UGA’s Summit of Excellence is an annual event to help genealogy enthusiasts improve their research skills and knowledge. The three-day virtual conference includes a variety of presentations and workshops for all experience levels. The conference begins with a “Getting Started Day,” with a focus on genealogy basics. In the following days, participants can explore more advanced topics through themed tracks like “Records” and “International,” with multiple expert-led sessions happening at the same time. This format lets attendees choose sessions that match their interests. And if participants are interested in more than one session during a time slot, recordings of the sessions will be available for later viewing.
The Summit of Excellence is dedicated to offering educational resources to help participants sharpen their genealogical research skills.
This listing is for the full conference. Looking for the free Getting Started Day? Click here.
The Census Survey: The First Step in Your Research
Presented By: Janice M. Sellers on September 4, 2025 9:00 am
You’ve collected the information you have at home, talked to family members, and begun putting all those facts into a family tree program. But how do you start to do the actual research? One of the best ways is to find family members in the census and get an overview of their lives. We’ll talk about where you can find censuses online and off, techniques for searching, and the information that you’ll find.
Janice M. Sellers is a professional researcher and international speaker whose grandparents told her she is related to actor Peter Sellers and to John of Gaunt, son of a king and father of a king. Unfortunately, they were both wrong, but that’s why she has researched her family for 50 years and now helps others find the right pieces to fit their genealogy puzzles. She specializes in Black, Jewish, forensic, and newspaper research. She has done research and appeared on camera for the television series The Dead Files. Her site is ancestraldiscoveries.com.
Return to Getting Started Table
Writing and Publishing Your Family History: A Beginner’s Guide
Presented By: Diane Henriks on September 4, 2025 10:30 am
Discover the fundamentals of organizing, writing, and publishing your family history in this beginner-friendly guide that will equip you with the essential tools to preserve your family’s legacy for generations to come.
Diane Henriks, also known as the Descendant Detective and founder of Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family, is a passionate and seasoned Los Angeles County-based professional genealogist, investigator, speaker, and author who specializes in descendancy and brick wall research, along with living people search and unknown parentage. Diane has worked closely with private investigators to find living people while also assisting in background investigations, in both civil and criminal cases. She is a proud member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, the Southern California Genealogical Society, and the Utah Genealogical Association. What started out as a small hobby well over a decade ago, when a hand-drawn family tree chart was given to her by her father, has since become a great obsession, and she now helps others discover and preserve who they are and where they come from!
Return to Getting Started Table
Genealogy 102: Going Deeper with Skills, Sources & Strategies
Presented By: Lisa Vogele on September 4, 2025 12:00 pm
Ready to move beyond the basics? You’re mastering the fundamentals, and building a solid foundation for your family history research—but what’s next? Supercharge your genealogy journey and breathe new life into your family history projects. Discover creative ways to maximize tools, dive into overlooked & unknown resources, and refine your approach to uncover new insights. Learn the skills, sources, and strategies you need to take your genealogy journey to the next level!
Lisa Vogele is a professional genealogist and Certified Travel Associate (CTA). She is the Chief Tree Climber at Travel Your Tree: Where Ancestry Meets Adventure, a European family history research, travel planning, custom tour & genealogy research tour operator specializing in Italy & Ireland. Lisa is passionate about traveling in the footsteps of your ancestors to make or re-establish connections of personal, historical significance.
In March 2025, Lisa was named as the first ever recipient of the Association of Professional Genealogists Fellowship for her project to create a Field Guide to Passport Records in Northern Italian Archives. In Spring 2026, she’ll lead a Genealogy Research Tour to Dublin, Ireland, continuing her mission of bringing family histories to life through travel.
In 2016, Lisa authored Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a guidebook to assist travelers with incorporating heritage festivals into their itineraries, get off the beaten path, and experience local culture through food and historic events. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), earned a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University in 2019 and a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) credential. Her travel tips have been featured in the Huffington Post, 1000TravelTips.com, and Dream of Italy. She holds a Master’s degree from Clemson University, was raised in Connecticut, and resides in Colorado.
Follow Lisa’s travels and discoveries: @travelyourtree on Instagram and Facebook
Return to Getting Started Table
Exploring Methods and Strategies in Autosomal DNA Investigations
Presented By: Aimee Rose-Haynes on September 4, 2025 1:30 pm
Discover various at-home DNA testing options and their relevance to genealogical research, alongside tools aiding in your investigation. Explore the significance of autosomal DNA, Y DNA, and mtDNA, as well as centimorgans’
importance. Gain insights into methodologies like the Dana Leeds method, Banyan DNA, DNA Painter, and color coding on Ancestry DNA, alongside essential resources to enhance your research endeavors.
