Altman-Newell, Dannell (Danni)
Dannell “Danni” Altman-Newell is a native Kansas Citian. She is employed as Director of Operations at the National Storytelling Network and serves as an enthusiastic volunteer at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. A graduate of ProGen, she specializes in the Great War, Fraternal Organization, and Midwest research.
- Taming the Digital File Monster – Is there a DFM running rampant in your tech world? Tame the chaos created by the digital file monster using a few simple guidelines!
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Calhoun, Nancy
Nancy’s genealogy education began over 40 years ago with a semester long class. Her education includes over a dozen national NGS and FGS conferences, plus receiving scholarships for the Institute on Federal Records in Washington, D.C., and the Institute of Genealogy and History Research. She completed Boston University’s basic genealogy class.
- Shakin’ Out The Smiths: Researching a Common Surname – Common surnames can be a real challenge to a genealogist. This presentation uses the speaker’s Smith line to present some research tips as they are traced from territorial days in Oklahoma, back to Texas, and home to Tennessee and North Carolina.
Availability: Live S2; On-Demand
Track: Methodology
Skill Level(s): Beginner
- FREE! A Favorite Four-Letter Word – Some of the best resources for genealogists can be obtained at no cost. A review of these resources can even help the seasoned genealogist, as well as the beginner, the casual browser, and the library with a small budget wanting to help its genealogy minded patrons.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Technology
Skill Level(s): Beginner
Clendening, Mitch
Mitch is constantly seeking to enhance his genealogical research through the use of technology. As a young man, he was lucky enough to find family histories left behind by two great-grandfathers. Thirty-five years later he’s still learning. A Journalism degree from Texas A&M University led to a long career in television broadcasting. Mitch is currently providing customer service at the Houston Public Library’s Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research in Houston, and as a Home Advisor support for Apple customers.
- Going Mobile – Genealogy Wherever You Need It – Managing your projects through portable genealogy powerhouse apps will help you keep that research in your pocket, taking all the information you need with you wherever you go. Learn about maximizing your workflow, making the most out of research trips, and becoming more efficient in finding information – even years later.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by Clayton Library Friends
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Cloud, Janine
Janine Cloud, a native of Brazoria County and fifth-generation Texan, became interested in genealogy when a grade school assignment to complete a pedigree chart prompted her to question family members about her ancestors. She started working at FamilyTreeDNA in 2011 where she created the Group Projects – Events team she now manages. Janine has given presentations at conferences such as the National Genealogical Society Conference, RootsTech and RootsTech London, as well as numerous local organizations.
- Your Y-DNA Results: What They Mean and How to Get the Most From Them – Janine breaks down Y-DNA testing and results, as well as looks at what to do with those results.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by Family Tree DNA
Skill Level(s): All Levels
de la Vega, Tim
- From Design to Bind – Learn how you can take your family story and turn it into a book from the perspective of an established commercial publisher/binder. Discussing the whole “Design to Bind” process, Tim will address editing, copyrights, ISBNs, file formatting, proofing, printing, binding types, and cover types.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by H.V. Chapman and Sons
Skill Level(s): All Levels
French, Gale
Gale French has been interested in genealogy for over 25 years. He’s lived in Texas all his life and worked for IBM in the Space program at NASA’s JSC for 26 years. His work on imaging and document management enhances his genealogy organization and presentation. He has received several IBM, NASA, and genealogy awards.
- Googling Gertrude – Using Google Earth in Genealogy – This presentation introduces the user to Google Earth and how its capabilities can be used in telling genealogy stories. It shows how to add features (photos, maps & documents) to Google Earth by location and tie them together for an interesting family history. It shows an example “tour” that explains how to visualize your ancestor’s history.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Technology
Skill Level(s): Intermediate, Advanced
Gillins, Sharon
Sharon Batiste Gillins has been a family history researcher for over 30 years. Her career as a college educator well prepared her to lecture in genealogical methodology and records since 2007. She specializes in underutilized record groups that can be used to discover details of antebellum Southern life.
- Ancestors in the Southern Claims Commission – Loyalists, Freedmen and Frauds – After the Civil War ended in victory for the Union, the Federal Government formed the Southern Claims Commission in order to provide a mechanism of redress for those property owners who gave or lost property to the Union soldiers during the war. Over 22,000 claims for recompense were filed from 13 states. The key to research success is to understand the claims process including the resulting dispositions of barred, disallowed, and allowed.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources – Sponsored by San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Greene, Colleen Robledo
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS, is an academic librarian and college educator. She is a nationally recognized speaker specializing in methodology, Hispanic research, libraries, and technology.
