DNA Oddities: Uncovering the Strange Truths of Genetic Research
2026-07-21 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Meeting
Scott Lee

DNA and biological reproduction are more complex than most people realize. Misunderstandings about how DNA is inherited can lead to false assumptions and confusing, seemingly contradictory results. This presentation reveals fascinating and little-known facts about DNA that are crucial for interpreting unexpected genetic findings. Topics include: the importance of centimorgans, DNA crossovers, vanishing twin syndrome, chimeras, and the impact of endogamy. Technical details and jargon will be kept to a minimum, making these concepts accessible to all.

This is a Kitchen Roundtable presentation and discussion hosted by the Arkansas Genealogical Society. For more programs in this series, check the AGS website.

This evening’s presenter is Scott Lee, a retired software engineer who has researched his family history since 1979. He has served as an officer in several genealogical societies and lectures on genealogical topics. He is currently the 1st Vice President of the Arkansas Genealogical Society.

Scott grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, but his work took him to Indiana, Oregon, North Carolina, and New York City. In retirement, he and his wife, Deirdre, have returned to their families in Arkansas. His career included the medical field, engineering, computer graphics, and consulting focused on building reliable software. In retirement, he is working on the design of deep learning neural networks and software for genealogy. In his spare time, he enjoys writing science fiction, studying ancient calendars, developing open-source software, keeping up with the latest advances in physics and astronomy, and, of course, researching his family history.

Family History Research in Arkansas: An Introduction
2026-07-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Russell Baker

Russell Baker has been active in Arkansas genealogical education for decades. He is retired from the Arkansas State Archives and recently stepped down as the long-time editor of the Arkansas Genealogical Society’s journal, The Arkansas Family Historian.

A Zoom link will be sent to members and mailing list subscribers the morning of the meeting.

Libraries, Societies & Archives: Support’em, Use’em or Lose’em
2026-08-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Mary Russell-Evans

Why do libraries and museums have sign-in sheets when you come in? Because they constantly need to prove they should exist! Over & over again. If people are not coming in “using” them, then what is their future? All genealogists KNOW (or should know/ better know) that NOT everything is online. If these wonderful resources or repositories fail, then what happens to the records? They need your admission fees, membership renewals, and a response to their fundraisers! What can we do to help?

This evening’s presenter is Mary Russell-Evans, a well known to genealogists and genealogy societies around Arkansas. Mary currently sits on the board of the Heritage Seekers Genealogy Club in Little Rock and coordinates all of the fabulous programs it hosts twice monthly.

This is a Kitchen Roundtable presentation and discussion hosted by the Arkansas Genealogical Society. For more programs in this series, check the AGS website.

You Only Have a Death Announcement: Now What?
2026-08-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Deborah A. Abbott, Ph.D.

Dr. Deborah Abbott is a professional genealogist specializing in African American research, manuscript collections, and genealogy methodology. She is a Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Archives Advisory Commission member and serves on the Lake View (Ohio) Cemetery Outreach Committee. She is an associate with the Kentucky-Tennessee Associates based in Springfield, TN; past president of the African American Genealogical Society, Cleveland, OH; and a retired professor of Counseling from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. She holds both a BS and an M.Ed. from Tuskegee University in Alabama and a PhD from Kent State University in Ohio.

Dr. Abbott is an instructor and the coordinator for both the week-long African American tracts at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), held at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA, and the Genealogy Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), held at LaRoche University in Pittsburgh, PA. She is also an instructor at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) in Salt Lake City, UT. She presents lectures and workshops at national, state, and local genealogy conferences. She lectures at colleges, businesses & libraries. She has published in both the Ohio Genealogy News and Family Tree Magazine. Dr. Abbott can be seen teaching the African American research course “Needles & Threads” in an educational video on Ancestry Academy, available on Ancestry.com. She coordinates monthly classes for the Genealogy and Family History Clinic for the Cleveland Public Library.

