Heritage Seekers

There's More to Immigration than Ellis Island
2026-05-11 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Meeting
Diana Chrisman-Smith

For most Americans, Ellis Island immediately springs to mind when considering the immigrant experience. But it is just as likely that your ancestor did not arrive through Ellis Island. There were many other ports of entry, and the immigration process was similar, though the laws changed over time. Of course, there are a number of resources to aid in your research.

Diana has been researching her ancestry since age 10, speaking since 1980, and writing, teaching, and researching for clients since the late 1980s. She and her husband served as lay librarians at the Westlake, Ohio, Family History Center (now FamilySearch Center) for over 20 years.

She has written for numerous genealogical publications, including a regular column in the NGS NewsMagazine and the APG Quarterly; she was a frequent contributor to Digital Genealogist Magazine, and she also penned a regular column that ran for two years in the Cleveland Sun. In addition, Diana also wrote “Finding Your Danish Ancestors: A Primer for Research & History” (2015), “Chapter 4: Scandinavia” in The Family Tree Guidebook to Europe (2013), and transcriptions of Green County and Shelby County, Iowa, Cemetery Records (2021). She is a past board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Florida State Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors.

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

Arkansas State Archives Spring Symposium
2026-05-02 08:30 - 12:00 | Historic Arkansas Museum, 201 W 3rd St, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, United States
From 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, the Arkansas State Archives (ASA) will host their spring symposium at the Historic Arkansas Museum.

The symposium will focus on the legacy of sports in the Natural State. Historian Jim Yeager will talk about the history of the Arkansas Travelers; ASA archival assistant Brian Irby will speak about the history of prizefighting in the state; UCA Professor Buckley T. Foster will talk about Arkansas’ history of hunting and conservation; and Muskie Harris will discuss his football career at Central High School and with the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Seating is limited, so be sure to register below!

Register on Eventbrite

Finding Alice Conlin: A Life Reconstructed from a Single Clue
2026-04-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Jane Neff Rollins, MSPH

Starting with only an envelope postmarked 1924 and basic genealogical resources, Alice Conlin, who survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, comes alive as a progressive woman ahead of her time. Despite starting with only a name and an address, the speaker was able to put “flesh on the bones” using the same steps that any novice genealogist might use when starting family research having only minimal information about an ancestor. Learn how the speaker anchored Alice in place and time using U.S. censuses, sought birth and death records for her and her family, pored over newspapers, and used online resources to create an engaging profile.

Jane Neff Rollins is a professional genealogist who works primarily with clients whose ancestors came from the former Russian Empire, providing research and translation of Russian documents. She has researched in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, Washington DC, and Jerusalem. She is an alumna of ProGen Study Group 29, and a multi-time attendee of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Forensic Genealogy Institute.

Jane has lectured at the annual conferences of the National Genealogical Society, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies, the Southern California Genealogical Society, and virtually and in-person for societies throughout the United States.

Jane’s genealogy articles have appeared in NGS Magazine, FGS Forum (for which she won the 2020 Forum Writer’s Award), Crossroads, and Avotaynu: The International Review of Jewish Genealogy: “Researching Jewish Ancestors Who Served in the Civil War.” Other writing has appeared in Roots-Key, the LA Jewish Journal, and medical trade magazines.

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

Finding Minnie McGee: Signature Quilt Helped Break Through a Brick Wall
2026-04-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Jan Hinsey of the Ozarks Genealogical Society will explore how a 1930s family signature quilt helped break through a brick wall in her research on her second-great-grandmother, Minnie McGee, using signatures, newspaper articles, family histories, and DNA matches.

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

AHS Annual Conference - Arkansas at Work: Histories of Labor, Land, and Learning
2026-04-09 08:00 - 2026-04-11 17:00 | Arkansas
The Arkansas Historical Association will host its eighty-fifth annual conference in Monticello, April 9-11, 2026. Presentations will cover a wide range of topics from all time periods that explore the history of Arkansas at work, from the production and trade of material goods by Indigenous peoples for hundreds of generations to a diverse economy based on agriculture, mining, forestry, manufacturing, and tourism in more modern times.

See the AHS website for more details.