Aimee Rose Haynes is a dedicated Cherokee Nation citizen and an accomplished genetic genealogist. With a deep commitment to her heritage and the field of genealogy, Aimee combines her cultural roots with advanced DNA research to explore family histories and ancestral connections. Her work focuses on using genetic testing tools to uncover and document family lineages, with a particular emphasis on Native American ancestry and heritage.
In addition to her genealogical expertise, Aimee is an engaging public speaker, sharing her knowledge and insights with multiple organizations. She has spoken at prominent events such as RootsTech 2024, where she contributed her expertise to a global audience interested in genealogy and genetic research. Through her speaking engagements, Aimee helps to educate and inspire others while advancing the understanding of genetic heritage within indigenous communities.
Return to Getting Started Table
Organizing Your Genealogy Research for Beginners: Best Practices for Keeping Track of Sources and Documents
Presented By: Alina Khuda on September 4, 2025 3:00 pm
This presentation provides essential strategies for managing genealogy research efficiently. It covers best practices for documenting sources, organizing digital and physical records, and maintaining a structured family tree. Attendees will learn how to use genealogy software, cloud storage, and research logs to track findings systematically. The session also explores citation techniques, avoiding duplication, and ensuring research accuracy. Ideal for beginners, this talk helps genealogists build a well-documented and easily accessible family history archive.
Alina Khuda has a BA (Hons) and MA (Hons) degrees in Social Studies and Politics, studied in the USA (sponsored by the US government). She participated in GOI Peace Foundation and UNESCO projects from 2009. Moreover she has an extensive experience as a court expert, probate genealogist and a forensic genealogist from 2015. Established KGS (Khuda Genealogical Services) in 2016, with her team of more than 33 onsite correspondents searching missing beneficiaries and documenting family history. She is an expert criminal genealogist for USA courts and was a course editor for International Institute of Genealogical Studies (formerly known as National Institute for Genealogical Studies) in 2020. With a sufficient experience in journalism Alina and her team provide search of unknown relatives and missing beneficiaries for estates in the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, UK, EU. She did research for government, non-government organizations, attorneys, trustees, companies worldwide as well as numerous private clients. Member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical SpeakersGuild and Genealogical Organization «Nashi Predky» (NJ, USA)
Return to Getting Started Table
Smart Starts: AI Tools Every Genealogist Should Know
Presented By: Edward Swierczewski on September 4, 2025 4:30 pm
There are many AI use cases that can improve our practice: reviewing long documents or research materials and providing summaries in text or database formats; generating titles for our work; taking an outline of facts and developing a story from them; providing hints to move forward past writer’s block; translating documents from one language, reading level, writing style, or historical era to another; reviewing documents to determine if a document meets specific criteria, ex. GPS.
Ed has been a genealogist for almost 30 years, and a professional educator for over 30 years, researching and lecturing in Psychology and Human Services at several major universities and government agencies in New York City. He considers empathy an essential quality for genealogists. He has completed multiple courses from GRIP and SLIG, and is a ProGen alum. He founded Integrative Genealogy LLC and serves as the Chief Genealogical Officer. He is an award-winning genealogical writer and a Laura G. Prescott SLIG Scholarship recipient, and has presented genealogy webinars locally and nationally, at venues both live and virtual, including in-person at RootsTech 2023 in Salt Lake City; recently he has been focusing on the intersection of AI and genealogy. He possesses a deep passion for sharing his knowledge with others, and a commitment to life-long learning.
Return to Getting Started Table
‘Land for the people’: Researching Irish 19th Century Land Records
Presented By: David Ryan on September 5, 2025 9:00 am
The 19th century was a transformative period in Irish history. Most Irish at the time were tenant farmers living on land owned by wealthy landlords. Land records are an important source for researching Irish agrarian ancestors and a valuable substitute for some of the records lost in 1922. This talk will examine sources such as tithe applotment books, valuation books and estate records. It will also look at how these records connect to emigration.
David Ryan (MA DIPGEN) is a genealogist and oral historian based in Cork. He has a Diploma in genealogy and recently completed a Masters in Public History and Cultural Heritage with the University of Limerick.
