Lene Dræby Kottal has accomplished her dream of earning a living as a professional genealogist with her own business Lene Kottal Professional Genealogy. (If you are Danish, please visit my Danish website instead.
How Her Interest In Genealogy Began
The journey began in 1995 when Lene was seventeen years old and began researching her own family; a defining moment facilitated by the fact that she and her brothers had finally convinced their mother to pay for an internet connection. Lene searched for herself in an online directory using only the surname Kottal. The seemingly endless list of Kottals from Denmark, Germany, and the United States awoke her interest in family history, and it has since remained her passion.
Mother, Wife, and Business Owner
Years of practice and attending lectures and the support of her husband Søren enabled Lene to set up her business in January 2013. Family is important to Lene, and being a sole proprietor enabled her to contribute to the household, while still taking care of their son, who was then barely a year old.
Credential
In May 2022, Lene was awarded the credential Certified Genealogist® Unfortunately, her father did not get a chance to hear the good news as he passed away the same month. He taught Lene that hard work pays off, and he would have been proud to hear of her award, which was possible only through hard work and passion for the profession.