A black and white portrait of a woman and a young girl, both dressed in vintage clothing, sitting side by side against a plain background. 1920s Mercer County, Missouri, Miller family.

Jessica Fontana

As the founder of Ancestral Path, I am a genealogist with over 15 years of experience. I specialize in U.S. research with expertise in Southern, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Great Lakes states, often utilizing my experience with DNA to confirm documentary evidence. I also have some experience researching in Hungary. I am currently working on completing the portfolio for accreditation with the Board of Certified Genealogists.

I have a Master of Science degree in Extension Education from The Ohio State University, with specialized study in Adult Education Methods. In addition, I have taught age groups from middle school students to senior adults and have designed training for technology companies. Most recently, I worked as a genealogy researcher for Ancestry ProGenealogists.

I have completed advanced institute courses:

  • Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy with Catherine B. W. Desmarais, Michael S. Ramage, and Kelvin Meyers. (TIGR 2023)

  • African American Genealogy Methods and Strategies with LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson (SLIG 2025).

I am a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the Forensic Genealogists Special Interest Group, the National Genealogical Society, the Minnesota Genealogical Society, and the Texas Genealogical Society.

Minnesota Genealogical Society logo with tree graphic and "Since 1969" text