When Self-Publishing Might Not Be a Good Fit
2025-09-08 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

AHS Annual Conference - Arkansas at Work: Histories of Labor, Land, and Learning
2026-04-09 08:00 - 2026-04-11 17:00
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.

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.

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.

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

There's More to Immigration than Ellis Island
2026-05-11 18:30 - 20:00 | 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.

Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference
2026-05-15 09:00 - 2026-05-16 15:30 | William F. Laman Public Library, 2801 Orange St, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114, United States
The Preservation of African American Cemeteries invites you to attend its 17th Memorial in May Cemetery Preservation Conference.

***The Ancestors are Calling*** and we are asking YOU to join us in the work of protecting our cemeteries, honoring those that have gone before us, and restoring pride.

As with all elements of our historic past, traditions are kept alive only because they have been passed down from generation to generation. But somewhere along the way, the tradition of involving our youth in the upkeep of our family gravesites has been lost. PAAC is recruiting for PAAC Junior.

Do you or your preservation group need help with cemetery or burial identifications, documentation, mapping, preservation plans, relocation, and conservation treatments? Been active in political and legal efforts to identify and stop desecration and destruction of cemeteries, but need help? Unsure of the laws that govern perpetual and non-perpetual cemeteries? Then please join us May 15-16 for this two-day conference.

The Laman Library was built on the site of North Little Rock’s Odd Fellows Cemetery, an African-American cemetery.

The Preservation of African American Cemeteries, Inc. (PAAC) was founded in 2003 by a group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and documenting African American cemeteries.

Oakland & Fraternal Cemeteries Walkabout
2026-05-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Oakland & Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park, 2101 Barber St, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72206, United States
Join the Friends of Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery for a Walkabout and Wellness Day.

This event features a guided walk at 10:30 a.m., but visitors are welcome to walk on their own. Use the new mile markers (1.5 miles) on the paved roads of the cemetery. The day will include coffee, water, Find A Grave coaching, a fitness Demo, and info door prizes.

Park inside the cemetery on any unpaved road.

Dogs on leashes are welcome!

Questions? contact Friends.OaklandFraternal@Gmail.com

Beyond the Census: Discovering Ancestor Stories
2026-05-19 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Regan Richardson

Census records provide valuable snapshots, but they rarely tell the full story of an ancestor’s life. In this workshop, participants will learn how to move beyond census data to find the stories that census records can’t tell. Using alternative sources such as historical encyclopedias, newspapers, city and business directories, and more, we will work to shape your ancestors’ stories. Through practical examples, attendees will discover how these records can add context, personality, and depth to ancestor profiles, transforming names and dates into meaningful life stories.

Regan Richardson is a professional genealogist, managing editor of The Arkansas Family Historian, and second vice president of the Arkansas Genealogical Society. With a deep commitment to uncovering the human stories behind historical records, Regan specializes in transforming traditional research—such as census data—into rich, contextual family narratives. She works with researchers and writers to strengthen historical storytelling while maintaining rigorous documentation standards. Through her editorial leadership, training sessions, and public presentations, Regan encourages genealogists to look beyond the records and discover the lived experiences that bring ancestors fully to life.

The Arkansas Genealogical Society hosts Kitchen Roundtable Talks on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM Central Time. These are free Zoom Meetings, and all are welcome. Please visit the webpage at https://argensoc.org/kitchen/ for future topics and information.

35th North Arkansas Ancestor Fair
2026-06-05 13:00 - 2026-06-06 15:00
A Two-Day Genealogical Event in North Arkansas

June 5-6, 2026

To brag on your North Arkansas ancestors, or to learn about them, go to the 35th North Arkansas Ancestor Fair June 5 & 6, 2025.

On Friday afternoon, four local history and genealogy speakers will present great information about local history and genealogy at the Searcy County Library from 1:00 to 5:00, followed by a mixer-dinner to make early contacts from 5:30 to 8:30 at Los Locos Mexican Restaurant.

On Saturday from 9:00 to 3:00 at the Veterans Hall in Marshall, family genealogists, local historians, and north-central Arkansas county historians will be there to help researchers. People who want to share information will be provided with a table and chairs to display their information. WiFi is available.

The Searcy County Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization that hosts monthly history presentations in Marshall and hosts the annual Ancestor Fair on the 1st Friday and Saturday in June. Founded in 1989 by James Johnston, the North Arkansas Ancestor Fair has since been held at various locations throughout Searcy County, with up to 500 participants in some years.

When asked to explain what an Ancestor Fair is, one involved person said, “It’s a genealogical swap shop.” A local dentist described the Ancestor Fair as a place where people went to show off their ancestors. Both statements are correct. Gatherers come to the Ancestor Fair looking for information. Providers display and share their information because they enjoy helping others, but also because they are proud of their research and would like a bit of appreciation for their years of work.