Return to September 5 Table
Putting Clues in Context: Using Locality, Culture, and History Tools and Timelines to Break Through
Presented By: Jonelle Hilleary on September 5, 2025 9:00 am
From today’s perspective it’s hard to understand why our people acted as they did. But we can put ourselves in the middle of the story by understanding clues in context. We’ll use Locality Guides, Culture studies, AI history summaries, and timelines of facts we know about the who, when and where. Our clues are in this 1940s case of collusion and racketeering, and a landmark WWII Federal Antitrust case in Washington, DC against Big Oil.
Jonelle Hilleary is a writer, teacher and retired government consultant in Washington DC. She traces her love of genealogy to receiving a copy of her grandmother’s biographical book, “No Dudes, Few Women…the story of life with a Navajo Range Rider” as a teenager. Since retiring, Jonelle has focused on completing multiple skill-building programs, receiving certificates from SLIG, GRIP, IGHR, TIGR, NEHGS (American Ancestors), as well as attending annual conferences such NGS, UGA Summit of Excellence, and PaGE, plus supporting great regional and local societies’ programs across the country. She was part of GenProof91 and the GenFed 2024 cohort. Jonelle enjoys exploring her roots in the Southwest while meeting local historians and librarians, courthouse clerks and museum docents as she travels in search of new local records that tell “the rest of the story”. In 2024, Jonelle opened New Discoveries Genealogy to help others in their research goals.
Return to September 5 Table
Ann Aldrich: 9 Children Without a Mother
Presented By: Kelly Richardson, AG, APR on September 5, 2025 10:30 am
Online family trees suggested David Richardson’s mother was Ann Aldrich. However no records could be found to identify who the mother of David Richardson and his eight siblings were. Additionally, no marriage records could be found for their father either. This presentation will showcase methodologies and best practices for establishing parental and spousal relationships using un-indexed sources in the New England region. These include personal interview transcripts, manuscripts, widow’s pensions, land records, known migration patterns, and more.
Kelly Richardson, AG, APR; earned her Accreditation from ICAPGen in the New England region. While her work as a communications strategist and media professional keeps her busy, she always finds time to spend on her passion, genealogy. Kelly leads a research team supporting the USMC in their repatriation efforts, and recently completed a large cemetery research project, which was awarded a grant from the American Society of Genealogists. She is the retired editor of Crossroads, and loves giving back to UGA.
Return to September 5 Table
Behind Bars! Using Prison Records for Genealogical Research
Presented By: Karen J. Matheson, AG(R) on September 5, 2025 10:30 am
Prison records can be a genealogical gold mine! This presentation explores the various uses of prison records in your genealogical research and provides examples. You will leave energized and empowered to seek out your own ancestors in these valuable records.
Karen Matheson is an accredited professional genealogist with more than 30 years of experience who enjoys mentoring, teaching, and sharing her enthusiasm for family history with others!
Karen currently works full-time as a Research Manager for AncestryProGenealogists(R), where she has been employed since 2017. Prior to that, she was a self-employed genealogist (2000-2017) and a researcher for Lineages, Inc. in Salt Lake City (1998-2000).
Karen received the Accredited Genealogist® credential from ICAPGEN (International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists) in the U.S. Upper South region in January 2019; however, she specializes in all U.S. Southern research, including African American, “Free People of Color,” and those of mixed race.
Karen has served in many volunteer capacities within the genealogical community over the years. Karen served as a Commissioner on the board of ICAPGEN from 2023-2024. She was a frequent and popular presenter in the state of Texas in many venues—state conferences, local genealogical conferences, private venues such as family reunions, and within church settings. In the state of Utah, Karen presented five lectures at Brigham Young University’s Conference on Family History and Genealogy in July 2017. She also presented a case study for the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (January 2018) and was a lecturer at the SLIG Academy for Professionals in 2019, 2020, and 2023. Additionally, she has done in-house presentations for AncestryProGenealogists(R) and for Ancestry.com.
Return to September 5 Table
Society Briefs, Village News … or the other “Gossip Columns”
Presented By: Mary Risseeuw on September 5, 2025 12:00 pm
Before Facebook there was a tradition in journalism: the society and rural/small town correspondent columns. Generally published weekly, these columns gave you a glimpse of the goings on in your community. They can provide the useful, and often amusing, tidbits that fill in the blanks about your family and community. Examples are included from around the world and also chronicle 54 years of a woman’s life through the use of one-liners in the village news.
