Webinar: I Can't Tell a Lie with anecdotes about George Washington with Jim Bish [11 Dec 2024]
2024-12-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York)
James “Jim” Bish is the author of I Can’t Tell a Lie: Parson Weems and the Truth about George Washington’s Cherry Tree, Prayer at Valley Forge, and Other Anecdotes. He grew to adulthood on a cattle and horse ranch in Nebraska where at an early age he was fascinated with stories from his grandmother about his ancestors who homesteaded the area in the 1870s. His genealogy and history pursuits identified ancestors who earlier lived in nine of the thirteen colonies with at least fifteen who served in the Revolutionary War. Those historical quests led to a career in education and history. After graduate school, Bish moved to Virginia, and there, spent almost forty years researching and teaching local, regional, and Virginia state history, where he encountered and examined many of the colonial Virginia families which became the foundation for this work.

In 1989 Bish helped to organize the Prince William County, Virginia Historical Society, known as Historic Prince William, where he served as the organization’s first president. He continues to serve on the Board of Directors of Historic Prince William. Jim later served Prince William County as member of the Prince William County Historical Commission. He currently operates History Happened Here Tours and also volunteers with the National Museum of Americans in Wartime Experiences’ Voices of Freedom Project and the Museum of Culpeper County, Virginia where he also serves upon their Board of Directors.

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Webinar [12 Feb 2025] - Solving a Virginia Mystery Using DNA with Paula Williams
2025-02-12 19:00 - 20:00
Family lore tells a different story than the records for the paternity of a southwest Virginia great-grandfather. Learn how DNA helps solve the mystery! Paula is a professional genealogist who has been researching for more than two decades in primarily southern US states and has been using DNA to solve problems for more than a decade. She has studied at IGHR, SLIG, GRIP, and the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed). In addition, she’s a board member of the Virginia Genealogical Society and of the Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA) and is the facilitator for the latter’s DNA Special Interest Group. She has taught at the IGHR and GRIP institutes and has lectured for the Southern California Genealogical Society’s Genealogy Jamboree and for the National Genealogical Society conference, among others. She also serves as the Virtual Tech Coordinator for the GRIP Genealogy Institute.Register for FREE at https://tinyurl.com/VGSFeb2025

Webinar - The WPA Era: Free Records Boon from the Government with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA [9 Apr 2025]
2025-04-09 19:00 - 20:00
During tough economic times in the 1930s and 1940s, government programs put many people to work. The Works Progress/Work Projects Administration and the Historical Records Survey created a goldmine of material useful for today’s genealogists all across the U.S. WPA record transcriptions, courthouse and manuscript inventories, vital records indexes, city/county histories, and histories of businesses and families may exist for your ancestral locale. We will discuss many of those WPA creations, some of which you already use regularly, and where others may be found today. We will also discuss the online explosion of WPA materials.
Paula is an internationally recognized genealogical educator, researcher, and consultant focusing on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She also specializes in railroad research, the WPA, and Native American records. She has done extensive research at libraries, courthouses, libraries, state archives, historical societies, and various locations of the U.S. National Archives. She is a coordinator and instructor for the GRIP Genealogy Institute, has presented courses for several other institutes and academies, and continues presenting virtual seminars and webinars across the U.S. and in Canada. 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 and continuing education.

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VGS Spring 2025 Virtual Conference and Annual Meeting [26 Apr 2025]
2025-04-26 09:50 - 16:00
Registration opens 10 March 2025. Scroll down to purchase a ticket.

Members be sure to log into the website before purchasing a ticket so your membership discount will be applied. The discount will be applied when you reach the checkout page.

The Zoom link to join the conference and the syllabus will be sent approximately three days before the conference.

If you can’t attend the live conference, no problem! Recordings will be available for 60 days after the conference.

All times are Eastern Time.

Webinar - Using Virginia Chronicle: An Introduction to the Library of Virginia's Digital Newspaper Collection with Kelley Ewing [11 Jun 2025]
2025-06-11 19:00 - 20:00
From birth, graduation, and marriage announcements to general articles, society columns and obituaries, newspapers provide a rich supply of material for genealogical research. Virginia Chronicle, the Library of Virginia’s freely accessible and searchable database of over 6 million newspaper pages, contains an immense amount of genealogical information to discover. The Virginia Chronicle webinar will be an in-depth exploration of the database to ensure you get the most out of using it for your research. It will cover Virginia Chronicle’s helpful tools, demonstrate various search strategies, and navigate through its special features with time at the end for questions and discussion. It will also briefly touch upon other digital newspaper resources you can access with a Library of Virginia library card or by visiting the Library.

