Summit of Excellence: Online Research Track

 

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

Act Now! Registration closes September 11th!

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

Online Research Track

Untangling Sticky Problems in Family Tree 

by Kathryn Grant - 17 September, 9 AM

Have you ever found a tangle in FamilySearch Family Tree and wondered how to unravel it?

There are no magic wands, but there are principles and processes that will untangle these sticky

problems.

After years of watching from the sidelines, Kathryn dove into family history and has discovered

a new passion. She specializes in helping new family historians find success. With the right

guidance, she believes that everyone can find the joy in family history.

Kathryn teaches at the BYU Family History Library and presents at various family history events.

She's also a regular contributor to the FamilySearch blog. She is a technical writer and

instructional designer with a focus on usability and process improvement. She develops training

for use on mobile devices. She loves uplifting music, thought-provoking books, and clever puns.

Shaky Leaf Syndrome: Using Website-Generated Hints More Effectively 

by Sara Cochran - 17 September, 10:30 AM

New computer tools make finding obscure family records easier than ever. Indexing, optical

character recognition have improved the game. But computers can’t distinguish between

people with the same name who lived in different places or at different times. In this class we

will practice evaluating hints and attach the keepers to our trees.

Sara is a professional genealogist with more than 28 years of experience. Her research has

taken her into nearly state in the US, and many countries in Europe, including Ireland, Italy,

Austria and Britain. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls for clients and discovering

stories of black sheep ancestors. She specializes in preserving photographic legacies.

She has a genealogical research certificate from Boston University, a bachelor’s degree in

library science, and is an alumnus of the ProGen Study Group, and a regular attendee at SLIG,

SLIG Academy GRIP and IGHR institutes.

Traveling Back in Time Using Google Earth Pro 

by Marie Palmer - 17 September, 1 PM

Discover how to visually wow friends and relatives with your family history research. Google

Earth Pro is a free program that offers a sophisticated way to map out your ancestors’ lives with

as many visuals and text as you can find. Organizing research within Google Earth Pro lets you

view findings through a unique lens, prompting new questions and further avenues of research.

It also offers a fresh way to share research and how its interactive nature appeals to many,

especially the younger generation. This session will demonstrate the exciting features of Google

Earth Pro by using genealogical case studies.

Marie Palmer is a professional genealogist, speaker, and writer based in Canada. She specializes

in United Kingdom and genetic genealogy research and she is passionate about helping others

share stories of their ancestors through writing and using technologies such as Google Earth

Pro. In addition to a Master of Science in information science and library management, Marie

holds bachelor degrees in Education and Engineering, a Certificate in Genealogical Research

from Boston University, and is the co-chair of her ProGen study group. Marie has taught

extensively over the past 20 years and most recently worked for Legacy Tree Genealogists.

A Hop, a Skip, and a Jump: How to Navigate FamilySearch's Browse-Only Collections More Effectively 

by Alice Childs, AG - 17 September, 2:30 PM

Collections marked “browse only” can be daunting. This lecture will present strategies to help

you navigate like a pro. Your new-found confidence will have you skipping through the records

in no time.

Alice Childs is an Accredited Genealogist® specializing in U.S. Research, specifically the Mid-

Atlantic states of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware. She has a

passion for helping others connect with their ancestors. In addition to client work, Alice enjoys

serving as a mentor for the Research Like a Pro and ICAPGen Study Groups. She also volunteers

in her community, helping beginning genealogists learn more about their family history. When

she’s not researching, Alice enjoys spending time with her family, reading historical fiction,

quilting, and gardening.

Community Research Using the National Register of Historic Places and the Historical Marker

by Peggy Clemens Lauritzen - 17 September, 3:45 PM

Summit of Excellence: European Research Track

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here
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Act Now! Registration closes September 11th!

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

European Research Track

Researching Welsh Ancestors and Relatives

by Penny Walters - 15 September, 9 AM

The migration out of Wales in the 1800s was motivated by the desire for a better life with

better paid jobs and the freedom to express religious views. Many came to America.