Mary Risseeuw has researched 19th & 20th century Dutch immigration for over 30 years. She has lectured throughout the U.S. and the Netherlands. Some of her publications include: A Phoenix Sesquicentennial Tribute: 1847-1997 (1997), I end with my pen, but not with my heart: Dutch immigrant letters, memoirs and travel journals, Editor/compiler, (2008), Diverse Destinies: Dutch Colonies in Wisconsin and the East, Editor and contributor, (2012), Dutch Reformed Education: Immigrant Legacies in North America, contributor (2020), E Pluribus Unum: The Weaving and Unraveling of a Singular “Dutch American” Identity in North America, contributor, (2024).
She serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for the Advancement of Dutch American Studies and hosted their 2011 conference in WI. She also organized and hosted the Dutch in Wisconsin Conference in 2008; the first Dutch studies conference to focus solely on Dutch immigration to Wisconsin. She has a B.S. from UW-Madison and M.A. & M.F.A. from Northern Illinois University.
Return to September 5 Table
To Catch a Serial Killer: A Visual Case Study of Investigative Genetic Genealogy
Presented By: Allan Westreich, Ph.D. on September 5, 2025 12:00 pm
This presentation provides a visual tutorial of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) process. A case study, based on a current-day serial killer case, is used to illustrate the core methodology of IGG. The concepts of shared matches, clusters / genetic networks, Most Recent Common Ancestors, and union couples will be explained in the context of zeroing in on a small list of candidate(s) for the unknown perpetrator. Numerous pictures, diagrams, and screen shots are utilized.
Allan Westreich, Ph.D. has been exploring his genealogy for decades. More recently, with the advent of genetic genealogy, he has identified even more distant cousins as well as leading a Y-DNA Surname Project to connect separate branches of his paternal line. Most recently he has been dabbling with Investigative Genetic Genealogy, volunteering with the non-profit DNA Doe Project to help identify Jane/John Does.
Return to September 5 Table
Charting Your Family’s Past: The Power of Maps in Genealogy
Presented By: Amy Rose Ward on September 5, 2025 1:30 pm
Maps can reveal where your ancestors lived, how they moved, and the communities they were part of. This webinar explores how to use maps to enhance your genealogical research. Discover how charting your family’s past can bring your research to life—literally and visually.
Amy Rose Ward received her BS degree in History from Utah State University. In 2022 she completed her Masters in Genealogical Studies from University of Strathclyde. She is working to become accredited in the New England region through ICAPGEN. She previously worked for FamilySearch in Salt Lake City as a research specialist, and has presented webinars about FamilySearch and other topics. Amy enjoys doing client research and writing family histories. She serves UGA as 1st Vice President and co-chair of the First Families of Utah committee. She is the president of her community’s orchestra where she plays the viola and violin.
Return to September 5 Table
Never Shall I Forget: Conducting Holocaust Research
Presented By: Adina Newman on September 5, 2025 1:30 pm
Among other things, the Holocaust served as a defining event in the genealogical history of the Jewish people. Not only was one-third of the Jewish population decimated, but both survivors and the greater Jewish world lost their connection to both family and history. Consequently, a common belief is that genealogical research is pointess because there’s nothing left to find. This presentation seeks to dispel this myth by providing strategies and resources for conducting Holocaust research.
Dr. Adina Newman, EdD, the creator of My Family Genie, is a professional genealogist and educator. Her specialties include Jewish genealogy, genetic genealogy, social media, and New England, and she presents on these topics in a variety of venues, from major genealogy conferences to local genealogy societies. Her findings have received international media attention, such as mentions in The Daily Mail, Washington Post, AP News, TODAY, Us Weekly, People, and The Times of Israel, and she has made appearances on several news outlets such as NPR and I24NEWS. She co-founded the Holocaust Reunion Project, a program to raise awareness about the potential of DNA testing within the Holocaust survivor community and provide survivors and their children with free commercial DNA tests and consultations. She volunteers as a Team Lead for the DNA Doe Project, which uses investigative genetic genealogy to identify unidentified deceased persons, and as a moderator for a popular Jewish genetic genealogy Facebook group. She was also a 2020 recipient of the AncestryProGenealogists scholarship.