Kelley has worked with the Virginia Newspaper Program (VNP) at the Library of Virginia for over 25 years. Since its creation in 1993 as part of the NEH initiative the United States Newspaper Program, the VNP has worked to locate, inventory, catalog, microfilm, conserve and digitize newspapers published throughout the commonwealth. Along with cataloging the newspaper collections of the largest repositories in the state, Kelley and her colleagues traveled to every city and county in Virginia, visiting libraries, colleges and universities, museums, historical societies, and publishing offices in the pursuit of previously undiscovered newspapers. Since 2008, Kelley has managed Virginia Chronicle, the Library of Virginia’s digital newspaper repository. She holds an MA in History from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Webinar [13 Aug 2025]
2025-08-13 19:00 - 20:00
Speaker, topic, and registration information coming soon.

Fall 2025 Virtual Conference, 3–4 Oct 2025, Tickets Now on Sale
2025-10-03 00:00 - 2025-10-04 23:59 | Virtual
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.
Register for the Conference
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.
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VGS: Barbara's Book Club with Barbara Vines Little, CG®, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS [12 Nov 2025]
2025-11-12 19:30 - 20:30
Kick off the Virginia Genealogical Society’s new book club on November 12th at 7:30 PM ET as Barbara Vines Little, CG®, FNGS, FVGS, opens the series and introduces her much-anticipated book, A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. Beginning in January, we’ll meet every other month to discuss selected chapters, with each session led by a Certified Genealogist®. Join us as we explore the depth and detail of this essential guide to Virginia research.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubNov2025.

Webinar - Digitizing History & the Veteran Bounty Land Project with Rebecca Whitman Koford [10 Dec 2025]
2025-12-10 19:00 - 20:00
Bounty land was the reward for service to veterans from the Revolution through the Mexican War. Applications for bounty land from veterans or their heirs are bursting with genealogical information, but researchers rarely see it because records for the War of 1812 onwards are only found at the National Archives. Learn about the value of these records, how to access them, and the project to digitize them and make them publicly available.

Rebecca Whitman Koford holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and as a Certified Genealogical Lecturer®. She focuses on research in Maryland, Upstate New York, Virginia, the District of Columbia, colonial records, military records from the Revolution through the Civil War, federal records at the National Archives (D.C.), and land records of all types. She is co-author of the NGS Research in the States series book on Maryland. Rebecca is a graduate and former mentor of the ProGen Study Group and served as its Administrator from 2015–2020. She speaks at national conferences and regularly teaches at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research (IGHR). She served as Executive Director of the Board for Certification of Genealogists® from 2018–2024. In 2021, she was named as Director of the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) in Washington, D.C. Rebecca was elected as the Vice-President of the National Genealogical Society in October 2024.

Register for Digitizing History & the Veterans Bounty Land Project with Rebecca Whitman Koford at https://tinyurl.com/VGSDec2025

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - January Discussion [21 Jan 2026]
2026-01-21 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the first meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a new discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Kelley Conner Lear, CG®, will focus on Chapters 1 and 2, which examine Virginia’s geography and transportation and the impact of record availability at the colony, state, and local levels.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
See https://www.vgs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/BarbarasBookClub_Chap1and2.pdf for a list of questions to prompt our discussion.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubJan2026

Webinar - In Conversation with Joseph Roby: Discussing The Enslaved at Oakley and Beyond Project [11 Feb 2026]
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:00
Researching enslaved individuals is often challenging, particularly when records name the enslaved only indirectly or not at all. In many cases, locating and thoroughly analyzing records created by enslavers is the key to identifying and tracing African American lives across time. The Enslaved at Oakley & Beyond Project demonstrates how careful, contextual research into enslavers and their families can illuminate the lives of those they enslaved—and how responsibly locating, analyzing, and sharing these records is essential to that work.
This program will depart from a traditional webinar format and take the form of a moderated conversation with Joseph Roby (The Enslaved at Oakley & Beyond Project), Kelley Conner Lear, CG®, and Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy. Together, they’ll discuss methodology, interpretation, and ethical considerations in this type of research. Time will be reserved at the end of the session for audience questions.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSFeb2026

