Genealogy Lock-In - October 16, 2026

 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 will be available 2 weeks before the Lock-In

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.