Introduction to 10 Million Names
2024-09-23 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Introduction to 10 Million Names
presented by Danielle Rose, American Ancestors
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Getting Started with First World War Army Records of the US, UK and Canada
2024-10-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Getting Started with First World War Army Records of the US, UK and Canada
presented by Heather Robb
Heather Robb is a graduate student in the genealogy studies program at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. She is currently working on a topic for her master’s thesis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history and has done graduate studies in Public History where she developed an interest in museum studies as well as architectural history and historic building survey. She is a graduate of the Boston University Genealogy Certificate Program and holds a Professional Learning Certificate (PLCGS) in American records from the International Institute for Genealogical Studies.
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Using Narrative "Blueprints" to Structure Writing Projects
2024-10-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Using Narrative “Blueprints” to Structure Writing Projects
presented by Kim Richardson, Tennessee Genealogical Society
Say farewell to the dreaded writer’s block when confronted with a blank screen. This presentation explores a unique method that makes any writing process easier and stress-free. The session teaches how to create a visual framework, or “blueprint,” for narratives, proofs, and biographies. This technique assists in constructing a written draft, enables smooth reorganization, and ensures clarity and conciseness.
This method goes beyond broad concept-outlining and ultimately crafts a detailed sketch of the narrative BEFORE typing on the computer begins. Writers will plug in pieces of information and identify which to include and exclude. The pieces of information can then be reorganized to find the best possible arrangement for presenting material to the audience. Sentences are also formulated to use in the first draft which defeats writer’s block. The result is a narrative “blueprint” which can be effortlessly transformed into a well-structured, polished final version of a written narrative.
Kim Richardson enjoys serving the genealogy community by coaching and enabling others to do their own research successfully. She assists other genealogists to accomplish their goals and helps clients solve genealogy mysteries. Kim created the Brick Wall Buster Cards to show others her secret to solving tough genealogy problems. She also wrote the “Mississippi Research Guide” for Family Tree Magazine and researches for Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are?
Company: Brick Wall Buster Cards
URL: www.brickwallbustercards.com
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WWI: Records, Research Methods & Resources
2024-11-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
WWI: Records, Research Methods & Resources
presented by K B Barcomb
This program combines an overview of WWI records & resources, especially those online, with strategies and methods to help you effectively manage and analyze the information you find. A mini-case study then illustrates how these come together to provide you a detailed outline of an ancestor’s WWI service.
KB Barcomb specializes in WWI and WW2 records, resources, and research methodology. Her focus is on understanding the chronology and context of military records, so as to more accurately interpret and analyze their content. She has taught for the Applied Genealogy Institute, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pennsylvania, and the Salt Lake institute of Genealogy. A retired Army officer with over 20 years of active military service, she is also the daughter of two WW2 veterans. KB is a member of the Society for Military History and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
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Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3 - Is There a Better Way?
2024-12-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors on Fold3 – Is There a Better Way?
presented by Brian Rhinehart
Ever get confused searching on Fold3? Learn what records are available for your 19th-century military ancestors there and pick up some search strategies to narrow down what you’re looking for. Yes, there is a better way to search!
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!
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Beginner Colonial-Era Research, Through the Life of Anne Marbury Hutchinson
2025-01-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Beginner Colonial-era Research, Through the Life of Anne Marbury Hutchinson
presented by Kim Richardson
Information and examples for the beginner Colonial-era researcher are interwoven into this story of Anne Hutchinson, who emigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1634 and was a champion of freedom far ahead of her time. Wrongly banished and excommunicated, she was a well-acknowledged leader among the founders of Rhode Island – the progressive, daring group who created the charter that served as the blueprint for our nation’s Constitution.
In her last days, she and most of her children moved to the Bronx and were murdered. Only her daughter Susanna survived; she was kidnapped and ransomed. This amazing account of the beginnings of this great nation is not to be missed and will provide information about colonial-era record-keeping and our nation’s birth which will assist with researching those way-way-back ancestors.
Kim Richardson enjoys serving the genealogy community by coaching and enabling others to do their own research successfully. She assists other genealogists to accomplish their goals and helps clients solve genealogy mysteries. Kim created the Brick Wall Buster Cards to show others her secret to solving tough genealogy problems. She regularly writes for various genealogy society magazines and wrote the “Mississippi Research Guide” for Family Tree Magazine and researches for Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are?
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The Times of Their Lives: Using Timelines in Genealogical Research
2025-01-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
The Times of Their Lives: Using Timelines in Genealogical Research
presented by Diana Crisman Smith
