Melanie Thomas Armstrong

Genetic Genealogist and co-founder

Melanie Thomas Armstrong is a Genetic Genealogist and co-founder of ThroughLine Consultants. Since 2017, she has provided critical investigative leads to help solve cold cases, identify birth parents, and reunite families, working with state and federal law enforcement agencies, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), and with various search groups (i.e., DNA Detectives and DNA Search Assistance). To date, she has solved, or played a key role in solving, more than 90 cases. She and Tynan also present at conferences and universities about all things Genetic Genealogy. She also has more than 25 years of experience as a CPA and management consultant serving government and law enforcement clients including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 
 
Prior to forming ThroughLine Consultants, Melanie was a Partner at PwC where she held numerous leadership roles, most recently leading the International Development practice serving the United Nations, World Bank, U.S. Dept of State, and U.S. Agency for International Development. 

Tynan Peterson

Genetic Genealogist and co-founder

Tynan Peterson is a Genetic Genealogist and co-founder of ThroughLine Consultants. She has been doing genealogical work for nearly 30 years and is a member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). She was classically trained and mentored by leaders in the field, holds a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has completed the ProGen Study Program (Group 21). For the past eight years she has been doing genetic genealogy primarily to help identify perpetrators and victims of violent crimes, working with state and federal law enforcement agencies. She and Melanie also present at conferences and universities about all things Genetic Genealogy.

Prior to her cold case work and forming ThroughLine Consultants, Tynan worked as a traditional genealogist, proofreader and copyeditor. She used her skills to identify living family members of unclaimed remains. She also helped translate and edit a groundbreaking book that helped get reparations for victims of war crimes in Finland.