John J. Weidner began genealogy research in 1984 by tracing his own paternal ancestry. In 2005, John began offering genealogical research services to an ever expanding market.

While Mr. Weidner provides research services worldwide, he specializes in solving problems for families with roots in Lake County, Indiana. Additionally,  his proximity to Chicago allows for research in Cook County, Illinois.  

Mr. Weidner was born and raised in the Calumet Region. He also briefly lived in Mounds View and Blaine Minnesota, as well as Bloomington, Indiana. He is a descendant Adam Kolling and Anna Maria Lauer, early settlers in Lake County who subsequently migrated to Stearns County, Minnesota in 1855.  Adam and Anna's daughter, Katherine Kolling, Mr. Weidner's great-grandmother, married John Simon Weidner. Their grandson, Ralph Weidner moved to Hammond in 1953 after an honorable discharge from the Army.

Mr. Weidner's professional career has provided a strong background necessary to be an effective and efficient professional genealogist and solve complex genealogical problems. In 1996 Mr. Weidner began working with the Hammond Health Department as an Environmental Health Specialist. In this capacity, John inspected restaurants, homes, and a variety of other establishments, thus refining his ability to "find things and information."

Mr. Weidner's education includes an associate degree from Indiana University Northwest at Gary, Indiana and a bachelor's degree from Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana.  John majored in geology and minored in history.

On November 1, 2005, Mr. Weidner submitted his application to the Board for Certification of Genealogists^® to become a Certified Genealogical Records Specialist^®. The application results should be available by mid June 2006.