Michael J. Leclerc

Michael J. Leclerc, CG, is a popular genealogical presenter, teacher, author, and editor around the world. For more than a decade he has been a facilitator and instructor in Boston University’s Genealogy Studies Program, where he currently teaches research and writing skills. He holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist^® from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. 

He got his start in genealogy in the 1980s when he first visited the American-French Genealogical Society. From 1995 through 2011 he held various positions at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, working in a variety of capacities from research services to the library to publications. He was responsible for the launch of two websites, bringing searchable databases from the Society’s collections to its members for the first time. He edited a number of books, including Genealogical Writing in the 21st Century: A Guide to Register Style and More, Second Edition, with Henry Hoff, and the fifth edition of the Society’s seminal guidebook Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research. He was a contributing editor for American Ancestors magazine, and a consulting editor for the New England Historical and Genealogical Register. 

Michael wrote the “Crafting Family Histories” chapter for Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice, & Standards (Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018). He is former managing editor of the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.

In 2012 he joined Mocavo as Chief Genealogist, leaving in the summer of 2015. he worked with the development team to implement features of use to genealogists. He wrote about genealogical research and methodology for the Mocavo blog and made presentations around the world about how to use the website. He also hosted Mocavo Fireside Chat, interviewing leading genealogists about research and methodology and answering questions from Mocavo subscribers. In 2016 he started Genealogy Professor to provide high-quality genealogical education to family historians.