LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG ® , FASG, earned a BA from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, and both a Law degree and a Master of Laws degree from New York University. After a 35-year career as a tax lawyer she retired from a partner-level position at EY (Ernst & Young) in 2013 and became a full-time genealogist. Her research centers on African American families that survived slavery. She obtained the Certified Genealogist® credential in 2015 and served the Board for Certification of Genealogists ® as a trustee, treasurer, and as President from 2019–2022. In 2021 LaBrenda was elected as the 170th Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists (ASG), the field’s honorary scholarly society. In 2025 the Association of Professional Genealogists awarded LaBrenda the Kathleen W. Hinkley Professional Achievement Award that recognizes exemplary professional achievement in the genealogical field. For more information see her website https://www.LabGarrettGenealogy.com.

Courses

  • 2026 – Building African American Families: Records, Resources & Documentation
  • 2026 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2026 – Researching Your South Carolina Roots: Finding Family in the Palmetto State
  • 2025 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2024 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2024 – Course Eleven – Researching African American Ancestors: Government Records and Beyond
  • 2023 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2022 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2022 – Course Eleven – Researching African American Ancestors: Courthouse Records
  • 2020 – Course Three – Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
  • 2020 – Course Eleven – Researching African American Ancestors: Government Documents and Advanced Tools