Return to September 5 Table
Alienation of Affection: Divorce in the United States
Presented By: Christine Cohen on September 5, 2025 3:00 pm
Divorce is not just a 20th Century phenomenon. At first, granted by State Legislatures and then by Courts, these are public records. The case files can include marriage date and place, names and ages of children, residences, and affidavits by the spouses about their marriage and divorce reason. Clues are in the Census, City Directories, Military Pensions, County Histories, County Courthouses & especially in Newspapers. This could be the reason for a “lost spouse”
Christine’s interest in genealogy began in 1977 with the airing of the TV mini-series “Roots”. Her enthusiasm was piqued when given a typed pedigree chart, commissioned by her maternal grandfather, of their Dutch heritage from the New Netherlands in the 1650’s. She is a native Californian, a graduate of UCLA in Political Science and has recently retired to pursue her genealogy interests.
She is a 20 plus year member of the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS) and is currently the Program Director. In addition to WAGS, she is a member of the El Redondo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Past 1st Vice Regent), the Society of Daughters of Holland Dames and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Return to September 5 Table
Jumping into German and Austro-Hungarian Family Research
Presented By: Stephen Wendt on September 5, 2025 3:00 pm
Gain a better understanding of German genealogy in the German Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the pursuit of records with numerous resources and examples.
Stephen Wendt, MLIS, is a professional genealogist, speaker, instructor and writer. Stephen assists global clients with their diverse genealogical research needs. A specialist in Prussian/Germanic and Scottish genealogy, he regularly speaks on a variety of genealogical topics at the international, national and at the state and local level. Stephen may be reached via email at: stephen@rootsquestgps.com.
Return to September 5 Table
Leaving Liverpool
Presented By: Seema Kenney on September 5, 2025 4:30 pm
What was it like to assemble in Liverpool before traveling to America or Australia? Millions did it and were subject to specific rules and given many tips for the voyage. Let’s explore documents about these voyages together!
A wife, mother of 3, and entrepreneur, Seema is an experienced software instructor and a professional genealogist. Based on over 20 years of research, her known roots are deep in New England as well as England, Germany, and Sweden. Her DNA research has now added The Netherlands to that list.
Seema has a certificate in Genealogical Research from BU, completed ProGen and is an active member of several societies and part of the NERGC planning committee.
Return to September 5 Table
Six Degrees of Genealogical Confidence
Presented By: Robert M. Call A.G.(R) on September 5, 2025 4:30 pm
Raise your hand if you’ve ever been stuck on an ancestor. That’s all of us, right? Well, one tool to get us beyond that roadblock is to step back, reevaluate our work, and determine how confident we are about our current conclusions. Explore six degrees of confidence ranging from “perhaps” to “inarguably” that help us not only know where we are at with our research but also help us accurately communicate our findings to others.
Robert M. Call, A.G., is a researcher in FamilySearch’s Chief Genealogical Office and was previously the US Research Team Manager at Legacy Tree Genealogists. Sharing the knowledge he has gained from others and through experience is one of Robert’s favorite activities. He has a bachelor’s degree in genealogy from Brigham young University and a master’s degree in history from Utah State University. He is accredited through ICAPGen in both the Midwestern and Great Lakes regions.
Return to September 5 Table
Land for the Landless: Homestead Records and How to Use Them in Your Research
Presented By: Amber Oldenburg on September 6, 2025 9:00 am
The Homestead Act of 1862 opened millions of acres of land for settlement across 30 states. Interested individuals needed to meet certain criteria before the y could gain title to this land. The records created from this process are often overlooked by family historians. This session will help you understand the wealth of knowledge that can be found in these valuable records.
Amber Oldenburg is a genealogist, lecturer, and social media manager with a degree in Family History Research from Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she currently serves as an online instructor in their Family History Research program. She specializes in Midwest and Great Lakes states research.
Return to September 6 Table
Squeezing All the Facts Out of Your DNA Matches
Presented By: Kate Penney Howard on September 6, 2025 9:00 am
Near the top of your match list, you’ve got this mystery match that just might be the key to your research. The only problem is: they don’t have a visible tree and they didn’t respond to the message you sent two years ago. But that doesn’t mean that you should give up!
This class will give users of every skill level more tools to crack that difficult case. You’ll learn about strategies for logically approaching your search, what you can glean from your match’s profile, how free & paid resources can help you, and you’ll receive a research template that will help you ensure you have left no stone unturned.
