Besa Saka Historical Research and Preservation Advisory Council

Taneya Koonce

Genealogist; Information Science Professional; Founder, Academy of Legacy Leaders; Genealogy Educator & Community Leader

Taneya Koonce blends over 25 years of expertise in information science and research with a deeply rooted passion for family history. Known for her enthusiastic approach to genealogy, she not only meticulously explores her own family tree but empowers others to do the same. Koonce is an active volunteer in the genealogy community, holding leadership positions within the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, USGenWeb Project, and WikiTree. Her dedication to preserving legacies is evidenced through projects such as her historical newspaper indexing initiative and her Academy of Legacy Leaders online community, where she shares education and inspiration for family history enthusiasts. Koonce's unique talent lies in her ability to demystify the research and organization process, guiding individuals through the often-complex journey of tracing and preserving their ancestral narratives for generations to come.