Imperial Polk
Genealogical Society
Meet The Speakers
Vice President & Chair Education Committee
Neil Brown
Neil Brown is a native of the state of Maine and began his family history journey over 40 years ago with the discovery of a short family history done as a part of the centennial celebration of Canada in 1997. Neil is 4-time member of the Mayflower Society (General Society of Mayflower Descendants) whose ancestors were British loyalists. When the Colonists won the Revolutionary War, loyalists were asked to leave the country, often under a death threat, and many settled in Nova Scotia, later partitioned into New Brunswick.
​
His parents are first-generation US-born citizens. Using genealogy software, he has amassed a database of over 110,000 of his “closest family members” and corresponds with “genealogy internet cousins” around the world.
​
In addition to his membership in the Mayflower Society, he is also a member of the Elder William Brewster Society, the Warren Cousins, the National Society of the American Colonists, Son of a Witch, and the National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims. He serves as the vice-president and program chair of the Imperial Polk Genealogical Society which meets on the second Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the Lakeland Library main location.
​
He lives with his wife Marie as retirees in Auburndale. He is a retired manufacturing manager, and Marie is a retired registered nurse.
Peter DuFresne received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Massachusetts and is a life member of the National Scholars Honor Society and the Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society of History.
Peter embarked on his public speaking path during high school, a journey that now stretches over four decades. He has experience teaching in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, he has been involved in the writing, development, and instruction of curriculum for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, various councils of Boy Scouts of America, and many local history clubs. He remains active in crafting engaging topics and has also mentored individuals aiming to become public speakers.
Throughout his career, he worked as a software developer, programmer, and project manager for companies including Fidelity Investments, GTECH Corporation, Harvard University, Greystone Solutions Technology Consulting, and the BSA.
His love for history, particularly family history, sparked his interest in genealogy over 30 years ago. He specializes in the British Isles and Canadian French heritage. He is an Honor Code Signatory and actively participates in the England Project for WikiTree.
Mr. DuFresne is a member of the Imperial Polk Genealogical Society (IPGS) and the Florida State Genealogical Society and is a gold member of The Society of Genealogists (UK). He is a Senior Instructor, and Chair of the Technology Committee, Web Manager (IPGS.org), and a member of the Membership and Education Committees for IPGS.
Chair Technology Committee and Web Manager
Peter DuFresne
Apply Today
This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content.
123-456-7890