This year’s NGS Family History Conference offers new in-person learning experiences that are not available anywhere online. Pre-conference workshops offer opportunities to dig deeper into specific topics. These workshops are from three to six hours long with small class sizes. Interactive Sessions during the main conference will provide opportunities for students to interact with instructors and other students during the session. Spotlight Sessions will be short (25 minutes) sessions focused on very specific skills.
These enhanced learning experiences begin on Tuesday, 26 May 2026 with three workshops at the Allen County Library.
WS01 Starting Smart with AI: Hands-On Tools for Family Historians
Instructor Lori Samuelson
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how genealogists work—speeding up tasks, expanding creativity, and reshaping research strategies. But many genealogists remain unsure: Which tools can be trusted? How do you use AI without losing accuracy? In this 3-hour hands-on workshop, you’ll explore practical ways to use AI for transcription, translation, research planning, and writing support—while learning how to check its work and apply it responsibly. You’ll experiment with real examples, compare results, and walk away with prompts, worksheets, and an AI toolkit you can immediately put to use in your own research and writing.
Lori Samuelson is an author, educator, researcher, and lecturer blogging at GenealogyAtHeart.com on sensitive topics and inspiring family history stories.
WS02 To Catch a Serial Killer: An Introductory Workshop in Investigative Genetic Genealogy
Instructor Allan Westreich, PhD
This full-day workshop offers an introduction to Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG), combining lecture and guided computer-based exercises. Participants will explore real-world case studies and practice the step-by-step methods used to identify suspects and unknown victims through DNA and family tree research.
Allan Westreich, PhD, is currently volunteering as an investigative genetic genealogist with the DNA Doe Project helping to identify unidentified human remains.
WS03 Unlocking African American Genealogy: Records, Methods, and Practice
Instructor Sarah Day, AG
Reconstruct African American family histories through guided, hands-on exercises with census, court, Freedmen’s Bureau, land, tax, and church records. Learn practical methods to navigate fragmented sources, connect generations, and tell fuller family stories.
Sarah Day, AG, is a BYU Family History graduate specializing in African American and United States research and presents widely on genealogy.
Registration is open now. You must register as an In Person Attendee (Member, Non Member, or Guest) in order to register for a workshop. Workshops are add-on options that have an additional cost.