- Key Online Record Collections for Researching Your Mexican Ancestors – This lecture provides an overview of the key record collections available online to research your Mexican and Mexican-American ancestors. We will dig into a case study to demonstrate how to weave these records together to build out a robust life story. Learn how even non-Spanish speakers can be successful at this research.
Availability: Live, On-Demand – S5
Track: Ethnic – Hispanic
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Your 19th & 20th Century Mexican Ancestors in the U.S. – Historical records and social history paint a rich picture of the lives of our Mexican ancestors who were in the U.S. after the mid-19th century. A new border, new laws, a violent revolution, two world wars, and changing economic and political conditions significantly impacted your Mexican ancestors who came to or were born in the United States. Sharing a border, and sharing a long common history in certain regions of the U.S. has presented situations unique to those of Mexican descent compared to other immigrant and ethnic groups.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Ethnic – Hispanic
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Hanson, Tony
Tony has been an active genealogist for more than 20 years, focusing his research on Norway and Germany. He retired after a 32-year career with AT&T. He has held multiple board positions with the Dallas Genealogical Society and is currently the Director of Membership for the Texas State Genealogical Society.
- Hosting Virtual Meetings – This presentation will provide you with a basic understanding of the capabilities of Virtual Conferencing services and the hardware required. It also provides some practical tips that will help make your Virtual Meetings be successful.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by H.V. Chapman and Sons
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Horowitz, Daniel
Daniel Horowitz is the genealogy expert at MyHeritage, lecturing virtually and in conferences around the world. Dedicated to genealogy since 1986, he was the teacher and the study guide editor of the family history project “Searching for My Roots” in Venezuela for 15 years. Involved in digitization and transcription projects, Daniel also volunteers for the Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA).
- MyHeritage Matching Technologies for your Family Tree
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by MyHeritage
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Taking Advantage of MyHeritage DNA Tools
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by MyHeritage
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Billions of Records to Search on MyHeritage
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by MyHeritage
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Houston Suffragists Project Team: Monica Anderson, Rae Bryant, Ginny Douglas, Mary Hollis, and Barbara Richards
A group of friends and genealogy buddies in Houston, the Houston Suffragists Project Team embarked on a project in early 2020 to document every woman that voted in the first federal election in Harris County in 1920. In the process, they’ve discovered that their findings will rewrite understanding of the Harris County suffrage movement and women’s participation that election and uncovered a compelling story of the power of women to institute change. By applying investigative techniques honed by years of genealogical research, this group has taken the view of suffrage in Harris County and beyond from the global to the personal. In the process, they are discovering the stories of the individual women who fought for the right to vote, many of them African American.
- The Houston Suffragists Project – Learn about the Houston Suffragists Project, which uncovered the previously unknown drama of the first vote by women in Harris County. This thrilling and dramatic tale of the 1920 suffrage fight by Harris County women of all races resonates with voters in 2020 and highlights the importance of adding all voices to the election process.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by Houston Genealogical Forum
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Kaufman, Susan
Susan Kaufman is the Senior Manager of the Houston (TX) Public Library’s Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research in Houston. A presenter at local, state and national genealogy conferences and meetings, she also has held numerous genealogical society board positions in Illinois, Indiana, and Texas and at the national level. Susan was awarded the National Genealogical Society P. William Filby award for outstanding service as a Genealogical Librarian in May of 2019. At the 2019 TxSGS Family History Conference, she was honored with the designation of TxSGS Fellow. Sue has also received the Lloyd Bockstruck Award from the Dallas Genealogical Society. She is past President of the Texas State Genealogical Society, and currently serves as its Director of Education.
- How to Research at the Clayton Library from Home – Learn about the large number of resources online for patrons of he Houston Public Library’s Clayton Library for Genealogical Research, one of the foremost genealogy research destinations in the US.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by Clayton Library Friends
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Klaus, Kevin
Kevin Klaus has a background in Anthropology, Archaeology, and Public History from the University of New Mexico. For 19 years, he served as one of the lead researchers in the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records, developing expertise in the early Court of Claims files, German Collection, and archival collection.