What Her Records Don't Say: Rebuilding the Stories of Three Chinese Women
2026-03-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Carly Lane Morgan, Family Tree Notebooks

This presentation explores three of the Chinese women in Carly Lane Morgan’s family tree. All lived in California but had remarkably different stories, which called for a diverse toolkit of research strategies. Their lives unfolded during a period of intense racial discrimination and legal restriction. Through careful analysis of scarce and fragmented records, the presentation explores how immigration policy, cultural practices, and gender bias shaped the historical visibility of Chinese American women. Attendees will gain insight into research strategies for reconstructing marginalized lives and addressing record gaps to discover the life stories of minority women traditionally overlooked by history.

Carly Lane Morgan is a Chinese-American genealogist and educator, and she founded Family Tree Notebooks, a digital system for organizing and presenting family history. Her work centers on recovering the stories of families often overlooked in historical records. She regularly lectures at conferences and leads workshops, sharing insights on digital organization, social media for genealogists, and diverse family histories. She volunteers with several genealogy organizations to advocate for inclusivity and innovation in family history.

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

Effective Use of Ancestry.com
2026-03-17 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Scott Lee

We click all those little green leaves and build a tree, but keep finding mistakes. How do we fix them? This presentation will show you how to avoid incorporating other people’s mistakes into your tree and use the Ancestry.com service effectively. It will teach techniques for building a more reliable, evidence-based tree. This is a great refresher even for experienced Ancestry.com users!Scott Lee is 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. Currently, he is 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 in the process of 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.To register for this free webinar, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KC2lat_XTpCRyfZlTkR0_w#/registration.

What We Wore: Dating Photos Through Clothes
2026-03-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Heather Zbinden

Using photos from the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies collection, learn how to date family photos by the clothes worn by the photo sitters.

Heather Register Zbinden is the Adult Program Coordinator for the Central Arkansas Library System. She has worked in public history for over 20 years and has contributed to projects at the Old State House Museum, the Central High School National Historic Site, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and Life Interrupted: The Japanese American Experience in World War II Arkansas. Her research passion is fashion and clothes – any clothes – from haute couture to dime store finds.

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

Southern Ancestors—Black and White in the Freedmen’s Bureau: A Rich Resource for Researching Southern Ancestors
2026-02-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Sharon Batiste Gillins

Sharon Batiste Gillins has been actively involved in genealogical research and teaching for more than 30 years. She frequently delivers lectures and workshops at regional genealogy conferences and national genealogy institutes. Her research and teaching focus on African Americans in the 19th Century through the mid-20th century, including the Freedmen’s Bureau, Southern Claims Commission, probate records, and Juneteenth history to reveal the lives of enslaved persons, free people of color, and southern planters. Her work with slave-era manuscripts encourages more open communication and information exchange between families holding private manuscripts that document the presence of enslavers and/or enslaved people.

She has taught at many of the country’s most recognized genealogy conferences and institutes, including the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), RootsTech, and numerous regional genealogy societies and research groups. Ms. Gillins is recognized for her research in Freedmen’s Bureau Records and is the author of several published articles on the subject.

Using Collateral Relatives & Cluster Research to Solve Genealogy Problems
2026-02-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Kim Richardson, Southern Heritage Genealogy

Kim Richardson founded the research and consulting firm Southern Heritage Genealogy. Kim created and developed the “Brick Wall Buster Cards” to share her secret for solving tough genealogy problems and family mysteries. She regularly teaches and presents to groups across the country. She also writes for local and state genealogy publications and wrote the Mississippi Research Guide for Family Tree Magazine.

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

Climactic Clues: Our Ancestors Weathering Their Lives
2026-02-02 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Ann Staley, CG®, CGL

Ann Staley, CG®, CGL will present.

Seems the weather has interfered with our weather presentation! We are trying to stay ahead of “snow-magedden” The weather plays a factor in how we handle our day-to-day activities. Our ancestors were no different. Hurricanes, tornadoes, coal inversions, ice storms, etc. played havoc with crops and lives. On the other hand, the sun and rain helped to produce the items necessary for subsistence. The weather, during certain time periods, could give you a clue as to why you can’t find your ancestor; one reason – they may have moved. This presentation will examine the various ways our ancestors were affected by the weather including folklore, weather phenomena, climate driven migration, military conflicts, National Weather Bureau, on- and off-line resources, and more.

