Board Members

Biographies for ACGS 2023 Officers

 

Jo Zurwell, #10349, President
In 2016, I joined ACGS, and am presently the chair of the Conference and Webinar Committee, Marketing Committee, Website Committee, Editorial Board.   I received my BA in Business Studies in 2000 from New Hampshire College now SNHU, and worked for 20+ years in purchasing, operations, customer service, and marketing roles in the business world. Being an officer and  member of the board as well as the society has allowed me to combine my hobby of designing publications; such as the website and the fall conference program, and my passion for genealogical research. I caught the research bug in 2014 when I was researching for a friend. Now I have opened my own private genealogical research business.

Jeannine Levesque, #453, Vice-President

I joined ACGS in its earliest years, having become interested in genealogy during my teen years. Though I became a life member early on, it was only a few years ago that I became a front-desk volunteer and, more recently, newsletter editor, as well as recording secretary. I also serve on the Webinar Committee and have written a few articles for our journal. Professionally, I worked in newspapers as a reporter and copy editor for a decade, then for more than 30 years in public libraries (NH and Massachusetts) as both reference and local-history librarian, where my genealogical skills and training were invaluable. Retired in 2019, I now work part-time at a cemetery office and volunteer at several places.

Belinda Gaudette, #10721, Treasurer

 

Alexis Peters, #10924, Recording Secretary

I joined ACGS in November 2022 and look forward to remotely working as recording secretary. I have professional experience as a court reporter and as a verbatim transcript proofer for the North Carolina Industrial Commission. I graduated in May 2022 from Western Carolina University with a  B.S. in History where I broadly studied 18th-20th century North Atlantic History. My degree focused on combining Franco-American cultural history with the complex and ever evolving history of chronic allergic diseases (asthma, eczema, food allergy, etc.). I have worked on my family genealogy since 2013. I digitize family photos for the Desautels, Desmarais, Dufault, Guerin, Gingras and LaJeunesse families among many others in my free time.  I hope to continue my studies on the genomics of chronic allergic diseases and their historical relationship to Franco-American and Acadian communities by writing articles for ACGS.

Julie Smith, #3147, Correspondence Secretary
Genealogy has always been an interest/hobby. I joined the ACGS in 1985, have served on various committees and have held every office except President. My “real” job was as a teacher. I have a BS, MEd, and have taught for 40 years. Teaching social studies and genealogy make good bedfellows!

Biographies for ACGS 2023 Board Members

 

Herb Boyce, #8504
My main position on the Board is as Building and Grounds Coordinator, a position I have held as a volunteer for over 15 years. I don’t do genealogy, but leave that to my wife, I keep the building in good shape! Having worked for Coca-Cola for over 41 years, and being a homeowner, I have had years of experience in hands-on maintenance and know many experts in various trades to help solve problems.

Sandra Lamontagne Duffy, # 8237

Sandy is new to the board but has been a member of ACGS since 2002. She is currently the co-chair of the ACGS Research Department and is the Office Administrator at the Bedford (Mass.) Historical Society. She previously worked as a substitute special education teacher in Hooksett schools and as an insurance underwriter. Sandy holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is enrolled in the ProGen Study Group (ProGen 62). Sandy is also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists.

Denis Joyal, #1592
As you can see I joined the ACGS many years ago, 35 to be exact. I have been on the Board several years and have been past vice-President, Correspondence Secretary, and active Board Member. Also, I have been on the front desk and opened the library for research 2 Sundays per month. Now we are opened every Sunday. I live and work in Laconia, have been a machinist at NHBB for 40 years.

Steve Lefoley, #4141

My special research interests are in the Gaspe and Channel Islands, and have been a member of the ACGS since 1990. I have been a board member for several years, and presently am the Membership Chair, Investment Committee Chair, and on the Web Site Committee, Grant Writer, and manage Constant Contact. My preparation for these jobs are my BSEE, MSEE and MBA degrees.