- German Immigration Contracts and Passenger Lists – An overview of the history of the Adelsverein which provides background for German-Texan research from the 1840’s. Learn techniques for tracing your ancestor using GLO land grant files, as well as methods for researching German records overseas. A detailed study and analysis of the passenger lists of that time and how they relate to the German Immigration Contracts at the GLO. This will cover new research from a detailed study and comparison of records in Texas and from various archives and resources in Germany.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Ethnic – German – Sponsored by the Texas General Land Office
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Genealogy Resources at the GLO – The Texas General Land Office contains a wealth of genealogical resources for anyone researching ancestors that received an original Texas land grant. This talk is a general overview of the Spanish collection, and grants given under the Republic of Texas with an emphasis on Bounty and Donation grants, the Court of Claims files, and Confederate Scrip Voucher files.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by the Texas General Land Office
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Lee, Andrew
Andy, along with his wife, runs the YouTube channel Family History Fanatics. He has helped create more than 400 videos to help people understand their DNA, write their family stories, and learn how to research their ancestors. He has been involved in family history for more than 30 years.
- Data Mining Genealogy Records and Expand Your Record Searches – Indexes on websites are helpful, but sometimes you want more than a simple search. You need to data mine and search that index in ways that the website doesn’t allow. The Chrome extension, Data Miner, allows you to create an index spreadsheet so you can manipulate it as you need.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Technology
Skill Level(s): Intermediate, Advanced
- Bring Your Society into the 21st Century – Volunteer organizations (like our genealogy societies), take a lot of work to keep them running. Learn about various free tools that you can implement in your society to help things run smoother, reach out to current members and find new members.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by H.V. Chapman and Sons
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Lee, Devon Noel
Devon Noel Lee specializes in preserving and sharing family memories and motivating budding genealogists. She educates and inspires the genealogy world through videos at FamilyHistoryFanatics.com.
- Don’t Fear the Tax Man: Demystifying Tax List Research – Tax lists can help you solve genealogy problems but finding your ancestor and making sense of the tax collector’s notes can be challenging. Discover a simple step-by-step approach to exploring tax records.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Methodology
Skill Level(s): Intermediate, Advanced
Mcrae, Sherman
Sherman McRae’s journey toward discovering his family story began when he searched the 1940 census and found his grandmother listed as a child living with her young parents and paternal grandparents. That initial discovery set him on the path to tracing his great-grandfather’s lineage through various archival records and then to the field of genetic genealogy. He currently works as a Group Project Liaison for FamilyTreeDNA.
- Reconnecting: Using DNA Testing to Find Family Scattered by Slavery – For many researchers, tracing African American genealogy can be a daunting task because the enslaved were treated as chattel, increasing the likelihood of families having been separated during slavery. This talk looks at how DNA research can be utilized in the absence of any other direct evidence to identify the enslaved as well as connecting them back to a MRCA using examples from personal matches.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by Family Tree DNA
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Meisner, Bernard
Bernard is a lecturer based in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. He began researching his family 30 years ago and enjoys sharing lessons learned from that experience, including his mistakes. He is Mid-Cities Genealogical Society’s past president and social media chair, and co-leader of the German Genealogy Group of North Texas.
- Mining the Gems in a Civil War Pension File – What originally began as a limited regime of protections for soldiers, widows, and orphans eventually morphed into a system of old age pensions for almost one third of the elderly population.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources – Sponsored by Mid-Cities Genealogical Society
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Meyers, Kelvin
A fifth-generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist, Kelvin Meyers is a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. As a graduate of Texas Tech University with a history major, Kelvin is an avid research-historian. After being employed for ten years in the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library, Kelvin now has a solo practice as a forensic genealogist serving clients that include probate attorneys, trust department of banks, the US Immigration Service and energy companies. Kelvin has taught at SLIG and IGHR and is the Director of TIGR, the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research.
- Whose Estate Is It Any Way! –Hear about the real-life adventures and encounters of a Forensic Genealogist. Hear how the estate is established as valid, and how the resources of the 21st century are used right along with good old-fashioned genealogy to determine the rightful heirs to an unclaimed estate.
