Presented by Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA on 2 Jun 2020.

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This presentation is designed for those who are interested in becoming lecturers in the field of family history. A few public speaking tips as well as using technology, necessary equipment, pointers on “dos” and “don’ts,” and additional practical preparation tips will be in the program. Some general discussion about fees, as well as pointers on contracts, booking procedures, etc. will be included. Some suggestions for presenting in electronic format will also be part of the class. Everyone knows something others don't; we'll address the manner in which you can determine your specialties and what you should you do to “get onto the circuit.” There is room for knowledgeable, entertaining, and enthusiastic speakers in our field. Come with your questions.

Jean Wilcox Hibben PhD, MA, former So. Cal. college speech professor (MA –Speech Communication; PhD–Folklore) is a national speaker, and author. A former Board-Certified Genealogist, she is a member of the DAR, living in the Inland Empire area of California. She is the former director and current staff trainer for the Corona, CA Family History Center, has done some background research to genealogy television shows, and hosts podcasts with Gena Philibert-Ortega, promoting their joint venture “GenealogyJourneys.” With almost 40 years of research experience, she is a former board member of APG and current President of its So. Cal. Chapter, and current President and webmaster of the Corona Gen. Society. You can find our more on her personal website.

Presented by Jill Morelli, CG on 7 Jul 2020.

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Interested in becoming a Certified Genealogist? Or, just have some questions about what it entails? Let’s explore the basic resources, the portfolio elements, and strategies I employed to produce a successful portfolio, and what I would do differently if I had not been successful.

Jill Morelli, CG® lectures about her Midwestern, northern German and Scandinavian ancestors nationwide with a focus on intermediate and advanced methodologies, and unique records sets. She also writes (NGSQ, Sept 2017, Dec 2018, Swedish American Genealogist, etc.) and takes clients. She is president of the Seattle Genealogical Society and belongs to Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogy Speakers Guild and others. After obtaining her credential as a Certified Genealogist, she began an online course sharing her experiences in order to demystify the process of certification to all who are interested in going “on the clock.”

Presented by Elizabeth O’Neal on 4 Aug 2020.

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If you think your business doesn’t need a website, then think again. Potential clients will most likely do an internet search before choosing a professional genealogist, and if they can’t find your website, they can’t find YOU. Learn how to get your business website up and running quickly and easily.

Elizabeth O’Neal is a professional genealogist who writes, lectures, and consults on a variety of topics. Her passion is using technology and social media to enrich the experience of genealogy research and family history storytelling.

Elizabeth has been researching her own family history for more than thirty years and writing and blogging about genealogy for the past twelve years. A frequent contributor to the Federation of Genealogical Societies' FORUM magazine, Elizabeth writes the regular "Before You Go" column, as well as book and software reviews and featured articles about technology. She is the author of the award-winning family history blog My Descendant’s Ancestors and is a regular contributor to many online genealogy publications.

Professional memberships include the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and she is an active member of the public speaking club Toastmasters International. Elizabeth currently serves as President of the Second Life Virtual Genealogical Society, 1st Vice President – Programs of the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, Vice President of the GeneaBloggers Organization, and coordinator of the NGSQ Study Groups. She is a member of numerous lineage societies, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United States Daughters of 1812.

Presented by David Ryan, MA, DipGen on 1 Sep 2020.

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The advent of digital marketing has changed how we connect with potential clients and other professionals. But how many of us can offer a firm explanation for what digital marketing is? How often do we let ourselves get confused and bewildered by all the jargon and terminology? What effective strategies are there for making the most of digital marketing resources such as websites, social media and search engines? The purpose of this paper is to examine just how digital technologies have changed our approach to marketing and how we can take advantage of this without breaking the bank.

David Ryan, MA, DipGen, is a professional genealogist and oral historian based just outside of Cork city, Ireland. He has worked as professional genealogist for the past six years. He is currently a researcher with the Cork Folklore Project, a community based oral history project in Cork City.

David is a graduate of University College Cork. He has an MA in Medieval History and a Diploma in Genealogy. He is also an alumnus of ProGen Study Group 39.

Presented by Zachary Hamilton on 3 Nov 2020.

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Becoming a better genealogist is all about education and learning. But with so many options and paths, where do you start and how do you build a education plan for your goals? Compare and contrast different types of genealogical education and their value in your personal and professional genealogy path.

Zachary Hamilton is the owner of The Millennial Genealogist. A specialist in Southern US research and military records, Zachary has worked for and contracted with some of the leading genealogy companies in the world, including Ancestry.com and The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. Zachary has also been a contributing researcher to the Emmy-nominated television series, Who Do You Think You Are?

In addition to his research experience, Zachary is a lecturer at regional conferences across the country, including RootsTech and has been a guest speaker for genealogy courses at Brigham Young University - Idaho and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

Zachary currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Utah Genealogical Association and on the Committee for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

Presented by Cara Jones on 1 Dec 2020.

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Many genealogists struggle to run a profitable business while maintaining long-term, happy clients. The presenter will explore this difficult balance and offer unique techniques to aid in professional success. A three-pronged approach will be examined – Fostering Client Relationships, Cultivating Time Management Skills and Executing Proficient Report Writing.

Cara graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Family History and a Master’s Degree in American History. She particularly enjoys researching in military records and the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. Cara is a member of the Utah Genealogical Association and is employed as a research specialist on the VIP Team at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. More information on Cara can be found at her FamilySearch Wiki page.