About Kate

 Thank you so much for visiting this space.  I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me. 

 I was born the first grandchild in a five-generation family. My great-great-grandmotherr was almost a century older than me, and I was fascinated by her.  Every time we visited, I would climb up in her lap and tell her about the family on Little House on the Prairie, our family’s favorite television show.  

“Little Grandma Minnie” was a contemporary of Laura Ingalls, and I am sure she found me slightly amusing, telling her about churning butter and crank phones and sewing by hand.  One day, I told her about the family riding in a covered wagon and she told me how her family had ridden in a covered wagon across the corduroy road, all the way from Noble County, Indiana, to Gladwin, Michigan.  

That’s when I understood, at the tender age of 5, that time is fleeting and our ancestors’ stories deserve to be remembered and shared.  I became the child who asked many questions and begged for a story about what life was like when you were a child.  

And those stories became my own. 

 In 2015, a family member was gifted an Ancestry test.  Their father was adopted and I’d seen a talk show where they mentioned that a person’s biological parent could be identified by using a consumer DNA test.  So I got to work.  I didn’t know there was a whole genetic genealogy community, or any sort of methodology, so I was completely on my own.  A year later, I’d identified both grandmother and grandfather.  I’d caught the bug, so I began pestering everyone that I knew who was adopted…and then their matches began to find me with requests. 

In the spring of 2023, I was asked to speak at the Untangling Our Roots Summit in Louisville.  Even though, as a pastor, I spoke at least weekly for 20 years, I was daunted by the feeling that there were many speakers much more qualified than myself.  After my presentation, several people encouraged me to propose a topic for Rootstech. And I did.  

And then a few weeks later, I found the lump.

I was told by my oncologist that we’d caught it early and I would not need chemotherapy; just surgery and radiation.  Unfortunately, I’m an overachiever and my biopsy received a high Oncotype score, which meant a greater risk of recurrence.  So, a three-month course of chemo began, with the last infusion being just three weeks before I would leave for Rootstech 2024.

So, Rootstech became my Gold Star Day.  Throughout the entire treatment, I prayed and willed myself well so I could fly to Utah; it was a pilgrimage of sorts.  RootsTech was absolutely amazing, and afterward, I was encouraged by so many people to present more proposals.  At the same time, I was discerning a change in my vocation as well.  I still felt called to ministry, but in a different way.  

I am so grateful for the many opportunities that have been offered to me by the wonderful people in the genealogical community.

SPEAKER BIO

Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. She brings decades of experience in family research and hundreds of successfully solved genetic genealogy cases.

Known for her compassionate approach, Kate helps clients uncover ancestral mysteries while providing them with more complete family medical histories and a stronger sense of identity. Her presentations captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged throughout.

Kate discovered her passion for teaching during her cancer journey, finding fulfillment in sharing knowledge with fellow genealogists. She approaches her work with integrity, deliberately addressing historical injustices and dispelling common myths in her presentations. 

Her speaking engagements include the International Congress on Medieval Studies, National Genealogical Society, RootsTech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies,   the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, and the Foundation for East European Family History Studies, in addition to many state and county level organizations and libraries. 

Kate studied vocal music and earned a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. She served as a pastor until 2025.