Availability: Live F2, On-Demand
Track: Methodology
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Territorial Records – This lecture looks at the Territorial Records of the United States, discussing what records are available, how to access them and what can be found for ancestors in these area during the territorial period. Also discussed are the three major collections, The Territorial Papers of United States, The American State Papers and The Draper Manuscripts.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources – Sponsored by Dallas Genealogical Society
Skill Level(s): Intermediate/Advanced
Rakoczy, Lila
A native of Huntsville, Lila Rakoczy, PhD, received her BA in history from King’s College London, and her MA in historical archaeology and PhD in archaeology from the University of York. In Britain she worked for six years in the museum, heritage, and academic sectors, and after returning home taught for three years as a Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Sam Houston State University. A chance encounter in a cemetery sparked a decade-long quest that resulted in the identification of nearly 30,000 African American Texans who served in World War I. Partial results of this work were showcased in the traveling centennial exhibit No Man’s Land: East Texas African Americans in WWI, and a book is forthcoming. Lila is currently the Education and Outreach Specialist for the Texas General Land Office.
- Hiding in Plain Sight: (Re)Discovering African American WWI Military Service – Drawing from ten years of research, including the identification and service analysis of nearly all Black Texans who served in WWI, this presentation highlights the overlooked contributions of African American Texans. In addition, it provides guidance on how to find and use World War I primary sources online, and piece together your ancestor’s wartime experiences.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by the Texas General Land Office
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Richard, Diane L.
Professional genealogist, author, and lecturer, Diane L. Richard focuses on tools, tips, and techniques for effective genealogy research including southern states and African American ancestry. She has authored over 300+ articles for international genealogy magazines and is the editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society (NCGS) Journal. Diane is a co-leader of Tar Heel Discoveries, which offers guided North Carolina genealogical research programs.
- Digital Library on American Slavery – Invaluable When Researching Formerly Enslaved Ancestors – Researching and documenting emancipated slaves and their ancestors before the 1870 census can be extremely challenging and not necessarily impossible. One key resource for researching enslaved ancestors is The Digital Library on American Slavery (DLAS), a gateway to numerous online collections. This talk discusses the databases that comprise DLAS as well as complementary projects worth a look as you research African American ancestry. While this presentation focuses on African American research, it clearly has implications for those researching non-African Americans as well.
Availability: Live, On-Demand – F5
Track: Ethnic – African American
Skill Level(s): Intermediate, Advanced
- Stock Marks Aren’t Just Animal Brands – Use Them To Identify People Also! – It’s easy to associate branding with large cattle, sheep, goat, and other ranches often found west of the Mississippi River. You do so at your own risk! The need for animal identification has been needed though ever since people have lived near one another and have raised such. Colonial states passed laws regarding the marking of animals as a form of identification. These records can help place individuals, sometimes quite early, in a community. Let’s explore stock marks, their role and most importantly for genealogists, where we can find them across the US and Canada.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources – Sponsored by San Angelo Genealogical and Historical Society
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Richardson, Emily
Dr. Emily Richardson, a retired faculty member from higher education, has lectured on multiple genealogy topics during the past 10 years, including courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Pennsylvania and Texas, a sophomore credit-based history course on finding your ancestors, and individual presentations to several DAR chapters. She has been involved in genealogy for over 20 years, and now operates Kinsearchers, a professional genealogy business. She regularly presents at the Robson Ranch Genealogy Club where she lives in Denton, Texas.
- The Importance of Land Records When Documenting Your Ancestors – Tedious? Boring? Difficult to read? Hard to find? Land records are key records for pre-1850’s in helping genealogists find out more about the family structure. This presentation will provide attendees a better understanding of the types of information that are included in land records. Multiple examples of land records will be used to highlight the key points in this discussion and to demonstrate the importance of using land records.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Roddy, Mary Kircher
Mary Kircher Roddy, CG®, is also a Certified Public Accountant. She lectures in Washington State and across the US, and is a regular presenter for LegacyFamilyTree Webinars. She has written for Internet Genealogy, NGS Magazine, FGS Forum, Your Genealogy Today (formerly Family Chronicle), The National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and numerous society publications.
- Writing Their Story When They Left No Stories – You’ve spent years (or decades) working on your genealogy. It’s finally time to pull your research into a story that your relatives – yes, even your spouse and children! – will want to read. Using social history, “fluff up” your writing with the kinds of details that draw your reader into the story of their ancestors’ lives.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Direct Link to the Past – Using City Directories in Genealogy – City directories are a tool for genealogists to fill in gaps between censuses and learn more about ancestors. But if you’re only searching for a name, you’re missing out! Learn where to find directories and what to look for in them. Directories will open a window to your ancestor’s world!
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Russell, Judy G.
