Saturday Seminars
Join Us On the Third Saturday of Each Month
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., is proud to sponsor Saturday Seminars to benefit you, the genealogy library patron. The seminars are FREE and are held at the W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, in the first floor Program Room or you can attend via Zoom. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. Registration is not necessary. The content is suitable for all levels of genealogy research so bring your friends to learn and have fun at the same time! As always, donations are gladly accepted! Email [email protected] to be added to the distribution list for the Zoom link.
Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., is proud to sponsor Saturday Seminars to benefit you, the genealogy library patron. The seminars are FREE and are held at the W.O. Haggard, Jr. Library, 2501 Coit Rd., Plano, Texas, in the first floor Program Room or you can attend via Zoom. Doors open at 10:15 a.m. Registration is not necessary. The content is suitable for all levels of genealogy research so bring your friends to learn and have fun at the same time! As always, donations are gladly accepted! Email [email protected] to be added to the distribution list for the Zoom link.
July 18, 2026 - Organizing and Identifying Photograph Collections by Ari Wilkins - We all have mounds of old unidentified family photos sitting in boxes. This lecture will offer step-by-step direction in organizing, preserving and cataloguing these precious collections for future generations. Learn how to identify, digitize and share collections using family trees and social media.
Speaker: Ari Wilkins is a graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research. She speaks nationally and locally. She has had the honor to speak at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, American Library Association, RootsTech, and a multitude of local societies.
Speaker: Ari Wilkins is a graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research. She speaks nationally and locally. She has had the honor to speak at the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, Texas State Genealogical Society, Ohio Genealogical Society, Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, American Library Association, RootsTech, and a multitude of local societies.
All Day Virtual Seminar
August 15, 2026 is our All Day Virtual Seminar Strategies for Genealogical Discoveries by J. Mark Lowe, click here for more information.
September 19, 2026 - From Parlor to Platform: Women's Clubs and Organizations as Genealogical Sources by Barbara Coakley - Discover how the women's club movement of the late 1800s took women from the parlor into hospitals, schools, and civic office - and left behind records that document them in their own right, not through the men in their lives. Includes a case study of a women's organization and tips on where these records survive.
Speaker: Barbara Coakley - It all started with an envelope.In 1985, Barbara Coakley's aunt handed her a collection of old family papers — and a lifelong passion was born. Four decades later, Barbara has become an accomplished genealogical educator and author who genuinely loves sharing her experience and knowledge with fellow researchers at every skill level.
Barbara taught Continuing Education genealogy courses at Collin College for over a decade and has lectured to genealogical societies across the country, both in person and virtually. Her formal training includes all the major institutes and ProGen 49. Her research has been published in genealogical society journals in Missouri, Illinois, and Oregon.
Barbara serves as President of Genealogy Friends of Plano (TX) Libraries, Treasurer for the Texas State Genealogical Society, and volunteers for the Dallas Genealogical Society. She believes every family has a story worth telling.
Speaker: Barbara Coakley - It all started with an envelope.In 1985, Barbara Coakley's aunt handed her a collection of old family papers — and a lifelong passion was born. Four decades later, Barbara has become an accomplished genealogical educator and author who genuinely loves sharing her experience and knowledge with fellow researchers at every skill level.
Barbara taught Continuing Education genealogy courses at Collin College for over a decade and has lectured to genealogical societies across the country, both in person and virtually. Her formal training includes all the major institutes and ProGen 49. Her research has been published in genealogical society journals in Missouri, Illinois, and Oregon.
Barbara serves as President of Genealogy Friends of Plano (TX) Libraries, Treasurer for the Texas State Genealogical Society, and volunteers for the Dallas Genealogical Society. She believes every family has a story worth telling.
October 17, 2026 - AI in Genealogical Research: A Practical Approach by Diana Elder - See how AI works in real genealogy research through hands-on examples. We'll learn how AI can assist with common research tasks, such as creating timelines and source citations, logging research, and preparing records. You'll see examples of AI tools in action and learn what they excel at (and where they fall short). Leave with practical tips and specific examples you can use in your own family history research.
Speaker: Diana Elder, AG, AGL is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. She is accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and has turned her passion for teaching to educating teens and adults in proven genealogy techniques. Diana is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogists Guide and creator of the "Research Like a Pro" study group. She writes regular articles for FamilyLocket.com, the genealogy website created by her daughter, Nicole Dyer. She presents regularly at genealogy conferences, sharing the methods she uses every day to solve challenging genealogical problems.
