Unlock Your Genealogical Potential at NERGC 2027!
Dive into a world of discovery with a packed schedule of presentations, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to elevate your genealogical journey. Explore topics that inspire, learn from expert speakers, and connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your passion.
To find out when these presentations will take place during the NERGC 2027 Conference, click the ‘Brochure’ button below to view the complete schedule of events and presentation times.
Want to be part of this exciting event? Click here to learn how to register.
This chart can be sorted by any of the column headers in ascending or descending order. Click any column header to sort the data, or use the search function to quickly find specific presentations. Locate presentations of interest, then check the brochure for their day and time slots.
| Session # | Speaker | Title | Short lecture summary: | Speaker Bio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Claire Smith | Supercharge Your Genealogy Research Using AI | Using free AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, genealogists can dramatically improve their research. This talk covers how to interrogate single and multiple documents, spot contradictions, build timelines, summarize findings, and create targeted research plans. Learn practical prompts for finding sources and breaking through brick walls, with clear guidance on AI's limitations and how to verify everything it tells you. | Claire Smith is a professional genealogist with more than 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and lecturing. Her research specialties include Ireland, New England, England, Atlantic Canada, AI, and DNA. A former technology executive, Claire applies technology skills to optimize her research, continually evaluating new tools and innovative approaches. |
| 102 | Linda Debe | Defind By The Land: Navigating Metes and Bounds in Land Platting | This class introduces genealogists to the Metes and Bounds land description system, commonly used in non-Federal Land States. Participants will learn the terminology, tools, and techniques needed to understand and plot land deeds accurately. This foundational knowledge will enable attendees to reproduce historical land plats, visualize property boundaries, and correlate land descriptions with current or historical maps. The session includes practical exercises to reinforce the material. | Linda Debe, the “Sleepless Genealogist,” is a lecturer, writer, and genealogist with 40 years of experience. A Microsoft Office–certified professional in Access and Excel, she specializes in maps, deeds, and technology. She leads monthly Tech SIGs with NHG and GSP, and speaks at multiple societies and major conferences including RootsTech, PaGE, and Summit of Excellence. |
| 103 | Dennis J. Curran (Ret.) - Former MA Superior Court Judge | Lincoln: Life, Law & Leadership | Where have all the great leaders gone? In today’s sharply polarized and ethically conflicted America, we can take comfort in looking at Abraham Lincoln, a man who left an enduring legacy of leadership and integrity. We will examine how, as a politician, Lincoln mastered the art of communication and compromise; and as a leader, envisioned a goal and attained it by tempering responsibility and determination with compassion, hope and a moral compass. At moments of great challenge, Lincoln was able to summon his “better angels” to enlarge the opportunities and lives of others. The test of a true leader can be found in a man who continues to inspire a country long after his own voice has faded to the echoes of time. This is Lincoln. | Justice Dennis J. Curran served as a Massachusetts trial judge for 15 years. During his judicial tenure, he presided over 450 civil and criminal trials. He is a graduate of Boston Latin School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in from the University of Pennsylvania, and his law degree from the University of Virginia. Justice Curran has received four statewide awards for judicial excellence. Justice Curran has served as a Professor of the Practice at Tufts University and teaches annually at Brown University’s summer program. He presently works as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Justice Curran has also been engaged by the luxury cruise line industry to give enrichment lectures all around the world. |
| 104 | David Allen Lambert Sponsored by NEHGS & MGC | Commemorating 400 years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony | In today’s sharply polarized and ethically conflicted America, we can take comfort in looking at Abraham Lincoln, a man who left an enduring legacy of leadership and integrity. We will examine how, as a politician, Lincoln mastered the art of communication and compromise; and as a leader, envisioned a goal and attained it by tempering responsibility and determination with compassion, hope and a moral compass. At moments of great challenge, Lincoln was able to summon his “better angels” to enlarge the opportunities and lives of others. The test of a true leader can be found in a man who continues to inspire a country long after his own voice has faded to the echoes of time | David Allen Lambert is the Chief Genealogist at American Ancestors since 1993, and is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. David authored and or co-authored the published genealogies presented to David McCullough, Ken Burns, Angela Lansbury, Michael and Kitty Dukakis, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and others. |
| 110 | Mark Thompson | Introduction to AI for Genealogists | Curious about artificial intelligence but not sure where to start? You're not alone, and the good news is that today's AI tools are more accessible and useful for genealogists than ever before. In this beginner-friendly session, Mark will orient you to the landscape of AI assistants available to family historians, demonstrating how they can summarize documents, extract key details from complex records, and organize your research more efficiently. You'll build a solid foundation for any follow-on sessions and gain the confidence to start exploring these tools on your own. | Mark’s career journey includes higher education, high tech, and the corporate IT world. These experiences developed and honed his technical, analytical, and communication skills. His career path set the perfect stage for helping others make their best family history, particularly in today’s increasingly high-tech genealogy world. Mark is passionate about staying up to date on the rapidly changing world of genealogy and using these changes to help his clients uncover, understand, and connect with their family mysteries. Mark is equally dedicated to helping family history enthusiasts stay up to date on the best of these changes and show them how to use them in their own history-making efforts. |
| 111 | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG | Writing Family Stories in an AI World | AI can assist genealogists with organization, clarity, and revision, but not authorship. This session explores ethical ways to use AI when transforming research into narrative family stories. Learn how to preserve your voice, maintain accuracy, and avoid overreliance while using AI as a supportive editorial and planning tool. | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG® speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette coordinates courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Her research interests include Quaker ancestors and ancestral migrations in the US. |
| 112 | Susan M. O'Connor Sponsored by TIARA | From Artifacts to Irish Ancestors: Stories Revealed | Family artifacts—letters, diaries, photographs, clothing, tools, receipts, scrap books, and household items—serve as tangible links to the past, offering unique insights into our ancestors’ lives. By analyzing and interpreting artifacts and following up their clues with solid research, an Irish family’s ancestors were revealed in greater depth. | Susan O’Connor’s research interests include Ireland, Australia, the United States and French Canada. Throughout her professional career she has focused on applying technology in innovative ways to solve problems She holds a Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston and is the President of MGC and Treasurer of NEAPG. |
| 113 | Susan M. O'Connor | Exciting Your Family About Their Ancestors | Who is going to become the next “keeper” of your family’s stories? Does no one seem to share YOUR excitement about their family history? This presentation will explore different ways to share YOUR knowledge with innovative materials and activities to interest family members of all ages in their ancestors. | Susan O’Connor’s research interests include Ireland, Australia, the United States and French Canada. Throughout her professional career she has focused on applying technology in innovative ways to solve problems She holds a Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston and is the President of MGC and Treasurer of NEAPG. |
| 114 | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL | Vessels, Duties, and Sovereignty: Customs Service in the Republic | Created in 1789 as one of the republic's first federal institutions, the U.S. Customs Service left an extraordinary documentary record. District offices along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts generated vessel registers, passenger and crew lists, ledgers, and correspondence — documents that illuminate individual lives, migration patterns, maritime communities, and the expanding reach of federal authority across the early American republic. | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL, is a military historian, professional genealogist, and court-qualified expert witness in forensic estate investigations across multiple states. He holds an MA in military history from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is a prolific author and national speaker at universities, conferences, and genealogical institutes. |
