Date & Time: August 13, 6:30 PM

Place: Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

Are you interested in learning more about the day-to-day lives of your ancestors? Find out how you can investigate the history and culture of the Jewish community in your ancestral town(s) at the Center for Jewish History and beyond. Presented by Moriah Amit, the Center’s Senior Genealogy Reference Librarian.

Tickets: ancestraltown.bpt.me ($10 general admission; $5 Center for Jewish History/Partner members, seniors, students). Note: Our programs frequently sell out. It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.

An ASL interpreter may be made available if requested in advance. Sponsored by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute and YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

AGS Genealogical Symposium 

With Dr. Thomas W. Jones, CG., CGL.,
​August 10, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Check-in starts at 8:00 a.m.)
at First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext., Augusta, GA 30909
Symposium registration fee includes snacks, lunch, syllabus, and lectures.

Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?
Step by step, attendees will suggest online sources and research strategies for tracing an ancestor who seems to disappear and reappear. Part 1 of a 2-part series concerning the same case, the presentation shows how cases can be solved online and the limits of material online today. 
Follow-up: What can be Learned Offline about a Case Solved Online?
Building upon “Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online,” offline research explains ancestral motivations and actions. this presentation shows how to find, access, and interpret offline records
Systematically Using Autosomal DNA Test Results to Help Break Through Genealogical Brick Walls
A case study set in the early 1800s demonstrates methodology for using autosomal DNA test results to help solve longstanding genealogical problems.
Converting a Bunch of Information into a Credible Conclusion
Thorough research often yields disparate evidence items. Genealogists can organize the mixture, assess it as a whole, and convert the assemblage into a provable conclusion.​

Date & Time: July 24, 6:30 PM

Place: Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011

In this talk, Michael Simonson, Archivist and the Director of Public Outreach at the Leo Baeck Institute, will introduce us to the history and current practice of laying Stolpersteine (literally “stumbling stone”) memorials in Germany. Drawing on his personal experiences working with those who wish to remember former Jewish citizens, Michael will highlight the stories of some of the Jewish families being remembered, elucidate the steps he took to track down living descendants, and discuss the reactions of those in the communities where these stones have been placed. 

Tickets: stolpersteine.bpt.me ($10 general admission; $5 Center for Jewish History/Partner members, seniors, students). Note: Our programs frequently sell out. It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets in advance.

An ASL interpreter may be made available if requested in advance. Sponsored by the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute and Leo Baeck Institute. 

Genealogists from novice to advanced, personal family historians to professionals are gathering in Athens, GA Sunday, July 21 – Friday, July 26, 2019 to attend the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research! Registration opens Saturday, 2 March 2019. Don’t miss this opportunity to refine your genealogicalresearch skills and expand your knowledge of available resources while meeting and networking with like-minded friends.IGHR is a week-long genealogical institute––its faculty (and students) include some of the best researchers in the field of genealogy. Students choose one course that lasts throughout the week. Courselevels range from basic skills to advanced methodology and evidence analysis designed to solve complex research problems; course topics range from resources for specific geographic locations to in-depth skill development on specific subjects, such as military records and DNA analysis. Unlike conferences, institute courses are designed to ensure attendees are well-grounded in a topic by the end of the week. View detailed descriptions and register for one of our thirteen courses on the IGHR website ighr.gagensociety.org.The following is a small sampling of what our students have said after attending IGHR classes: “It far exceeded my expectations for the class content, accommodations and meals.” “As always, I walked away much better prepared to do genealogy than I came. Worth every penny.” “This course exceeded my expectations in every way. It will take years to apply all I learned.” “I loved every minute of this class! The topics were comprehensive and beneficial and all of the instructors were knowledgeable and engaging. I really enjoyed being exposed to a wide variety of professional genealogists who are well respected in their field.” “I unlearned a lot of bad habits I had picked up by being self-taught.” “Could not have imagined I would have come out of this week of learning with the knowledge and resources now available to me.” In Athens, IGHR attendees enjoy classes, most accommodations, and food under the same roof at the Universityof Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel located on the campus of the University of Georgia. Inaddition to the convenient venue, excellent courses, and opportunities to network and socialize with fellowgenealogists, IGHR attendees benefit from access to the outstanding libraries of the University of Georgiaincluding the Main Library with its worldwide collection of historical and genealogical material, maps, andgovernment documents; the Alexander Campbell King Law Library; and the Hargrett Rare Book and ManuscriptLibrary. Furthermore, the Athens-Clarke County Library Heritage Room provides researchers the opportunity to use limited-access databases as a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. For more information about IGHR, hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, please visit our website (ighr.gagensociety.org) and follow us on social media.