Speaker: Diana Elder, AG, AGL is a professional genealogist, author, and speaker. She is accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Elementary Education and has turned her passion for teaching to educating teens and adults in proven genealogy techniques. Diana is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogists Guide and creator of the "Research Like a Pro" study group. She writes regular articles for FamilyLocket.com, the genealogy website created by her daughter, Nicole Dyer. She presents regularly at genealogy conferences, sharing the methods she uses every day to solve challenging genealogical problems.
2026 Programs
2025 Programs
2024 Programs:
2023 Programs:
- January 17, 2026 - "The Road to Independence: Defying the British During the Revolutionary War" by Michael Strauss, MA, AG, AGL - This lecture examines the complexities of the American Revolutionary War and its immediate aftermath, tracing its origins in escalating colonial tensions with Great Britain through its conclusion in 1783. Drawing on a range of primary source materials, we will explore the individual and collective experiences of military service in both the Continental and state forces. In addition to analyzing compiled military service records, pension files, and land bounty warrants, the lecture will incorporate naval and marine documentation to construct a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict. The analysis extends beyond the war's conclusion to address the national emergencies of Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion, framing them as critical moments in the new republic’s post-war trajectory.
- February 21, 2026 - "Organizing for Genealogical Success" by Emily Richardson - Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or professional researcher we have all felt the pain of not being able to find the document or picture we have previously found during our genealogical research. Organization of genealogical research is critical for success. Whether you use files, notebook, or digital files, you must have a process that will enable you to easily locate a document in your system. This organization includes developing a process that you use to know who you are researching, what you have completed, what you have found, where you found it and how this information aids in future research. Come learn more about organizational skills for genealogists so that you can be efficient and successful in your quest to find your ancestors.
- March 21, 2026 - "Be a Super Sleuth: Accessing Images and Full-Text Search in FamilySearch by Jill Morelli, CG, CGL - Did you know that Family Search is placing their recently digitized material online in less than 24 hours after it is scanned? Did you know that they were placing them, not in the Catalog, but in Images? Did you know that using "Full Text Search," you can conduct an all word search in certain documents? What is a Super Sleuth to do? We will learn how to access these two features of FS to find your ancestors. Treasures await!
- April 18, 2026 - " Inventing America - Records of the US Patent Office" by Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA - Americans have always been tinkerers and inventors. Records of the U.S. Patent Office can enrich any family's history. Where can those records be found today, and what can they tell us about our families?
- May 16, 2026 - Working With atDNA, mtDNA, and YDNA in One Organized Endeavor by Kelli Bergheimer - One of the difficulties of working across many DNA testing companies and tracking data with multiple testers is organizing the information. Using a case study, the focus will be how to organize data into a running log to give a big-picture view of your next steps.
- June 20, 2026 - Get the Scoop on Your Ancestors with Newspapers by Lisa Louise Cooke - Yearning to "read all about it?" Newspapers are a fantastic source of research leads, information, and historical context for your family history. Learn the specialized approach that is required to achieve success in locating the news on your ancestors. Includes 3 Cool Tech Tools that will get you started.
2025 Programs
- January 18, 2025 - "Avoiding An Ancestor Identity Crisis" by Shelley Bishop - How can you tell if a name in a database or record is really your ancestor? Genealogists often deal with the challenges of identifying ancestors despite same names, irregular spellings, inconsistent ages, similar places, unknown maiden names, missing vital records, ancestral migration, and boundary changes. Knowing how to sort these issues out is crucial to building an accurate family tree. Join genealogist Shelley Bishop who will demonstrate the use of seven strategies to help you solve identity problems and keep your research on track.
- February 15, 2025 - "Using Fold3 to Your Advantage" by Craig R. Scott - With every subscription service, there are nuances. What is free? What will you have to pay for? How can I best use this tool, efficiently, but effectively? Where are their mistakes? How can I find what I need, even when I cannot seem to find it? Come learn my tricks about Fold3.com.
- March 15, 2025 - "Strategies to Identify DNA Matches" by Kelli Bergheimer - Learn how to sort your matches (Leeds Method) and use clustering tools to build a master list of how each match is related to you! Learn to take advantage of inferred matches of your siblings to add more depth and data to your list. And develop a plan for identifying each first, second, and third cousin match in your match list.
- April 19, 2025 - "What's New at FamilySearch.org" by Lynell Moss (This meeting will be in the Program Room in the Genealogy Section due to voting.)
