Cynthia L. Heidorn, PhD, CG®

ProGen Member Overview

Cynthia holds a Certified Genealogist® credential. She specializes in Great Lakes area research. Her current projects include teaching Guided Autobiography classes, writing documented ancestor stories, and creating a digital archive to memorialize her family’s history. She is exploring digital-storytelling as a means of bringing ancestor stories to life.

Cynthia will mentor ProGen 70 in 2026. She taught Verbal Feedback Strategies and the Verbal Feedback Workshop for the Assemblage: Preparing, Writing, and Revising Case Studies Course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). She has lectured on planning for your Genealogical Afterlife: Don't Let Them Throw Away Your Research! Cynthia volunteers as a mentor for the Advanced Skills in Genealogy Courses I and II for the National Genealogical Society and participates in a monthly National Genealogical Society Quarterly Study Group. She faciltates a Digital Legacy archive group and a Family Archivists group.

Cynthia completed ProGen Practicum 02, ProGen 50, ProGen Study Group 52, and earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University’s Online program (OL31). She is a Certified Genealogist® by the Board for Certification of Genealogists®

Cynthia retired as a public-school superintendent and chief school business officer in Illinois. Post-retirement, she served as an interim assistant superintendent for instruction (technology) and through her consulting practice provided facilitation and coaching services for principals and faculty improve collaborative relationships.