NHSOG 2026 Hybrid Fall Conference

“The Mysterious A.A. Young”

Have you struggled with finding your female ancestors? With a slim paper record and changing surnames, women can be a challenge to plug into the family tree. Let’s spend some time exploring different strategies and resources that can help us unlock the stories of women gone by. We’ll consider research methods as we delve into the life of Mrs. A. A. Young, founder of the Pythian Sisters. What was her name before marrying Mr. Rollins and then Mr. Young, anyway? Let’s go back. Let’s find out.

“Death of a Showman”

What happens when the subject of your genealogical research joins the carnival, moves across the country, reappears six years younger, marries a couple of times and then dies suddenly leaving a wave of confusion in his wake?

Sometimes, the path of an ancestor can be long, convoluted and confusing, especially when you are limited to a small amount of evidence. When this happens, tracking an ancestor from cradle to grave and completing exhaustive research across regions can help to complete the story and answer burning questions. Join us to track the life of one such subject. We’ll delve into vital records, newspapers, trade publications and more as we search for proof of identity.

“Tracking True Crime”

What happens when your family research turns into fodder for a true crime novel? Join us for a case study as we attempt to puzzle out the clues of one such story using family rumors, old newspapers, autopsy reports, mug shots, inmate records and more.

Content Warning: This research is not suitable for all audiences.