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - March Discussion [24 Mar 2026]
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the second meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Vic Dunn, CG®, will focus on Chapters 3 and 4, which examine Company, Colony, and Commonwealth Records and Local Government Records.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
See https://www.vgs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/BarbarasBookClub_Chap3and4.pdf for a list of questions to prompt our discussion.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubMar2026

Webinar – The Power of the People: Voices via Petitions with Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA [8 Apr 2026]
2026-04-08 19:00 - 20:00
Many researchers don’t realize how common it once was to petition state government just to make things happen. Communities often had to formally request approval for everyday needs like schools, roads, bridges, ferries, and poorhouses. Individuals, neighbors, or even entire counties could submit petitions—not just for new services, but also to address problems like property damage or unequal access to resources.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, petitioning was a normal part of civic life. People could direct petitions to different authorities, including colonial officials, governors, legislatures, and local governments, depending on the issue.
In this session, you’ll learn who could be petitioned and for what kinds of concerns, along with examples of common petition types. You’ll also explore how petitions can be valuable for research. While many finding aids mention petitions, they often don’t list the people who signed them—so how can we still use them effectively?
Petitions frequently include original signatures, which can help distinguish between people with the same name or track movement across places. They also offer insight into what mattered most to the people who signed them. By the end, you’ll be ready to include in-state petitions in your research, with examples and resources from North Carolina, Virginia, and beyond.
Diane L. Richard, MEng & MBA, is a professional genealogist and founder of Mosaic Research and Project Management (MosaicRPM). With over 35 years of genealogy research experience, she has been working with clients professionally 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 & 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.
Register for the Webinar

VGS Spring Virtual Conference - The Eve of Independence: Colonial Research in Virginia
2026-04-25 09:50 - 15:50
If you can’t attend, no worries. All lectures will be recorded and available for 60 days after the event.
Saturday, 25 April 2026
9:50 a.m.–10: a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
From Jamestowne to the Commonwealth, 1607-1776: Virginia’s Surviving Records and What They Can Tell Us – Barbara Vines Little, CG®, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS. Vandals, careless record keepers, and disasters have all taken their toll, but there are still numerous avenues to information about the men and women who created the foundation upon which this Commonwealth was built.
11:00 a.m.–11:15 a.m. BREAK
11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
From Crown to Commonwealth: A Revolution in Virginia Inheritance – Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL®, FUGA. The Revolution didn’t just topple a king—it ended up dismantling Virginia’s inheritance system. In the new Commonwealth, entailed estates and primogeniture fell, heirs multiplied, and daughters gained new claims. As genealogists, we need to understand how that upheaval reshaped families and left a visible mark on probate records.
12:15 p.m.–1:30 p.m. LUNCH BREAK and VGS ANNUAL MEETING
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
The Virginia Colonial War Experience – Craig R. Scott, MA, CG®, FUGA. Conflicts among the French, Spanish, British, and indigenous tribes were common during the colonial period, from Jamestown to Lord Dunmore’s War. Several wars were fought over the land, resulting in records that can identify ancestors in a specific time and place. Virginians also traveled as far as Cartagena de Indias to fight with the British against the Spanish and played a significant role in the French and Indian War.
2:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m. BREAK
2:45 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Lines of Descent: Standards and Strategies for Colonial Era Lineage Applications, a Panel Discussion – Nicki Peak Birch, CG®; Lyndon H. Hart III, and Kimberly Ormsby Nagy, MD, AG®, AGL™ This panel discussion offers practical guidance on how lineage societies evaluate applications and supporting evidence. Panelists will explain common documentation standards, outline proof expectations for establishing lineage, and discuss how applications are reviewed and verified. Attendees will gain insight into common challenges and pitfalls, and strategies to strengthen their submissions, leaving with a clearer understanding of what lineage societies look for and how to present well-documented proof.
Funds for the speakers for this Conference were provided in part by the Richard Slatten Endowment for Virginia History of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia.
BCG’s credentials and their acronyms—Certified Genealogist and CG—Certified Genetic Genealogist and CGG—Certified Genealogical Lecturer and CGL—are all registered certification marks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Certification marks may be used under license by certificants after periodic competency evaluations (and only during the current five-year period for which they are certified).
The ICAPGen℠ Accredited Genealogist®, AG®, Accredited Genealogist Lecturer™, and AGL™ marks are the property of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. All Rights Reserved.
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Purchase a ticket below.
Non-members: $40 Members: $32
Members be sure to log in to the website before purchasing a ticket. The member discount will appear on the checkout page.
The Zoom link and a link to download the syllabus will be emailed to the email address you used to purchase the ticket approximately three days before the conference.
Conference recordings will be available for 60 days after the event. An email with the recordings link and password will be sent to all registrants once the recordings are available.