Jeannine Levesque, #453

I joined ACGS in its earliest years, having become interested in genealogy during my teen years. Though I became a life member early on, it was only a few years ago that I became a front-desk volunteer and, more recently, newsletter editor, as well as recording secretary. I also serve on the Webinar Committee and have written a few articles for our journal. Professionally, I worked in newspapers as a reporter and copy editor for a decade, then for more than 30 years in public libraries (NH and Massachusetts) as both reference and local-history librarian, where my genealogical skills and training were invaluable. Retired in 2019, I now work part-time at a cemetery office and volunteer at several places.

Julie Smith, #3147
Genealogy has always been an interest/hobby. I joined the ACGS in 1985, have served on various committees and have held every office except President. My “real” job was as a teacher. I have a BS, MEd, and have taught for 40 years. Teaching social studies and genealogy make good bedfellows!

Honorary Mention to the Following Members

Cécile Durocher, #9737

Genealogy has always been an interest of mine, so I joined the ACGS in 2011. I have compiled my French-Canadian roots back to the 1640’s into a family history. Currently I am serving my sixth year on the Board, also serve on the Library Committee, Conference raffle committee and the investment committee. I retired in 2007 as administrative assistant to the Board of Selectman after 43 years of service to the town of Litchfield. Enjoy the journey to your roots, it’s fun!

Pauline Cusson # 2572

Pauline began researching her family name in 1986 when she joined ACGS. Since 1988 Pauline has served as Recording Secretary, President, Vice President, and Treasurer for a number of terms. Since 2000 upon the death of the late Editor, Anne-Marie Perrault, of the American-Canadian Genealogist, Pauline was offered the position and took over as Editor of our journal along with serving in various Board positions. Pauline has represented ACGS in the founding and development of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium since 1992 and is currently serving for the fourth time as a Conference Chair and for the past two years as their Treasurer. Pauline has also contributed to the Research Services department over the years, and she has also made several presentations at other genealogical societies or in public libraries throughout New England and at some Quebec conferences.

 

Craig Donais #6242
Craig is a life member and has served ACGS as a member and chair of the Acquisitions, Nominating, and Bylaws Committees, as a library volunteer, society director and as President. His interest in genealogy started while in college, trying to identify where in the US his paternal great grandparents lived and died.  After walking a cemetery in Woonsocket
RI, he connected with a member of the American-French Genealogical Society, where he became a life member and performed his researched while he was living in southeastern New England.
After moving to NH, he joined ACGS, and continued his research and involvement with ACGS. He has traced all of his ancestors back to their ancestral origins and continues to
work on a one-name study.  He has strong interests in genealogy technology, and his most recent project has been what he describes as a “real-time do-over” to verify all details, capture additional information, and cite all of those facts discovered long ago to a source.  Professionally, Craig is an attorney with his own firm, Donais Law Offices, PLLC, based in Manchester. He is also actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America as a volunteer, serving on the local, state, area, region and national levels.

Constance Bernier-Hebert #5175
Became a member of the ACGS in 1995. I have worked in the past as a Research Coordinator, and a collector and indexer of the obituaries from the Manchester Union Leader. I have been on the board and have held various positions (Recording Secretary, Vice-President, Director). I volunteer at the front desk bi-monthly, work in the Publication Department, and indexed the Genealogists.

Muriel Chabot Normand, #5706

BS nursing from UNH, and MS administration of nursing services from the University of Lowell.  I joined ACGS in 1995 after a visit to the Isle of Orleans where I discovered the Chabot name on a mailbox. After completing my own genealogy and retiring from active nursing in 1999, I began volunteering as a researcher. I have served on the board in several capacities, currently chair Research Services and am active as a speaker with the Education and Outreach Department…Careful, genealogy is contagious!

Gerry Savard # 4972
Served on the Board of Directors of ACGS and has held officer positions of President and Vice President.  As in the past, Gerry currently serves as a volunteer on various committees.  Past president and vice-president of the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium and served as co-chair for two regional conferences held in Manchester. In 1991, at his father’s passing, Gerry became interested in his family heritage. Genealogy became a serious hobby, enjoying doing personal research as well as being a research volunteer at ACGS. Gerry has given many local lectures and classes on genealogy and DNA topics. Gerry also thoroughly enjoys his grandchildren and photography.