This course considers the inspiring stories of immigrant ancestors who closed doors on the

homes they knew in search of something better.

Would you like to know more about how, when and why they sacrificed their comforts to

become pioneers in a new land?

To better understand, we will analyze the mark they left on history by considering records such

as civil registrations of births, marriages and death censuses.

Dr. Penny Walters has been a university lecturer for 30 years, teaching master’s business

studies at Bristol University. Her interest in genealogy started after giving birth to her first child

as she wondered about her own birth parents, who she never knew. She has six mixed-race

children, who have since enjoyed discovering their roots through DNA ethnicity testing.

Penny lectures internationally, writes articles and is much sought-after for her wide range of

webinar topics. She is author of Ethical Dilemmas in Genealogy and the Psychology of

Searching.

Researching Ancestral Locations in Prussia

by Nancy E. Loe - 15 September, 10:30 AM

Are your ancestors Prussian, German or both? They may be all three.

This class will help you find ancestors in an area of the world that has changed names and

national borders in the last century. You will become familiar with gazetteers, maps, databases

and records for German-speaking ancestors from former Prussia, including Brandenburg, East

Prussia, Pomerania, Posen Silesia and West Prussia.

Discover where your Prussian ancestors lived and learn the current names of their historic

locations.

Nancy is a professional archivist and genealogist who writes and lectures on US and European

genealogy research and records. She provides guidance on genealogy technology and

organizing genealogical research and family records.

Her website, sassyjanegenealogy.com features a blog, newsletter, and ebooks on US and

European records research. She has appeared at Legacy Family Tree Webinars, National

Genealogical Society, RootsTech, Jamboree, and numerous genealogy conferences and

webinars in the US, Canada, and Australia.

Italian Genealogy 101

by Alec Ferretti - 15 September, 1 PM

Italian research isn’t usually difficult, even if you do not speak this language of the spicy

meatball or haven’t visited the country. This course will provide a brief history of Italy from

ancient Rome to modern day. You will come to understand the divide between southern and

northern Italy, and why most Americans of Italian descent come from the south.

Learn to gather information online without requesting assistance from local dioceses that

sometimes respond but, in reality, typically don’t.

You will learn how records are organized and what the Latin script looks like. Come and explore

this area of the world that abounds in fascinating history and charming culture.

Alec Ferretti is a professional genealogist based in New York City, who works for the Wells

Fargo Family & Business History Center where he researches family histories for high net worth

clients. He specializes in the genealogy of 20th century immigrants to the United States. He is a

regular lecturer at genealogical societies and conferences and serves as president of the New

York Genealogy & Technology Group. He was recently elected to the board of directors of the

Association of Professional Genealogists, and serves on the Board of Reclaim the Records, a

nonprofit dedicated to gaining access to public records from government agencies.

Discovering England Resources in Country Record Offices

by Karen Kowallis - 15 September, 2:30 PM

County record offices hold information that may help track down that elusive ancestor. They

often contain records not found on the big genealogical websites. Records include military lists,

poor records, coroner records, quarter sessions, and more.

Karen Kowallis, MEd, is a professional genealogist specializing in US and UK research. Karen

owns Lineage Tracer and lives in New York City.

Three Free Websites for Researching Your Scandinavian Ancestry

by Savannah Larson - 15 September, 3: 45 PM

Do you have ancestors in Sweden, Norway or Denmark? You’re in luck! Each of these countries

offers robust national archive websites with many tools to help the everyday genealogist. Come

learn how to make the most of these websites and get other “cheat codes” to help you with

your Scandinavian research.

Savannah is a professional genealogist who specializes in Nordic research. She has research

experience in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and all of the Nordic countries. Savannah's

passions are connecting living family members, attempting to stay organized, and playing with

her young children.

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

Act Now! Registration closes September 11th!

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

Summit of Excellence - Methodology Tracks

 

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• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

Act Now! Registration closes September 11th!

