aka the Single Leaf, Professional Genealogist

Lynn Broderick

Lynn Broderick, also known as the Single Leaf, is a writer by birth, a teacher by profession, and a researcher by passion. She enjoys researching individuals of the past in the context of family, community, and social history.

She began her formal genealogical education at the age of 15 and she has been mentored by many noted genealogists. Over the years she has been a member of many societies and associations to support their good work. She champions genealogy ethics & standards in the community.

In addition to the vast resources available online, she currently researches at the FamilySearch Library, university libraries, and archives throughout the United States. In addition, she continues to host the first ever NGSQ/Record Study Group, a group committed to discussing articles from these premier genealogical journals to enjoy the benefits of peer-to-peer learning. She also hosts a monthly advanced genetic genealogy group where members discuss recent publications and the latest news. 

Following the rapid expansion of generative AI, conversations with Steve Little and others at her ethics panel emphasized the urgent need for a framework. The Coalition for Responsible AI in Genealogy was born out of these discussions. This has been a collaborative effort with colleagues throughout 2024 resulting in the authored work, Guiding Principles for Responsible AI in Genealogy.

Lynn has occasionally written for the FamilySearch and RootsTech blogs. When asked to develop a way to engage more men in genealogy, she combined her childhood memories of NFL football and her own genealogical football moment to develop genealogy football. In 2019 she created Henry the Sleuth, the one and only genealogy sloth, whose stories follow their investigations and adventures.

When not in her office or at repositories, she can be found among her scattered herd. If you watch the award-winning show Heartland—and you don’t blink—you might catch a glimpse of her at the rodeos in Seasons 17 & 18.