| 115 | Dennis J. Curran (Ret.) - Former MA Superior Court Judge | The Amistad Trials: What Price Freedom? | This is the first civil rights trial in American history. The issue of slavery versus freedom rears its ugly head in this American court case, more than two decades before the Civil War explodes in 1861. This case pits the American government against the Spanish government, the President against his own Secretary of State, the executive branch versus the judicial branch, and abolitionists against slave traders. It even prompted a former President to appear before the Supreme Court to condemn the slavery policies of a present Administration. This case finally received the recognition it deserved from Stephen Spielberg’s Academy Award-nominated feature film, Amistad. | Justice Dennis J. Curran served as a Massachusetts trial judge for 15 years. During his judicial tenure, he presided over 450 civil and criminal trials. He is a graduate of Boston Latin School and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in from the University of Pennsylvania, and his law degree from the University of Virginia. Justice Curran has received four statewide awards for judicial excellence. Justice Curran has served as a Professor of the Practice at Tufts University and teaches annually at Brown University’s summer program. He presently works as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Justice Curran has also been engaged by the luxury cruise line industry to give enrichment lectures all around the world. |
| 116 | Pam Ricciardi Paschke | USA Immigration: Laws and Records 1790-1930 | From 1790 to 1924 there were more than fifteen Federal Acts affecting immigration. We’ll explore the key laws and changing forms to ensure we glean as much from the manifests as possible – to understand what and who are on ship manifests; why the questions changed; why people were pulled for special inquiry; what lined through entries mean ... | Pam Ricciardi Paschke, a Mayflower descendant, has been researching for over forty years. She serves as administrator for five FTDNA projects; authored a book on colonial Dutchess County NY and several genealogical articles; and speaks to national, regional, and local groups on DNA and other topics. |
| 117 | Blaine Bettinger | Ethical Issues Associated with Generative Artificial Intelligence | Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable new tool for genealogists, potentially saving 100s of hours a year and offering new ways to organize our research. However, these tools also raise numerous potential ethical issues for genealogists. We will discuss many of these issues including plagiarism, copyright infringement, and more, so that you can avoid problems while exploiting AI tools for your benefit. | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’sProfessional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor). |
| 118 | Heather Nickerson & Jacqui O'Shea Sponsored by Artifcts | Preserving Your Family Story: Why Photo Archives & Narratives Are Genealogical Gold | Family photographs hold clues that extend far beyond names and dates. This session shows genealogists how organizing, preserving, and documenting images with stories transforms photo collections into powerful research assets. Attendees will learn practical workflows for physical and digital archives, techniques for capturing narratives, and responsible ways to use modern tools and AI to safeguard family history for future generations. | Heather Nickerson is the Founder and CEO of Artifcts. Prior to founding Artifcts Heather served as President of a private security company and authored a book on how to protect your privacy. Heather’s inspiration for Artifcts came after inheriting her mother’s estate and having sort through decades of family heirlooms. |
| 119 | Michael Brophy | Forensic Genealogy: Law & Order Meets Family History | Forensic genealogy is an emerging field involving cases with legal ramifications. Explore this fascination area of law enforcement usage for solving serious crimes, heir research, adoption, citizenship and immigration casework and military repatriation involving living people. | Michael Brophy is a nationally known, professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer from the Boston area. He is the past President of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) and the first Treasurer of the New England Association of Professional Genealogists. Mike earned an MBA degree from Suffolk University and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst |
| 120 | Jeffrey Croteau Sponsored by Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library | Using American Fraternal Organizations’ Records in Genealogical Research | What are American Masonic and fraternal organizations and how can their records help you in your genealogical research? This presentation begins with a brief introduction to popular fraternal organizations (e.g., Freemasonry, Independent Order of Odd Fellows), followed by an examination of what types of fraternal records exist, where to find them, and the kind of information these records contain. | Jeffrey Croteau is Director of Library & Archives at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library. He regularly assists researchers with genealogical inquiries related to fraternal organizations. His articles and talks focus on a variety of topics related to American fraternalism, including history of the Scottish Rite, anti-Masonry, and Masonic impostors. |
| 121 | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS | Swept Away: The Families of Boston’s Molasses Flood | The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 is often remembered for its bizarre circumstances, but less for the people it affected. This talk examines the victims and their families through genealogical records, tracing the lives, relationships, and communities disrupted by the disaster. | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS is a board-certified professional genealogist and lecturer who specializes in forensic genealogy with a focus on probate research and family reconstruction. Her work has included complex traditional and forensic cases from New England, the Midwestern US, Canada, Mexico, and Italy. |
| 122 | Scott Andrew Bartley, FASG | Smarter Research: What's Already Been Done and How Good Is It? | This discussion will help with a method to search for information already published in journals and online and how to analyze the sources found as the initial step for your research. Proper citations are also briefly covered. | Drew is the genealogist for the Early Vermont Settlers project at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass., editor of Vermont Genealogy, and past editor of the Mayflower Descendant. |
| 123 | Seema Kenney | Behind the Numbers: Who Took the U.S. Census and Why It Matters | Ever wonder who collected the information in old census records—or how accurate it really was? This presentation takes you behind the scenes of the U.S. Census from 1790 to 1950, revealing how the government hired, trained, and organized census takers across changing times. Learn how early census data was gathered, why accuracy and privacy evolved, and how understanding the process can help you better interpret what you find in your family history or local research. | 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. |
| 201 | Melanie McComb Sponsored by NEHGS | Acadians in the American Revolution | Following deportation by the British, many Acadians volunteered to serve with the rebels against the British. This presentation will review their contribution to the American Revolution as volunteers in the 1st and 2nd Canadian regiments of the Continental Army, as well as in separate militias. | Melanie McComb is a Senior Genealogist at American Ancestors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She is an international lecturer who teaches on various topics including colonial through twentieth-century American military research, genetic genealogy, Atlantic Canadian, African American, Jewish, and Irish genealogy. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society. She has had articles published in American Ancestors Magazine and Fifty Plus Advocate. She is also a blogger, known as the Shamrock Genealogist. |
| 202 | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL | That Splendid Little War: America's Imperial Moment, 1898–1902 | In four years, the United States fought three wars on three continents and emerged as a global power. The Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, and the Boxer Rebellion were not separate conflicts but successive chapters of a single imperial story. It transformed the nation and left a generation of veterans scattered across the world, their service documented in records waiting to be explored. | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL, is a military historian, professional genealogist, and court-qualified expert witness in forensic estate investigations across multiple states. He holds an MA in military history from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is a prolific author and national speaker at universities, conferences, and genealogical institutes. |
