2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference
About this Event
Welcome to the 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference!
Date: 10-12 September 2026
Location: Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, Montana
Join us in Helena for our 34th annual conference. This year's event will feature engaging workshops, expert speakers, the Book Frolic sale, the annual membership meeting, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn more about your heritage. See you there!
Thursday, September 10
🕑: 03:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Registration Desk Open, Book Sale Drop-off, Vendors
Info: Atrium and Ponderosa Room
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
MSGS Board Meeting
Info: Goldfinch Room. Members are welcome, but not required, to attend.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
FREE Pre-Conference Workshop 1 - Montana History Portal
Info: Goldfinch Room. Learn how to use Montana’s best free, online history repository.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
FREE Pre-Conference Workshop 2 - Genealogy Jam Session
Info: Meadowlark Room. Join us for an informal research work session. Bring your laptops and your questions; volunteers will be available to assist.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Dessert Social
Info: Visit the Lewis & Clark Public Library (120 S Last Chance Gulch) to tour MSGS’s Library, enjoy a treat, and visit with friends. No fee to attend, but an "add on" ticket is required.
Friday, September 11
🕑: 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration Desk Open & Book Sale
Info: Atrium & Ponderosa Room
🕑: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Vendors
Info: Atrium
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Info: Cottonwood Room
🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:15 AM
After the Test: Exploring AncestryDNA Results
Host: Jennifer Zinck
Info: Cottonwood Room. Many genealogists have taken a DNA test but are unsure what to do after the results arrive. AncestryDNA provides a wide range of tools and information, and learning how to interpret and use those results can open new opportunities for genealogical discovery. This session explores the key features of AncestryDNA and demonstrates how genealogists can begin working effectively with their results. Participants will learn how to interpret match lists, evaluate possible relationships, and explore shared matches to identify potential family connections.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Perfect Fit: Locating and Applying to a Lineage Society
Host: Shannon Combs-Bennett
Info: Cottonwood Room. Have you ever wondered whether you might qualify for a lineage society, but weren’t sure where to start? Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just beginning to explore your family history, lineage societies offer a meaningful way to honor your ancestors and connect with others who share your heritage. The good news is that there are far more societies than most people realize, and you may already have the family connections to join one. This session takes the mystery out of finding the right organization for you and your family.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
Info: Cottonwood or outside terraces. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Sandwich & wrap platters, soup, salad.
🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PM
Unleash the Power of DNA: Testing Family Members
Host: Jennifer Zinck
Info: Cottonwood Room. Testing additional family members can dramatically improve the value of DNA results for genealogical research. While many genealogists begin by testing themselves, strategic testing of relatives can reveal information that a single test cannot provide. Parents, siblings, and other family members often inherit different pieces of DNA from shared ancestors, and testing multiple relatives can significantly expand the amount of genetic information available for analysis. This session explores how testing family members can increase genetic coverage, help assign DNA matches to specific ancestral lines, and strengthen genealogical conclusions.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
Proving What You Know: Documentation for Lineage Society Applications
Host: Shannon Combs-Bennett
Info: Cottonwood Room. You’ve identified a qualifying ancestor, traced the lineage, and found the society you’d love to join. Now comes the part that trips up even experienced genealogists: assembling the documentation to prove it all. Lineage society applications hold your research to a high standard, and understanding exactly what reviewers are looking for can mean the difference between a smooth approval and a frustrating round of corrections. This session breaks down the documentation process in a clear, approachable way, whether you’re submitting your first or your fiftieth application.
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:45 PM
Expecting the Unexpected: Surprises in our DNA
Host: Jennifer Zinck
Info: Cottonwood Room. DNA testing has transformed family history research, but genetic results do not always confirm what genealogists expect to find. Instead, DNA can reveal surprising discoveries that challenge long-held family narratives and raise new questions about family relationships. As more people test and genealogists incorporate DNA evidence into their research, unexpected results are becoming increasingly common.This session explores several types of surprising DNA discoveries that genealogists may encounter.
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Annual Membership Meeting
Info: Mountain Bluebird Room. Annual business meeting includes officer elections.
🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Banquet and Awards Ceremony
Info: Central Commons. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Buffet choices include flank steak, roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, salad, tiramisu.
Saturday, September 12
🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration Desk Open & Book Sale
Info: Atrium & Ponderosa Room
🕑: 08:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Vendors
Info: Atrium
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Connecting Cousins: Finding Living Relatives on the Internet
Host: Jennifer Zinck
Info: Cottonwood Room. Family history research does not end with records. Often the next breakthrough comes from connecting with living relatives who may hold family knowledge, photographs, documents, or DNA results that can help answer genealogical questions. Learning how to locate and communicate with cousins can open important new paths for research and help genealogists build stronger, more complete family histories.This session explores practical strategies for finding and identifying living relatives using online tools and publicly available information.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
AI & Ancestry: Using Artificial Intelligence to Expand Your Genealogy Research
Host: Lori Samuelson
Info: Cottonwood Room. Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the genealogist’s research environment, yet many family historians remain unsure how these tools work or how they can be used responsibly. This beginner-friendly session introduces the major AI tools currently available to genealogists and explains what they can and cannot do. Participants will learn how artificial intelligence can assist with common tasks such as research, writing, and analysis.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
Info: Cottonwood Room and outdoor spaces. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Pasta buffet, salad, breadsticks.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
AI as a Genealogical Research Assistant: Breaking Through Brick Walls
Host: Lori Samuelson
Info: Cottonwood Room. Once genealogists understand the basics of artificial intelligence, the next question becomes: how can these tools help solve real research problems?This session demonstrates how AI can assist genealogists in working through complex research questions using real historical examples. Participants will see how artificial intelligence can help analyze records, organize evidence, compare sources, and identify gaps that suggest new avenues for investigation.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 230.20