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL® , The Legal Genealogist, uses her law degree to provide expert guidance through the murky territory where law, history, and genealogy come together. Contact her at http://www.legalgenealogist.com.
- Dower and Dowry: Women, Property, & Legal Records – Bringing property into marriage or trying to take it out, our female ancestors were governed by laws that generated valuable records. Learn about the common law dower and the civil law dowry, how they differed, and how to find the stories the records tell.
Availability: Live F1; On-Demand
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Shootout at the Rhododendron Lodge: Reconstructing Life-Changing Events – A 1929 shootout left the Bath County, Virginia, sheriff dead. Learn to follow the trail through all the records to reconstruct a life-changing event, and understand its unique challenges, both in terms of resources and in terms of ethics.
Availability: Live S1; On-Demand
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Doing Time – Prison Records as Genealogy Resources – The brickwalls of a family tree are no match for prison walls. From intake photo to receipts for cash and clothes when they were released, prisoners in jails and prisons were recorded and documented, often in stunning detail. Learn what records may exist – and where – about your family’s black sheep.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): All Levels
- Who, What, Why, When, Where and How of American Divorce – Our ancestors’ marriages lasted so much longer than our own. One reason: it was so hard to get a divorce. But it still happened, and the records created in the process tell us much about our ancestors, their lives, and the laws they lived by.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Sanders, Renate Yarborough
Genealogist Renate Yarborough Sanders is the descendant of formerly enslaved ancestors, enslavers, and free people of color. Renate authors two blogs: Into the LIGHT, focused on her own family history; and Genea-Related, which is a platform for presenting a variety of information of genealogical interest. She she produces a “(Mostly) African-American Funeral Programs” online database. Renate is a panelist on BlackProGen Live and has appeared as a guest on several other online shows.
- In Their Own Words: Genealogy in the Slave Narratives – Uncovering the genealogy of the formerly enslaved can be challenging; but, sometimes, the information is left in first-hand accounts, commonly known as “Slave Narratives.” From books to projects set up to learn about life during slavery, researchers can find an abundance of genealogical and other information about enslaved families, their owners, and their communities – straight from the mouths of the Ancestors.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Ethnic – African American
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Southard, Diahan
Diahan Southard earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology at Brigham Young University. She worked before and after graduation for the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, one of the first efforts to create a correlated genetic and genealogical database. Growing up with the budding genetic genealogy industry led her to found Your DNA Guide, where she provides personalized, interactive experiences to assist individuals and families in interpreting their genetic results in the context of their genealogical information. Diahan is the author of several quick guides on genetic genealogy, a featured writer for Family Tree Magazine, a regular contributor to Genealogy Today, a former contributor to Genealogy Gems, and contributor to several other publications.
- Connecting Your DNA Matches – While it is possible for you to analyze your DNA matches one at a time to determine how you are related, there is much that can be accomplished by first identifying the connections between those on your match list, organizing those matches, and then working together to determine how you are related to each other. Learn the tips and tricks to this powerful method of match analysis.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: DNA – Sponsored by Dallas Genealogical Society
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
- Filling in Trees for Your DNA Matches – One of the most frustrating things about genetic genealogy work is to recognize that you have a good DNA match that just might be able to help you break down your brick wall, only to realize they haven’t posted any family tree information. Come learn some best practices for identifying your best DNA matches, as well as super-sleuthing skills to help you track down the family tree for that all-important DNA match.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: DNA
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Spindle, Debra Osborne
Debra Osborne Spindle, PhD, MLIS, is a 6th generation Texan stranded in Oklahoma now for over 40 years. She is a retired librarian from the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Research Division in Oklahoma City and currently helps adoptees identify their birth families, works in forensic genealogy, and teaches classes for the Research Division. She has also been part of the faculty at IGHR in the “Records of the Five Tribes” and lectured at the Five Tribes Conference held annually in Oklahoma.
- Confusing Records: 1896 Applications, Dawes Final Rolls, Guion Miller Rolls – These three rolls, taken 1896-1909, are unique and provide specific genealogical information. Not all are official proof of tribal citizenship
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Ethnic – Native American
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Strauss, Michael
Michael L. Strauss, AG, is a professional Accredited Genealogist and nationally recognized speaker. Strauss has a BA in History and is employed in forensic investigation for more than 25 years. He is a faculty member at IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP where he coordinates the courses on military research.