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist, specializing in brick wall work, HighRoH, and endogamy. During a bout with cancer, she discovered that she loves sharing her knowledge with other genealogists. She is intentional about addressing injustice and myths in her presentations.
Kate has presented at Rootstech, East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies, and NAAP/RTK’s Untangling Our Roots.
2025 speaking engagements include Rootstech, Ohio Genealogical Society, Nebraska Genealogical Society, and Ontario Ancestors Webinar Series, as well as local library and genealogical society gatherings.
Return to September 6 Table
Unlocking Family History: Researching Courthouse Records for Genealogical Discoveries
Presented By: Larry W. Thomas on September 6, 2025 10:30 am
Courthouse records are treasure troves of genealogical information, often holding the keys to breaking through brick walls in family research. This dynamic one-hour presentation offers an in-depth look at how estate records, land deeds, probate files, and other court documents can reveal vital details about your ancestors’ lives. While court structures and processes may vary by state or locality, the types of records they preserve are remarkably consistent — and understanding how to navigate them can significantly enrich your family history research.
Larry, a retired U.S. Army Captain with 23 years of experience in Aviation, Transportation, and Logistics, brings a unique blend of discipline, meticulous research skills, and a passion for uncovering family histories. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management, an FAA airplane mechanic license, and earned an MBA in Management Information Systems from Southern Polytechnic State University. While serving as a Program Manager in the U.S. Army Reserves, he obtained his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute in 2013.
Larry’s journey into genealogy began over 30 years ago with his own Thomas family, Georgia residents since the 1750s. His research expanded to include his late wife’s lineage, and in 2008, he founded www.AtlantaGenealogy.com to help others explore their ancestry.
He has conducted numerous forensic heirship research projects, with a special focus on tracing the descendants of formerly enslaved individuals. His work has been instrumental in ensuring heirs were notified of potential estates, and reclaiming what was rightfully theirs. These cases, often involving fragmented historical records, require a deep understanding of historical contexts, probate law, and advanced genealogical methodologies — areas where Larry’s expertise shines.
A graduate of ProGen 38, Larry has contributed research to the acclaimed TV show Finding Your Roots (featuring Terry Crews, Rita Dove, and Julia Roberts). He actively engages with the genealogical community, serving on the Board of the Georgia Genealogical Society, presiding as the current president of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and previously leading the Cobb County Genealogy Society.
Larry is a sought-after speaker known for his dynamic and engaging presentations. He blends historical insight with practical research strategies, making learning genealogy both accessible and enjoyable. His experience in complex heirship cases, particularly those tied to African American ancestry and post-slavery records, makes him uniquely qualified to guide researchers, legal teams, and families through the challenges of reconstructing and honoring their histories.
With decades of experience, a wealth of credentials, and a proven track record in forensic genealogy, Larry is the ideal choice for research projects, estate cases, educational programs, and speaking engagements.
Return to September 6 Table
Introduction to Heraldry
Presented By: Kassidy Price on September 6, 2025 10:30 am
Genealogy and heraldry are separate but related disciplines. This presentation will cover the guidelines, vocabulary, and use of heraldry to help researchers identify individuals and decipher pedigrees. Upon completion attendees will have a basic understanding of heraldry and will know how to learn more. Many recommended resources will focus on British heraldry but practices and resources from all over the world will be at least mentioned.
Kassidy Price has always been passionate about history, genetics, people, and research; she’s eager to help others find the same joy she does through her business iGather Genealogical Services. She regularly attends genealogical conferences and reads the latest publications to stay on top of research methodologies and brush up her skills. She is working toward Accreditation through ICAPGen and Certification through the BCG.
Kassidy completed the Genealogical Principles course at Boston University and almost immediately registered for SLIG and joined the UGA to learn more. She has a Bachelors of Science in History and Management from Utah Tech University and a Postgraduate Certificate in Genealogical, Palaeographic, and Heraldic Studies from the University of Strathclyde.
Kassidy is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the UGA. She is also a member of the National Genealogical Society, Association of Professional Genealogists, and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Family history is a cause dear to Kassidy’s heart and she will do everything in her power to guide the way to your ancestors’ stories. The rest of the time you can find Kass hiking the Grand Canyon, reading Terry Pratchett novels, or training for the local marathon.
