Enjoy a full day of classes and networking with fellow genealogists!
Professional genealogists will present programs for family history researchers at all levels on censuses, newspapers, DNA, cemeteries, land records and more. Historical, genealogical, and lineage groups will be here to answer questions and provide more information on their work throughout the event.
Check-in will begin at 9:30am and our keynote speaker, Juliana Szucs, will kick things off at 10am. Then choose the sessions you prefer throughout the day. There will be a break from 12:15pm to 2pm to try the local lunch scene or bring your own to enjoy on our patio and visit with the representatives from local historical and genealogical groups.
11:15-12:15pm – Tuning Into the DNA of Your Ancestors
Music is a universal language that can bring people together from all over the world. Did you know it can connect you to your ancestors as well? To better understand your DNA matches, it is essential to have a good understanding of DNA recombination. In this focused discussion, we will break down this process into easy-to-digest bites of knowledge. JaKobi Burton, Indiana African American Genealogy Group.
11:15-12:15pm -Navigating Federal Census Records
Uncover and piece together your family history through census data. Census records hold valuable clues waiting to be discovered. Go beyond the numbers and delve into the lives of your ancestors. Explore your family’s lineage across different census years. Nancy Massey, Hamilton County Genealogist
2-3pm – Genealogy Next Steps: Digging Deeper
Discover genealogy research tips and methods to finding out more about your ancestors. Learn to go beyond basic searches and break down those brick walls through newspapers, directories, and more! Kamia Jackson, Program Committee Chair of Indiana African American Genealogy Group (IAAGG)
2-3pm - Breaking the Silence: Understanding One Man’s Naval Experience in World War II
Follow one sailor from the rolling Alleghenies to European shores, desert sands, and tropical islands, and his granddaughter’s research to understand his silence at the helm of LST-504. More than military research or resource tips, this is a deeply personal story of unhealthy inter-generational patterns and an ongoing example of applying the lessons gleaned from our work to heal our family today and tomorrow. Lauren Peightel, Manager of Engagement at Indiana Historical Society
3:15-4:15pm Land For the Landless: Homestead Records and How to Use Them
The Homestead Act of 1862 opened millions of acres of land for settlement across 30 states. Interested individuals needed to meet certain criteria before the land could gain title to this land. The records created from this process are often overlooked by family historians. This session will help you understand the wealth of knowledge that can be found in these valuable records. Amber Oldenburg, One Branch at a Time Genealogy
3:15-4:15pm Sermons in Stones: the Symbolism of Grave Markers and Cemetery Art?
Public historian Glory-June Greiff discusses the meaning behind the lambs, urns, tree stumps, and other symbols found on gravestones. Bring your questions about cemetery symbols and discover a world of hidden meaning. Glory-June Greiff, Historian-At-Large