LaDonna Garner, CG^SM is a researcher, speaker, and volunteer focusing on Southeastern Missouri and African-American research. She is the former Vice-President of the Jefferson County Genealogical Society; Leader of the African American Special Interest Group, St. Louis Genealogical Society; and member of several societies including Association of Professional Genealogists and National Genealogical Society.

Certified in genealogy in 2006, Garner has been researching her family history for over 20 years.

Co-founder and Secretary of the Mt. Zion Cemetery Board to preserve Mount Zion Cemetery, Festus, Missouri; established by African American settlers in the ca. 1880s and closed in 1973. Her current projects are recording the history of the cemetery and the surrounding African-American communities, client research, and one-on-one assistance.

Educational background includes an Associate of Applied Science from Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Mo. (1994); National Genealogical Society course American Genealogy Home Study Course (2005); Associate of Arts in History from Jefferson College, Hillsboro, Mo. (2008); and current studies include a Bachelors of Science in Historical Preservation at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (2010), and plans to continue studies to earn a M.A. in Historic Preservation.

"Getting the genealogy "bug" at the age of 13, I've always been fascinated by family history and all the untold stories that can be uncovered. I've been on a personal quest ever since researching my own African-American family and enjoy sharing my hobby with other researchers that also enjoy digging around the old family skeletons.

No matter how much time or experience a researcher has accomplished in studying the family tree, there's always something new to learn in genealogy. I hope to be a guide and contribute to unraveling those areas of genealogy."

Member of...
Mt. Zion Cemetery Board as Co-Founder & Secretary
Jefferson County Genealogical Society as Newsletter Editor
St. Louis Genealogical Society as African American Special Interest Group Leader
National Genealogical Society
Association of Professional Genealogists

Associate of...
Board for Certification of Genealogists

2010 APPEARANCES

Jefferson County Genealogical Society (Oct. 16)
·   5th Annual Family History Fair: fair info

2009 APPEARANCES or SUPPORTER

Meramec College (Feb. 25)

St. Louis Genealogical Society (May 2)
·   Annual Family History Fair: fair info

Summer Classes in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri (TBA)

Jefferson County Genealogical Society (Oct. 17)
·   4th Annual Family History Fair: fair info

International Black Genealogy Summit (Oct. 29-31)
·   fair info

2008 APPEARANCES

Jefferson College: Friday Speaker Series (April 4th)
·   Recording Family, Recording County History, to watch video click here

KWMU 90.7, St. Louis On the Air (April 9th)
·   with guests St. Louis Genealogical Society, listen to the broadcast

University of Missouri-St. Louis (April 23rd)
·   Annual Multicultural Awareness Day

Institute for Genealogy & Historical Research, Birmingham, AL (June 9th - 13th)
·   Researching African-American Ancestors: African American Women in the Military

Discover Your Roots, Missouri (Sept. 6th)
·   2nd Annual African-American Family History Conference: Save It!: Backing Up and Organizing Photos, Digital Files and Paper Piles

Jefferson County Genealogical Society (Oct. 18)
·   3rd Annual Family History Fair: fair info

IN THE NEWS

KPLR Channel CW11, St. Louis, Mo.:
·   Discovering Your Roots visit page to watch video (aired 25 Feb 2008)

Jefferson County Leader, Festus, Mo.:
·   Seeking answers: Jefferson College student studies genealogy, history (21 Feb 2008)

Meramec Journal, Suburban Journal, St. Louis, Mo.:
·   Hit Records (19 Nov 2003)

Jefferson County Journal, Suburban Journal, St. Louis, Mo.:
·   Resurrection of a cemetery (5 Oct 2005)

Southwestern County Journal, Suburban Journal, St. Louis, Mo.:
·   Digging for roots: Conference will aid families in discovering their pasts (28 Aug 2007) alt. Mid-Town Journal (29 Aug 2007)

KSDK Channel 5, St. Louis, Mo.
·   One Womans Crusade Helps Clean Up Historic Jefferson County Cemetery to watch video click here (aired 20 Oct 2005)

2 part series with KSDK Channel 5 & St. Louis Genealogical Society:
·   Researching Your Family History to watch video click here (aired 12 Nov 2007)
·   Researching African American Genealogy to watch video click here (aired 13 Nov 2007)

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