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

Methodology Track 1

Thursday, 15 September 2022

Climbing to the Summit: Take Your time so You Don’t Get Out of Breath Before You Arrive 

by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA - 15 September, 9 am  

There is a tendency, even among seasoned researchers, to move hurriedly from one precious find to another, and in the process possibly overlooking a detail that could assist in future discoveries.

This lecture focuses on taking a moment to catch your breath, slowing down and examining the climb from a higher perspective to be sure crucial data is noted and properly recorded, then make a life chart and timeline for each person.

 

Did Your Ancestor Have Friends, Associates and Neighbors? Yes! 

by Shaunese Luthy - 15 September, 10:30 am 

Ancestors have a FAN club of family, associates and neighbors. This class will discuss the importance of creating the FAN club by using a case study to learn how to use censuses, vital, land, church and probate records.

Shaunese Luthy earned a bachelor of arts degree in family history and genealogy at BYU. Research areas of focus include the Dakotas Regions, Central Plain Regions, Midwest/Great Lake Regions and Church records. Shaunese is the owner of Untangle Your Roots and specializes in client research and presentations.

 

Who Needed It Anyway? Researching Around the Missing 1890 Census 

by Sara Cochran - 15 September, 1 pm

The loss of the 1890 Federal Census is a source of frustration for genealogists. But all hope is not lost. In this class, learn strategies and tips to locate your family in other records of the period.

Sara is a professional genealogist with more than 28 years of experience. Her research has taken her into nearly state in the US, and many countries in Europe, including Ireland, Italy, Austria and Britain. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls for clients and discovering stories of black sheep ancestors. She specializes in preserving photographic legacies.

She has a genealogical research certificate from Boston University, a bachelor’s degree in library science, and is an alumnus of the ProGen Study Group, and a regular attendee at SLIG, SLIG Academy GRIP and IGHR institutes.

 

Colonial Research: Beginning at the Beginning 

by Patti Gillespie - 15 September, 2:30 pm

Researching with a plan and a process is the key to finding genealogical treasures. This presentation will document a family line originating in Ohio back to the Colony of New Hampshire, and then to the Massachusetts Bay Colony by using online and offline research at archives, repositories and libraries.

Learning to find family members and link them together will replace the frequent worries and fears associated with colonial research with newfound enthusiasm.

Patti brings energy and humor to her classes. She is a huge believer in lifetime learning and inclusive presentations. She is an avid hobby genealogist of 30 years and seven years ago created the research company called Family Lines & Stories. She researches for clients and speaks to groups in and out of Texas.

 
She has presented at RootsTech, and in 2020, she presented for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She has spoken at Texas State Family History Conference. She continues as 5th term president of Wise County Genealogical Society. Patti is a former teacher of French and English who enjoys presenting and watches many genealogy webinars. Her life is centered around her husband, children, grandchildren, landscaping and rescue dog. Eventually Patti plans to continue her blog for the 25 avid readers she treasures.

 

Using Evidence Analysis in a Timeline to Separate Individuals of the Same Name

by Diana Elder, AG - 15 September, 3:45 pm

 

 

 

Methodology Track 2

Saturday, September 17, 2022

5 Elements for Sound Research: A Guide to Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard Intimidated by the GPS? 

by Cheri Hudson Passey - 17 September, 9 am

This session will help you understand the five elements of sound research and help you create a solid foundation for your research.

Cheri Hudson Passey is a professional genealogist, instructor, writer, speaker and owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. She hosts the YouTube genealogy chat show GenFriends and is a genealogical researcher, subcontracted by Eagle Investigative Services, Inc., for the US Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch. She is treasurer of GeneaBloggers and National Genealogical Society Vice President of Society & Organization Management.

 

Stock Marks Aren’t Just Animal Brands: Use Them to Identify People Also! 

by Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA - 17 September, 10:30 am

Branding isn’t only for livestock ranches. The need for identification has existed since people lived near one another. The laws passed by Colonial states on animal identification markings can help place individuals in a community. Let’s explore stock marks, their role and where we can find them across the US and Canada.