Ann Staley, CG®, CGL®, is an educator, consultant, and lecturer. She is the Membership Chair for the Genealogical Speakers Guild; a volunteer on a number of committees of the National Genealogical Society; a volunteer of the Florida State Genealogical Society; author of several articles for the NGS Magazine; co-author of the NGS Research in the States Series-Florida; and is on the faculty of the International Institute for Genealogical Studies. Ann has been researching her family from Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, and Virginia to Ireland, England, France and Germany. Her specialties are methodology, vital records and their sources, computer research resources, and conference planning.

From Rolodex to Records: The Secrets Beneath the Candy Shop
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
AGS Kitchen Roundtable; Presented by Wendy Citron

In this session, Wendy guides attendees through the intricate world of Jewish genealogical research—where languages shift, borders blur, and myths that “all the records were lost” persist. Drawing from her own family’s extraordinary journey—one that began with a simple question and ultimately revealed a family secret tied to Murder, Inc., the infamous Jewish Mafia—she demonstrates how persistence and methodical research can uncover truth in the most unexpected places.

You will learn essential strategies for Jewish genealogical research—how to successfully overcome gaps in sources and records, interpret shifting identities, and follow clues across languages, cultures, and time. You will also gain an understanding of how to piece together fragmented stories, trace Ashkenazic roots hidden under “Russian” or “Polish” labels, and bring to light the vibrant histories once thought irretrievable.

Registration is required. The link is coming soon!

Wendy Citron is a professional genealogist, artist, and educator specializing in Jewish and Eastern European research. She serves as a Research Specialist at the FamilySearch Library and as an administrator with the JewishGen Ukraine Research Division’s Data Acquisition Team. Wendy is also the founder of two professional genealogy communities: the Ukraine Genealogy Alliance, focused on resource sharing, education, and collaborative efforts for research, and Geniends, a professional genealogist networking group that supports mentorship and shared expertise. Her research also extends to a one-name study in West Limerick, Ireland, where she integrates genetic genealogy, advanced digital tools, and traditional research to reconstruct interconnected family networks and migration patterns.

A Quick and Dirty Guide for Reading Old Handwriting & Script
2026-01-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Kelley Barrett, Vegas Ancestor Hunter

Decoding old handwriting can feel like cracking a secret code but with the right tools, you can master it! This lively session strips away the mystery and gives you practical, proven techniques to more confidently read letters, records, and documents written decades or even centuries ago. You’ll learn how to recognize tricky letterforms, spot common handwriting quirks, and discover reliable resources to turn to when you hit a scribbly brick wall. Whether you’re a genealogist, historian, or curious reader of the past, this session will help you bring old words back to life. A professional researcher, writer and certified Master Trainer, Kelley Barrett’s genealogy journey began in childhood. Family stories of suspicious name changes, disappearances, cattle rustling, and other mysteries sparked her imagination and a lifelong passion for family history. Following a successful career in Human Resources, she turned her skills in investigation, analysis, and documentation toward finding ‘lost’ relatives, solving family mysteries, and breaking through brick walls.

Follow Kelley’s genealogy adventures in her blog “Jaunts and Junkets” and learn more by visiting her website www.ancestor-hunter.com.

Year-End Roundtable Discussion
2026-01-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
We just completed another wonderful year of incredible programs.THANK YOU, SPEAKERS! You were amazing! We learned a lot! Now let’s share what we learned. Join us for a Roundtable discussion on how we applied our new knowledge. Meanwhile, be thinking about what you want to share!

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

Share your Family Heritage Recipes
2025-12-16 18:30 | Virtual Meeting
AGS Kitchen Roundtable, discussion led by Mary Baxley

‘Tis the season when families come together around the dining table! Now is the ideal moment share those cherished family recipes. Bring your favorites and remember the stories that make this recipe so special to you. Join us as we explore various methods of preserving our favorite dishes and share your experiences on this delightful topic.

Registration is required. Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/jWdd7creRby6YFITU3RQ2Q

Mary Jane Bennett Baxley is a native Arkansan who grew up in Little Rock. Retired from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, she holds an M.A. degree in Public History. Her passion for genealogy began at a young age, listening to her father and grandfather retell colorful tales of her pioneering family. She is currently the 1st Vice President of the Arkansas Genealogical Society, and a former President of Heritage Seekers Genealogy Club. Mary Jane currently hosts the monthly Kitchen Roundtable Talks for the Arkansas Genealogical Society.

