You must register as an In Person Attendee (Member, Non Member, or Guest) in order to register for a workshop. Workshops and tours are add-on options that have an additional cost, as noted below.
WS01 Starting Smart with AI: Hands-On Tools for Family Historians – $100
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
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.
This workshop will be at the Allen County Public Library, one block from the Convention Center.
WS02 To Catch a Serial Killer: An Introductory Workshop in Investigative Genetic Genealogy – $150
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
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.
*Attendees will be given a break from 12:00 – 1:30 pm for lunch on their own.
Attendees: in order to do the exercises you will need a subscription (free trial or paid) to Ancestry.com. It is highly recommended that you practice using it before attending the workshop.
This workshop will be at the Allen County Public Library, one block from the Convention Center.
WS03 Unlocking African American Genealogy: Records, Methods, and Practice – $100
Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
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.
This workshop will be at the Allen County Public Library, one block from the Convention Center.
WS04 America’s Story: Opportunity, Diversity, and Belonging Across 250 Years – $100
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor Katherine R. Willson
Experience how your ancestors from diverse communities shaped America’s story despite exclusion and hardship. This 3-hour interactive workshop blends short talks, guided reflection, and group discussion to explore their struggles and resilience. You’ll leave with a workbook of practical ways to preserve your family stories and place them in 250 years of American history.
WS05 From Researcher to Writer: Narrating Ancestors’ Place in History – $100
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor Laura Hedgecock
Turn your research into writing that connects. In this hands-on workshop, learn how to transform genealogical facts into stories that give voice to your ancestors, placing their lives within the broader sweep of American history. You’ll practice building context, crafting narrative hooks, and writing with emotional and historical depth.
WS06 Coming to America: Immigration & Naturalization in the 19th and 20th Centuries – $100
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Instructor Alec Ferretti
Every immigrant story begins with movement—and paperwork. This hands-on workshop dives into 20th-century immigration and naturalization records to show how your ancestors navigated the laws, forms, and borders that defined their journey and how (and if) they became citizens. Learn which records may exist for your ancestors, where to find them, and how to navigate common research obstacles. Special attention will be given to lesser-known sources, such as correspondence files and land border entries, as well as strategies for resolving tricky citizenship cases.
WS07 Hands-On Mapping & Geospatial Analysis with Google Earth Pro for Genealogical Research – $100
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Instructor Colleen Robledo Greene, FTxSGS
See your ancestors’ world from a new perspective. In this hands-on Google Earth Pro workshop, you’ll learn to overlay historical maps, plot addresses, and explore how families and communities changed over time. This workshop will benefit those who are brand new to the software while experienced users will learn new techniques and best practices.
WS08 Your Story, Your Book: Hands-On Self-Publishing – $75
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Instructor Jill Morelli, CG, CGL
Write, design, and publish your story! Bring your manuscript—or start fresh with a provided journal—and learn how to turn your writing into a professional-quality, fully-revisable draft. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll draft, design, and self-publish using Lulu.com, mastering layout, cover design, and publishing essentials to confidently share your story with family or the world.
This workshop will be at the Allen County Public Library, one block from the Convention Center.
WS09 Choose Your Own Migration Adventure: An Interactive Ancestral Experience – $100
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Instructor Pam Vestal
Cross the Oregon Trail, escape the Dust Bowl, and sail from Europe in this interactive workshop where you’ll step into a character’s shoes, make decisions, and face the consequences. Along the way, you’ll discover how real migrants experienced these journeys—and gain ideas for exploring migration stories in your own research.
BCG Education Fund “Putting Skills to Work” Workshop – $100 per session
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Session 1 – Genealogy Standards in Context: A Practical Approach – $100
Instructor Angela Packer McGhie, CG
8:30 am -12:00 pm
Do you find it difficult to bridge the guidance provided by Genealogy Standards into practical application in your work? Do you hunger for specific examples of work that meets standards? Do you dream of questions you can use to assess your work against the Genealogical Proof Standard? With a combination of classroom-style instruction, hands-on activities, and group discussions, you will learn practical application of the standards to answer your genealogy questions and reach accurate conclusions. The session will help you to assess when you have done enough to meet the requirement for reasonably exhaustive research; to engage in analysis and correlation to test the evidence; and to resolve conflicts with confidence.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ publication Genealogy Standards.
Session 2 – DNA Standards in Context: A Practical Approach – $100
Instructor Karen Stanbary
1:30 – 5:00 pm
Do you find it difficult to bridge the guidance provided by Genealogy Standards into practical application in your work with DNA evidence? Do you hunger for specific examples of work using DNA evidence that meets standards? Do you dream of questions you can use to assess your work against the Genealogical Proof Standard? With a combination of classroom-style instruction, hands-on activities, and group discussions, you will learn practical application of the standards related to DNA to answer your genealogy questions and reach accurate conclusions. The session will help you to assess when you have enough DNA test takers to meet the requirement for reasonably exhaustive research; to engage in correlation to test hypothesized biological relationships with documented relationships; and to resolve conflicts in documented relationships using genetic evidence.
Prerequisite: Familiarity with the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ publication Genealogy Standards.