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - May Discussion [19 May 2026]
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the third meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Mary O’Brien Vidlak, CG®, will focus on Chapters 5 and 6, which examine Court and Law.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
See https://www.vgs.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BarbarasBookClub_Chap5and6_Rev.pdf for a list of questions to prompt our discussion.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubMay2026

Webinar – Using the Power of Genealogy to Impact Your Local Community with Timothy N. Pinnick [10 Jun 2026]
2026-06-10 19:00 - 20:00
Experienced genealogists can provide an invaluable service to the places in which they live. Many of these communities are “genealogy deserts.” The presenter will share details of a long-term, ongoing mission revolving around an assortment of straightforward, innovative, and pioneering projects and activities targeting a specific community. The overarching goal being to help community members and organizations where they are, add to the historical record, and use your skills for the public good.
Timothy N. Pinnick is an avid genealogist and lover of local history that has been sharing his knowledge on the national level for nearly 2 decades. Tim has served in the past on the boards of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild and Federation of Genealogical Societies. In the summer of 2024, he was appointed to a 3-year term on the Cape Fear Museum Advisory Board in Wilmington, North Carolina.
He is the Lead Researcher for the New Hanover County Community Remembrance Project (NHCCRP), formed in 2019 and his efforts now center on developing a network of individuals, groups and organizations working to gather, share and preserve the history and stories of the Wilmington African American community.

Register for the Webinar

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - July Discussion [8 July 2026]
2026-07-08 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the fourth meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Nicki Peak Birch, CG®, will focus on Chapters 7 and 8, which examine Vital Records and Probate.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
A link to a list of study questions to prompt our discussion will be available here approximately 30 days before the meeting.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubJuly2026

Webinar – Stump Craig: The Virginia Edition with Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA [12 Aug 2026]
2026-08-12 19:00 - 20:00
Take the opportunity to ask professional genealogist and publisher, Craig Scott, a question about Virginia research. See if his genealogical and historical knowledge can help you solve that brick wall problem. Come prepared with your questions or submit in advance to we******@*gs.org.
Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA is the author of The ‘Lost Pensions’: Settled Accounts of the Act of 6 April 1838 (Revised) and Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Inventory 14 (Revised). His most recent work is Understanding Revolutionary War and Invalid Pension Ledgers, 1818 – 1872, and the Payment Vouchers They Represent. He has authored seventeen books and several articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, and other genealogical publications. He is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 10,000 titles in print. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than forty years, he specializes in military records, problem-solving, Quakers, and publishing. He is a Company of Military Historians member and on the National Genealogical Society Quarterly editorial board. He is a former Director of the Association of Professional Genealogists. He is the Vice-President of the APG Writer’s SIG. He has coordinated research tracks at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Samford University, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He is currently their SLIG Guided Research and Consultation Track Coordinator, helping students solve brickwall problems. He is the host of the YouTube @Just Genealogy channel. He is a recipient of the Grahame T. Smallwood, Jr. Award and the UGA Silver Tray Award. He became a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association in 2014.
Register for the Webinar

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - September Discussion [23 September 2026]
2026-09-23 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the fifth meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Judy G. Russell, CG®, CGL®, FUGA will focus on Chapters 9 and 10, which examine the Colonial Land Office and The Northern Neck/Fairfax Proprietary.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
A link to a list of study questions to prompt our discussion will be available here approximately 30 days before the meeting.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubSep2026

VGS: Barbara's Book Club - November Discussion [17 November 2026]
2026-11-17 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for the sixth meeting of Barbara’s Book Club, a discussion series exploring Barbara Vines Little’s A Researcher’s Guide to Virginia’s Historical Records. This month’s session, led by Deborah Harvey, CG® will focus on Chapters 12 and 13, which examine Tax and Census Records.
Whether you are new to Virginia research or looking to deepen your understanding of the historical context behind its record systems, this informal discussion offers an opportunity to learn from fellow researchers and share insights about navigating the complexities of Virginia’s past. All that’s required is your copy of the book, your questions, and your curiosity!
A link to a list of study questions to prompt our discussion will be available here approximately 30 days before the meeting.
Register at https://tinyurl.com/VGSBookClubNov2026
