Presenters: Pat Quinn and Steve Penick

Learn how to confidently navigate genealogy records as you learn how to explore the differences between indexed records and original documents, the pros and cons of free and paid genealogy websites, and the accuracy of online family trees. Participants will also learn how to handle surname spelling variations, evaluate conflicting information, determine whether a record truly belongs to their ancestor, and the importance of citing sources for future research. Whether you are new to genealogy or looking to strengthen your research skills, this session will provide practical tools to help you build a more accurate and reliable family history.

What does a live, in-person conference like North Star offer to family history buffs? Genealogists can learn so much nowadays through “virtual” means—webinars, seminars, classes, even conferences—without ever leaving their homes. Yes, this year’s North Star conference offers the insight and expertise of two nationally known experts in genealogy research and multiple sessions on a wide variety of interesting topics from regional experts all in the span of two days. You might be able to take in these types of sessions at your own pace at home if you sought them out. But you’d miss the conference experience. You’d miss talking with other attendees who may have run into some of the same “brick walls” you have—and have found a solution. You’d miss asking your questions of the experts who are right there, speaking at the conference. You also couldn’t enjoy the networking and camaraderie of like-minded people who love family history as much as you do. We hope you’ll look at the conference schedule to find out all you can learn in two days. Then, also note the times built into the schedule for you to make your own experiences—visiting with vendors, lunch times, the Friday evening social, and bidding on door prizes. Register now to save your spot at the conference, then plan on having a great time exploring family history together. We’ll see you at the end of October!

Speakers: Michelle Klein, Michele Braun-Heurung and Joel Dhein 

Choosing the right genealogy software is an important part of organizing, preserving, and sharing your family history research. This presentation will explore key factors to consider when evaluating genealogy programs, including ease of use, cost, syncing capabilities, data privacy, source citation tools, reporting features, media management, DNA integration, training resources, and long-term data portability. The session will feature demonstrations and insights from users of Family Tree Maker and RootsMagic, while also discussing other genealogy software options available today.