her to homelands across the U.S. and Europe. Barbara serves as President of Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries and volunteers with the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) and the Dallas Genealogical Society. She is an alumna of ProGen, IGHR, TIGR, GRIP, SLIG, and GenFed. Barbara taught genealogy continuing education classes at Collin College from 2008 to 2021 and regularly presents for libraries and genealogical societies across the U.S. and U.K.

Sandra Crowley, FTxSGS- Sandra Crowley, FTxSGS, is an award-winning genealogist, author, and lecturer who grew up attending family reunions and developed a natural curiosity about her family history. She speaks at local, regional and national events, including RootsTech. Currently, Sandra serves as Director of Development for the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS), co-editor of Stirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society, and Director of the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR).  As producer and editor for the North Carolina Genealogical Society’s Webinar Library, Sandra serves as Chair of Virtual Events, which hosts an annual virtual conference. She previously served as Vice President of Membership for TxSGS; as President, Vice President of Education, Executive Vice President, Immediate Past President, and FGS Delegate for the Dallas Genealogical Society; President of the Mid-Cities Genealogical Society; editor of the DGS Newsletter, and managing editor of DGS’s Pegasus: The Journal of the Dallas Genealogical Society. She has a business degree from the University of Memphis and served as Vice President of Marketing and a marketing consultant for several technology companies. Sandra was named a Fellow of the Texas State Genealogical Society in 2021.

Bernard Meisner, Ph.D. – Bernard Meisner began researching his family research over 35 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes.  Although he knew only one grandparent (his maternal grandfather) he has successfully identified all of his great-great grandparents, several triple- and quadruple-great grandparents, and his Meisner 8th great grandparents.  He is co-leader of the Dallas Genealogical Society’s German SIG, and a member of the TxSGS, Germanic, and National Genealogical Societies.

Kelvin L. Meyers, FTxSGS – A fifth generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist since 1996, Kelvin is a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. Kelvin works with attorneys, trust officers, and several mineral companies researching and locating heirs throughout the US and the world. He also specializes in southern brick wall problems for clients. In 2016 Kelvin published Research in Texas for NGS (National Genealogical Society) Research in the States series. The Dallas Genealogical Society awarded Kelvin the Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck Distinguished Service Award in December of 2018. The Texas State Genealogical Society made Kelvin a fellow of society in 2023. Kelvin is the immediate past director of the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) and continues to coordinate the Research in Texas course. He recently wrote the chapter, “Mineral Interest and the Forensic Genealogist” for the recently published book Forensic Genealogy Theory and Practice.

Emily Coffman Richardson, Ed.D. – Emily Coffman Richardson is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in Denton, Texas. She began researching her family history alongside her mother, exploring courthouses and cemeteries in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After retiring in 2019 from a career in higher education, Emily founded Kinsearchers, reviving her mother’s genealogy business name. Emily specializes in lineage applications, brick-wall challenges, and complex family name conflicts. She is the President of the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) for the 2025-2026 term and currently oversees the TxSGS podcast Lone Star Family Trails. Emily also serves as program chair for the Robson Ranch Genealogy Club and teaches genealogy courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of North Texas. Her current project – a four-volume work on the descendants of her 5th great-grandfather, Melchior Yoder – was published in October 2025. Emily’s passion lies in storytelling—a promise she made to her mother to bring their ancestors’ stories to life.

Genealogy Essentials: Series 2 (GE-2) Menu

 

 

 

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