GenTalks
Gen(ealogy)Talks are less formal, genealogy-related presentations that 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.
Recent GenTalks:
Finding Treasures in NewspaperArchive
Jun. 20, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
GFO members may access this recorded class via MemberSpace for 30 days.
Presenter: Mary Kircher Roddy, CG®, CGG®
Newspapers are a fabulous resource for learning more about your ancestors. Access to the NewspaperArchive database is a benefit of having a GFO membership, available for free inside the GFO library or in the comfort of your own home via MemberSpace. Learn how to use this website to fill in the details of your ancestors' lives.
Mary Kircher Roddy is a trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and is co-editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Mary has published articles in many publications and frequently lectures in Washington State as well as at conferences across the US on methodology and records. She is one of the founders of the Applied Genealogy Institute.
Upcoming GenTalks:
From Territory to State: Records You Might Miss
Jul. 18, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Sylvia Tracy Doolos
The transition from "unorganized” lands to territory to U.S. statehood created unique records that can be easy to overlook. Let's identify what those records were and research strategies to find them.
Sylvia Tracy Doolos is the owner of New Leaf Genealogy, is a Past-President of the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and actively volunteers with the Denver Public Library. Her research focuses on early American studies, with particular interest in Colonial and Territorial records and migrations.
Post Office Records: Geography, Politics, Religion, and More
Aug. 15, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Diane L. Richard
Post offices aren't just about mail! Post offices used to define community geographic boundaries, and handled newspaper subscriptions and related materials. How would you like to see great-great-grandpa's subscription list? Learn how to locate these records at both federal and local levels for a fuller picture of your ancestor.
Diane L. Richard has been the owner of Mosaic Research and Project Management (MosaicRPM) for 20 years, focusing on the records of North Carolina and southern states. She regularly contributes to "Internet Genealogy," and since 2016 has been editor of the North Carolina Genealogical Society (NCGS) journal.
Start Writing: Your Ancestor's Legacy Depends Upon YOU!
Sep. 19, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Steven W. Morrison
To some genealogists "the hunt" is everything. Learn how to shift gears and to write a cohesive story about your ancestor. Writing helps you refocus your thinking. You might even surprise yourself, realizing you’ve bagged your ancestor without knowing it!
Steven W. Morrison is a past-president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Olympia Genealogical Society. He attained a Master’s degree from The Evergreen State College where he taught for seven years as an adjunct faculty. He has published twelve articles in genealogical journals, has coordinated several genealogical institute courses, and in 2016 received the Scholar Award from The American Society of Genealogists.
Oral History for the Family Historian
Nov. 21, 2026 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Linda Barnickel
Just in time for holiday gatherings! Oral history is more than just opening an app and asking someone to reminisce. This class will provide a practical introduction to planning, creating, recording, preserving, finding, and using oral histories in genealogical research. Learn how to ask effective questions, use best interview techniques, and locate and use oral histories created by others.
Linda Barnickel is an archivist at the Nashville Public Library, which houses nearly 2,000 interviews. Her work includes the creation and curation of oral histories. Linda also authored "Oral History for the Family Historian: A Basic Guide" for the Oral History Association, and has presented on oral history, archives, and genealogy at numerous conferences.
Canadian Census and Vital Records: A Snapshot
Jan. 16, 2027 @ 2:30 p.m. PT (online)
Click here to register and obtain a Zoom link to this live presentation.
Presenter: Debby Horton
Learn where to locate key sources—such as Library and Archives Canada, provincial archives, and specialized collections like Drouin and Tanguay—and understand how record availability varies across provinces and time periods. You’ll come away with a clear sense of what records exist, where to find them, and how to use them effectively to uncover your family’s Canadian story.
Debby Horton has over 30 years of experience specializing in research for American, Canadian, and British ancestors, and holds Professional Learning Certificates in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) from the International Institute of Genealogical Studies. One of her specialties is Canadian dual citizenship applications, working with clients to identify, locate, and organize the vital records needed to prove their claim to citizenship.
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.