THE VENTURA COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY presents a Free Family History Presentation Saturday, July 20, 2019 at the Camarillo Library Community Room 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 930101:00 P.M.
“25 TIPS FOR RESEARCHING YOUR FEMALE ANCESTORS” Presented by Gena Philibert-OrtegaEvery year for Women’s History Month, Gena creates 30 blog posts about researching female ancestors. Based on those articles, you are invited to learn 25 tips that will help you identify, trace, and discover more about your female ancestors.Gena Philibert-Ortega is an author, researcher, and instructor whose focus is genealogy, social and women's history. She holds a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology and Women's Studies) & a Master’s degree in Religion. Her published works include 3 books and numerous articles published in magazines and online. She is the editor of the Utah Genealogical Association’s magazine, Crossroads. Her writings can also be found on the Genealogy Bank blog. Gena has presented to diverse groups including the National Genealogical Society Conference, Alberta Genealogical Society Conference, Geo-Literary Society, & the Legacy Family Tree Webinar series. She has done genealogical research for the first season of PBS’s Genealogy Roadshow and the Travel Channel’s Follow Your Past. Her current research includes women's repatriation and citizenship in the 20th century, foodways and community in fundraising cookbooks, & women's material culture.
2:30 P.M. WORKSHOP: “USING THE FAMILY SEARCH CATALOG”Presented by Gena Philibert-Ortega The Family Search Catalog is one of the most important genealogy tools you should be using … but do you know all the features it has? Learn more about ways to search, search terms, and other catalogs that help you find Family History Library materials outside of Salt Lake City.
10:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.: VCGS DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING Join us for a small group discussion on using DNA results to further your genealogy research. Please bring your DNA User Name & Password; also bring your family tree (paper or electronic). If possible, bring your laptop, tablet or other portable devices; this will facilitate your research.Visit our website at https://venturacogensoc.org/

TOPIC: "How to Find and Use Church Records in Your Genealogical Research" Veronica Sales,
TSLA ArchivistVeronica Sales is an Archival Assistant IV at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. She earned her Master of Arts in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University. Before joining the Public Services staff at TSLA, she worked as a graduate assistant at the Rutherford County Archives. Veronica also has a background in Historic Preservation, which includes an internship at a non-profit preservation organization in Helena, Montana. She also contributed to a survey of historic structures in Campbell County, TN, among other projects. And back by popular demand, Dr. David Dowell will be available following the meeting for his popular "DNA CHAT." So bring your DNA testing questions for some expert advice!

SPEAKER OF THE DAY: Veronica Sales, Archival Assistant

TSLATOPIC: "How to Find and Use Church Records in Your Genealogical Research"

Veronica Sales is an Archival Assistant IV at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. She earned her Master of Arts in Public History at Middle Tennessee State University. Before joining the Public Services staff at TSLA, she worked as a graduate assistant at the Rutherford County Archives. Veronica also has a background in Historic Preservation, which includes an internship at a non-profit preservation organization in Helena, Montana. She also contributed to a survey of historic structures in Campbell County, TN, among other projects. And back by popular demand, Dr. David Dowell will be available following the meeting for his popular "DNA CHAT." So bring your DNA testing questions for some expert advice!

Explore your family’s Midwestern roots with a variety of nationally renowned speakers at the Crossroads of America, featuring Blaine T. Bettinger, D. Joshua Taylor, and more on July 19 and 20 with preconference events on July 18!

As a special kick-off, come early for a live show from the hosts of Stuff You Missed in History Class. Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey will talk about New Harmony in this exciting presentation on July 17, 2019. Conference attendees will receive a special discounted rate.

THE VENTURA COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY presents a

Free Family History Presentation

Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the

Camarillo Library Community Room 4101 Las Posas Road, Camarillo, CA 93010

1:00 P.M. “Deception, Divorce, Desertion, and DNA; Finding a Grandfather for Dave”

by Cheryl Storton, CG

This presentation will explore a case study which begins with a flawed birth certificate. The researcher is then taken on a merry chase through eight states and a multitude of diverse records – many involving chicanery and artifice. The presentation then will look at DNA as a tool to search out a biological grandfather.

Cheryl Storton has been researching her family since the 1980s. For over twenty years she served the San Luis Obispo County Genealogical Society as President, Seminar Chair, and Program Chair. She became a certified genealogist in 2016 after submitting an extensive portfolio. Cheryl now teaches genealogy classes in Arroyo Grande. Her main goal is linking the generations with proof statements, summaries, or detailed proof arguments. She is also attempting to clean out her huge collection of pictures and documents. Wish her luck!

2:30 P.M. WORKSHOP: “EXPLORING CAMARILLO LIBRARY DIGITAL RESOURCES”

Presented by Kay Engel Kay will provide information on what digital resources are available at the Camarillo Library for genealogical research, and how to use them.

10:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.: VCGS DNA SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETING

Discussion Members of VCGS who also attended the recent Genealogy Jamboree “Genetic Genealogy Thursday” in Burbank have agreed to participate in a panel discussion about what they learned. They will provide a few highlights of the day, and bring us up-to-date on some of the latest techniques for use with your DNA results.

Visit our website at https://venturacogensoc.org/