For additional info, contact Thereisa Housley at rafter@ozarkisp.netand http://ancestorfair.us Schedule:

Friday, June 5, from 1:00-5:00 p.m.Searcy County Library202 East Main StreetMarshall, AR 726501:00 pm James J. Johnston-Welcome and Jayhawker Tales2:00 pm Randy & Melissa Smyth, Stories & History3:00 pm Sherry Southerland-A Peace Society Spy4:00 pm Jo Watts-Easier Genealogy Research 5:30 – 8:30 pm – Mixer Dinner – Meet kin, get an early start on researchLos Locos Restaurant – order individually from the menu234 US 65 NMarshall, AR 72650 Saturday, June 6, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.Veteran’s Memorial Hall108 Noah Horton Memorial Dr.Marshall, AR 72650

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Providers set up9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. – Ancestor Fair open to the public

Arkansas Black Officials in Reconstruction
2026-06-06 09:00 - 13:00 | Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. 9th St., Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, United States
The Black History Commission of Arkansas with the Arkansas State Archives will host its June symposium, “Arkansas Black Officials in Reconstruction” on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock.Featured speakers include Matthew Caston, Dr. Donna Shelton, Phyllis Hammonds, Mayor Ora Barnes, and Pastor Jarvis Smith. Topics include “Rush to Freedom: The Story of Anderson Louis Rush,” “Gilded Age Grassroots Politics in the Arkansas Delta,” “Local to State Black Political Power in the Late Nineteenth Century,” and “A discussion on the successes, obstacles, and distinct personalities of 10 legislators who represented Phillips and Lee Counties during Reconstruction.”Light refreshments will be served. Teachers can earn up to 3 hours of Teacher PDH credit.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Deadline to register is May 26, 2026. Register through Eventbrite.

Forging a National Army From the Colonial Era through the Early Republic: 1700-1800
2026-06-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual Meeting
Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG®, AGL™

The establishment of a cohesive army was a defining challenge during the Revolutionary War, requiring innovative strategies to overcome the limitations of the colonial militia. Initially, from the colonial era, from King George’s War to the French and Indian War, militias were localized, short-term forces lacking standardized training and cohesion, which proved inadequate.

The Revolutionary War brought additional problems with supplies, scarcity of money, and a weakened transportation system that plagued the Continental forces while recruiting men in the flying camp and associators. After the end of the war, the need for a more permanent organization led to the creation of “Levies Regiments,” designed to maintain military preparedness during peacetime, providing a template for our future regular army.Michael Strauss is a military historian and professional genealogist. He serves as an expert witness in court cases involving kinship determinations and forensic estate investigations. He lectures at universities, conferences, and educational institutes across the country. He has a B.A. in History from Shepherd University, with a focus on the American Civil War, and an M.A. in History from the University of Massachusetts Boston, with a concentration in military history. His master’s thesis, Ever Under Steam: The Revenue Cutter Service in the Spanish-American War, explored the predecessor of the United States Coast Guard, which was not formally established until 1915. Publications include books, edited volumes, peer-reviewed journal articles, public history writings, blogs, and book reviews.

He is an Accredited Genealogist with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

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

From the Cradle to the Grave Genealogy Workshop
2026-06-12 09:30 - 2026-06-13 12:30 | William F. Laman Public Library, 2801 Orange St, North Little Rock, Arkansas, 72114, United States
Join the Laman Library, the Preservation of African American Cemeteries, and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society for a jam-packed family history weekend!

Join us June 12-13 from 9:30 am-12:30 pm (both days) at the William F. Laman Public Library for another From the Cradle to the Grave two-day workshop! These informational sessions are open to all ages and backgrounds, with a little something for everyone interested in doing family history research or cemetery preservation. Guest speakers will provide talks on conducting family history and cemetery research. Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis will present an overview of the history and legacy of the Odd Fellows Cemetery. PAAC Junior will join us to share new ways to get involved with the organization and upcoming projects for youth cemetery preservationists. These sessions will serve as the finale of a community-driven project to continue documenting the history of the Odd Fellows Cemetery and the Military Heights neighborhood in North Little Rock. Workshops over the last several months dove into conducting oral histories and digitizing family records. Supported in part by a Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant from the Black History Commission of Arkansas and the Arkansas State Archives, this weekend will also mark the opening of the permanent poster exhibit on Odd Fellows and Military Heights. For questions about the program or project, contact North Little Rock Public Library Archivist Jamie Middleton, jmiddleton@nlrlibrary.org.