| 203 | Sarah Day, AG® | Before the Revolution: Researching Colonial War Ancestors | Before the Revolutionary war, New England families were here and fought for survival, this included fighting in wars. Some you have heard of and some you may have not. These conflicts still helped shape the colonies. This session will cover records and research strategies for finding ancestors in these conflicts and help build their stories. | Sarah Day, AG®, is a professional genealogist and speaker specializing in United States, Colonial, and African American genealogy and genetic genealogy. A BYU Family History graduate with onsite research experience, she serves on the APG Board of Directors and has presented at RootsTech and at major genealogy conferences. |
| 204 | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG | Mapping Ancestral Lives with AI Support | Historical maps and land descriptions reveal how ancestors lived and moved across landscapes. This session shows how AI can responsibly assist genealogists in interpreting place-based evidence, such as metes and bounds, vanished locations, and changing boundaries, while reinforcing the importance of historical context, original sources, and human judgment. | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG® speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette coordinates courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Her research interests include Quaker ancestors and ancestral migrations in the US. |
| 205 | Mark Thompson | AI-Enhanced Genealogy Research | What if you could analyze dozens of records in minutes, get instant summaries of complex documents, and generate detailed research reports, all with a tool that never gets tired? This session brings everything together, showing you how to integrate AI into your broader research workflow. Mark will demonstrate how to produce in-depth reports that connect the dots across multiple sources and share real-world examples of challenging brick-wall research made possible with AI assistance. You'll leave with a clear plan for putting these tools to work on your own projects. | Mark’s career journey includes higher education, high tech, and the corporate IT world. These experiences developed and honed his technical, analytical, and communication skills. His career path set the perfect stage for helping others make their best family history, particularly in today’s increasingly high-tech genealogy world. Mark is passionate about staying up to date on the rapidly changing world of genealogy and using these changes to help his clients uncover, understand, and connect with their family mysteries. Mark is equally dedicated to helping family history enthusiasts stay up to date on the best of these changes and show them how to use them in their own history-making efforts. |
| 206 | Edward J. Swierczewski Jr. | Smart Starts: AI for Genealogists | This presentation introduces practical AI tools that can assist genealogists with summarizing documents, organizing research, improving writing, translating materials, and evaluating work against genealogical standards. Attendees will learn how to use AI efficiently and responsibly while maintaining sound research practices, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. | Ed has been a professional educator and genealogist for over 30 years, completed multiple academy courses, is a ProGen alum, and has presented at multiple venues. He founded Integrative Genealogy LLC and serves as its Chief Genealogical Officer. Ed possesses a deep passion for sharing his knowledge with others. |
| 207 | Janeen Bjork | Online Newspapers: How Your Family Stories Went Viral | Newspapers were the social media of your ancestors. Editors read each other’s newspapers and reprinted each other's stories. Newspaper unions, the AP, and the Hearst Empire disseminated news items widely. Learn the best practices to find the items you missed due to misspellings, OCR (optical character recognition) and bad microfilms. See the interfaces of fee and free online resources. | Janeen Bjork is an experienced educator, speaker and author, specializing in Genealogy & Newspapers, DNA, and the creation of family history books. An in-law recruited her to "do the tree" after her 30+ year career as a television programmer and researcher (TV was a dress rehearsal for Genealogy). |
| 208 | Marian Pierre-Louis | Discover the History of Your New England House | Learn how to uncover the past of any home—whether it’s 20 years old or 200. House historian Marian Pierre-Louis will show where to find deeds, how to chain deeds, and locate other sources of information such as census records, maps and tax records. And you’ll learn how to find the stories that bring the history of your house alive. | Marian Pierre-Louis has been researching house histories for over 25 years. She has researched hundreds of houses across Massachusetts and New England. Her website, the Northeast House Historian, is a resource for everyone who wants to research the history of their home. |
| 209 | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG | Neighborhood Research: Putting Ancestors in Context | Genealogical records were created in communities, not isolation. This session demonstrates how researching neighbors, associates, and local context strengthens evidence, clarifies identity, and supports sound conclusions. Attendees will learn practical techniques for defining meaningful research “neighborhoods” and using contextual evidence responsibly without assuming relationships or overstating evidence. | Annette Burke Lyttle, CG® speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and loves helping people uncover and share their family stories. Annette coordinates courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Her research interests include Quaker ancestors and ancestral migrations in the US. |
| 210 | Carol Prescott McCoy, Ph.D. Sponsored by Scarborough Historical Society | Tax Records in Genealogy Can Be a Good Thing! | Many dread Tax Day, but tax records provide clues to our ancestors’ lives. Since early days people were taxed to create roads, support wars and churches, and provide revenue. Learn about the many types of tax records, where to find them, and keys to using tax records successfully to help solve genealogy problems and provide interesting details of people’s lives. | Carol Prescott McCoy, Ph.D., owns Find-Your-Roots.com., in Brunswick, Maine. Mostly retired, McCoy now researches and writes family stories about her ancestors (Protestant and Jewish). She gives lectures and mentors genealogists, specializing in New England, NY, and WV. Her PhD in psychology is from Rutgers University; her A.B. is from Connecticut College. |
| 211 | Jonathan W. Stevens | Using Land Records to Solve Genealogical Problems | This presentation will provide a brief overview of measurements, original lotting plans, and the different types of deeds. It will then provide multiple examples of how land records can provide critical genealogical information detailing family relationships. Land records in conjunction with probate records can help break down many brick walls, when vital records simply do not exist. | Jonathan W. Stevens is a professional genealogist, President of the Genealogical Society of Vermont, Director of NERGC and a NERGC 2027 Tri-Chair. He has published several genealogical articles. He is also the Assistant Town Clerk, Lister/Assessor, Clerk/Secretary of the Zoning Board of Adjustment / Planning Commission of Andover, Vt. |
| 212 | Seema Kenney Sponsored by SSGS | Exploring Non-Population & Special U.S. Census Schedules | This presentation delves into the rich details found in the lesser-known non-population and special census schedules of the U.S. Federal Census. From agricultural and manufacturing data to mortality records, slave schedules, and the 1880 Defective, Dependent & Delinquent schedules, these records go beyond simple name lists to paint a fuller picture of our ancestors' lives and communities. Learn how to locate, interpret, and apply these unique resources to enhance your genealogical and historical research. | 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. |
| 213 | Michelle Tucker Chubenko, AG, AGL | Stop Searching Twice: The Power of Research Logs | Research logs are essential tools for effective genealogical research by documenting searches, tracking sources, and recording both positive and negative results. This presentation explores how research logs prevent duplicate work, clarify research strategies, and support sound conclusions. Participants will learn practical techniques for creating and maintaining logs that strengthen analysis, improve organization, and transform scattered searches into a clear research journey. | Michelle Tucker Chubenko, AG®, AGL™ specializes in the Mid-Atlantic region and Eastern European research. She has coordinated the institute course "Researching Your Ancestry in the Crownland of Galicia" and published the "Workbook for Research in Galicia, Austria-Hungary". |
| 214 | Lori Samuelson | Building Better Genealogical Timelines with AI | Timelines are one of the most effective analytical tools in genealogy, and artificial intelligence can streamline their creation. This session demonstrates how AI can organize research findings into clear chronological timelines that reveal patterns, gaps, and conflicts. Attendees will learn how to review AI-generated timelines critically and use them responsibly to strengthen analysis and conclusions. | Lori Samuelson is a professional genealogist, author, and national speaker specializing in methodology, migration, DNA, and responsible use of emerging research tools. She presents regularly for national and regional audiences, focusing on evidence analysis, problem-solving, and practical workflows that balance innovation with sound genealogical standards. |