Return to September 6 Table
Tracing Heritage: Navigating the Various Rolls Used in Native American Genealogy
Presented By: Linda Debe on September 6, 2025 12:00 pm
Attendees will explore the essential Native American rolls used in genealogical research. We will cover the historical context, types, and contents of the rolls, including tribal rolls, federal census records, and others that track membership, lineage, and property ownership. These records are invaluable for tracing Native American ancestry, confirming tribal affiliation, and reconnecting family ties. She will also discuss key resources for accessing these rolls, such as the National Archives, tribal archives, and online databases.
Linda Debe is a professional genealogy speaker with over 40 years of experience. She specializes in Native American research to honor her father, a deceased elder and tribal member of the Fond Du Lac Reservation in Cloquet, Minnesota. She enjoys presenting on Native American records and tribal histories. Linda holds an AAS in Electronics Technology from the USAF and will graduate from the International Institute for Genealogical Studies in 2025. Certified in Microsoft Access and Excel, Linda creates automated research tools to enhance efficiency. She is the current Program chair for North Hills Genealogists in Pittsburgh PA, She is leading their new Technology to the Rescue SIG. Linda shares her expertise through her YouTube channel. She manages a free Google calendar of Genealogical Educational events across the country, Visit Thesleeplessgenealogist.com for access to her calendar.
Return to September 6 Table
Case Study: Finding a Father for Great Grandmother Flora
Presented By: Patricia Coleman on September 6, 2025 12:00 pm
Great grandmother, Flora, had always said she was an orphan. But was she? Elisabeth had an extensive, verified family tree but couldn’t find a birth record for Flora or her mother’s marriage to George. Was he Flora’s father or stepfather? And if George were her stepfather, who was Flora’s father? Elisabeth’s DNA and Genetic Affairs AutoLineage would provide the answer. Reconstructed trees in AutoLineage provided hints and BanyanDNA confirmed who was Flora’s father.
Patricia Coleman is a professional genealogist who specializes in DNA analysis and Irish research. She writes a blog at https://patriciacolemangenealogy.com/ A great deal of her recent research has involved analyzing Irish records to use in building out the DNA match’s family tree to find the most recent common ancestor. A graduate of ProGen58, Patricia has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Davis. Her analytical background is a great help in the genealogy work. She is a moderator for Facebook user groups for DNA Painter and Genetic Affairs. If you have questions or need assistance with your own research, contact her at info@patriciacolemangenealogy.com
Return to September 6 Table
Exploring the Library of Congress Digital Collections
Presented By: Karen A. Fortin on September 6, 2025 1:30 pm
The Library of Congress website includes more than 500 digitized collections of manuscripts, maps, prints, audio recordings, and much more. This presentation will introduce you to the wide range of resources available in these collections and show you how they can help you in your own family history research.
Karen A. Fortin has degrees in History and Library and Information Science and a passion for research. She worked in a public library in Florida for 30 years before switching to genealogical lecturing in 2016. She is a member of various genealogical societies and loves to help people explore their family history so that they can better understand their ancestors and the world in which they lived.
Return to September 6 Table
Online Resources for Black American Genealogy
Presented By: Janice M. Sellers on September 6, 2025 1:30 pm
Researching Black American ancestry is in many respect like researching any other family history, but in addition some specialized online sources are unique to Black research. Learn about the most useful of these sites, what information you can expect to find, and how you can use it to help advance your research.
Janice M. Sellers is a professional researcher and international speaker whose grandparents told her she is related to actor Peter Sellers and to John of Gaunt, son of a king and father of a king. Unfortunately, they were both wrong, but that’s wy she has researched her family for 50 years and now helps others find the right pieces to fit their genealogy puzzles. She specializes in Black, Jewish, forensic, and newspaper research. She has done research and appeared on camera for the television series The Dead Files. Her site is ancestraldiscoveries.com.
Return to September 6 Table
Creating an Ancestor Sketch
Presented By: Thomas MacEntee on September 6, 2025 3:00 pm
Face it: most genealogists never get around to publishing that family history book based on their genealogy research. How about a different approach: producing short 3-5 page “sketches” about an ancestor? You’ll learn how to include a cover, photos, facts, family stories, source citations and more! And guess what, once you get a few of these ancestor sketches done, you can compile them together for one big book!
Thomas MacEntee is a Baby Boomer guy with a love of punk rock music but also art history who somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, and then left a lucrative IT career to pursue his love of family history and genealogy. Technology and historical research are opposites, but “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices to break down research brick walls. Thomas MacEntee: author, educator, advocate, entrepreneur, and that “genealogy guy” who helps you accomplish your family history goals.