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Manuscript Collections
2025-02-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Manuscript Collections
presented by Dr Deborah Abbott, PhD
Manuscripts are original records and are often overlooked. They serve as primary sources that provide first-hand documentation and evidence of events that shape the development of a society, community and/or families. These records can be found in libraries, archives and other repositories. Manuscript collections usually are not completely indexed; therefore, it takes time and patience to sift through the various documents that you might find. Knowing exactly where and what will be found in manuscript collections can be tricky, but when found, they can create a gold mine of information pertaining to your ancestors and family history. Learn the value of manuscript collections, where to find them and how to use these fascinating resources.
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), past president of the African American Genealogical Society, Cleveland, Ohio, and a retired professor of Counseling from Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland.
She holds both the BS and MEd degrees from Tuskegee University and the PhD degree from Kent State University. Dr. Abbott is coordinator of both the African American Track at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in Athens, Georgia, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). 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 a segment entitled “Needles & Threads” on Ancestry Academy, an educational video course for Ancestry.com. She also teaches monthly classes entitled “Using Ancestry.com in Genealogy Research” at the Lakewood (Ohio) Public Library and 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 Genealogist (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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Everything You Never Wanted to Know about the Nuts and Bolts of Genealogy Blogging
2025-02-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Everything You Never Wanted to Know about the Nuts and Bolts of Genealogy Blogging
presented by Bill Lindsey, Heritage Seekers
Bill’s presentation will focus on the nuts and bolts of genealogical blogging, with a hands-on approach that walks participants through a number of genealogical blogs and talks about the pros and cons of different approaches to genealogical blogging. Some questions it will consider: How to choose a platform for a genealogical blog? How to go about maintaining a blog? How to use the different tools at different platforms? What focus to choose (i.e., on a particular surname, on a group of families, on a region, on DNA and its use in genealogy: the possibilities are pretty endless)?
William D. (Bill) Lindsey is a Little Rock native who holds a B.A. in English from Loyola University, an M.A. in English from Tulane University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Michael’s College of the Toronto School of Theology. Among other published works, he’s the author of Fiat Flux: The Writings of Wilson R. Bachelor, Nineteenth-Century Country Doctor and Philosopher, which won the Booker-Worthen prize in 2014; and (with William L. Russell and Mary Ryan) A Family Practice: The Russell Doctors and the Evolving Business of Medicine, 1799-1989.
Bill maintains a genealogical blog in which his goal is to place online his research of nearly fifty years. The blog is called Begats and Bequeathals: A Southern U.S. Family Documented and is found here:
https://begatsandbequeathalsasouthernusfamilydocumented.com
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Exploring Unindexed Records with Family Search Labs: Unlocking Hidden Gems in Genealogical Research
2025-03-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Exploring Unindexed Records with Family Search Labs: Unlocking Hidden Gems in Genealogical Research
presented by Linda In this one-hour presentation, participants will explore the powerful tools available through Family Search Labs, focusing on utilizing full-text search features to uncover hidden records. Attendees will learn to access and navigate FamilySearch Labs, an experimental platform offering advanced tools to enhance genealogical research. The presentation will cover best practices for using full-text search, a feature that scans not just indexes but entire documents for keywords, names, and places, making it easier to find elusive records. By examining real-world examples, genealogists will see how this feature can reveal obscure details in probate records, land deeds, and other document types that are often missed in traditional searches.
Additionally, we will discuss strategies for refining searches to avoid overwhelming results and identify the most relevant records efficiently. This session is ideal for genealogists seeking to deepen their research techniques and leverage cutting-edge technology to break through brick walls in their family history research.
Linda Debe is a lecturer, writer, and lifelong student with 40 years of genealogy experience. She has many genealogy passions, but she gets really excited when it comes to technology. Her motto is work smarter, not harder, and technology allows her to do just that, especially when it comes to maps and timelines. She has spoken to numerous genealogy audiences and has a you tube channel where she creates short technology how-to videos.
She holds an AAS degree in Electronics Technology from the United States Air Force. She is an alum of Pro Gen 54, a coordinator for Pro Gen 64, and she expects to graduate from the International Institute for Genealogical Studies in 2025. She has attended national genealogical conferences and week-long institutions to further her education. She is a member of several state and local genealogical societies where she conducts research. She is on the Program Committee for North Hills Genealogists out of Pittsburgh PA.
Being Microsoft Office certified in Access and Excel, she applies her training by creating automated spreadsheets helping with genealogy research. Linda created a free Google calendar for genealogists to locate and register for genealogical educational opportunities. Located on her website, Thesleeplessgenealogist.com
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Research Day & Brick Wall Challenge at Butler Center!
2025-03-22 11:00 - 16:00 | CALS Butler Center, 401 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR, 72201, United States
Research Day & Brick Wall Challenge at Butler Center!