Annual Holiday Potluck & Show 'n Tell
2025-12-06 14:00 - 18:00 | Centennial Bank – Community Room, 1301 Rebsamen Park Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202, United States
Live & in-person! Don’t miss it!

A fun potluck event to celebrate a great year, share some stories & socialize with other members. You can wear an “ugly sweater” if you’d like.

Show ‘n Tell! Bring a family heirloom, pension records, war medals, scrapbooks, old photographs, toys, family Bibles, Civil War relics, a simple story, or a new discovery, etc. Be prepared to tell the story of your items – who they belonged to, how you came to have them, etc. You just never know what folks will bring! Great fun!

Potluck! Everyone brings a dish & recipe card! Names beginning with A-L bring main dishes and/or desserts. Names M-Z bring veggies, sides, salads, or bread.

Also, please remember to bring the necessary serving utensils for your dish (spoons, tongs, etc.) Heritage Seekers will supply drinks, eating utensils & paper goods.

Hope to see you there!

Please RSVP (include what you are bringing) to:Ginny Pumphrey before Monday, December 1. gpumphrey1915@gmail.com

Benjamin Cobb: From Enslavement to Landowner in Georgia
2025-11-18 18:30 | Virtual Meeting
AGS Kitchen Round Table. Jessica Fontana, presenter.

How did Benjamin Cobb make his way from working as a drayman in Atlanta to becoming a landowner? Take a deep dive into a case study using church member lore, probate records, land deeds, tax lists, city directories, and records from the U.S. Southern Claims Commission to follow a man from enslavement to post-emancipation in Atlanta, Georgia, and his family’s migration to Clark County, Arkansas.

Registration is required for this free virtual event. Register through the Arkansas Genealogical Society’s website: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UgbgSd7xTASjgxPxjxBtQQ

Breaking a Brick Wall: From Freedom to Slavery
2025-11-10 08:00 - 17:00 | Arkansas
Deborah Abbott, Ph.D.

Dr. Deborah Abbott is bringing to us yet another of her amazing methodologies! NO ONE does methodology better!

The most difficult part of genealogical research for African Americans is finding and identifying enslaved ancestors and their enslavers. For many people whose families were held in bondage, the task can become overwhelming, but as difficult as this might seem, it is not impossible. This lecture will focus on the clues, resources, and methods needed to reconstruct an African American ancestor’s journey from freedom to slavery, including the importance of using U.S. Federal Census records, the FAN club, vital records, and records of the potential enslaver.

Deborah A. Abbott, PhD, is a professional genealogist specializing in genealogical methodology, manuscript collections, and African American family research. She is a member of the Cuyahoga County (OH) Archives Commission, the Lakeview Cemetery Community Outreach Committee (Cleveland, OH), a 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 MEd from Tuskegee University and a PhD from Kent State University.

Dr. Abbott is the coordinator of the African American Track at both the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in Athens, Georgia, and the GRIP Genealogy Institute of the National Genealogical Society. She teaches at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR).

Dr. Abbott has articles published in the Ohio Genealogy News and Family Tree magazines. She can be found teaching African American genealogy in the “Needles & Threads” segment on Ancestry Academy, an educational video course on Ancestry.com. Dr. Abbott also coordinates the “Genealogy and Family History Clinic” for the Cleveland Public Library.

She is a member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS), the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and the Genealogical Speakers Guild (GSG). 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.

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CALS Annual Genealogy Workshop
2025-11-08 09:30 - 16:00 | CALS Main Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, United States
Attend the annual genealogy workshop hosted by the CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in the beautifully renovated Main Library’s Darragh Center.

What’s in Store:

New Tools & Fresh Perspectives – Explore innovative ways to present your genealogical research.

Community Impact – Learn how historical societies and museums can serve in new and meaningful ways.

Memory Care & Family Support – Use practical toolkits to preserve dignity through the aging process.

Entrepreneurship for Historians – Discover small business opportunities in digitization and archiving.

Meet Our Featured Speaker:Kate Forry Guanci, founder and CEO of Archoral.com, blends her creative background in the film industry with caregiving and genealogy to help families and communities preserve their stories. Expect inspiring ideas and actionable strategies you can take home and use right away.

Learn more and register here: https://events.cals.org/event/14668858(Registration is encouraged but not required.)