Return to September 6 Table
How to Find Your Norwegian Ancestors? A case study.
Presented By: Liv Marit Haakenstad on September 6, 2025 3:00 pm
This case study will start in the USA and show you how to find clues in American sources that could help find your Norwegian Ancestors. We will then go to Norwegian Sources and combine the sources from the two countries. A case study makes it easier to explain how the research is done, picking up clues in American sources, and using them to find answers in Norwegian Sources. In between I present fact sheets about the sources, and the audience gets an idea of what they could expect to find, based on time and place.
Liv Marit Haakenstad, AG®, AGL™ is a Norwegian author, speaker, and professional genealogist. Haakenstad is an Accredited Genealogist® (AG®) in Norwegian genealogy, an Accredited Genealogist Lecturer™ (AGL™). She has a master’s in nonfiction writing from USN (University of South-Eastern Norway). Her website is https://www.studygenealogy.com/, and it has information about the project “Norwegians in Utah 1825-1920”. The winter semester of 2025 she is a researcher at the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies at BYU and a visiting professor.
Return to September 6 Table
Bridging the Atlantic: US and UK Resources for Researching Colonial America
Presented By: Diane L. Richard on September 6, 2025 4:30 pm
Though a trip across the pond would be fun & rewarding, fortunately, without leaving home, we can explore resources to fill in the details of our British colonial-era ancestors, whether living in the US or the Caribbean. Some are U.S.-created, and others come to us from the U.K. (free & subscription). An explosion in the availability of and access to U.K. databases is priceless.
Diane L. Richard, MEng & MBA, is a professional genealogist and Mosaic Research and Project Management (MosaicRPM) owner. With over 35 years of experience, she has been researching client ancestors professionally since 2004.
A prolific writer, Diane authored over 600 articles for Internet Genealogy (2006-2023) and edited Upfront with NGS (2010-2017), publishing over 2000 posts. She has also edited the North Carolina Genealogical Society journal since 2016.
As an international speaker, Diane has given hundreds of webinars, conference presentations, and workshops on genealogy research strategies and record utilization. She appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? (Bryan Cranston episode).
Diane focuses on Southern research, the formerly enslaved, Free Persons of Color, and female ancestors while sharing many tips, tricks & strategies to empower all researchers to be effective and efficient.
Diane co-founded GenWebinars and Tar Heel Discoveries, offering genealogy webinars and in-person research assistance, respectively. She also serves as VP of NCHRO and is committed to providing access to genealogical records and education.
Return to September 6 Table
Paper Trail Meets DNA: Solving Tough Cases with a Combined Approach
Presented By: Kathryn Moore on September 6, 2025 4:30 pm
Stuck on a brick wall? This session shows how traditional records and DNA evidence work together to solve difficult genealogy puzzles. Learn how to correlate evidence from both worlds for clearer, stronger conclusions.
Kathryn Moore, is an Accredited Genealogist® in the United States Midwest Region, with over twelve years of professional experience and a passion for helping people connect with their roots. She spent over eight years as a research manager at Ancestry ProGenealogists, guiding more than 800 clients in uncovering their family histories across the United States, Canada, England, and Ireland. Her specialties include U.S. research, immigration, and genetic genealogy.
While at Ancestry, she served as a lead researcher for the television show “Who Do You Think You Are?”, helping to bring powerful family stories to life for national audiences.
She is especially passionate about using DNA to solve family mysteries, particularly cases of unknown parentage. As a founding member of Ancestry’s unknown parentage research team, she has helped hundreds of clients identify their biological parents and grandparents—work that has led to beautiful reunions and profound healing.
Driven by her passion for genetic genealogy, Kathryn spent two years as a forensic genetic genealogist with Othram Inc., where she assisted law enforcement agencies across the United States in identifying unknown individuals and human remains through advanced DNA analysis.
Today, she runs Generations Bound, a genealogy business focused on research, consulting, and education. She is dedicated to making genealogy accessible, meaningful, and confidence-building for all levels of researchers. Kathryn focuses on teaching simple principles, healing through family connection, and the joy of discovering ancestors’ stories.
Return to September 6 Table
September 4th is a Free Getting Started Day!
On September 5th-6th, we will have two daily tracks with exciting classes!
This listing is for the full conference. Looking for the free Getting Started Day? Click here.