| 215 | Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective ® | Digital Photo Organizing for Genealogists: Metadata and More | Faced with boxes of images and not sure how to get them into a digital photo organizer? It's easier than you can say metadata. Using a photo organizer and metadata you’ll be able to find a photo including its metadata in seconds. You’ll even be able to export all of that information. | Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective® helps clients with photo related genealogical problems. Her pioneering work in historic photo research has earned her the title “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective” by The Wall Street Journal and appearances on The View, The Today Show, Pawn Stars, and others. |
| 216 | Laura C. Hobbs Sponsored by GODFREY | In Sickness and in Health | Illnesses experienced by humans have changed over the years. This presentation along with interactive questions to engage the audience will explore common illnesses, medications, and causes of death evaluating changes in health of New Englanders over the last couple centuries. We will investigate information about your ancestors’ illnesses, why it matters today, and how artificial intelligence can help. | Laura C. Hobbs graduated from Bucknell University and Mercer School of Pharmacy. She works as clinical pharmacy specialist at Hartford Hospital. Laura has been researching her family for twenty-five years and serves as trustee and secretary of the board at Godfrey Memorial Library. |
| 217 | Janeen Bjork Sponsored by CAS | Family Finding Best Practices: DNA’s Power in Adoption | Follow the real-life case of an adoptee born in Massachusetts in 1949, who waited until adoption records opened to learn her mother’s name and birth year. With no name for her birth father, DNA testing became essential. DNA matches uncovered leads, and potential relatives were recruited to test—ultimately connecting her to her biological family. | Janeen Bjork is an experienced educator, speaker and author, specializing in Genealogy & Newspapers, DNA, and the creation of family history books. An in-law recruited her to "do the tree" after her 30+ year career as a television programmer and researcher (TV was a dress rehearsal for Genealogy). |
| 218 | Blaine Bettinger | Sprinters, Caffeine Addicts, and Daredevils! Understanding DNA-Based Traits | Delve into how genetic testing reveals insights into our traits and predispositions beyond ancestry. This lecture will explore how specific genetic markers can indicate tendencies like athletic ability, caffeine metabolism, and risk-taking behavior. We’ll discuss the science behind these traits, emphasizing how DNA influences them and the implications for understanding ourselves and our ancestors. Attendees will learn how to interpret trait reports from DNA tests and how to integrate this information into broader genealogical research, adding depth to family stories. By examining the connection between genetics and personal characteristics, we aim to enhance genealogical narratives with a richer understanding of inherited traits. | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’sProfessional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor). |
| 219 | Sam Collins Sponsored by NHSOG | Old Shoalers: Resources for the Isles of Shoals | The Isles of Shoals served as a crucial entry point into New England for many early immigrants. An entire town lived and died out there over two centuries before vanishing. We'll explore island church records, county court records, and land transactions to flesh out the stories of those whose voices have often been overlooked. | Sam Collins is a maritime historian, museum professional, and tall ship sailor with 20 years of experience along the New England coast. His graduate work focused on the rise and fall of the salt cod fishing community at the Isles of Shoals and the wider Gulf of Maine. |
| 220 | Diane M Boumenot | Seven Strategies for Rhode Island Research | New searching mechanisms have made it simpler to find documents, but nothing replaces a research strategy. Rhode Island offers unique challenges to the family historian including shifting borders, declining farmland, new immigration and migration patterns, and town-centered records. Learn the best approach to various kinds of research problems. | Diane Boumenot, CG is the former editor of Rhode Island Roots and now the co-editor, NGS Quarterly. She has authored several books and articles. Diane holds a history degree from Wesleyan University and is a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists Education Fund. |
| 221 | Claire Smith | Following the Tide - Migration Between Atlantic Canada and New England | Tracing families who moved between regions, or countries, often means navigating name variations, inconsistent records, and fragmented evidence. This session explores strategies for reconstructing families whose identities shift across records and locations. Using one Irish Nova Scotia family's journey to Boston as a research framework, we will examine how to connect individuals and rebuild family structures despite changing names and incomplete documentation. | Claire Smith is a professional genealogist with more than 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and lecturing. Her research specialties include Ireland, New England, England, Atlantic Canada, AI, and DNA. A former technology executive, Claire applies technology skills to optimize her research, continually evaluating new tools and innovative approaches. |
| 225 | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL Sponsored by CSG | The Caleb Cushing Affair: Civil War Comes to Portland | In the early morning hours of June 27, 1863, Confederate raiders slipped into Portland Harbor and seized the Revenue Cutter Caleb Cushing, bringing the war to Maine's doorstep. What followed was a tale of audacity, desperation, and fateful choices made in waters Portlanders know well. Her story is the only Revenue Cutter seized and deliberately destroyed by Confederate forces during the Civil War. | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL, is a military historian, professional genealogist, and court-qualified expert witness in forensic estate investigations across multiple states. He holds an MA in military history from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is a prolific author and national speaker at universities, conferences, and genealogical institutes. |
| 230 | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL | Divided by Revolution: Loyalists and the Atlantic World | The American Revolution divided colonial society along lines of loyalty, conscience, and survival. This lecture traces Loyalist experience from prewar oaths through wartime service to postwar diaspora — examining records scattered across archives in Canada, Britain, the Caribbean, and the United States. Special attention illuminates women, Black Loyalists, and Native nations whose stories demand both innovation and responsibility to recover. | Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG, AGL, is a military historian, professional genealogist, and court-qualified expert witness in forensic estate investigations across multiple states. He holds an MA in military history from the University of Massachusetts Boston and is a prolific author and national speaker at universities, conferences, and genealogical institutes. |
| 231 | Linda Debe | Reconstructing World War I Army Service Records: Unraveling Ancestral Stories Through Unit Records | We delve into the fascinating world of World War I army service records and explore the invaluable role of unit records in reconstructing the journeys of our ancestors who served. Discover how unit records provide a rich tapestry of information, offering insights into individual experiences, battles fought, and sacrifices made during this pivotal period in history. By exploring the wealth of information contained within unit records, attendees will gain valuable insights into reconstructing World War I army service records and honoring the legacies of their military ancestors. This presentation aims to empower genealogists with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of wartime research and preserve the stories of those who served. | Linda Debe, the “Sleepless Genealogist,” is a lecturer, writer, and genealogist with 40 years of experience. A Microsoft Office–certified professional in Access and Excel, she specializes in maps, deeds, and technology. She leads monthly Tech SIGs with NHG and GSP, and speaks at multiple societies and major conferences including RootsTech, PaGE, and Summit of Excellence. |
| 232 | Jennifer Zinck, CG®, AG®, AGL™ Sponsored by NEAPG | Practical AI: Time-Saving Solutions for Genealogists | Unlock the power of AI to transform your genealogy research and reclaim valuable time in your day. Whether you're looking to break through brick walls in your family history or just want more time to focus on what matters most, learn practical AI tools and strategies that can make your genealogical journey smoother and more productive. | Jennifer Zinck is a Certified Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist® specializing in New England research and DNA interpretation. Known for making complex research clear, practical, and engaging, she combines intellectual rigor with warmth and curiosity. Jennifer serves in leadership roles with BCG, CPGC, and CSG and loves helping others make discoveries. |
