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This week on Conversations with Kenyatta, Kenyatta D. Berry, host of PBS' Genealogy Roadshow and author of The Family Tree Toolkit is joined by certified genealogist and professor Mark A. Wentling.

The two discuss forensic genealogy, genealogy graduate studies in genealogy, and discuss more the academic side of the profession, as well as examine Mark's career and some of his tips for genealogists. 

More about Mark: 

Mark A. Wentling, MLS, CG, of Massachusetts, owner of Ancestor Introductions, LLC, is a full-time, professional genealogist with more than 25 years of research experience.  He holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists.  In addition to his own practice, he is an adjunct professor of genealogy in the Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy program at the University of New Haven.  He has also served as a facilitator for the Genealogy Principles course at Boston University, a Mentor for ProGen Study Group, a case study instructor for the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and an expert consultant for the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society's Empire State Exploration guided research program.

He has specialized in forensic genealogy since 2017.  His forensic specialties include heir searching for attorneys and military repatriation research for the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, for which he has located next of kin and DNA donors for over 100 WWII and Korean War servicemembers.  His other specialities include New York and New England family history, Mayflower and U.S. Revolutionary War lineages, and lighthouse keepers.  His research has been published in The New England Historical & Genealogical Register, and recognized by the New York State Assembly and New York State Office of Historic Preservation. 

In addition to a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, he holds a Master of Library Science degree with archives concentration from University of Maryland at College Park, and a B.A. in Sociology.

He currently serves on the board of directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and the Association of Genealogy Educators & Schools (AGES).  He previously served as the first Vice President of APG’s Forensic Genealogy Special Interest Group from 2020 to 2021.  He was the Vice President of APG's New England Chapter from 2018 to 2020, where he developed its peer-mentoring program.

Mark can be reached via his website at https://ancestorintroductions.com or directly by email at [email protected].

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The music for this episode, as always, is "Good Vibe" by Ketsa.

We are dedicated to exploring and discussing various aspects of genealogy, history, culture, and social issues. We aim to shed light on untold stories and perspectives that enrich our understanding of the world.

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