 
Diane has provided professional genealogical services since 2004. She is a regular contributor to Internet Genealogy and is author of more than 500 articles. She was named editor of the NC Genealogical Society journal in 2016.

She presents webinars and talks in-person about under-utilized genealogically records, while providing research tips, techniques, tools and strategies. She is co-leader of Tar Heel Discoveries and offers guided NC genealogical research programs, and is a board member of NC Historical Records Online.

 

Power of place – Telling the Stories of Buildings and Places 

by Rhonda Lauritzen - 17 September, 1 pm

This workshop will guide researchers through a series of steps and stops to find the history of buildings and places. Follow three Utah case studies: Ephraim’s Relief Society Granary, Ogden’s red-light district and Pioneer Park in Salt Lake City.

Learn the best repositories for primary sources and a methodical approach to research. Learn the steps and the ideal interplay between primary and secondary sources. Also, learn tips for writing a compelling narrative. This presentation will inspire attendees to understand that the places of our ancestors have power to draw us near and strengthen a sense of community.

 
Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer with multiple published books. She does client work, including building nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and writing client family history stories. She believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending. This is why her passion is teaching, coaching clients, and presenting at conferences. She specializes in writing life stories, collecting oral histories and historical storytelling. Before founding Evalogue.Life, she served as a college vice president and as a corporate CEO.

 

Let's Get Social: Finding Female Ancestors in Their Clubs and Societies

by Lisa Lisson - 17 September, 2:30 pm

Are you struggling to find female ancestors? The answer may lie in exploring their social activities. A variety of records exist for researching female ancestors within their communities. Learn about the types of clubs and societies available to your female ancestors. Discover where to look for the records and what you can learn about your female ancestor.

Lisa Lisson is the creator of Are You My Cousin? She has helped genealogy researchers around the world learn how to find ancestors. Through hundreds of genealogy blog posts, YouTube videos and online masterclasses, she shares research strategies and how-to tutorials to take the overwhelm out of genealogy research. Find her at www.LisaLisson.com.

 

Proving Long-Lost Family the Indirect Way: Finding F. N. Raymond's Rejected Ancestors 

by Patti Gillespie - 17 September, 3:45 pm

Sometimes we must go all the way around before we can prove what is right in front of us. This is a presentation chock full of records and research with a resolution to a mystery that has been misunderstood for a century. Hold on for the ride as this presentation demonstrates use of the “long way round” research strategies, while offering hope for those with direct brick walls.

Patti has presented at RootsTech and, in 2020, she presented for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She has spoken at Texas State Family History Conference. She continues as 5th term president of Wise County Genealogical Society. Patti is a former teacher of French and English who enjoys presenting and watches many genealogy webinars. Her life is centered around her husband, children, grandchildren, landscaping and rescue dog. Eventually Patti plans to continue her blog for the 25 avid readers she treasures.

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

Act Now! Registration closes September 11th!

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

Summit of Excellence: Writing and Storytelling Track

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

From a Box in the Closet to a Treasured Family Heirloom

By Sarah Cochran - 15 September, 9AM

Sara Cochran has faced the insurmountable brick wall that very beginner genealogist faces. After 28 years of professional experience, she’s learned to break down that wall, brick by meaningful brick.

“If you’re overwhelmed by the collection of photos accumulated by your family,” she says. Take heart, “you are not alone.”

In this course, Sara provides a brief history of photography, then reviews various organizing techniques, while explaining digitization basics and ideas on how to preserve photos so they can be enjoyed by generations to come, “instead of collecting dust in the box.” Sara’s research has taken her into nearly every state in the U.S. and many countries like Ireland, Italy, Austria and Great Britain.She has a penchant for discovering the stories of black sheep ancestors and helping people preserve their photographic legacy.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Library Science, a certificate of Genealogical Research from Boston University and is an alumnus of the ProGen Study Group. She is a regular attendee at the SLIG, SLIG Academy, GRIP and IGHR institutes.