| 233 | Mark Thompson | The Power of the Prompt | Do you feel like you're only scratching the surface with AI tools like ChatGPT? Most genealogists use just a fraction of what these powerful tools have to offer. This session reveals the next level of AI-powered research, where your AI assistant becomes a true partner in discovery. You'll learn how to feed it entire document collections, family videos, or audio recordings and let it transform your materials into insights, images, and stories. Mark will demonstrate how to move information in and out of AI tools to get the most accurate and useful results, and you'll leave with advanced techniques for integrating AI more deeply into the way you research, analyze, and share your family history. | Mark’s career journey includes higher education, high tech, and the corporate IT world. These experiences developed and honed his technical, analytical, and communication skills. His career path set the perfect stage for helping others make their best family history, particularly in today’s increasingly high-tech genealogy world. Mark is passionate about staying up to date on the rapidly changing world of genealogy and using these changes to help his clients uncover, understand, and connect with their family mysteries. Mark is equally dedicated to helping family history enthusiasts stay up to date on the best of these changes and show them how to use them in their own history-making efforts. |
| 234 | Susan M. O'Connor | Mining Information from City Directories Using AI | Unlock the rich genealogical clues hidden in historical city directories. Learn how these annually published records reveal addresses, occupations, spouses, and everyday details of your ancestors’ lives. Through a practical case study, discover how spreadsheets and AI can help you extract, organize, and analyze directory data to uncover family relationships and connect these findings with other key genealogical resources. | Susan O’Connor’s research interests include Ireland, Australia, the United States and French Canada. Throughout her professional career she has focused on applying technology in innovative ways to solve problems She holds a Certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston and is the President of MGC and Treasurer of NEAPG. |
| 235 | Riva Krut Sponsored by JGSGB | Portland’s Jewish History: marrying genealogy and social history | This presentation by the author of the new Portland Jewish History Trail will show how genealogical records can be vital sources for new local social and socio-economic history, including the histories of minorities and minority communities, women and families. It will focus on one of the PJHT stops and one family: Bessie Epstein and Zeitman’s Grocery Store. | Riva earned a PhD in History (1985, SOAS, UK), on the immigration of Russian Jews to Johannesburg, South Africa, 1880-1920. After a career in corporate sustainability, she retired to Portland, ME. She is a Board Member, Maine Jewish Museum, and author of the new Portland Jewish History Trail: https://portland.mainejewishhistorytrails.org/ |
| 236 | Pamela Cote Green, J.D. | Understanding Probate Records | Participants will learn what the purpose of probate is and the legal significance of the various components of a probate docket (petition, inventory, accounting, etc) to better understand their research results. The structure of Wills and the significance of their absence will be discussed, as will the aspects of inheritance law (including dower, curtesy, and elective share) that will be of interest. | Pamela Green has been an attorney practicing in Western Massachusetts for over 20 years, specializing in estate planning and administration, probate, and real estate. She has 15 years of experience as a genealogist, where her research focuses on New England and Quebec. Pam holds a B.A. and M.A. in World Politics from The Catholic University of America, a J.D. from Western New England University, and completed the Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. |
| 237 | Daniel Horowitz Sponsored by MyHeritage | Truth and Myths of Genealogy in The TV Series | The greatest TV series often center on protagonists shaped by their ancestors. Moving beyond genealogy-themed reality shows, this session explores how fictional family histories drive dramas like FBI and Ghosts. We’ll also examine real-life historical records to uncover the fascinating ancestral stories behind the actors who bring these characters to life. | Dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, Daniel is involved in several crowdsource digitization and transcription projects, holds a board-level position at The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA). Since 2006 has been working at MyHeritage liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers, and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences around the world. |
| 238 | Sarah Day, AG® | Finding Family: African American Genealogy in New England | African Americans have been part of New England's history since its beginning. Dive into their stories, both free and enslaved, and learn how to find them in the records with this workshop. Using a Colonial Massachusetts black family as a case study participants will learn about the key records, history, repositories and methodologies essential for this research. | Sarah Day, AG®, is a professional genealogist and speaker specializing in United States, Colonial, and African American genealogy and genetic genealogy. A BYU Family History graduate with onsite research experience, she serves on the APG Board of Directors and has presented at RootsTech and at major genealogy conferences. |
| 239 | Scott Andrew Bartley, FASG Sponsored by GSV | Using FamilySearch AI Effectively | This is a new, must-use tool for genealogical research. This live presentation on this dynamic search engine will discuss what this tool does, show how to use it, and how to refine your search. An overview of the pluses and minuses with be covered. | Drew is the genealogist for the Early Vermont Settlers project at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Mass., editor of Vermont Genealogy, and past editor of the Mayflower Descendant. |
| 240 | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS | Dirt, Deeds, & DNA: An Overview of Forensic Genealogy | Cold cases solved through DNA have brought forensic genealogy into the spotlight, but the field extends far beyond criminal investigations. This presentation explores the broader practice of forensic genealogy, from probate and real estate to guardianship and other legal matters where genealogical expertise makes a critical difference. | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS is a board-certified professional genealogist and lecturer who specializes in forensic genealogy with a focus on probate research and family reconstruction. Her work has included complex traditional and forensic cases from New England, the Midwestern US, Canada, Mexico, and Italy. |
| 241 | Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG, AGL | Warning Out! Unwanted in Colonial New England | Warning out records are among New England’s most underused genealogical sources. This session explores how towns documented newcomers with uncertain legal settlement and how those records reveal migration, kinship, and identity. Attendees will learn to locate warning-out records using full-text search strategies, interpret their language accurately, and apply them to complex research problems and proof arguments. | Bonnie Wade Mucia is an Accredited Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist Lecturer in the New England region. She owns Keeper of the Past Genealogy and serves as Director of the Mayflower Families Silver Books. |
| 242 | Kelli Jo Bergheimer | From DNA Match to Tree: Genetic Networks | Take your DNA match from unknown to placed in your tree using Ancestry Pro Tools, Enhanced shared matches, Match cluster tool, and ThruLines. | Kelli Bergheimer is the Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Blue Kayak Productions and an editor for DNA reports at Legacy Tree Genealogists. She owns Mess on the Desk, a genealogical organization company with a YouTube channel and online store. Kelli is the facilitator of the Genetics, Genealogy, and You DNA Interest Group. |
| 243 | Blaine Bettinger | 25 years as a Genetic Genealogist | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’sProfessional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor). | |
| 301 | William Duke Sponsored by CMGS | From Archives to Audiences: Engaging Your Family through AI Generated Videos | Does the mention of "census schedules", "pension files", or "vital records" make your relatives’ eyes glaze over? You’ve spent countless hours unearthing the fascinating stories of those who came before us, but sharing a stack of old records doesn't always capture the imagination of the next generation. This session explores how to use AI Applications to transform raw genealogical data into engaging, short-form videos. Learn how to bridge the gap between rigorous historical research and modern storytelling, ensuring your family’s legacy is not just preserved, but actually watched. | Bill Duke is a retired Customer Support Senior Manager and was an experienced software instructor and presenter working at IBM and Dassault Systemes. He has researched his genealogy for over 40 years, and is a member of CMGS. |
