Michael W. Boniol has been a genealogist for more than 30 years. He holds degrees from Martin Methodist College, Belmont College, and Tennessee Technological University. He has also completed studies at the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University for four summers. He also completed IGHR in Georgia for six summers. He has also studied at GRIP in Pennsylvania and the SLIG in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has spent parts of two summers researching at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also a certified archives manager in the state of Tennessee. He currently volunteers at the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center. He is retired from the Cumberland County School System after serving as a regular classroom teacher, special education teacher, supervisor, and school psychologist for 36 years.