Unlocking Clues in Deed Records: Essential Strategies for Genealogical Research
2025-10-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Arkansas
Patti Lee HobbsCertified Genealogist®Certified Genetic Genealogist®

Often underutilized, land and property records hold a wealth of genealogical and biographical details that can reveal family relationships, migration patterns, and economic circumstances. In this session, Certified Genealogist® Patti Hobbs will guide researchers through the process of locating, accessing, and interpreting deed records. Using real-world examples, she will demonstrate how these documents can break down brick walls and add rich context to your family history research.

Patti serves on the editorial board for the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and is a former trustee for both the Board for Certification of Genealogists and the BCG Education Fund. Patti is the coordinator for the course “Genetics for Genealogists: Fundamentals of DNA” at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR). Her articles, “DNA Identifies a Father for Rachel Lee of Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania,” and “DNA Merges the Families of Stephen Stilwell of Dutchess County, New York; Cornwall, Upper Canada; and Coshocton County, Ohio,” were published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly in March 2017 and March 2024, respectively. She is a contributing author of Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies.

Patti is also a fearless leader & frequent presenter of the Ozarks Genealogical Society in Springfield, Missouri. She resides in Clever, Missouri. She considers herself blessed to have ancestors from many geographic locations, which has led her to research in a variety of repositories.

Brick Wall Challenge, Favorite Rabbit Holes & Genealogy Serendipity!
2025-10-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting

Was My William Smith in the Civil War?
2025-09-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Was My William Smith in the Civil War?
Presented by Brian Rhinehart, civilwarrecords.com
Over ten percent of the US population fought in the Civil War in the 1860s. Using (mostly) free resources, learn some tips on how to determine if your ancestor was in the war, and how to differentiate among those common named soldiers.
Brian Rhinehart is a professional genealogist and speaker and is the owner of CivilWarRecords.com. He is a graduate of Boston University’s Certificate of Genealogy Research and is a regular researcher for the television show Finding Your Roots. A direct descendant of seven Civil War soldiers, Brian specializes in research and record retrieval for Civil War and War of 1812 soldiers at the National Archives in Washington DC and has retrieved military files for hundreds of clients there.
Note: He also pulls homestead files!
This is a Zoom virtual meeting. To get a link to attend, you must:
– be a paid member, or
– subscribe to our email list at https://heritageseekersar.com/subscribe/ or
– follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heritageseekersar.club

When Self-Publishing Might Not Be a Good Fit
2025-09-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
When Self-Publishing Might Not Be a Good Fit

Presented by Craig R Scott, CG, FUGA – President & CEO of Heritage Books

Craig has a few things for us to think about. Craig says he is biased & has always recommended that a genealogical author look to self-publishing first because that is where the most profit exists. Then, look to other alternatives, including more traditional publishing processes. It really depends on you and what you want to do.

Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA is the author of seventeen books and several articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, the Magazine of Virginia Genealogy and other genealogical publications. He is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 8,500 titles in print. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than thirty-five years, he specializes in military records, problem-solving, Quakers, and publishing. He is a member of the Company of Military Historians and on the editorial board of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. He is a former Treasurer and Director of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

He has been a faculty member or coordinator of research tracks in the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh. He became a Fellow, Utah Genealogical Association in 2014. He is currently the Coordinator of the SLIG Guided Research and Consultation Track, helping students solve their brick wall problems. SLIG also hosts Craig as the subject (willing victim) of a lively discussion called, “Stump Craig.”

CHAT

WHAT Exactly IS a Manuscript Collection? And How do You Create One?
2025-08-25 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
WHAT Exactly IS a Manuscript Collection?And How do You Create One?
Presented by Brian Robertson, Butler Center
Do you ever wonder how to make your records a more manageable? Or consider “what” will be the fate of them?
Brian Robertson will discuss what a manuscript collection is, how they are usually created, and what you can do with them. He will also talk about how archives and libraries make them available to researchers.
Brian Robertson is the Senior Archivist and Manager of the Research Services Division at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System. He has been at the Center since 1999. He has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Central Arkansas and a master’s degree in public history from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Robertson is the author or editor of several books and articles on Arkansas history. He is also the project director of the award-winning Arkansas Korean War Project as well as the Arkansas Vietnam War Project.

