Genealogy Club: The Criminal Genealogist

Our presenter, Michelle Bates, known as the Criminal Genealogist, will speak to us via Zoom from Oklahoma, where she works in the federal prosecutor's office by day and researches criminals and their families at night. Criminal genealogy combines searching criminal records and genealogy skills to uncover the past, even if it wants to be left alone.  As Michelle says, "Records don't lie, but your ancestors might..."

This will be an in-person meeting via Zoom. It will not be recorded.

Michelle Bates, MJ is a professional genealogist and speaker with a unique specialty in uncovering the stories of criminal ancestors and locating legal heirs in probate cases. She is the creator and host of The Criminal Genealogist podcast, where she explores the lives, crimes, and family histories of past offenders—bringing a fresh perspective to genealogical research through the lens of criminal records.

Michelle holds a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a graduate of both the ProGen Study Group and GenProof. She is currently "on the clock" for certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). Deeply involved in the genealogy community, she volunteers with the Tulsa Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG).

By day, Michelle serves as a criminal paralegal for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma. Through her business, My Genealogy Roots, she partners with attorneys to track down living legal heirs in complex probate cases. She’s also building a comprehensive research database to support fellow genealogists in tracing criminal records and histories.