- Decoding Social Security: Providing Benefits to Our Ancestors – The passage of the Social Security Act of 1935 provided stability and reform in the United States at the height of the Great Depression. By decoding Social Security Numbers including the crossover with military serial numbers we can better understand how the SSA worked. Ordering copies of Social Security applications and using delayed births, researchers can find new information about ancestors who sought relief from the Federal Government.
Availability: Live, On-Demand – S3
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
- Following the Tracks: Finding Our Ancestors on the Railroad – For more than a century railroads have been the preferred mode of transportation for many of our ancestors. Their rich history includes details on when lines started, ceased, merged, or filed bankruptcy. Records including employees, manuscripts, directories, pensions, social security, and organizations such as the Pullman Porters and Harvey Girls are also examined.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Records & Resources
Skill Level(s): Beginner, Intermediate
Taplin, Cari
Cari Taplin, CG®, has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for state, local, and national societies. She currently serves as the Secretary for the Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) and as the President of the Lone Star Chapter of APG. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she writes a blog and provides speaking services. Cari currently works for Ancestry ProGenealogists. Cari’s personal research focuses on midwestern and Great Lakes states.
- Breaking New Ground: Creating a Locality Guide – You never know where your genealogical research will take you. Learn a method for researching a new geographical area through a real life example.
Availability: Live F4; On-Demand
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): Intermediate
Thornhill, Jim
Jim Thornhill has been researching his family’s history for 18 years, five of those as a professional genealogist. Jim is chief researcher for Heroes of the Past, a company that seeks to delight clients, provide context in ancestor’s lives, and show how we all have Heroes in our Pasts. A graduate of the ProGen professional genealogy course, the Genealogy Proof course, TIGR, and IGHR, Jim is an active member in the Texas State Genealogical Society and the Dallas Genealogical Society, where he serves as IT Administrator and Vice President in charge of seminar programing.
- Grow Your Society with Quality Events – No matter what kind of event your society is putting on, it will be better if you spend time planning and organizing first. With teamwork and some imagination, you can put on an event that will get your society recognized in your community and bring in those valued members.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by H.V. Chapman and Sons
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Wayne, Debbie Parker
Debbie Parker Wayne, CG®, is a board-certified genealogist experienced using DNA analysis and traditional techniques for family history research. Debbie edited the book and authored one chapter of Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies; co-authored the award-winning DNA workbook, Genetic Genealogy in Practice; and developed the online, self-paced course “Continuing Genealogical Studies: Autosomal DNA,” offered by National Genealogical Society (NGS).
- Trustworthy Trees: Using DNA Tools, Data, Evidence to Form Credible Genealogical Links – Examples show how real family tree links are supported or refuted and how linkage clues are discovered by merging reliable DNA analysis techniques and documentary research.
Availability: Live F3; On-Demand
Track: DNA
Skill Level(s): Intermediate
- Early Texan DNA Tracks – This session will cover the current status of the TxSGS Early Texans DNA Database and plans for the future. The long-term goal is for the database to be a prime resource for Texas lineages with linked source documents and photos.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by the TxSGS Early Texan DNA Project
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Whited, Randy
An avid researcher for over thirty years, Randy Whited is active in the genealogical community. Randy is the immediate past president of the Texas State Genealogical Society and has been a long time member of the Board of Directors for the Federation of Genealogical Societies.
Chromosome Mapping at DNAPainter – Learn why and how chromosome mapping can be an important tool for your genetic genealogy research.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: DNA
Skill Level(s): Intermediate, Advanced
- Developing and Nurturing a Special Interest Group (SIG) – Learn about Special Interest Groups, those small, informal forums of people with similar interests and challenges devoted to a single topic that meet on a regular basis. From organizing a SIG to selecting a platform for hosting a virtual meeting, Randy covers the basics and the benefits SIGs bring to genealogy societies.
Availability: On-Demand
Track: Bonus – Sponsored by H.V. Chapman and Sons
Skill Level(s): All Levels
Wilkins, Ari
Ari Wilkins is a genealogy professional and staff member at Dallas Public Library. Researching for the past 20 years, she specializes in African American research. She lectures and instructs on a variety of topics.
- Researching Graphically – Expand Your Research With Timelines, Charts, Spreadsheets, and Diagrams – Think about researching and organizing documents beyond genealogical software. Learn about new ways to visualize and analyze research by creating timelines, charts, spreadsheets, and diagrams.
Availability: Live, On-Demand – S4
Track: Skill Building
Skill Level(s): All Levels
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