This will be the event's 25th year, featuring eight lectures.
When: October 16, 2026 - 9:00 to 5:50 CT
Where: W.O. Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano or via Zoom
Registration is now open - https://plano.libnet.info/event/16733665
9:00 - 9:50 Building Your
Digital Family History Archive | Difficulty:
Intermediate
EvaAnne Johnson, Genealogy & Local History Librarian at Wilmette
Public Library
While we are researching our family tree, we often collect a lot of
digital files - from downloaded records and emailed documents to scanned
photographs and mobile screenshots. What should we do with all these digital
files, and how can we keep them organized? This presentation will cover the
basics of digital preservation and outline practical steps for creating a
well-structured Digital Family History Archive to safeguard your genealogy work.
10:00 - 10:50 Researching Your
Scottish Ancestors | Difficulty: Intermediate
Erika A. Ward, PGCERT (Genealogical,
Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies)
Do you have ancestors who emigrated from Scotland?
Are you unsure of which records exist, how to use them, or where to find them?
This class explores the rich landscape of Scottish historical sources- including census,
church, civil, and immigration/emigration records-
to help you uncover the stories hidden
in your Scottish heritage.
11:00 - 11:50 Cluster Research, or Discovering You're Related to the Whole Block | Difficulty: Intermediate
Jessica M.
Trotter, Genealogy Presenter and Researcher
As Aristotle noted, "Man is by nature a social animal"-he has family, society, and throughout history
he has moved
with them. This session
includes tips, tricks,
and examples of how researching the neighborhood and other associates of your ancestors can further your own research.
11:50 12:30 Lunch Break
12:30 - 1:50 Unlocking Your Roots: Starting Your Genealogy Journey | Difficulty: Beginner
Barbara Coakley, Genealogy Researcher,
Speaker, Author
Learn how to
start your genealogy journey or update your skills using a repeatable research
process. Begin with what you already know, frame your research question,
explore essential records, and organize your discoveries.
2:00 - 2:50 Beyond the Family
Tree: An Introduction to Oral History for Genealogy | Difficulty:
Beginner
Adrienne Cain Darough, MLS, CA Assistant Director and
Clinical Associate Professor, Institute for Oral History
Genealogy often
begins with documents, but it becomes powerful through storytelling. This presentation explores the fundamentals of oral history and how
intentional interviewing can uncover context, culture, and connections that
traditional records may miss. Learn how to plan, conduct, and preserve
meaningful family interviews.
3:00 - 3:50 Texas & Southern Genealogy Resources at the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History | Difficulty: Beginner
Margaret Schlankey, Assistant Director for
Public Services, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, UT
The Briscoe
Center has a vast collection of resources helpful to genealogists with roots in
Texas and the American South. This presentation will go over what's available
and how to access them.
4:00 - 4:50 Researching Your Revolutionary War
Soldier: A Case Study | Difficulty: Intermediate
Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA, President and
CEO of Heritage Books, Inc.
A Revolutionary
War ancestor can be a goldmine of information if you know where to look. This
lecture aims to examine types of service, compiled military service records,
pension applications, settled accounts, and where other documents can be found
using a step-by-step methodology in a case study.
5:00 - 5:50 Gen Z + Genealogy: Getting the Younger Generation Interested in Genealogy Research | Difficulty: Beginner
Carl Smith, MLIS, Manager of the Family
History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
Do you have a passion for family history
but are worried about who carries the genealogical torch
after you? Join in
for a special presentation on Gen Z + Genealogy where we'll discuss tips and tricks on how to foster understanding, communication, and participation with the younger
generations, and ideas
to better market
genealogy to different age groups in ways that can increase interest
in the topic all around.
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