Research Day and Brick Wall Challenge at Butler Center
2025-08-16 00:00 - 16:00 | CALS Butler Center, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR, 72201, United States
Research Day & Brick Wall Challenge at Butler Center!
Library Square, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201
August 16 – 12noon – 4pm

Inheriting Grandma Violet's Genealogy
2025-08-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Inheriting Grandma Violet’s Genealogy
Presented by LaDonna Garner, MA – Leaf Seeker Consulting
Inherit a box or more of someone’s life-long genealogy research? Consider these steps to unearth, organize, weave through, and incorporate a family member’s research project.
LaDonna Garner, M.A. is a Historic Consultant — Professional Genealogist & Historic Preservationist— focused on historical preservation and genealogical research in and outside Southeast Missouri. She often lectures on both subjects at conferences, society events, and colleges. She also offers in-person/online courses and one-on-one consultations.
Garner is an active member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and assists numerous organizations in various volunteer and leadership capacities. Garner’s current projects regard reenacting and rediscovering forgotten communities and cemetery preservation for a greater understanding of people, places, and cultural heritage.LaDonna’s recent programs are numerous including state records in government documents with the Institute of Genealogical & Historical Research (IGHR), ancestral homes with Polk County History Center (FL), and upcoming series with Scenic Regional Library in Missouri.

Brick Wall Challenge, Favorite Rabbit Holes & Genealogy Serendipity
2025-07-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting

Unknown Until Now–The Ongoing Effort to Identify the Dead in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery
2025-07-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Unknown Until Now–The Ongoing Effort to Identify theDead in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery
Presented by Peter Maugle, Park RangerFredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
The Fredericksburg National Cemetery was established in 1866 and remained open for military burials until 1945. It holds the remains of 15,414 soldiers, sailors and Marines who mostly died during the Civil War. At least 85% of the graves are unidentified, resulting in over 12,770 unknowns (the most of any cemetery in the U.S.) During this program, we will learn about unique aspects of this cemetery and recent efforts to identify some of the unknowns without exhumation or DNA analysis.
Peter Maugle is a native of Bethlehem, PA with a B.A. in history from Penn State. He worked as a park ranger at Valley Forge National Historical Park for six years and is currently stationed at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He conducts tours and programs related to various aspects of the American Revolution and the Civil War and lives in Spotsylvania with his wife and daughter.

The Elaine Massacre
2025-06-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
The Elaine Massacre
Presented by Dr. Brian Mitchell
In September of 1919, black sharecroppers attended a meeting of the Progressive Farmers & Household Union at a church just north of Elaine. The objective was to accomplish competitive prices for their cotton. Instead, they found the church surrounded, ending in a shootout with white supremacist farmers. Posses & nightriders were sent out. Black farmers were hunted & shot by white mobs. U S troops were called in & created stockades to house their prisoners. Hundreds (unknown) black farmers, including a WWI hero, were killed, with only 5 white deaths. The deadliest racial confrontation in Arkansas, possibly the bloodiest in the US.
Brian’s presentation explores the Life and Legacy of the youngest member of the Elaine Twelve. In Giles’ brief life, he would go from Sharecropper, to Death Row inmate, and would ultimately die in Springfield, Illinois.
Former Director of Research and Interpretation for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Dr. Brian Mitchell, is a noted scholar of “Difficult History.” Mitchell taught African American and Public History at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for fifteen years before relocating to Springfield, Illinois. The author of several books, book chapters, and papers. Mitchell’s most recent book, Monumental: Oscar Dunn and his radical fight in Reconstruction Louisiana was the winner of several prestigious book awards including, the Phillis Wheatley Book Award, The American Association of State and Local History’s (AASLH) Excellence Award, and was a finalist for the Organization of American Historians’ Best Civil War and Reconstruction Book Award.

Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors
2025-06-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors

presented by Michael L Strauss, AG

Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts including; King Philip’s War, King George’s War, and the War of Jenkins Ear are some that are highlighted. Genealogical sources will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay documents, published books and manuscripts, and other related materials.

Michael L. Strauss, AG is an Accredited Genealogist and national genealogical speaker. He has been employed as a forensic genealogist for 25 years and has a BA in history where he is a court qualified expert witness in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Michael is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard and faculty member at IGHR, SLIG and GRIP where he coordinates the military courses and has been active in Civil War reenacting for almost 30 years.
