The 2018 Fall Conference was held on 27 October 2018 at the McKimmon Conference and Training Center in Raleigh.
Dr. Michael D. Lacopo presented the keynote lecture, “Finding Dead Ancestors is Easy: Finding the Living can be a Challenge!”, which described ways to find living relatives who might help our family research by providing memories, photos, records, or DNA.
Using DNA for genealogical research was the focus of a number of lectures during the day. Dr. Lacopo presented a detailed case study that utilized atDNA, and he followed that with a lecture on using Y-DNA to solve genealogical problems.
Additional sessions on DNA topics were presented by Ginger Smith, who spoke on using triangulation in atDNA research, and Jeff Haines, who presented information on the use of the new tool, DNA Painter.
Other sessions focused on methods and records that are useful in finding the more elusive ancestor. Diane L. Richard spoke on the rich information contained in slave insurance records, and she also presented a lecture on expanding genealogical research across borders. Jeff Haines focused on the time period prior to the American Revolution and discussed how to research North Carolina colonial records. Dr. Lacopo ended the day by describing how to find ancestors who were poor and seemingly invisible.
The annual meeting and awards presentation took place at midday while guests enjoyed a buffet lunch. Before the meeting ended, several wonderful door prizes were given out, and another set of lucky winners took home the beautiful fall centerpieces that were on the tables. After lunch, and during breaks during the day, attendees were able to visit the thirteen vendors who participated in the conference, offering an array of books and other information for North Carolina genealogists.