About Dr. Adina

Dr. Adina Newman grew up listening to stories about her own ancestors and developed a keen interest in all things history and tradition. Her Ashkenazi Jewish family primarily settled in Massachusetts and Maine in the late 19th and early 20th century, which has allowed her to develop the necessary skills to research New England as well as how to locate pertinent immigration records. She also regularly researches her own family back to Eastern Europe, including to modern day Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Estonia, and has journeyed through her own family records around the world.

After taking a DNA test five years ago, Dr. Adina was catapulted into the world of genetic genealogy. She specializes in Jewish genetic genealogy and volunteers as a moderator for a popular Jewish DNA group on Facebook; she is also regularly called on in other genetic genealogy forums when questions arise.

Her work has received international media attention, including mentions in The Daily Mail, The Times of Israel, Heavy.com, and Perez Hilton, and appearances on Boston 25 News.

A trained educator, Dr. Adina lectures on various genealogical topics related to Jewish genealogy, DNA, social media, New England, and more.

She is also a 2020 AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship winner and alumna and former co-chat leader in ProGen 50.

Relevant Education

The George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Doctor of Education (EdD), Educational Leadership

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Masters in Education (EdM), Educational Policy and Management

Boston University, Boston, MA

Certificate in Genealogical Research

Bachelor of Arts (BA), History, International Relations

Bachelor of Science (BS), History Education

ProGen 50 Study Group (Chat Day Co-Leader)

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)

Advanced DNA Evidence

Beyond the Golden Door: Immigrants to the U.S.A. after 1890

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)

DNA as Genealogical Evidence (Advanced)

Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis

Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)

Advanced New England Research: Colonial Period to Early 1900s

Mother Russia: Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and USSR

All-DNA Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (SLIG Virtual)

SLIG Academy for Professionals

Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy

National Genealogical Society

Effective Use of Deeds

Reading Old Handwriting

National Institute for Genealogical Studies

Research: Mayflower Ancestors

Research: Canadian Ancestors

Research: French Canadian Ancestors

Research: Social History

Forensic Genealogy

Eastern European: Introduction to Research for Northern Americans

Eastern European: Languages & Alphabets

Eastern European: Church Records

Memberships and Affiliations

Association of Professional Genealogists

New England Historic Genealogical Society (Jewish Heritage Center)

Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Boston (Program Planning Committee)

Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA)

National Genealogical Society

Utah Genealogical Association

GeneaBloggers Tribe

International Society of Genetic Genealogy