2018 NCGS Fall Conference

Keynote by Dr. Michael D. Lacopo

”Finding Dead Ancestors is Easy: Finding the Living can be a Challenge!”

In addition to the keynote, the Fall Conference on 27 October 2018 will offer four additional sessions, with two lectures to choose from each session. The conference will focus on how to find your most elusive ancestors using both traditional genealogy and DNA research. Advance your understanding of how to find ancestors who were poor and those who lived in colonial North Carolina. Learn about researching records that were kept for slave insurance and expand your research boundaries to cross borders. Learn how to use autosomal DNA to find missing ancestors and how to make Y-DNA work for you. Expand your understanding of DNA triangulation and learn about DNA Painter, a fun and exciting new online tool. 27 October 2018 8:25 a.m. – 4:15 p.m. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. McKimmon Conference and Training Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh, NC $69 members/$79 non-members The ticket purchase section to register for the 2018 NCGS Fall Conference is at the bottom of the page. Your registration includes

• a multi-track conference with two lectures to choose from during each session with a focus on how to find your most elusive ancestors using both traditional and DNA research,
• an exhibit hall showcasing local and regional vendors of books and other items of interest to genealogists, and
• a catered buffet luncheon (vegetarian options will be available) followed by the 2018 NCGS Awards presentation.

Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required. We cannot accept walk-ins. Pre-registration will close at midnight on 19 October 2018.  All checks submitted as payment must be received no later than 19 October 2018. Pre-registration is now over, but if we have cancellations you may still be able to get a seat. If you wish to get on a wait list for this, please contact the NCGS Administrator at info@ncgenealogy.org. Refund policy: A full refund will be given if request is received on or before 19 October 2018.  A refund of the registration fee less $20 will be given for requests received from 20 October 2018 to 25 October 2018.  No refunds for requests received 26 October 2018 (the day before the conference) or later. Hotel information: If you need accommodations, please visit the McKimmon Center website (https://mckimmoncenter.ncsu.edu/mctc/hotels/) for a list of hotels and contact information. Any changes, including those due to inclement weather conditions, will be posted on the NCGS website: www.ncgenealogy.org. Schedule:    Download 2018 NCGS Fall Conference flyer for yourself or to share with friends.   Speakers: Every year NCGS strives to bring to North Carolina top-notch speakers who are recognized regionally and nationally for their expertise and contributions to the field of genealogy research.

Our Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael D. Lacopo

Dr. Michael D. Lacopo was born and raised in northern Indiana surrounded by extended family always willing to tell tall tales. Intrigued by his maternal family’s claim to be kinfolk of Abraham Lincoln, and his paternal family’s stories of murder and mayhem, he took to genealogical research in 1980 to substantiate these family stories. Genealogical research as a hobby was in its infancy in the 1980s. Combing libraries, archives, cemeteries, and courthouses as a teenager, Michael gained the skills needed to become a keen researcher. His first major challenge in the world of research was tackled by finding his adopted mother’s birthparents in 1982. You can read about this adventure at his blog at Roots4U.blogspot.com with some engaging storytelling, plot twists, and new findings! Although a budding genealogist in the 1980s, Michael completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1991, while still spending time honing his research skills.  As befitting a doctor, Michael treats his genealogical research as he would medicine – carefully, methodically, and completely. Several genealogical journal articles and publications appeared along the way. In 2013, Michael retired from his medical career to pursue genealogical research full-time as a profession. He has contributed to numerous periodicals and has helped numerous people in their quests to locate their relatives – both living and dead. He appeared in USA Today in 2000 discussing genealogy and the proposed destruction of the federal census tabulated in that year. His national lecturing began in Sacramento, California, at the National Genealogical Society’s national conference in 2004 and has continued with several local, state, national, and international conference speaking engagements to this present day. Michael’s interests and strengths include Mennonite research, German and Swiss research, especially as it pertains to the 18th century immigration to America, along with many other topics. He makes many trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states chasing ancestors in primary repositories, and also devotes a considerable amount of time to European research, being proficient in reading German script. Having ancestors from many geographic locales as well as immigrants spanning the 17th century to the 20th century, Michael has a wide variety of proficiencies. He believes that as genealogists we should tell the tales of our ancestors and is a vocal proponent for learning the social history that interweaves our ancestors into the fabric of the past. In addition to his storytelling and educational blog, Michael’s presence can be found online at www.Roots4U.com, or for more up-to-date lecture and research information, at his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Roots4U.  

Jeffrey L. Haines, CG^SM

Jeffrey L. Haines, CG^SM, has been a board-certified genealogist since 1996. His educational background includes a degree from Duke University and successful completion of courses offered by the National Genealogical Society and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University. He has attended numerous national genealogical conferences and workshops, both in this country and abroad. Jeff wrote the North Carolina volume of the National Genealogical Society’s Research in the States series. His articles have been featured in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, the NGS Magazine, the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, OnBoard (published by the Board for Certification of Genealogists), and the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal. He has spoken at conferences and workshops hosted by the National Genealogical Society, the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and a number of state and local societies. Jeff served as editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal from 2006 to 2011. Jeff is the owner and principal investigator of Haines Research Services. He has worked on his own family history since the late 1970s and has twenty-six years of professional experience. Jeff currently serves as president of the North Carolina Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.  

Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA

Diane L. Richard has MEng and MBA degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).  She has been doing genealogy research since 1987 and since 2004 professionally focused on the records of North Carolina and Southern States. She has researched North Carolina roots for the popular TV show Who Do You Think You Are? and appeared on the Bryan Cranston episode. Since 2006 Diane has authored almost 300 articles on genealogy topics for such publications as Internet Genealogy, Your Genealogy Today (previously Family Chronicle), the NCGS Journal, and more. From 2010 to 2017 she was the editor of Upfront with NGS, the blog of the National Genealogical Society and published over 2,000 posts. Diane is currently editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal and Wake Treasures, the journal of the Wake County Genealogical Society. As a speaker, Diane has delivered webinars and spoken locally, regionally, and nationally about the availability and richness of records documenting Southerners (using North Carolina examples), genealogical research techniques and tips, under-utilized resource collections, and much more. Diane is co-leader of Tar Heel Discoveries (www.tarheeldiscoveries.com), which offers guided North Carolina genealogical research programs providing participants targeted, focused, research assistance leading to new family discoveries. Learn more about Diane at MosaicRPM (www.mosaicrpm.com).  

Ginger Smith, MLS

Ginger Smith, owner of Your DNA Diva, is a Genetic Genealogist specializing in genealogical research in the South and using DNA testing to learn more about family history. She holds a BS in Biology and an MLS in Library and Information Sciences. Ginger has been doing family history research for several years and is a DNA consultant to adoptees and people interested in using DNA to break down their brick walls or learn more about their family history. In addition to performing genealogy research and DNA consulting, she also lectures and gives workshops on various topics. She sits on the board of the North Carolina Genealogical Society (NCGS), is an active member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG), and a project manager of two DNA Surname projects on FamilyTreeDNA.com.   Download 2018 NCGS Fall Conference flyer for yourself or to share with friends. (Image source: “Leaves ns”, by rduris, licensed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0, Public Domain, via openclipart.org.)

Members must be logged in to receive the member discount.   Log in before making your ticket selection.

If you want to become a new member and receive the member discount for this workshop, you MUST purchase a membership first and then log in with your member credentials.

Not an NCGS member? Click here to join