| 302 | Mark Thompson | AI-Enhanced Writing for Genealogists | You've done the research and found the records. Now, how do you turn all of that into a compelling family story? Whether you're writing a research report, crafting a family narrative, or preparing an article for your society newsletter, today's AI tools can help you write more effectively and with greater confidence. In this practical session, Mark will demonstrate how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can help you organize your thoughts, improve your writing, and transform dry facts and dates into engaging stories, all while keeping your unique voice. No matter your writing experience, you'll leave with techniques you can put to use right away. | Mark’s career journey includes higher education, high tech, and the corporate IT world. These experiences developed and honed his technical, analytical, and communication skills. His career path set the perfect stage for helping others make their best family history, particularly in today’s increasingly high-tech genealogy world. Mark is passionate about staying up to date on the rapidly changing world of genealogy and using these changes to help his clients uncover, understand, and connect with their family mysteries. Mark is equally dedicated to helping family history enthusiasts stay up to date on the best of these changes and show them how to use them in their own history-making efforts. |
| 303 | Michael Brophy Sponsored by MGC | Pilgrims, Puritans and Irishmen in Cyberspace: Massachusetts Genealogy | Massachusetts contains some of the best online resources of any state in the nation. The state has the most open vital records in the country and has a reputation as a hot bed of genealogical research. Explore these databases to gain as much information as possible about your Massachusetts ancestors | Michael Brophy is a nationally known, professional genealogical researcher, heir search specialist, and lecturer from the Boston area. He is the past President of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) and the first Treasurer of the New England Association of Professional Genealogists. Mike earned an MBA degree from Suffolk University and a BBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst |
| 304 | David Allen Lambert Sponsored by NEHGS | New England Witchcraft outside of Salem in 1692 | Many know about their connection to the Salem Witchcraft trials. This lecture will delve deeper into the earlier accusations and trials associated to witchcraft before and after 1692. | David Allen Lambert is the Chief Genealogist at American Ancestors since 1993, and is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. David authored and or co-authored the published genealogies presented to David McCullough, Ken Burns, Angela Lansbury, Michael and Kitty Dukakis, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and others. |
| 305 | Blaine Bettinger | AncestryDNA's Clustering | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’sProfessional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor). | |
| 306 | Janine Cloud Sponsored by FTDNA | Big Y – What LLMs can’t tell you | Big Y testing is a significant investment, and using the results wisely matters more than ever in the age of AI. This session explores how tools like Discover help researchers analyze Big Y results, interpret haplotree placement and time estimates, and separate meaningful patterns from noise—showing how thoughtful analysis, not automation alone, leads to responsible and accurate genealogical conclusions. | A FamilyTreeDNA employee since 2011, Janine Cloud turned a love of family history into a career in genetic genealogy. She brings both technical expertise and personal context to her work and has given talks on DNA testing to audiences of all sizes, focusing on practical applications of genetic tools. |
| 307 | Eva Holmes, CG, AG Sponsored by BCG/Education Fund | The Importance of Context | Community and culture shape behavior and relationships. To understand and document our ancestors, we need to understand the society in which they lived. When we estimate a marriage date based the birth of a child (or assume a child’s birth implies a marriage), we base those assumptions on social and historical context. Learn how to enrich your research and writing by embracing context. | Eva Holmes, CG, AG, is a life-long resident of Portland, Maine. She has published in several periodicals, authored a research guide to Maine, and edits UGA’s Crossroads. She is the administrator of the GenProof Study Groups. Her research specialties include New England, Atlantic Canada, and memoir. |
| 308 | Jenifer Kahn Bakkala | Using Social History To Color Your Ancestors' Stories | Genealogical research is often focused on a timeline of names and events. But how did our ancestors’ environments influence who they were and what they did? Almost always, research into social history can offer new color and insight to our ancestors’ lively and captivating stories. | Jenifer Kahn Bakkala is a professional genealogist, author, and two-time winner of the NGS Award for Excellence in Genealogy and Family History. A former proofreader for the NEHGS Register, she teaches narrative biography and advanced writing at SLIG. Jenifer serves on the Board of Directors of APG. |
| 309 | Danielle Rose Sponsored by NEHGS | African American Migration Patterns in the Northeast Pre-1860 | African Americans migrated and settled in various areas throughout the Northeast for a variety of reasons. This lecture will discuss key geographic hotspots for researching African Americans before 1860, focusing on New England and Atlantic Canada. | Danielle Rose oversees the many volunteers who assist with creating content for the 10 Million Names Project at American Ancestors. She has experience researching enslaved ancestors, Revolutionary War veterans, and working with 18th and 19th century New England records. |
| 310 | Judith C Granger Sponsored by MGS | Finding Pomp Russell, enslaved at birth, 1761 | Pomp Russell's story is an early New England one-- of enslavement to freedom. Afra-American genealogy, family ties, and earliest anti-slavery societies intersect across three states and generations. Enslaved in Massachusetts, to meet the nursing needs of a white mother, Pomp was a NH Revolutionary War soldier. Joining seven siblings settling Weld, Maine, Pomp's kith and kin established three anti-slavery societies. | Judy Granger: I am a retired educator, and now find myself to now be a seeker of stories and citizen historian. Using my skills as a genealogist and a qualitative researcher, I am finding and sharing the stories of early Black settlers in rural 17th and 18th century Maine. Master's and Doctoral degree work, from Kent State University. |
| 311 | Seema Kenney Sponsored by MSOG | Your Tree Begins Here: Learning Ancestry.com for Family History Research | Getting Started with Ancestry.com: A Practical Introduction to Family History Research Curious about discovering your family’s past? This beginner-friendly session introduces you to the core features of Ancestry.com, including how to navigate your family tree, evaluate hints, and manage your research standards. Through live demonstrations and helpful tips, you'll learn how to confidently search, analyze, and organize genealogical information on one of the most widely used family history platforms. | 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. |
| 312 | Shellee A. Morehead, Ph.D. | Manuscript collections and how to find them | Manuscript collections contain unique materials, often not online or even indexed, for family history research. Unpublished materials can hide in historical societies, universities or archives around the country, far from the family’s origin. Learn to find manuscript collections, gain access and see a variety of examples of manuscripts that provide unique information to enhance our family histories. | Shellee A. Morehead, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Biology at the New England Institute of Technology. She researches, writes and speaks on a variety of genealogical topics and specializes in Rhode Island, Italian and genetic genealogy. |
| 313 | Julie A. Potter-Dunlop, Ph.D. Sponsored by Maine Ulster Scots | Maine Ulster-Scots Along the Coast of Maine | April marks Scottish-American Heritage Month and Maine has deep ties to the Scots. Dr. Dunlop will discuss the Ulster-Scots diaspora to Merrymeeting and Casco Bays beginning in 1718, the settlement of Maine's Eastern Frontier by those emigrants, their cultural impact and contributions during the American Revolutionary War, as well as the Maine Ulster-Scots Project's role in documenting their story. | Julie is the President of the Maine Ulster Scots Project (MUSP), as well as a member of the MUSP Editorial Board for the publication, 1718-2018 Reflections on 300 Years of Scots-Irish in Maine. Julie is a direct descendant of Scots-Irish emigrants arriving in the District of Maine on the brig MacCallum in 1718. Professionally, she is a retired Nurse Educator who served at the University of Hawai’i Maui College. Privately, she is an amateur genealogist, historian, and archaeological excavation site team member. |
| 314 | Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG, AGL | Using Store Ledgers to Reconstruct a Maine Community | When the 1890 census is gone, what’s left? This session shows how a handwritten general store ledger from rural Maine can reconstruct community, economy, and daily life. Learn how to analyze names, transactions, and patterns to place individuals in time and place and turn everyday records into powerful genealogical evidence. | Bonnie Wade Mucia is an Accredited Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist Lecturer in the New England region. She owns Keeper of the Past Genealogy and serves as Director of the Mayflower Families Silver Books. |