Publishing Your Family History

By Diane Henriks - 15 September, 10:30 AM

Diane Henriks, coyly dubbed the “Descendant Detective,” considers history to be a social science, where everyone, without exception, is involved. “As we learn about our family members and their experiences,” she says, “we should share their stories with others.”  

 

Join Diane to learn how to organize family stories and disseminate them to the family, the public, and most of all, to future generations.

She is a professional genealogist who shares her passion for family history as speaker, author and investigator. She uses advanced deductive reasoning and logical constructs to investigate a case. Her specialty is finding descendants in family trees and brick wall research. As a super sleuth of genealogy she works with private investigators to find living people, while assisting in background investigations in civil and criminal cases. What started as a small hobby for Diane has become a consuming obsession.

Breathing New Life into Your Boring Ancestors

By Melissa Barker - 15 September, 1 PM

Many say they have boring ancestors, says Melissa Barker, but “there is no such thing as a boring ancestor,” just a researcher who hasn’t found the records or information that will give life and breath to them.

In this course you will learn from a seasoned and tempered genealogist of 17 years how to find the information that will tell the drama of your ancestors and bring their struggle to life.

Melissa is a Certified Archives manager who currently works in the Houston County, Tennessee Archives and Museum. For her prowess, she’s affectionately known as The Archive Lady. She is a featured lecturer and teacher, who writes a popular blog titled A Genealogist in the Archives. She is also a well-known published book reviewer. Her expertise is Tennessee records. After 32 years, she’s still digging deeper into her own family history.

Write and Format Your Genealogy in a Research Report

By Lianne Kruger - 15 September, 2:30 PM

This session details how to create a research report, the basis of good genealogical writing. Lianne Kruger will draw from her vast experience to share examples of how to format headings and sections, and how to create tables for census records, as well as bullet points and lists in Microsoft Word.

Lianne is a professional genealogist and speaker who specializes in Canada, U.S., and Canadian homesteading. She is an expert in video recording of family history using technology such as Google Maps, Google Drive, Microsoft Office and Evernote.

She’s spoken at RootsTech, NGS, Legacy Family Tree Webinars, Ancestry, FamilyRoots, THE Genealogy Show, Vivid Pix, Ontario Ancestors, AGS and BIFHSGO, live and webinars. She’s published articles in BYU Studies Quarterly, FamilySearch, Ancestry, SK Translations and ISBGFH.

After earning a degree in computer science, she’s taught computer software courses since 1982. She recently earned associate and bachelor degrees in Family History Research from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

How to Do Oral History Interviews

By Rhonda Lauritzen - 15 September, 3:45 PM

Capturing authentic voices and real stories may be the most important family history activity to be undertaken, says Rhonda Lauritzen. This session in conducting oral history interviews is one-part practical, and one-part inspirational. “It is one of the easiest, most rewarding ways to approach a life story,” she says.

Learn about the significant advancements made in transcription tools in the last three years, such as digital recorders, voice recording apps, and microphones. Rhonda will share some of the best free applications and paid services.

The presentation will touch on how to combine oral history videos with written narratives, as well as a list of effective questions to ask in an interview and teach how to help an interviewee feel at ease.

Finally, learn the power of intensive, empathetic listening to draw out the depth of emotion. This course will help attendees feel confident to conduct their first interview.

Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer who specializes in writing life stories, collecting oral histories and historical storytelling. She is an acclaimed author of multiple books. She does client work, including building nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and writing client family history stories. She believes that when you tell a story, it changes the ending. She is a passionate teacher, coach and presenter at conferences. Before founding Evalogue.Life, she served as a college vice president and corporate CEO.

• The Summit of Excellence is a multi-track conference (Thursday - Saturday) with more than 50 presentations covering methodology, records types, DNA, professional topics, technology, international and ethnic research, and more. The full conference schedule can be viewed here

To register for the Summit of Excellence, click here

 

Summit of Excellence: Tune into Basecamp Day for Free!

