Teacher Bios

Educator in Nursing at Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg MA for 21 yrs. Professor Emerita Nursing Excelsior College, Albany, NY. Consultant, Genealogist, Lecturer, Researcher of Family History Staff instructor for FHGRG Research Group. Specialty: Genetic Medical Pedigrees. Residence: New Hampshire and Hutchinson's Island

I am a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park with a degree in Anthropology and have done field work in Archeology. I have been married for 42 years to my husband John. I am a founding member of The Family History Research Group of Vero Beach, FL where I am the Education Director, member of Prince George's Co. Genealogical Society, MD, and I have been a member of three other societies in the past. I started teaching genealogy about twelve years ago in my home. Currently, I design and teach genealogy classes in Beginner Genealogy, Brick Wall, and Maiden Names, to name a few. I get great satisfaction teaching, mentoring and helping people understand the many facets of Genealogy and encourage them to stretch themselves and think "outside the box". Every day there is something new to learn in Genealogy with new releases of documents on the web and new organizations popping up and I encourage students to use all sources in their genealogical research.

Barbara Gathers is an educator, author and genealogist. Barbara was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where she taught gifted children for 20 years. She was the Director of a teaching Resource center at a Teachers Training College in Ghana, before relocating to Palm Bay, FL in 2005, where she still teaches gifted children. Barbara's lectures include family research and other topics related to African American History. She has self published her book, "Africans in the Americans: A Genealogy Work Book for Beginners".

Patti Kirk, a Maine native, retired to Indian River County at Vero Beach, FL. Patti has been researching family genealogy for 35 years. Her hobby is now a new career in retirement. Patti is a well known lecturer on genealogy, a consultant, instructor of genealogy, and a well-known genealogist. She is also known as a syndicated columnist. Patti, along with friends, created a new concept in genealogy, resulting in the new genealogy research group known as Family History Researchers. Family History Researchers offers classes of instruction in Martin County, Brevard County, St. Lucie County and Indian River County. As a lecturer, Patti offers History Lectures to the public such as “Orphan Trains”, “FRD and the New Deal”, “Eleanor, the wife and mother to America”, and “Coming to America”, an inspiring story of our ancestors' sacrifices and hardships to reach America

I was born in Massillon, Ohio but lived in Maryland most of my adult life, where we raised our daughters, Mary Ellen and Stephanie. As the daughter of a career Navy officer, I lived in many different places in my early years, the longest of which was 5 1/2 years in Northern Africa. Currently my husband and I are residents of Vero Beach, FL but spend time during the summer months in Maryland with family. Initially I started my research of our own family genealogy and have been intrigued and challenged ever since with the process and gratified with the results.

Barbara Dettelis, born in Buffalo, NY, has lived in Port St. Lucie for almost 10 years. Her real interest in Genealogy began with a lecture on the "Orphan Trains" by Patti Kirk. Barbara has been gathering family history into a box for years. She was a bookkeeper for 25 years and a certified ceramic teacher for 12 years. Barbara's interest now is grandchildren and family, along with genealogy. Barbara has done research on her mother's and father's family. Since her last family reunion, she began a "Family Recipes Cookbook" using old recipes from current family members, parents and other relatives.

Kurt is a retired remodeling contractor from Doylestown, PA. He and wife Marcia spend four months each winter in Stuart, FL. In the summer, they are on the road in their motorhome visiting their grandchildren in Frederick, MD and Hailey, ID. Kurt volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and researches his Spence ancestors.

I have taught CCD classes, weight watcher classes and worked for a motor coach company and two travel agencies. I have worked with various church and school groups. I was VP of the Stark Chapter AARP for ten years prior to coming to Florida. I love to read, work on genealogy. I also love sewing and quilting, and scrap booking in my spare time.