| 315 | Carol Prescott McCoy, Ph.D. Sponsored by MGS | Enriching Genealogy with Memorabilia and Pictures | Ancestor charts and family group sheets generate only so much excitement. What types of memorabilia, material culture, and illustrations can enrich your family history? Where can you find them? How can you use them in reports, publications, websites, and marketing materials? Discover and share ways to bring your ancestors’ lives to life. You’ll leave brimming with ideas and inspiration. | Carol Prescott McCoy, Ph.D., owns Find-Your-Roots.com., in Brunswick, Maine. Mostly retired, McCoy now researches and writes family stories about her ancestors (Protestant and Jewish). She gives lectures and mentors genealogists, specializing in New England, NY, and WV. Her PhD in psychology is from Rutgers University; her A.B. is from Connecticut College. |
| 320 | Blaine Bettinger | Memories in the Digital Age: AI Transcription of Handwritten Diaries | My mother kept a diary off and on throughout her adult life. She recently passed, and I would like to preserve her diaries and be able to share the content with my siblings. Follow along as I digitize and transcribe her handwritten journals using artificial intelligence (AI). | Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D., is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007 he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’sProfessional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS)(Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor). |
| 321 | Daniel Horowitz Sponsored by MyHeritage | Old News, New Tricks: How AI Breathes Life into Newspaper Historic Headlines | Explore how MyHeritage is using AI to digitize and unlock 400 million newspaper pages through its new platform, OldNews.com. Discover how historical headlines, obituaries, and announcements become searchable genealogical gold — and how this groundbreaking technology is transforming the way we uncover our family stories. | Dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, Daniel is involved in several crowdsource digitization and transcription projects, holds a board-level position at The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA). Since 2006 has been working at MyHeritage liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers, and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences around the world. |
| 322 | Jennifer Zinck, CG®, AG®, AGL™ Sponsored by CSG | Finding and Using Connecticut Vital Records | From early town books to post-1897 certificates, Connecticut has a rich collection of vital records. Maximize your ability to find and use the records that serve as the foundation for Connecticut genealogical research as we take a deep dive into various forms of vital records, the information they contain, and the laws governing their creation and use. | Jennifer Zinck is a Certified Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist® specializing in New England research and DNA interpretation. Known for making complex research clear, practical, and engaging, she combines intellectual rigor with warmth and curiosity. Jennifer serves in leadership roles with BCG, CPGC, and CSG and loves helping others make discoveries. |
| 323 | Jeff Schiebe Sponsored by CCGS | Planning and Achieving a Successful Ancestral Home Visit | Jeff will use a recent trip to his German ancestral home to demonstrate the process and tools, including AI, used to achieve a successful visit. You will learn how to plan the best possible visit and how to find new genealogical documents & photos. This methodology can be applied to any international or domestic destination, even a virtual visit. | Jeff Schiebe is an avid genealogist—doing research in the USA and Europe, for over 40 years. He has given presentations on numerous topics to many genealogy clubs, senior centers, libraries and family foundations. Jeff is on the board of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society and manages the Southborough Genealogy Club. |
| 324 | David Vermette Sponsored by AFGS | Using Research to Verify a Family Story: A French-Canadian Case Study | Most of us start to research our families from orally transmitted stories or scraps of information we have received from parents or relatives. This presentation is a case study in using documentary evidence to verify (or falsify) family stories. Based on a family oral history that contained barely more than fragments, this case study will show how research was able to substantiate the details and fill out the story. The resulting research unraveled the (sometimes uncomfortable) truth about a French-Canadian line from Bellechasse, Quebec, that moved first to the Eastern Townships region, and then to the town of Brunswick, Maine. This presentation will interest attendees with French-Canadian ancestry as well as anyone interested in how to use research to verify the details of family oral histories. It will also interest those looking for examples of how to create a richer picture of their ancestors beyond birth, marriage, and death records. | David Vermette is a writer, editor, and researcher. He is the author of the book A Distinct Alien Race: The Untold Story of Franco-Americans (Baraka Books, 2018) (French translation: Une race d'étrangers: Le récit méconnu des Franco-Américains, Septentrion, 2024) and the blog French North America. His writing has appeared in Smithsonian and Time. He has been interviewed or reviewed by NPR, CBC, Radio-Canada, The French-Canadian Legacy Podcast, Publisher’s Weekly, Le Devoir, Le Journal de Montréal, l’Action Nationale, Montreal Review of Books, The Globe & Mail, Huffington Post France, and other outlets. Originally from Massachusetts, Vermette is a frequent speaker at universities, historical and genealogical societies, libraries, museums, and conferences on the topic of French North American history. |
| 325 | Michael J. Leclerc | Canadian Citizenship by Descent | Canada’s laws now grant citizenship to those who have ancestors born in Canada. But the process can be challenging in our increasingly digital world. Many have chosen to wait until the initial rush was over. Learn how to navigate the system to claim your dual citizenship. | Michael J. Leclerc, CG, is a well-known professional genealogist who teaches family historians around the world. He has authored countless articles for genealogical journals and magazines. He is author and editor of numerous books and wrote the chapter on “Crafting Family Histories” in Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice, and Standards. |
| 326 | Melanie McComb Sponsored by NEHGS | Irish in the American Revolution | It's estimated that upwards of 50% of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War were Irish immigrants. The British Army was also well represented. Torn between loyalty to the British Crown, economic stability, and opportunity, the Irish made a lasting impact during the war and post-war settlement in the American colonies. This presentation will discuss the incentives offered to the Irish on both sides, how to research their military service, pensions, bounty land, and identify origins in Ireland. | Melanie McComb is a Senior Genealogist at American Ancestors. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She is an international lecturer who teaches on various topics including colonial through twentieth-century American military research, genetic genealogy, Atlantic Canadian, African American, Jewish, and Irish genealogy. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society. She has had articles published in American Ancestors Magazine and Fifty Plus Advocate. She is also a blogger, known as the Shamrock Genealogist. |
| 327 | Debra M. Dudek | Unusual Places to Find Irish Births and Naturalizations in American Records | Widen your search for your Irish ancestor's birth date, place of origin, and their American naturalization details from a variety of underutilized resources! In this lecture, you'll learn how to utilize military rosters, sailing registers, professional registrations, and much more! This lecture focuses on both digital and physical resources. | Debra M. Dudek is Head of Adult and Teen Services at the Fountaindale Public Library. She is the Illinois State Genealogical Society Book Review Editor, Chapter Librarian of the Chicago Chapter NSDAR, and author of the World War I Research Guide: Tracing American Military and Non-Combatant Ancestors. |
| 328 | Claire Smith | Upside Down Genealogy, Finding Living Relatives | Living relatives are invaluable research partners, offering oral histories, family documents, and photographs unavailable in public records. They can confirm relationships, participate in DNA testing to identify ancestral lines, and collaborate on shared family research. Connecting with living relatives also preserves fading memories, ensuring family knowledge survives for future generations. | Claire Smith is a professional genealogist with more than 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and lecturing. Her research specialties include Ireland, New England, England, Atlantic Canada, AI, and DNA. A former technology executive, Claire applies technology skills to optimize her research, continually evaluating new tools and innovative approaches. |
