We have two seminars during the year, in the spring and the fall.
Spring Seminar
Spring Seminars typically feature society member presentations focusing on case studies, memoirs, and other genealogical subjects.
2026 Spring Seminar — Call for Case Studies
Have you ever investigated a family story that didn’t quite ring true, because the tale had several versions, or something was missing from the story, or the facts were confusing? If so, we would love to hear a case study account of your genealogical research. The theme of the 2026 NSDCGS Spring Seminar is Family Folklore: Fact or Fiction?, and will focus on genealogical research examples that either confirmed or refuted a family story. We are looking for case studies that illustrate a variety of research problems, approaches and resources. A case study defines a problem and presents background information, explores relevant resource options, describes the research process, and presents a solution or next steps.
The Spring Seminar is Saturday, May 2, 2026, and will be virtual. You need not have prior speaking experience and if needed, we will provide assistance with your PowerPoint presentation. We would like to have four or five presenters. Each presentation should run between 30 and 45 minutes plus time for questions.
Are you interested in presenting a case study? If so, please submit a short description of your proposed presentation to Linda Collier at seminars@nsdcgs.org by Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Do you have questions? Please contact Linda Collier at seminars@nsdcgs.org.
Fall Seminar
Fall Seminars feature a full day of presentations by nationally known speakers, recognized as experts on various historical and genealogical subjects. If you would like to suggest a speaker or a topic for one of our seminars, please send an email to our Seminars Chair.
Past Seminar Topics
- Enhance Your Genealogy Research With DNA presented by Mia Bennett
- Treasures from the Attic: How My Search Began – Case Studies by NSDCGS Members
- Solving Your Mysteries: Techniques & Strategies presented by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FNGS, FUGA
- Names, Places, Dates: Beyond the Obvious presented by Dr. Fritz Juengling, AG®️
- Evidence Essentials presented by Judy G. Russell
- A Day of DNA presented by Blaine Bettinger and Kitty Munson Cooper
- Forensic Genealogy presented by Colleen Fitzpatrick
- Climbing Your DNA Tree – Case Studies presented by Michelle Trostler, Jean Moss, CeCe Moore, and Kathleen Cooper
- Genealogy in Legal Records presented by Judy G. Russell
- Those Darned Brick Walls! – Case Studies presented by Judy Brooks, Teri Callahan, Margaret Read, and Mary Van Orsdol
- The Power of DNA presented by CeCe Moore
- Pacifica: Genealogy Research West of the Rockies – Case Studies presented by Marianne Meth, Carolyn Hoard, Sandy Follmer, and Sandy Parsons
- Road Map to Your Elusive Ancestors presented by James Tanner
- Jumping the Pond: Genealogy Research Outside of the United States – Case Studies presented by Jeanette Shiel, Tese Gorszwick, Donna Toro, and Mary Van Orsdol
- Emerging Trends in Genealogy presented by Thomas MacEntee