Course 1 – “Research in the Lone Star State”
Coordinator: Kelvin L. Meyers
This course is designed to introduce participants to the rich resources and techniques available for tracing family history in Texas. Whether you’re a lifelong Texan or exploring family ties to the Lone Star State, this course will provide a solid foundation in Texas genealogical research. Participants will learn how to access key records, navigate unique Texas historical contexts, and connect with local repositories.
Course 2 – “Building Communities Across the South”
Coordinator: J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
Early families found their way into prime lands seeking opportunities and freedom. These citizens included merchants, blacksmiths, preachers, traders, craftsmen, speculators, hunters, and farmers. Early pioneers and settlers were a diverse group with family members across the country. How did their need for essential supplies inspire movement and continued migration? We will focus on the development of communities throughout the South prior to 1850 but will include some later records that will help shed light on the early settlements.
Course 3 – “Legally Texas: Advanced Legal Research in the Lone Star State”
Coordinator: Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL(sm)
This course will offer an in-depth look at the unique legal history of Texas and its impact on researching in the Lone Star State. From the lingering effects of Spanish and Mexican civil law to the frontier rules of the Republic to the clashes with settlers from the old eastern common law states, knowing how to research Texas law and its application to records is essential. Sessions will explore the laws impacting Texas’s courts, land distributions, inheritance, family relations, and more, as well as the laws of slavery and Texas’s role in the Confederacy. Students will get assistance in finding law-related records held by the major repositories including the Texas State Library and Archives and the Texas General Land Office.
Course 4 – “Integrating AI into Genealogical Research and Writing”
Coordinator: Nicole Elder Dyer
This course explores how to integrate artificial intelligence tools into the genealogical research and writing process, including research planning, transcription, document analysis, note-taking, documentation, writing, historical context, and editing. Students will learn practical applications of AI technology for improving efficiency while maintaining high standards of quality. Students will develop strategies for incorporating AI tools through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies. The course covers multiple forms of genealogical writing, from research reports to family narratives and proofs. Participants will learn to streamline their workflow by using AI to assist with time-consuming tasks like formatting, data extraction, transcription, analysis, and summarization allowing more time for complex research and writing decisions that require human expertise and judgment. This comprehensive course is designed for intermediate to professional genealogists seeking to expand their research and writing practices. Participants will emerge with practical strategies for integrating AI tools into their genealogical work.
Course 5 – “Beyond the Battlefield: Advanced Military Research Analysis and Methodology”
Coordinator: Michael L. Strauss, AG®
This course offers an in-depth exploration tailored for historians, genealogists, and researchers aiming to gain expertise in the complexities of military records. Spanning conflicts from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War, where the curriculum delves into essential military resources, including musters, service records, pensions, draft registrations, and bounty land. Participants will learn advanced research techniques, strategies for navigating archives, and methods for analyzing military documents to create comprehensive service narratives. Particular attention will be given to lesser-known sources, record repositories, and techniques for addressing gaps caused by missing or destroyed records