Professional Genealogist

Janette Silverman, DSJS

Dr. Janette Silverman is a professional genealogist, heading a team of researchers specializing in Eastern European and Jewish research at AncestryProGenealogists® the division of Ancestry® that does private client research. Her research on behalf of clients takes her all over the U.S., Europe, and beyond.

Janette holds a Doctorate in Jewish Studies from Spertus Institute. Her dissertation, "In Living Memory" explored her family's journey from Europe to the U.S. from the 1880s to the 1920s,

contextualizing their experiences. She has written numerous articles, and speaks in person and virtually at conferences and meetings world-wide.



Her journey into genealogy began over 40 years ago as a hobby with her dad. It became an obsession and then a profession. Janette's book's "Stories they Never Told Us" was published in 2025.



Janette was the lead co-chair of the 2016 IAJGS conference in Seattle, JewishGen's 2017 Volunteer of the Year, former chair of the Phoenix Jewish Genealogy Society, and an IAJGS Board member. She is currently on the board of the Southern California Genealogy Society (SCGS).