NGS 2026 Fort Wayne: Final Day

NGS 2026 Family History Conference – Final Day

Connie Knox of Genealogy TV on YouTube

 

   The final day of a conference is always bittersweet. The pace is a little more relaxed, yet somehow a little more focused. As the week draws to a close, there are still opportunities to learn, connect, and make the most of every remaining moment.

 

Barbara Vines Little is giving out free copies of the Virginia Genealogy Magazine

  

 My last day at the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference in Fort Wayne included five classes and the NGS luncheon. Once again, I was reminded of the incredible depth of knowledge shared by the conference speakers. Every session offered valuable insights, new research strategies, and fresh perspectives on family history. Beyond the classrooms, the Exhibit Hall remained a favorite destination, filled with vendors, organizations, and fellow genealogists eager to share resources and ideas.

Speaker Leslie Anderson

Speaker Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy

   During the luncheon, NGS announced that the 2027 Family History Conference will be held in Madison, Wisconsin. That is yet another state I have never visited! One of the unexpected benefits of attending NGS conferences has been the opportunity to travel to extraordinary places throughout the United States that I might never have otherwise experienced. Perhaps one day NGS will even venture north and host a conference in Canada.

 

NGS luncheon - Crist Cowan was the speaker

Dr. Jones' lecture - Permission granted for photo

Good friend and speaker Colleen Robledo-Greene. Who's photobombing us?

Speaker Andre Kearns, whom I met last year in Louisville

Friend Benita Steyer

Author and Professional Genealogist Darcie Hind Posz - First time meeting her in person!

Photo by Lillian Wingate

   Although the conference portion of my trip is coming to an end, my Fort Wayne adventure is far from over. I still have two full days of research planned at the world-famous Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center. What treasures await discovery? What record or clue might finally help me break through one of my family's longstanding brick walls? The possibilities are exciting, and I am eager to begin.

 

   Thank you, NGS, for another outstanding conference filled with learning, friendship, and inspiration.

 

See you in Madison!

NGS 2026 Fort Wayne: Day 2

 HAPPY FRIDAY!

   The conference is now in full swing, and it feels like the entire genealogy community is here. One of the greatest joys of attending is reconnecting with friends and colleagues—some of whom I haven't seen in more than a decade. It's also been wonderful to finally meet, in person, several people I've only known through social media.

   Beyond the reunions, I've had the opportunity to attend presentations by speakers I've never heard before and to explore fresh, innovative topics that have sparked new ideas for my own research. Conferences like this are a reminder that genealogy is not only about discovering the past, but also about the friendships and shared passion that bring us together.

FRIDAY PICS

FamilySearch breakfast - Thank you, David Rencher!

Julia A. Anderson of FamilySearch

Lori Samuelson

Sue Hawes

Jennifer Zinck and Kimberly Powell

Kelvin Meyers

Penny Walters

Kelvin Meyers signing Forensic Genealogy

Rentate Yarborough-Sanders

Mary Roddy's California quilt

Mary Roddy's book quilt

Mary Roddy's quilt based on MyColorfulAncestry

A little help with Cheri Passey and Laura Hedgecock

Cheri Hudson Passey

Dinner with Connie Knox, Laura Hedgecock, and Aimee Cross

NGS 2026 Fort Wayne: Day 1

    

   The conference was opened by President David E. Rencher, and Sunny Jane Morton's moving talk "How Learning about the Past Can Change the Future: Family Stories and Intergenerational Identity". The attendance was definitely an increase from last year's in Louisville, I suspect because of the ACPL Genealogy Center. 

President David E. Rencher

Sunny Jane Morton

Judy Nimer Muhn and Andre Kerns

Congratulations to my long time friend Randy Seaver!

Congratulations to my DNA Cousin LaBrenda!

The next big campaign push by Judy!

NGS Executive Director Matt Menashes, CAE

They used my quote on the big screen!

   

CLASSES ATTENDED

There were so many classes to choose from that it was extremely hard. So many great speakers and topics! Luckily, NGS recorded a lot of them and I can listen to them online until July 15th. 

Made with ChatGPT

    By far the most surprising, informative, and very comical speaker was Dr. Penny Walters from the U.K. She blew my mind! If you have the chance to listen to her recorded class on the NGS-Whova app, please do!

   NOTE: I do not post my thoughts on every class I attended. I am not good at it, but let me say that every class was exceptional. NGS has a knack for attracting the best of the best in the genealogy world. This is more of a visual documentary of my time.

SOME PICS

David M. McCorkle's class

BCG Lunch

BCG Lunch

I was asked to take the official photographs of the newly “pinned” BCG associates. 

BCG Lunch

Dr. Jones at the BCG Lunch

Alice Childs' class

Carolyn Ladd's class

More Photos

Book signing is popular!

NGS Volunteer and friend Kristi Sexton

Good friend Catherine B.W. Desmarais

Catherin B.W. Desmarais signing "Forensice Genealogy"

Cairenn Binder, Michael S. Ramage and Caterine B.W. Desmarais

Dr. Thomas W. Jones

Got to get a selfie!

Roger Moffat with Lisa at the ftDNA table

Author and Speaker Ric Murphy signing my books!

Renate Yarborough-Sanders and Dr. Shelley Murphy

A nice get together for Roger Moffat (in hat)

Friend and President of the Georgia Genealogical Society, Lillian Wingate