2023 Fall Conference and Annual Meeting

2023 NCGS Fall Conference, Annual Meeting and Awards
October 28, 2023
9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Eastern Time)
McKimmon Conference and Training Center, 1101 Gorman Street, Raleigh NC

In-person and live-streamed
$69 – ($10 discount for NCGS members)

Experienced in traditional research, and lacking confidence in the use of DNA? Been struggling to create an effective plan that combines paper records with DNA testing to expand that family tree? Shannon Combs-Bennett has just the presentations for you. She is a published author and holds a Master of Science in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleogeograhic Studies from the University of Strathclyde. In her busy 2023 schedule, she presented at the National Genealogical Conference in Richmond. Shannon has a deep interest in the history of lineage societies. She will share how they can assist in discovering genealogical information for researchers.

As a final inspiration, she will present a case study from Surry County, North Carolina. She will track the Brassfield Family, indicate methodology used, and reveal errors in a popular television show that discussed the family! Come and enjoy the awards ceremony honoring North Carolina publications and outstanding service. Vendors will provide those tempting resources and most current applications. North Carolina provides an inspiring atmosphere to share stories with fellow family historians.

As an extra bonus, all attendees registered for either the in-person or live-streamed sessions will have access to recordings of all six lectures (four live-streamed and two pre-recorded lectures), for 30 days following the conference.

2023 NCGS Fall Conference event flyer

About the Presentations:

Lineage Societies Are More Than Hats and Gloves: The Evolution of Lineage Societies and Their Contribution to the Field of Genealogy

Lineage societies are a uniquely American phenomenon. Why the first ones were created has been debated by historians for decades. What is not debated is that due to their popularity, lineage societies are tightly entwined with the field of genealogy. This presentation will discuss a brief history of lineage organizations in the US, how these organizations can assist your research, and where to access genealogical information for different organizations.

DNA Testing For Genealogy: It Really is More Than Just Spitting in a Test Tube

Everyone has taken a DNA test for genealogy, right? Have you? Have you squeezed every drop of information out of it yet? While there will be a brief overview of the types of DNA tests available on the market and what each can tell you, this presentation will help take you to that next level. It will cover how to use testing site analysis tools, 3rd party research tools, and how to use them to solve genealogical problems in your family tree.

Roadmaps Tell You More Than How to Get From A to B: Creating a Research Plan With DNA Testing

We are taught in Genealogy 101 to create research plans as part of a genealogist’s toolbox. Research plans are a way to guide our research thoughtfully and methodologically to solve our genealogical questions. Most people consider that with books, websites, and paper research. Well, in the 21st Century, that now includes DNA testing. This presentation will demonstrate how to include genetic genealogy results, testing strategies, analysis, and proof arguments in your research plans.

Macclesfield to North Carolina: A Case Study Concerning the Brassfield Lines Who Helped Settle North Carolina

The best way to wrap everything up is to put everything we have learned into practice. This case study will highlight my ongoing research into my Brassfield line from Surry County, North Carolina. The presentation will trace the Brassfield’s to Wake County and onto Virginia before crossing the pond to England. While doing so, you will see the records I consulted, theories I worked through, strategies, DNA results, negative evidence I chose not to use, and errors in a popular television show discussing this ancestral lineage. As genealogy is a continual work in progress and never truly finished, I am excited to share what I currently have and where I want to go with this research.

Meet the Speaker:

Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG

Shannon Combs-Bennett, a Qualified Genealogist (QG) through the Register of Qualified Genealogists of the United Kingdom, is an award-winning author and genealogist who lives in Northern Virginia. She writes and presents on various genealogical topics, from genetic genealogy to methodology. Shannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in genetics from Indiana University and a Master of Science in Genealogical, Heraldic, and Paleogeographic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently, Shannon is a Ph.D. candidate in History with Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde.

Bonus Recorded Lectures:

Strengthening Roots and Revealing History: Empowering African Americans Through Genealogical Lineage Societies with Andre Kearns

Lineage societies provide a unique opportunity to explore, safeguard, and highlight the impactful roles our ancestors played in history, and offer us a platform to give back to society through service and charity. Andre Kearns will share his personal journey to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and other lineage societies, and share why African Americans should consider joining these societies.

Andre Kearns is a genealogist, speaker, and writer. He serves on the National Genealogical Society board and is chair of the NGS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. He is a founding member of the Society of the First African Families of English America, and a member of the Sons and Daughters of the US Middle Passage, as well as The District of Columbia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

 Ultimate DNA Brick Walls: Genetic Genealogy for Adoptees, Foundlings, and Unknown Parentage Cases with Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG

DNA testing is often undertaken to help a person solve a genealogy issue where there is little to no documentation. It is often because there is a gap or break in the lineage. It could be due to an adoption, abandonment, estrangement, misattributed parentage, or because no one wrote down the information. These situations can all be tackled with the same research plan and DNA analysis. In this presentation, you will learn how to break down genealogical issues like these into ways that you can (hopefully) solve your questions.

Pricing

$69 – NCGS Members will receive a $10 discount
In-person (includes lunch) or live-streamed
Optional printed syllabus for in-person attendees: $10

All registrants will receive an email with a link for the syllabus download after registration closes. A printed syllabus will be available ONLY to IN-PERSON attendees and must be purchased in advance.
Members, please log in before purchasing tickets to take advantage of NCGS member pricing.

Not a member? Take advantage of NCGS member pricing by first joining NCGS. Newly joining members must first purchase a membership and then log in with their member credentials to receive the member discount. Visit the Membership section of the website to see available plans.

Registration & Hotel Information

Seating is limited. We cannot accept walk-ins.

Pre-registration will close at midnight on 21 October 2023. All checks submitted as payment must be received no later than 21 October 2023. After registration closes, all virtual attendees will be sent an email with a link to join the session.

Refund policy: A full refund will be given if request is received on or before 21 October 2023. There will be no refunds for requests received 22 October 2023 or later.

Hotel information
DoubleTree by Hilton Raleigh/Cary has a limited number of rooms reserved for conference attendees. Their special rate is $135/night per night for 1 King or 2 Queen rooms over Thursday-Saturday nights (Oct 26-Oct 29). The last date to make a reservation at the special rate is September 26, 2023.
Click here to reserve your room or call the hotel directly at (919) 239-4777 and mention North Carolina Genealogical Society to receive the discounted rate.

We recently got our website back up. Unfortunately, the + and – icons to add tickets do not seem to be working correctly. If you are unable to add a ticket using the form below, NCGS has set up alternate ticket registrations at EventBrite. Use this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncgs-2023-fall-conference-tickets-726432738877?aff=oddtdtcreator

UPDATE: The + and – icons for adding tickets in the ticket form below do seem to be working correctly now, and usable for purchasing tickets for the Fall Conference here. You are still free to use the EventBrite site if you wish, and that link will remain in place ‘just in case’.

When you add a quantity for In-Person ticket(s) and click on Get Tickets, you will be taken to your shopping cart. There, you will see an option to add a printed syllabus to your Cart before checking out. The printed syllabus is not offered for Virtual ticket purchases.