Genealogy & DNA - Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries

Filling in Those Pesky Blanks: Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries with DNA 

We all have that ancestor with a first name but no family name. When traditional genealogical techniques fail to turn up an answer, we can turn to DNA to find more opportunities to discover clues. Follow along as Kate Penney Howard explains how she used traditional genealogy and DNA clustering to write her ancestors’ surnames in their family tree!
Bring your favorite note-taking tools and come away with a worksheet created to help you address your own brick walls.

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist specializing in brick wall work, HighRoH, and endogamy. During a bout with cancer, she discovered that she loves sharing her knowledge with other genealogists. She is intentional about addressing injustice and myths in her presentations. Kate has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, and NAAP/RTK’s Untangling Our Roots. 2025 speaking engagements include Rootstech, Ohio Genealogical Society, and Ontario Ancestors Webinar Series, as well as local library and genealogical society gatherings. Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. She has been pastor of North Christian Church in Fort Wayne since her ordination in 2012.