 

For those with an itch to learn genealogy but hesitate to take the deep plunge into genealogical

research, Basecamp Day is designed just for you. On this day before the Summit of Excellence,

you’ll receive tempered instruction in those foundational classes that build confidence and will

set you on a course for success—all for free.

Classes on this day are designed to help you taste early success. Soon you’ll be ascending the

heights of joy that come by connecting with ancestors.

Register for Basecamp Day at the following link: 

https://registration.ugagenealogy.org/

Note: If this is your first time attending a UGA sponsored conference, you will need to create a free UGA registration account to register for the event.

Basecamp Day Schedule

Wednesday September 14, 2022

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Katherine Willson

In celebration of UGA's 50th anniversary, the "Getting Started with Genealogy Research" track is FREE and open to the public. We invite you to join us, as our instructors: Crista Cowan (a.k.a. The Barefoot Genealogist), Jana Greenhalgh, Cheri Hudson Passey, and Katherine R. Willson provide foundational instruction to get you off to a great start!

Turn contemplation into action! Katherine R Willson's passion for teaching will give you tools and practical advice for an engaging genealogical journey. 

Katherine will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

Beginning Your Genealogical Journey

Build your family tree as you discover how to gather basic information, fill in common charts, locate public records, and navigate Internet resources. Overcome obstacles and avoid common pitfalls with these resources that will guide you towards excellence in your research. Full session description here.

Records, Rules, and Repositories

Learn where to locate genealogical documents for your ancestors and his/her family members, as well as the methods for analyzing those records. Our discussion will include records such as birth, marriage, and death records; census forms; military draft registration forms; and passenger lists. Full session description here.

Learn more about Katherine Willson and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Paul Milner

Confounded by the loss of vital Irish family history records? Discover how Irish land records can fill the gaps, especially if your ancestor didn't own land. Irish land records reveal more than meets the eye and exceed the scope of American land research. 

Befuddled by hometown locations in Scotland? Let our UK native, Paul Milner, shed light on the value of maps and gazetteers to ensure you have arrived in the right place at the right time.

Paul will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

Irish Land Records

Understand Ireland’s land records and their importance to researchers, from the 17th through 20th century. Learn what has survived in originals and transcripts, their strengths, weaknesses, and how to access the originals and supporting indexes.

Full session description here.

Finding the Correct Place: Maps and Gazetteers for Scottish Research

Learn the important history of map-making and see examples of many different types of maps available, many now online, and how they can be used to assist in your Scottish research. Plus, learn about the different gazetteers that will assist in finding the correct location. Full session description here.

Learn more about Paul Milner and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Paul Woodbury

Join the witty Paul Woodbury as he explains the advantages and power of DNA testing to break down research brick walls such as adoption, unknown parentage, and misattributed parentage.

Paul will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

DNA Testing Plans

Even after taking a DNA test, have you struggled to make progress on a persistent brick wall? Consider inviting others to test to help you answer your research questions. Learn how to leverage multiple types of DNA tests, prioritize DNA testing candidates, and harness the power of DNA to break down your research challenges. Full session description here.

Into the Unknown: Methodologies for Adoption, Unknown Parentage, and Misattributed Parentage

Genetic genealogy methodologies are ideal not only for overcoming challenging historic brick walls but also for overcoming more recent obstacles in your family history. In this session, learn about some of the key methodologies, approaches, and considerations for exploring cases of adoption, unknown parentage, and misattributed parentage. Full session description here.

Learn more about Paul Woodbury and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: David McDonald

Do you need to find a birth, marriage, or death date? Are you unable to locate a civil registration record? Discover how Christian denominational church records can help fill the gap.

David will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

Church Records for Genealogical Researchers

Genealogists use records to supply the data on which our family research is built. Church records, across denominational lines, often provide extensive direct and indirect information on the families we research. We'll examine the records researchers should pursue. Full session description here.

Learn more about David McDonald and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

FREE "Getting Started" Day at the Summit of Excellence

New to genealogy and family history research? Or perhaps it has been a while and you want to make sure you've covered the basics? 