- May 17, 2025 - "Linking Generations with Court and Land Records" by Judy Russell - It’s the single biggest issue genealogists face: how do we connect one generation to the next with evidence we can rely on? Vital records are excellent documentation, but they often don’t exist for the time and place we’re researching. That’s when we have to find workarounds to make sure we’re not simply putting people into family lines because they share the same names. Using court and land records, we can often find the evidence we need to link the generations accurately.
- June 21, 2025 - "How Do I Know My Sources Are Good and My Research is Accurate?" by Kim Richardson - What makes a source a "good" source? How do you know it's reliable? Are you using good research plans? Or do you just feel lost? Overwhelmed? Let's discuss finding information, using it as good evidence, and documenting as you go. This presentation was created from the standpoint of "I wish I knew that before I started researching!"
- July 19, 2025 - "Navigating the Historical and Genealogical Treasures Within Repositories, Libraries, and More" by Katherine R. Wilson - Unlock practical techniques to uncover valuable repositories in ancestral regions, master the use of repository finding aids and subject headings, and effortlessly navigate select websites and digital collections to take your genealogical research to the next level
- August 16, 2025 - All Day Virtual Seminar with Thomas MacEntee
- September 20,2025 - "How to Reopen and Work a Genealogical Cold Case" by Lisa Louise Cooke - Become a genealogical detective in this vital session. You’ll learn how to track down ancestors like a criminal cold case detective, following their distinctive process. Learn how to sniff out holes in your research and get missing information on the record using a variety of methods including cutting edge technology.
- October 18, 2025 - "Beyond the Census: Uncovering the Story of Your Ancestor's Business - Your ancestor's business wasn't just how they made a living it was part of their identity, their community, and their story. In this session, learn how to dig beyond census records to uncover the details of your ancestor's occupation or business.
- November 15, 2025 - "Farmer, Rancher or Sharecropper: Shaping a profile for your Rural Ancestor" by J. Mark Lowe - Farming is a proud and honorable occupation. Develop a rich profile of your farming ancestor and community using available resources.
- December 20, 2025 - Show and Tell - in person at the library only
2024 Programs:
- January 20, 2024—”A Nose for News: Sniffing Out Stories in Newspapers” by Mary Roddy
- February 17, 2024—”The Fair Court: Records of the Chancery Court” by Judy Russell
- March 16, 2024—”A New Strategy for Brick Walls" by Kim Richardson
- April 20, 2024— “The Value of Transcribing Historical Records” by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson
- May 18, 2024—”A Foundational Step in Research Strategy—What is the Research Question” by Emily Richardson
- June 15, 2024—”AI and Genealogy” by Thomas MacEntee
- July 20, 2024—”Working With An Online Family Tree” by Bernard Meisner
- August 17, 2024—”Diseases, Disasters, Distress: Bad for Your Ancestors, Good for Genealogy” by Lisa Alzo
- September 21, 2024 - "Research: From Planning to Writing" All Day Virtual Seminar
- October 19, 2024 - "Avoiding Bias: Consider All The Possibilities" by Barbara Coakley
- November 16, 2024 - "After You're Gone: Future Proofing Your Genealogy Research" by Thomas MacEntee
- December 21, 2024 - Show and Tell - this event is in the library only.
2023 Programs:
- January 21 - Discussion Group
- February 18 - "Applying to a Lineage Society" by Emily Richardson
- March 18 - "Census Records - Have You Really Looked at Them?" by Barbara Coakley
- April 15 - "Shaky Leaf Syndrome: Using Website Generated Hints More Effectively" by Sarah Cochran
- May 20 - "10 Genealogical Brick Walls You Will Face" by Robert Cameron Weir
- June 17 - "Appreciating Conflicting Evidence: Analysis and Resolution Develops Broader Research" and "Indirect Evidence: Finding What Was Not Written" by Rebecca Whitman Koford - This meeting will last until 1 pm.
- July 15 - " "FamilySearch Hidden Treasures or Discoveries of a Fearless Button Pusher" by Lynell Moss.
- August 19 - "30 Types of Maps Useful in Genealogy," by Margaret Kapustiak
- September 16 - All Day Seminar
- October 21 - "After They Are Gone: What Probate Records Tell Us," by Barbara Coakley
- November 18 - "Researching Graphically: Expanding Your Research with Timelines, Charts, Spreadsheets and Diagrams" by Ari Wilkins
- December 16 - Annual Show and Tell - In Person at Haggard Library Only