| 329 | Sarah Day, AG® | Gen Z is Coming: Is Genealogy Ready? | Why would someone from the next generation choose a career in genealogy? Or to participate in family history at all? Join professional genealogist and self-proclaimed GenZ Genealogist Sarah Day for an entertaining, inspiring, and surprisingly practical mealtime conversation about attracting the next generation, inspiring discovery and how new technology, such as AI may be one of the best recruitment tools. | Sarah Day, AG®, is a professional genealogist and speaker specializing in United States, Colonial, and African American genealogy and genetic genealogy. A BYU Family History graduate with onsite research experience, she serves on the APG Board of Directors and has presented at RootsTech and at major genealogy conferences. |
| 330 | Daniel Horowitz Sponsored by MyHeritage | Latest AI Innovations from MyHeritage | Everybody is talking about AI and there are multiple, fun and useful tools available that can assist with your genealogy: from automatic photo colorization, enhancement, repair & animation, to transliteration, and detection of facts and repositories. Daniel will showcase MyHeritage tools available to enhance your family history research. | Dedicated to Genealogy since 1986, Daniel is involved in several crowdsource digitization and transcription projects, holds a board-level position at The Israel Genealogy Research Association (IGRA). Since 2006 has been working at MyHeritage liaising with genealogy societies, bloggers, and media, as well as lecturing, and attending conferences around the world. |
| 331 | Craig Harman Sponsored by FCGSC | FamilySearch Tips and Tricks | We'll focus on the latest tools from FamilySearch Labs to enhance your research, including Full-Text Search, AI Research Assistant, and more, while considering the concerns and ethical implementation of these tools. Case studies will draw from local and regional research subjects. | Craig Harman is a professional genealogist and lecturer, located in central Connecticut, who specializes in Mid-Atlantic, New England, French, and German research, with an interest in DNA. Craig holds a B.S.E. from Princeton University, an M.S. from Brigham Young University, and a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University. |
| 332 | Patrick Lacroix Sponsored by ACGS | Crossroads of Acadian and French-Canadian Maine | Maine has been home to an Acadian population for more than two centuries. Often overshadowed by the Franco-Americans of Biddeford and Lewiston, Acadians’ experiences highlight an alternative way of living out French heritage in Maine. With the communities of the St. John Valley as a case study, this lecture will provide guidance to genealogists seeking to understand this facet of North American French history. | Patrick Lacroix, Ph.D., is the author of “Tout nous serait possible”: Une histoire politique des Franco-Américains, 1874-1945 and his research on Franco-American history and culture has appeared in numerous scholarly journals. Dr. Lacroix became director of the Acadian Archives/Archives acadiennes in Fort Kent, Maine, in 2021. |
| 333 | Eva Holmes, CG, AG Sponsored by MGS | Maine Through Maps | Maps reveal facts about our ancestors we can’t find anywhere else and can lead us to new record sources. Learn about the different types of maps available for Maine research, where to find them, and how they can help you solve problems of identity and migration by providing information about relationships, economics, and settlement patterns. | Eva Holmes, CG, AG, is a life-long resident of Portland, Maine. She has published in several periodicals, authored a research guide to Maine, and edits UGA’s Crossroads. She is the administrator of the GenProof Study Groups. Her research specialties include New England, Atlantic Canada, and memoir. |
| 335 | Mark Thompson | AI: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly | Mark’s career journey includes higher education, high tech, and the corporate IT world. These experiences developed and honed his technical, analytical, and communication skills. His career path set the perfect stage for helping others make their best family history, particularly in today’s increasingly high-tech genealogy world. Mark is passionate about staying up to date on the rapidly changing world of genealogy and using these changes to help his clients uncover, understand, and connect with their family mysteries. Mark is equally dedicated to helping family history enthusiasts stay up to date on the best of these changes and show them how to use them in their own history-making efforts. | |
| Weds a.m. | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS | From Passion to Profession: Launching a Genealogy Career | What does it take to become a professional genealogist? This presentation outlines the education, preparation, and credentialing pathways available to aspiring professionals. It explores practical steps for developing skills, building a portfolio, and pursuing certification or accreditation while transitioning from dedicated amateur to working genealogist. | Angela J. Harris, CG®, PLCGS is a board-certified professional genealogist and lecturer who specializes in forensic genealogy with a focus on probate research and family reconstruction. Her work has included complex traditional and forensic cases from New England, the Midwestern US, Canada, Mexico, and Italy. |
| Weds a.m. | Lana Leggett-Kealey, Ph.D., CG | Using Proof Arguments and Context in a Kinship Determination Project | Proving kinship through multiple generations can be a daunting task. Many roadblocks can halt all forward research. The judicious use of proof arguments can help move research along to the next generation. Examples of several proofs used in a typical KDP are presented for a family that migrated from Yorkshire, England, to the United States in the mid 1800s. | Lana Leggett-Kealey, Ph.D., CG® is a professional genealogist based in New Hampshire with experience in research, writing, and lecturing. A former scientist, Lana applies all available resources, including DNA, into genealogical research. Her geographic specialties include New England, mid-Atlantic states, all Midwest states, California, Italy, England, and Ireland. |
| Weds a.m. workshop | Robert Cameron Weir | LLM Prompt Mastery for Genealogists | Learn to produce more useful and reliable outputs from AIs like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. We’ll review how LLMs work and see the difference a good prompt can make. You’ll learn and practice many powerful prompt techniques, such as scaffolding, one-shot/few-shot, Chain of Thought, and ReACT. You’ll also learn how to add guardrails to prevent invented details and flag uncertainty. | Robert Cameron Weir is a genealogical researcher, educator, and author living in Dover, NH. He specializes in hard problems related to New England genealogy, from 1620 to the present. He is a member of the Association for Professional Genealogy and is Publications Director for the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists. |
| Weds p.m workshop | Linda Debe | Gemini Notebook (formerly Notebook LM) for Genealogists: Organizing Research with AI | Discover how Google’s NotebookLM can transform your genealogy workflow. In this one-hour session, learn how to upload research materials, analyze complex documents, generate summaries, and connect evidence using AI-powered notebooks. Perfect for genealogists managing large collections of records, this presentation demonstrates practical strategies for organizing sources, uncovering insights, and accelerating family history research. | Linda Debe, the “Sleepless Genealogist,” is a lecturer, writer, and genealogist with 40 years of experience. A Microsoft Office–certified professional in Access and Excel, she specializes in maps, deeds, and technology. She leads monthly Tech SIGs with NHG and GSP, and speaks at multiple societies and major conferences including RootsTech, PaGE, and Summit of Excellence. |
| Weds p.m. | Eva Holmes, CG, AG | Becoming a Credentialed Genealogist: My Journey | Earning a genealogy credential can help an individual improve their genealogical research skills and demonstrate competence in the field. Trying to decide which credential to pursue can be a challenge. This presentation provides a personal overview of the Accredited Genealogist® and Certified Genealogist® credentials to help would-be applicants choose their path. | Eva Holmes, CG, AG, is a life-long resident of Portland, Maine. She has published in several periodicals, authored a research guide to Maine, and edits UGA’s Crossroads. She is the administrator of the GenProof Study Groups. Her research specialties include New England, Atlantic Canada, and memoir. |
| Weds p.m. | Rhonda Lauritzen | Pricing Strategies for Professional Genealogy Services | This workshop gives tough love, a pep talk, and practical data. Participants will receive real numbers on the going rates for genealogy and writing services. Learn how to bid profitably. The single biggest threat to your business is not charging enough, and this session will help you overcome imposter syndrome to raise your rates and frame your proposals for success. | Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer and speaker who tells the stories of families, buildings, and cities. Before starting Evalogue.Life, she earned an MBA and was the CEO of her family’s business, later serving as a college VP. She believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending |
Want to be part of this exciting event? Click here to learn how to register.