Forensic genealogist Katharine O’Connell is the owner of North Coast Genealogy, where she and her team assist attorneys and major banks in locating missing and unknown heirs. She has provided due diligence research in over 250 probate and title cases in locations throughout the United States and internationally. Clients include attorneys and the trust departments of Key Bank, Huntington and PNC Bank. She regularly does pro bono research for the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. Dr. O’Connell has published in a number of Bar Journals and regularly gives talks to legal organizations and genealogy groups.

Dr. O’Connell is a professional affiliate member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.  She assists with the APG New Voices lecture series and led the APG Forensic SIG mentoring program from 2023-2025.  She is a licensed private investigator through Phoenix Investigations and Security in Ohio.

In addition to her professional work, Bonnie volunteers as a docent at Beaufort National Cemetery and the Parris Island Museum at the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot. Originally from Rhode Island, she now lives in South Carolina.

June 2027 Instructor – 2027-08 Inclusive Genealogy: Navigating Complex Family Trees