At this year’s conference we will feature some short, focused talks of 25 minutes or less (think “Tik Talks”) that introduce a case, tool, concept, or provocative question. These sessions will feature new voices, intriguing projects, or focused topics tied to the conference theme. Four of these sessions will be presented on Friday, 29 May 2026 (see the program schedule for times and locations):

FR11 Drawing Out Ancestors from the “Huddled Masses”: How to Use a New NARA Database to Research 20th Century Immigrants
Instructor: Ryan James Johnson, MAT
Discover how NARA’s Flexoline database opens doors to 20th-century immigrant stories and makes once-hidden federal records easier to access. Learn how to locate alien registration forms and case files, understand what they reveal about your ancestors’ journeys, and start using these resources to build richer, more personal immigration narratives.

FR12 Spot the Impossible Ancestor: Red Flags in Genealogy
Instructor: Jennifer Zinck, CG
Learn to spot impossible ancestors—babies born before their parents, marriages after death, and people in two places at once. In this quick, practical session, you’ll pick up simple techniques to catch red flags and keep your family tree rooted in reality.

FR17 Connections Cross Caste: My Grandfather and His Jewish Mentor
Instructor: Andre Kearns
A Black WWII veteran and a Jewish immigrant pharmacist formed a bond in 1950s Virginia that transcended race. This is their story of friendship and legacy.

FR20 Catholic Funeral Cards as Genealogical Evidence
Instructor: Bonnie Wade Mucia, AG
What can a box of funeral cards tell you? More than you might expect! Discover how these small memorials—saved in Bibles, drawers, and shoeboxes—preserve networks of kinship, faith, and community that enrich family history research.

Conference registration is now open at conference.ngsgenealogy.org/2026registration/