Accreditation, Education, Family History, Genealogy, ICAPGen member spotlights, Professionals, Study Groups

MEET JENNIFER ZINCK, CG®, AG®, AGL™ – Accredited in the New England Region

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ICAPGen™ Professional Spotlight

We are pleased to introduce you to Jennifer Zinck, CG®, AG®, AGL™, who recently received her accreditation in the New England Region, and also in Lecturing.  Congratulations to Jennifer on her double accomplishment!

Jennifer Zinck

Please share why you believe in ICAPGen and our mission

I believe in ICAPGen’s mission because it emphasizes research skills, regional knowledge, and ethical practice. I value ICAPGen’s focus on competency and accountability, and its role in strengthening public trust in genealogical research.

How has ICAPGen been a good fit for you?

ICAPGen has been a good fit because it aligns closely with how I approach genealogy. My work is locality-based, record-driven, and focused on logical reasoning. Much of what I do involves revisiting long-standing assumptions and explaining clearly how the evidence supports—or does not support—a conclusion. The accreditation process introduced me to concepts that I have integrated into my day-to-day practices as a working genealogist.

Are there personal details you’d like to share about yourself?

My husband and I live in Connecticut. We are the parents of four young adults, and we have two grandchildren, who are the apples of our eyes. I am a Leave No Trace Master Educator (Level 2 Instructor), and I enjoy camping, hiking, and being outdoors. My “happy place” is anywhere near a river or the ocean. I don’t spend much time crafting these days, but I love my Cricut machines.

Please share your past history in genealogy

My first formal genealogical education was the ProGen Study Group (ProGen 13) in Fall 2011, where I met colleagues I still call friends today. In Fall 2012 I enrolled in the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate Program, and my intention was to learn how to do genealogy as well as a professional would do it, so that I could do my Grandma’s genealogy right. That was my reason for beginning, and at some point genealogy enveloped me. 

Genealogy turned out to be a perfect fit because I am a perpetual student! I have since taken dozens of institute courses, taught in some, and returned to teach as an Instructor of the Forensic Research module in the BU program for twenty semesters. 

I now operate a genealogical research business focused on complex cases, including parentage questions, identity reconstruction, and conflicting or long-standing published claims. My areas of specialty are Connecticut and New England research, with additional work in forensic genealogy and DNA analysis. I teach and present nationally on genealogy methodology, record analysis, peer review, and historical context, and evolving technologies like DNA and AI. My work includes conference presentations, webinars, and professional development programs, as well as mentoring genealogists pursuing credentials. I accept limited editorial assignments.

I have been a Trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists since October 2024 and have served as President of the Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council since 2015. I am also BCG’s representative to the Records Preservation and Access Coalition, where I represent genealogists and work with state and federal legislators on issues affecting genealogists, libraries, and archives. I serve in additional leadership and volunteer roles within the genealogical community.

What motivated you to pursue accreditation?

I originally pursued ICAPGen accreditation while teaching in the Forensic Research Module of Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate Program. Students frequently asked questions about professional credentials, and I did not want to speak about a process I had not personally experienced. I felt it was important to answer those questions accurately and from firsthand knowledge.

Over time, the accreditation process changed my outlook as a genealogist. For many years, my research focused primarily on 1850 to the present. Through the ICAPGen Study Group process—and with encouragement from my study buddy—I became much more comfortable working in the 1750 to 1850 timeframe, where vital records are scarce and conclusions rely heavily on context, indirect evidence, and careful analysis. The experience fundamentally impacted my genealogical interests, and now I occasionally find myself using a record from the 1630s.

What are some challenging or unique aspects of researching in your area of accreditation?

Connecticut research presents particular challenges due to early settlement, town-level recordkeeping, and complex legal history. Researchers must understand colonial and state law, town governance, church practices, land and probate systems, and shifting boundaries. Records are often fragmented across multiple repositories, making context and careful analysis essential.

What advice do you have for those pursuing accreditation?

Approach accreditation as a learning opportunity, not just a credential to earn. Know your locality deeply, including its records, laws, and historical context. Practice explaining your reasoning clearly, including any uncertainties. Be open to feedback—it will strengthen your work.

What research projects are you involved with now or have planned for the future?

My current work includes several complex New England research projects involving early Connecticut families, migration networks, and unresolved parentage questions. Much of this work requires reconstructing evidence from town, land, probate, church, and court records and analyzing that evidence within its legal and social context, supplemented by genetic evidence. I am also working on a couple of articles and the webinar content for the presentations I will give this year.

What are some of your goals as a genealogist?

My goal is to continue to evolve my genealogy skills and record knowledge. I would eventually like to have more time to work on my own family, the reason I learned to do genealogy in the first place.