This FREE day hosted by the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA), features presentations to get you off on the right foot. All presentations are delivered virtually via Zoom.

Track Presentations

The following sessions are included on Wednesday, September 15th:

Genealogy 101 with Crista Cowen: Brand new to family history? Join Crista Cowan as she guides you through the steps to getting started with building a family tree and shares some basic genealogy standards. 

Beginning Your Genealogical Journey with Katherine Willson: Build your family tree as you discover how to gather basic information, fill in common charts, locate public records, and navigate Internet resources. Overcome obstacles and avoid common pitfalls with these resources that will guide you towards excellence in your research.

Location, Location, Location! Surveying the Places Your Ancestors Lived with Jana Greenhalgh: This class will teach the importance and process of gathering geographical context to aid in our genealogy research.  techniques.

Records, Rules, and Repositories with Katherine Willson: Learn where to locate genealogical documents for your ancestors and his/her family members, as well as the methods for analyzing those records. Our discussion will include records such as birth, marriage, and death records; census forms; military draft registration forms; and passenger lists.

Beginning Strategies for Searching Online Records and Resources with Cheri Passey: Learn the best methods for searching online records. From how to get more out of your research results to locating record collections, discover strategies for searching online records and resources.

The full schedule of all presentations and links to presenter biographies may be found here. 

Join Us!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. The "Getting Started" Track on Wednesday is completely FREE, but registration is required.

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Peggy Clemens Lauritzen

Do you know that there are benefits to being taxed? Come discover how tax records reveal little-known clues about your ancestors' lives, possessions, and coming-of-age.

Peggy will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

United States Tax Lists and Records

Tax records are widely available throughout the historical blueprint of our ancestors’ lives. This presentation will look at some ways they can help us. Full session description here.

Learn more about Peggy Clemens Lauritzen and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Rebecca Whitman Koford

Do you need help understanding the nuances of state-land records found in the South and the East Coast? Are you stumped by trees, rocks, links, chains, poles, and rods? Rebecca explains land-record terminology while she grounds you with mapping tools. 

Ever wonder how military pension records will benefit your research? Join us as Rebecca explains how these records also reveal little-known details about communities and extended families.

Rebecca will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

Puzzle Pieces: Understanding & Mapping State-Land States 

Our Midwest ancestors often originated from state-land states in the South and East Coast. Land records are vastly different there. In this lecture, we discuss understanding deed terminology and mapping metes-and-bounds, and we use case studies to illustrate. Level: Intermediate. Full session description here.

The Smoking Bullet: Military Pension Records – Revolution through Civil War 

The term "smoking gun” is a metaphor for an object that serves as conclusive evidence. Rarely in genealogy do we find a single document or file that lists an ancestor’s birth, marriage, and death, but that is exactly what we may find in military pension records. Full session description here.

Learn more about Rebecca Whitman Koford and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.

Summit of Excellence Speaker Highlight: Tristan L. Tolman

Are you ready to share your family's history? Do you have a family story begging to be told? Let professional author, editor, and publisher Tristan Tolman reveal the blueprint for your success! Because we all have a story to tell, this is a class you don't want to miss!!!

Tristan will present the following at the Summit of Excellence held virtually, September 15-18, 2021:

Writing and Publishing

Learn tips for writing and publishing a family history, personal history, business history, or autobiography for yourself, your family, or a client. Full session description here.

Learn more about Tristan L. Tolman and all of our amazing speakers here.

View the full schedule for the UGA Summit of Excellence here.

Join Us in September!

The 2021 UGA Summit of Excellence celebrates UGA's 50th year. This exciting virtual conference, held September 15-18, 2021, is a four-day event with multiple tracks offering a premier educational opportunity at an extremely reasonable price. Each track features a different record set or research area such as legal records, methodology, technology, or DNA. 

Learn more about the Summit of Excellence or register to attend. Questions may be directed to the registrar: registrar@ugagenealogy.org.