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Fall 2025 Virtual Conference, 3–4 Oct 2025, Tickets Now on Sale
Ancestral Adventures from the Civil War to Today
TICKET SALES NOW AVAILABLE
Conference dates: 3–4 October 2025 from 9:50 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Eastern Time
If you can’t attend the live conference, no problem! Recordings will be available for 60 days after the conference.
Note:
VGS members must be logged in to the VGS website to receive the 20%-member discount. The discount will appear on the checkout page.
The Zoom link and link to download the syllabus will be sent in the purchase confirmation email.
PROGRAM
Friday, 3 October 2025
Filling in Those Pesky Blanks: Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries with DNA – Kate Penney Howard. We all have that ancestor with a first name, but no family name. When traditional genealogical techniques fail to yield answers, we can turn to DNA to uncover additional clues.
Family Answers Hidden in Older Southern and Eastern Genealogical and Historical Periodicals – Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA.Learn the treasures in these that you may not find anywhere else. Articles cover a wide range of topics, including culture, migration, ethnicity, military, churches, cemeteries, censuses, court records, and more. Specialized finding aids, print and online access, and indexes are covered. Which article, query, or record abstract from 1938 will provide unknown family connections?
Death Records by a Different Name – Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA. We’ll discuss approximately 30 different substitute/alternative records to help us document our ancestors’ demise! We are not talking about the records we most regularly use to document the date and place of death. Let’s embark on a thrilling journey to explore various record types where deaths may be documented.
Solutions for Missing or Scarce Records – Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGG®, FASG, FUGA, FNGS. Genealogists frequently encounter research barriers caused by poor record keeping or lost, destroyed, or absent records. Attendees will learn about locating unknown or seemingly unhelpful sources, using them optimally, and case building—strategies that can bypass the barriers. A Virginia-based case study incorporating DNA testing demonstrates several of the strategies.
Saturday, 4 October 2025
Hidden in Plain Sight: Revealing Family History Through Virginia City Directories – Edward J. Swierczewski, Jr.Unlock the hidden power of Virginia city directories to connect records, test hypotheses, and build proof in genealogy. This presentation offers clear methods, practical tips, and a case study to demonstrate how these often-overlooked resources can transform both novice and expert family history research.
Refugees, Claims, and Pardons: Reconciliation During the Reconstruction Era – Michael L. Strauss, AG. With the end of the Civil War in 1865, the United States turned to mend the sectional differences that separated our nation. Military and civilian records will help piece together our families’ history during this difficult time in the United States.
Voices of the Past: The Power of Oral History and Tradition in Genealogy – Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy. This presentation explores the power of oral history and tradition in genealogy, guiding attendees on how to conduct interviews, document stories, and verify them through records like chancery court cases. It highlights challenges, tools, and strategies, including an African American case study, to preserve and connect family histories across generations.
DNA Basics: Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy – Adina Newman, EdD. Have you just taken a DNA test? Can’t make sense of your results? Still considering taking the plunge? This presentation is for you! Learn about the different types of DNA testing, how the process works, what to expect from your results, and best practices to incorporate DNA into traditional research.
SPEAKER BIOS
Kate Penney Howard is a genetic genealogist and speaker specializing in endogamy and breaking down challenging research barriers with DNA. Known for her compassionate approach, Kate helps clients uncover ancestral mysteries while providing them with more complete family medical histories and a stronger sense of identity. Her presentations captivate audiences by seamlessly blending historical context, technical guidance, and well-placed humor that keeps listeners engaged throughout. Kate discovered her passion for teaching during her cancer journey, finding fulfillment in sharing knowledge with fellow genealogists. She approaches her work with integrity, deliberately addressing historical injustices and dispelling common myths.
Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGG®, FASG, FUGA FNGS, has been pursuing his ancestry since 1963. For the first twenty years, he was clueless about what he was trying to accomplish and how to do it. When he started climbing the genealogy learning curve, he repeatedly experienced the challenges, joys, and rewards of tracing his ancestors reliably and understanding their lives. Tom eventually became an award-winning writer, board-certified genealogist, editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, recipient of honors from genealogical organizations, and author of the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation. Using his nearly lifelong career in education as a springboard, including online classes since 1999, he enjoys teaching at week-long genealogy institutes, weekend seminars, and local, national, and international genealogy conferences.
Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, also known as “familytreegirl,” is a native of Michigan who resides in Virginia, researching her African American and European ancestry. She is one of four Coordinators and an Instructor at the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and a member of the DAR Jack Jouett Chapter. Murphy also holds membership with AAHGS, NGS, APG, and various genealogy groups. She sits on the Boards of the Library of Virginia, Albemarle, and Fluvanna Historical Societies. Murphy presents at local and national conferences, delivering lectures on problem-solving methodologies based on her “So What” principles. Shelley’s blog is familytreegirl.com, and her tagline is “Know your roots, they are long and strong.”
Adina Newman, EdD, the creator of My Family Genie, is a professional genealogist and educator. Her specialties include Jewish genealogy, genetic genealogy, social media, and New England, and she presents on these topics in a variety of venues, from major genealogy conferences to local genealogy societies. Her findings have received international media attention, such as mentions in The Daily Mail, Washington Post, AP News, TODAY, Us Weekly, People, and The Times of Israel, and she has made appearances on several news outlets, such as NPR and I24NEWS. She co-founded the Holocaust Reunion Project, a program to raise awareness about the potential of DNA testing within the Holocaust survivor community and provide survivors and their children with free commercial DNA tests and consultations. She volunteers as a Team Lead for the DNA Doe Project, which uses investigative genetic genealogy to identify unidentified deceased persons, and as a moderator for a popular Jewish genetic genealogy Facebook group. She was a 2020 recipient of the AncestryProGenealogists scholarship.
Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA, is a professional genealogist and founder of Mosaic Research and Project Management (MosaicRPM). With over 35 years of experience in genealogy research, she has been working professionally with clients since 2004. Diane has written over 600 articles for Internet Genealogy and edited numerous publications, including the blog Upfront with NGS, and the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal. As an international speaker, Diane has given hundreds of webinars and in-person programs on genealogy research strategies and record exploitation. She has appeared on Who Do You Think You Are? and published a book on African American research, Tracing Your Ancestors—African American Research: A Practical Guide. Diane’s special interests include researching formerly enslaved individuals, their descendants, and Free Persons of Color, as well as the often-overlooked lives of female ancestors. Tips, tricks, strategies, and resources are also a focus. Diane co-founded GenWebinars, offering live online genealogy webinars, and Tar Heel Discoveries, providing in-person research assistance. She serves as Vice President of NC Historical Records Online, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing public access to North Carolina historical records. Learn more about Diane’s services and expertise through the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Michael L. Strauss, AG®, is a professional genealogist and military historian with over 30 years of experience in the field. He holds an MA in History and is a United States Coast Guard veteran. His expertise is recognized in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia courts, where he has testified as an expert witness. Michael has lectured at universities, conferences, and institutes and contributed to publications, including peer-reviewed articles, public history writing, and book reviews that highlight his expertise in military history.
Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA, is an internationally recognized genealogical educator, researcher, and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She specializes in railroads, WPA, migration, and Native American records. She has extensively researched at libraries, courthouses, archives, historical societies, and various locations of the U.S. National Archives for clients and her family’s northern and southern roots. She is a coordinator for GRIP Genealogy Institute, has presented in other institutes, and continues presenting virtual seminars and webinars. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the Minnesota Genealogical Society, and the Association of Professional Genealogists. She is descended from eight ancestral countries and has researched family connections across the U.S. and Canada, including her children’s connections to the Southeastern U.S. She currently has her own educational website and blog at http://genealogybypaula.com and is enthusiastic about sharing knowledge.
Edward J. Swierczewski, Jr, has been a professional educator and genealogist for over 30 years, has completed multiple academy courses, and is a ProGen alum. He founded Integrative Genealogy LLC and serves as its Chief Genealogical Officer. He is an award-winning genealogical writer and SLIG Scholarship recipient and has presented webinars locally, nationally, and internationally; at venues both live and virtual, including in-person at RootsTech 2023 in Salt Lake City. Recently, he has been focusing on the intersection of AI and genealogy. He possesses a deep passion for sharing his knowledge with others and a commitment to lifelong learning.