Times to be determined.

Is There a Doctor in the House? Researching Ancestors Who Were Physicians
2025-03-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Is There a Doctor in the House? Researching Ancestors Who Were Physicians
presented by Jane Neff Rollins, MSPH
Is There a Doctor in the House? Was one of your ancestors a physician? If so, your relatives played important roles in American society throughout American history. Discussion will include a brief history of required training, a summary of U.S. laws governing practice, and types of documents that provide information about ancestors in the medical professions. Resources include: documents available on Google Books and at University archives; registries of licenses; court documents; city directories; newspaper advertisements and articles; and more personal items: diaries, oral histories, and ephemera.
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 both virtually and in-person for societies throughout the United States.
Jane’s genealogy articles have appeared in NGS Magazine, FGS Forum, 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.
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Country Doctors of Arkansas
2025-04-14 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Country Doctors of Arkansas
presented by Dr Sam Taggert, author, MD
Country Doctors hold a special place in our lives. Most of these men and women are originally from small towns and make the conscious decision to return. Each little town has its own story with diverse characters and dramas. The country doctor often acts as part of the glue that holds these small towns together, acting as the father confessor, a priest of technology and the narrator of the town story. We will discuss their evolution over the last two centuries and ask questions about the future.
Sam Taggart is a family doctor, raised in the White River Delta in Augusta, Arkansas. After medical school at UAMS, he completed a Family Practice Residency. He retired in 2013 as the senior partner and founder of Family Practice Associates of Benton. In 2012 he wrote a book describing a narrative history of health and disease I Arkansas over the last 200 years. The book is The Public’s Health.
In 2015, he created the Arkansas Physician’s Oral History Project. As a part of this project, he went around the state interviewing country physicians to create a video record of their lives and the practice of medicine in rural Arkansas for the last 75 yrs. In June of 2021 he published Country Doctors of Arkansas, as one of the products of that study. In April 2023, he published For Every Family, A Family Doctor a narrative history of the modern family medicine movement in Arkansas since 1947.
He and his wife, Dr. Annette Enderlin are presently working on a book called Against the Odds: Arkansas Women in Medicine before 1972.
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“_____ward Ho!” Basics: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850 Part 1
2025-04-28 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
“_____ward Ho!” Basics: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850 Part 1
presented by Phillip Adderley
Part ONE!
“____ward Ho!” Basics: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850
While the predominant movement of American settlers was–on aggregate–westward, many pre-1850 settlers migrated northward, southward, and sometimes eastward. Most migrations occurred in small groups banded together for protective security and collective assistance. Although every-name federal censuses beginning in 1850 (for free persons) and 1870 for all persons help point us backward in time, a researcher needs contemporary records to identify and correlate ancestors from one location to the next.
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 conducted full time 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 the use of 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, and 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.
Handout – Syllabus
Handout – Numbered Bibliography
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“_____ward Ho!” Case Examples: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850 Part 2
2025-05-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
“_____ward Ho!” Case Examples: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850 Part 2
presented by Phillip Adderley
Part TWO!
“____ward Ho!” Case Examples: Finding & Tracking Early American Settlers pre-1850 (Sequential companion to previous presentation)
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 conducted full time 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 the use of 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, and 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.
Handout – Syllabus
Handout – Numbered Bibliography
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Our Poor Ancestors: Strategies for Finding Records and the Stories Those Records Can Tell
2025-05-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom Virtual Meeting
Our Poor Ancestors: Strategies for Finding Records and the Stories Those Records Can Tell
presented by Pam Vestal
Researching financially-struggling ancestors often requires a strategic approach using unfamiliar records. Whether they were born poor or fell upon hard times, we’ll explore their stories through town minutes, almshouse, sheriff’s, and apprenticeship records, legal and financial documents, and much more. We’ll also consider indirect evidence, such as changes in crop prices and payment ledgers that may suggest reasons for our ancestors’ struggles.
Pam Vestal is a professional genealogist and speaker who turned her focus to her longtime love of genealogy after a 20-year writing career. Her articles have appeared in the National Genealogical Society Magazine and The Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and her lectures take her from coast to coast. Pam specializes in conducting genealogical research and then transforming that information into illustrated stories that even non-genealogists can enjoy.

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.
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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.
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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 the
Dead in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery
Presented by Peter Maugle, Park Ranger
Fredericksburg & 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.

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

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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

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.
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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.”

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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

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

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Unlocking Clues in Deed Records: Essential Strategies for Genealogical Research
2025-10-27 18:30 - 20:00
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.

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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.)

Breaking a Brick Wall: From Freedom to Slavery
2025-11-10 08:00 - 17:00
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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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
