GenTalks
Gen(ealogy)Talks are less formal, genealogy-related presentations that now take place online live several months per year, on the third Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (Pacific). GenTalks are FREE and open to the public, so, member or not, check out our Calendar page and come spend an hour or so with us!
Some handouts from previous GenTalks can be found here, for a limited time.
Upcoming GenTalks:
Digging Up New Dirt
A special 2-part GenTalk on how a New England family's immigrant ancestor was doggedly pursued for years - and found!
September 27 @ 11:00 a.m. PT (online), and
September 27 @ 1:00 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to these live presentations.
Presenter: Steven Waltz Morrison, MPA
11:00 a.m. Part 1: Unearthing the REAL New England Immigrant
Do you believe that family associations know everything about their early New England ancestors? Well, guess again! While Deacon John Doane’s activities in the Plymouth Colony are well documented, his life in his mother country was a complete mystery. Learn what nuggets YOU might uncover about your elusive ancestor by revisiting original records and adding a little historical context to your timeline.
1:00 p.m. Part 2: Finding, Proving, and Publishing
Follow the trials and tribulations of a small group of dedicated family researchers who set out to identify the ancestor of Deacon John Doane. Over a decades-long search, plausible theories were researched and eventually discarded as dead ends. Then, the release of online records resulted in a wave of new discoveries. Comparative analysis from both sides of the pond eventually proved that a candidate from London, England, was the likely youthful Deacon. A case study for the ages for anyone with a lost New England ancestor.
Our speaker, Steven Waltz Morrison, MPA, is past-president of both the Puget Sound APG Chapter and the Olympia Genealogical Society. He has presented at the annual NGS conference, the British Institute, and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. In 2016, Steven received the Scholar Award from the American Society of Genealogists.
In 2026, Steven will co-coordinate (with GFO’s own Geri Auerbach) the first genealogical institute course focusing on the Northwest states presented by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. The course will feature 23 topics.
Hiding in Plain Sight: Finding Elusive Ancestors with FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search
October 18 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Julia A. Anderson, MA, AG®, AGL™
Do you think you've searched everything on FamilySearch? Think again! FamilySearch’s powerful new Full-Text Search tool is unlocking billions of previously unsearchable records - revealing names, places, and stories hidden deep within digitized documents. In this class, you'll learn how to use this groundbreaking feature to uncover ancestors who’ve slipped through the cracks. Discover smart search strategies, see real-life examples, and leave with practical tips to apply to your own research.
Our speaker, Julia A. Anderson, has a master's degree in history and education and is an Accredited Genealogist and Accredited Genealogist Lecturer with expertise in the United States Gulf South Region. She works full-time at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she manages the United States and Canada research team. She also teaches online genealogy research classes for Salt Lake Community College. Julia owns and manages Anderson Genealogical Research, LLC, volunteers as a commissioner on the board of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen), and is the Conference Chair for the Utah Genealogical Association.
This meeting will be recorded.
GFO Virtual Holiday Party
December 13 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to the party!
Host: April Ober
Join us for a lively, friendly holiday party! What are some of your family holiday traditions or rites? Do you have a recipe that’s been handed down to you? Have you inherited ornaments or décor?
Spend an hour with us as we share stories. You can bake and listen, or wrap and watch. If you have a recipe to share, please send it to education@gfo.org, and we’ll include it in the chat during the party.
This event's host is April Ober, a longtime volunteer, GFO Hall of Fame honoree, and a Research Assistant (RA) on Mondays.
Introduction to One-Place Studies
January 17, 2026 @ 1:30 p.m. PT (online) (SPECIAL TIME)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Jane Harris
An intensive study of a single locale can reveal and disambiguate relationships of related families and even help resolve a genealogical brick wall. Learn what a one-place study is, the benefits of conducting one, and how to get started. We will look at examples for a range of mainly Scottish studies. We’ll also find out more about the Society for One-Place Studies, which provides support for researchers.
Jane Harris has been a librarian, information manager, and teacher. She holds a diploma in postgraduate genealogical studies from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. She founded Janealogy, specializing in Scottish family history research. Now in semi-retirement, she is actively involved in the Society for One-Place Studies.
This talk takes place an hour earlier than usual to accommodate our speaker's time zone.
A handout will be provided at the beginning of the presentation.
This meeting will be recorded.
Accredited Genealogist and AG are registered trademarks of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
Accredited Genealogist Lecturer and AGL are trademarks of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.
Certified Genealogist, CG, Certified Genetic Genealogist, CGG, Certified Genealogical Lecturer, and CGL are all registered trademarks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
