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. 

Speaker: Jay Davidson

How can we tease out the stories behind our ancestors’ photos? What were they like? What motivated them? How do their photos fit into their lives? Jay Davidson will present “My Mystery Ancestor: Researching Old Photos with Al and a Photo Detective” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists online on Tuesday, November 1’, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Whitney Senior Center (1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud). The presentation will be available remotely and will be recorded for members of SCAG and registered guests. James Latimer (Jay) Davidson grew up in York, Pennsylvania. His banking career took him from Manhattan to Hong Kong, Boston and Beijing. While his life and work took him far from his origins in rural Pennsylvania, his interest in genealogy sparked a renewed interest in his hometown region. Davidson will share how researching the photos and artwork of his ancestor, folk artist Lewis Miller, led to an in-depth study of life and culture in 19th century Pennsylvania. Davidson’s book “Young Lewis Miller: A Boy’s Life in the 1800s,” was recently published by the York County Historical Center and timed with the 250th anniversary of the United States. Now living in Southern California, Davidson is excited to share his research and the work of his ancestor with future generations.