Do you have a website you would like to share?

👉 Ancestor Central

Education, Family History, Genealogy, Hiring a Professional, ICAPGen

Ten Effective Steps to Hiring an Accredited Genealogist (AG) Professional

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By Trish T. Melander, AG®

Have you been considering dusting off the family skeleton that hides in your upstairs closet, beneath your child’s marching band uniform from a decade ago and next to the worn out shoes the dog chewed on? Are there unresolved questions about your family history that you would like someone with expertise to help you answer? New cousins to meet, and want to be sure that you’re including the right ones in your family reunion? Maybe you’ve been working on a genealogy research problem and would like some guidance, or some record lookups at a distant location, or you’re ready to have someone take over and work on the problem with a fresh set of eyes.

It can feel intimidating to hire an Accredited Genealogist® professional to answer your genealogical questions – almost like you need to solve the research question first before you can explain what you would like them to solve! If you put in some time to be prepared when finding a researcher, the outcomes will be better, the process will be more enjoyable, and you will feel confident the research is done well.

Here are some simple steps that will help you hire the right genealogist to do the right research, and be confident you and they can have the best possible experience researching your ancestors!

Before You Hire

First, here are some things to consider in your preparation so that you can approach hiring a professional. Organizing your previous work will help you significantly as you prepare. However, don’t let the organizing keep you from reaching out – finding the right researcher may help motivate you to focus on the specific problem and assemble the needed pieces to start working with an AG® professional.

  1. Identify the research problem that the professional will be asked to resolve.
  2. Determine how much you want to pay for genealogical research. Not everything can be found in one research session. Most genealogists will break a project into smaller components to address budget constraints.

Once you have made these preparations, it’s time to locate and contact the right AG professional to do the work. You may find that there are multiple researchers who meet the qualifications you are looking for, and you may want to ask questions to learn more about their approach to the research you need. Some AG professionals may have websites or other available information about the services they offer, specific types of problems they can solve, and what you can expect from working with them.

Making Contact

  1. Use the Find a Professional directory to identify several AG professionals specializing in the area where the ancestor lived.
  2. Write to each one, explaining briefly the genealogical problem and what the AG professional will be requested to do, e.g., research a family, perform specific record searches, or act as a consultant to advise you in your research.
  3. Discuss the fees charged by the professional, their practice of providing updates, and ask for an estimate of when you will receive their report.

At this point, you are ready to choose the researcher and start working together! This new business relationship can open doors for you and bring answers to genealogy questions you have. This is another point when the preparation you put into arranging your previous research will be useful, and transferring the previous research to them will start the work off on the right foot. Remember, the more you share with them, the more they can see the context of the records that will help solve your research question. This is the time to be generous with what you know!

Hiring the Accredited Genealogist Professional

  1.  Discussing your specific research requirements and objectives with your chosen genealogist and together putting them in writing will avoid misunderstanding.
  2. Provide the researcher with copies of documents from any previously related research in order to avoid or minimize duplication.
  3. After the researcher has had an opportunity to review the data that you provided, he or she might require some additional information about your expectations or needs, e.g., what format is required: electronic, paper, or both? Should the genealogist add the information into a genealogy computer program or to an online tree? If international research is required, are translations needed?

It’s time to tie up the loose ends so that you can be sure you and the researcher have the same expectations for the outcome, and that you will be satisfied with what they produce on your behalf. Attention to these final details will help you know what you’re getting, and can spur you to ask any remaining questions before the research begins. Don’t be afraid to ask for explanations; you may have never worked with a researcher before.

Finalizing the Arrangement

  1. Be sure you both understand and agree upon the costs involved, how often the genealogist will send updates, and who will hold publication rights to the final materials. Negotiate and sign a written contract.
  2. Realistic expectations are important. If you have any questions or concerns about your research, be sure to communicate with the genealogist.

Following these steps should help both you and the AG professional have an enjoyable and productive experience. Initial preparation, carefully choosing the right researcher, communicating clearly about previous research and the current problem to solve, and maintaining realistic expectations will all make for a successful outcome! Hiring an AG professional can be a rewarding way to answer your questions about your family history, and leverage their expertise to save you time and frustration when the research isn’t moving forward.

About the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen℠)

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) is a globally recognized credentialing organization dedicated to advancing professional excellence in genealogical research and reporting. Through rigorous written and oral examinations, ICAPGen evaluates and accredits genealogists who demonstrate depth of expertise, ethical practice, and mastery of regional research standards. Accredited Genealogist® professionals who earn ICAPGen credentials have met stringent competency benchmarks, providing clients and the public with confidence in their professional capabilities and commitment to industry best practices.

A Premier Credential for Family Historians & Genealogists throughout the World!