VIRGINIA BEACH GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
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  • Home
  • 2022 Virtual Conference
  • About & Contact
    • Groups & Committees
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    • Scrapbook
  • Membership
  • Meetings & Events
    • calendar
    • meeting link
  • Resources
    • Libraries
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Speaker bios and full talk description
Diahan Southard
About: ​Diahan Southard is a leading voice for consumer DNA testing from her position as Founder of Your DNA Guide. Diahan teaches internationally, consults with leading testing companies and forensics experts. Southard’s company, Your DNA Guide (YourDNAGuide.com), deploys a team of scientists who provide one-on-one genetic genealogy education and research services.
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You will walk away from an interaction with her enlightened and motivated as she has a passion for genetic genealogy, a genuine love for people, and a gift for making the technical understandable.
Presentation: One of the most frustrating things about genetic genealogy is to recognize that you have a good DNA match that just might be able to help you break down your brick wall, only to realize they haven’t posted any family tree information. Learn some best practices for identifying your best DNA matches, as well as super-sleuthing skills to help you track down the family tree for that all-important DNA match.
Sam Williams
About: W. Samuel Williams, MDiv is the owner of The Orthodox Genealogist, LLC, and he lectures and takes client work especially in Central Virginia, Greek American, and genetic genealogy mysteries. Sam currently serves as the Chair of the NGS Delegate Council, is the Secretary of the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society and the Captain for the Board of Assistants of the Virginia Mayflower Society. He is an alumnus of ProGen 50, NGS American Genealogical Studies, and several institutes. Sam studied International Affairs and Spanish at James Madison University and theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He works in full-time ministry as a Pastoral Assistant in the Greek Orthodox Church and lives in Norfolk, Virginia.
Presentation: Our families are often more complicated than polished family histories and well-organized family trees. Discover the 5 most common difficult discoveries a genealogist might make, learn how and why to proceed with caution, and get healing tools you can use as you grapple with the other side of genealogy.
Diana Elder
About: Diana Elder AGR is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. Diana authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-authored the companion volume, Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. Diana and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, are the hosts of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast and share research tips on their website, FamilyLocket.com.
Presentation: Research in the United States South presents many difficulties: burned counties, poor record-keeping, frequent migration, and more. Explore ways to overcome these obstacles and discover your southern roots.
Dr. Tom Jones
About: ​Dr. Jones, co-editor of NGSQ in 2003-2018 and past Association of Professional Genealogists board member, Board of Certified Genealogists trustee and president, teaches at Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburg (GRIP), Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) and at local, state, national, and international conferences, seminars, and workshops, in-person and virtually. Dr. Jones is a genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. With nearly sixty years of research and teaching experience, he frequently lectures, teaches, and writes about genealogical methodology. He wrote the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Proof and Mastering Genealogical Documentation and chapters in Professional Genealogy and Advanced Genetic Genealogy. His specialties include genealogical problem solving and preparing genealogical research for publication. He frequently lectures, teaches, and writes about genealogical methodology. His interests include "blocked" lineages and genealogical problem solving.
Presentation: Information hidden below the surface or totally absent helps researchers reconstruct events, identities, and relationships that no record specifies. Such hidden information is indirect or negative evidence. This session discusses the qualities of both kinds of evidence, which are easily misunderstood. It also describes uses of indirect and negative evidence, and it gives examples of applying those uses to solving genealogical problems.

  • Home
  • 2022 Virtual Conference
  • About & Contact
    • Groups & Committees
    • Get involved
    • Scrapbook
  • Membership
  • Meetings & Events
    • calendar
    • meeting link
  • Resources
    • Libraries
    • Links
    • Newsletters
    • Members Only
      • Handouts
      • Recorded Meetings
      • Mentors
      • Surname list
      • Member Swap Meet
      • Member Lending Library
      • Old Photos