A Cleveland, Ohio native, Dr. Abbott is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Tuskegee University National Alumni Association, and Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland.

A Zoom link will be sent to members and mailing list subscribers the morning of the meeting.

Putting it all Together!
2026-09-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Carla Love-MaitlandTennessee Genealogical Society

Details coming soon! A Zoom link will be sent to members and subscribers the morning of the meeting.

An Origin Theory: Using Sparse Findings and Indirect Evidence to Propose a Multi-family Migration, 1730-1850, Barbados>>North Carolina>>Mississippi
2026-09-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Phillip AdderleyArk-La-Tex Genealogical Association

Check back later for more details.

Philip Burnett Adderley is a retired professional genealogist, author, and lecturer. He holds a B.S. and B.A. in physics and mathematics as a Robert E. Lee Scholar at Washington and Lee University and an M.S.E.E. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Born in Bermuda a British subject, he lived in Colombia, South America as an exchange student, and in Spain for five and a half years as a Senior Project Manager for Lockheed Martin.

An avid genealogist since 1977, Philip completed several specialized tracks at Samford University’s Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, including its Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis Course, and the National Institute on Genealogical Research at the National Archives. Mr. Adderley has conducted genealogical research professionally since 2006 for private clients nationwide, with emphasis on compiled narrative lineages and brick wall problems, the latter augmented since 2010 by DNA testing.

In 2009, he was licensed to use the Certified Genealogist® credential for a five-year term by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. His work has been published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and The NGS Magazine. He served the National Genealogical Society through 2011 as a grader for local land records and migration modules in American Genealogy: A Home Study Course, and later as a mentor/grader for the American Genealogical Studies course series.

After he retired from full-time work in 2015, he continued working on a limited basis for clients on long-term research projects. Philip specializes in land, courthouse, and archival records of the southern American colonies and states, as well as 17th- to 19th-century British colonial records of Bermuda. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society and a past president of the Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Association, Inc., of Shreveport, Louisiana. His lectures and seminars emphasizing case studies and research methodology have been well received at genealogical conferences and associations in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

A Zoom link will be sent to members and mailing list subscribers the morning of the meeting.

The Midwest and the Great Migration
2026-10-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
LaDonna Garner, M.A.Leafseeker Consulting

Donna Garner is a Historic Consultant — Historic Preservationist & Professional Genealogist — focused on historical preservation and genealogical research across the U.S. She instructs and lectures on both subjects and encourages methodical discussion. Garner is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (former Board Member and Professional Development Chair) and assists numerous organizations in volunteer and leadership capacities.Researching her family history for over 30 years, Garner is passionate about documenting historic minority communities and cemeteries, genealogy education, access to archives and public records, protecting our landscapes through historic preservation, and cemetery restoration.

Check back later for more details about this presentation.

A Zoom link will be sent to members and mailing list subscribers the morning of the meeting.

Word for Genealogists
2026-10-26 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Linda Debe

Linda Debe is a lecturer, writer, and lifelong student with over 40 years of genealogy research experience. She holds an AAS degree in Electronics Technology from the United States Air Force where she served for 11 years. Since 2019, Linda has been lecturing on genealogy and technology-based topics to societies public libraries, conferences, and institutes. Referred to by friends as “The Sleepless Genealogist,” Linda now has a website by the same name where you can find a list of the lectures she offers.

Being Microsoft Office certified in Access and Excel, she applies her training to creating automated spreadsheets to help with genealogy research. Her philosophy is to “Work Smarter, Not Harder.” She has a YouTube channel where she provides general “how-to” videos on genealogy technology. In addition, Linda offers a free Google calendar which is updated daily and organizes free and fee-based genealogical educational opportunities for genealogists of all levels.

A Zoom link will be sent to members and mailing list subscribers the morning of the event.

Leaving a Legacy: Who's Writing Your Story?
2026-11-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
