Family Roots 2026 Genealogy Conference
About this Event
Alberta Family Histories Society is excited to welcome you to Family Roots 2026 – The 3 Rs of Genealogy: Relationships, Research and Resources. We’re looking forward to a great day of learning and connecting in person at our conference!
We have four sessions (6 presentations, but there is a choice for two of the time slots):
- Two Steps Forward. One Step Back. Is this Genealogy or the Cha Cha? (Sara Cochran)
- Navigating, Sensitivities, Trauma and Secrets in Family Story Telling (Rhonda Lauritzen via Zoom) OR Genealogy Starter Kit (Ron Gilmore)
- To Spit or Not to Spit? Is DNA testing right for your Research? (Sara Cochran) OR Advanced Genealogy Resources: Insights from Calgary Collections (Christine Hayes)
- Missing: Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Bachelors (Sara Cochran)
Each conference registration includes 4 sessions, continental breakfast, a buffet lunch and a digital syllabus.
Registration closes October 12 at midnight. There will be no registrations taken on Eventbrite after this date. Tickets will not be available at the door. If you wish to be put on a waitlist, please email [email protected].
Accommodations: If you would like to stay at the conference hotel, please contact Hotel Blackfoot and reference AFHS Conference 2026 to book your accommodation. Attendees are responsible for making payment directly to the hotel. The rates are as follows: 1 or 2 queen beds – $198.41 (includes taxes) OR 1 king bed – $233.07 (includes taxes).
Photography and Filming Disclaimer – Please note that photographs and footage may be taken at this Family Roots event. These may be used for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and on social media. Please contact [email protected] you have any concerns.
Agenda
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:15 AM
Doors Open for Registration, Continental Breakfast
🕑: 09:15 AM - 09:30 AM
Welcome
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Is This Genealogy or the Cha Cha?
Host: Sara Cochran
Info: Revisiting and reevaluating our early research and home sources of information might seem like a waste of time, but often, it’s the key to getting past a roadblock in our research. We’ll discuss techniques for finding new clues in records we already have and look at several small case studies to see the value of taking the time to go backward in order to go forward.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Coffee Break
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Navigating, Sensitivities, Trauma and Secrets in Family Storytelling - Zoom
Host: Rhonda Lauritzen
Info: Are you grappling with how to address a family secret or trauma? This session will equip you to write about tough topics with empathy and grace. Tackle the challenge of crafting stories that heal rather than harm, avoiding “time bombs” that disrupt relationships. Through case study examples, learn critical mindsets to approach adversity in a story. You will come away with practical language for writing about sensitive topics and guidance for when to share or withhold stories. You will come away feeling empowered to draft a story that fosters transformation and connection. Discover how to write “time capsules” that inspire, ensuring your family history unites rather than divides.
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Genealogy Story Telling
Host: Ron Gilmore
Info: This presentation will introduce the notions of genealogy and the “Why” of this incredibly popular hobby with some examples. The session covers software, websites, DNA, genealogical organizations and sources of information. Ron will suggest a best practice set of structures for storing documents and digital files. The presentation includes many real-life samples of diverse aspects of Family History, far beyond simple birth, marriage and death dates. Genealogy has many fascinating dimensions, but the family stories uncovered are simply incredible.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM
Buffet Lunch
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
To Spit or Not to Spit? Is DNA Testing Right for Your Research?
Host: Sara Cochran
Info: Covering the very basics of Genetic Genealogy, we will review the types of DNA tests available; list the companies that offer them, and determine how to choose which is best for your research and which family members to test – if any!
🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Advanced Genealogy Resources: Insights from Calgary Collections
Host: Christine Hayes
Info: Calgary offers a wealth of resources for genealogists, making it an excellent place to explore family history. In this session, Christine – an AFHS member and former library genealogist – will guide you through some of these valuable tools and collections. She will also share practical strategies to help you locate comparable genealogical resources in your own community.
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Break
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Missing: Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Bachelors
Host: Sara Cochran
Info: Have some of the folks on your family tree disappeared? Pick up some new ideas on how to find widows and never-married adults and then watch these techniques in action in three short case studies.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Door Prizes
Info: Our conference committee is looking for donations for door prizes! If you would like to donate something, we will list your business here, include them in our syllabus and add them to the PowerPoint that will be shown during the lunch hour. Please contact [email protected]
Untitled agenda
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:15 AM
Doors Open for Registration, Continental Breakfast
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 90.00 to CAD 100.00
