Genealogy Seminars
Summer Seminar
June 21, 2025
In-Person or Virtual
Our Summer Seminar is scheduled for June 21, 2025, at the genealogy library in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Our speaker Patti Huff Williams, is an experienced genealogist, speaker, and educator with deep roots in the Texas genealogical community. From 2016 to 2024, she served on the board of the Dallas Genealogical Society in multiple roles, including Vice President, Director of Education, and Volunteer Coordinator. In 2019, she received the Society’s “Volunteer of the Year” award.
Patti is a member of several genealogical organizations, including the Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, and the Texas State Genealogical Society. She frequently attends major conferences like RootsTech and TxSGS, where she has presented and published articles in STIRPES.
Her training includes Boston University’s Certificate in Genealogical Research, the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research’s advanced DNA program, Diahan Southard’s DNA Skills Workshop, and the Family History Academy’s speaker training course.
Patti offers research and DNA analysis for clients and creates family history books through DancestorsGenealogy.com. She’s known for her engaging presentations that blend storytelling, strategy, and a touch of inspiration.
Earlier in her career, she worked for motivational speaker Zig Ziglar as a sales rep, seminar facilitator, and speaker, and later served as a marketing coordinator in Dallas. Patti and her husband Jeff live in China Spring, Texas, and are proud parents of six grown children.
Seminar Topics:
1. The Beatitudes of a Family Genealogist – Organize and Preserve Family History, Top 100 Genealogy Websites, Be a Storyteller, Be Willing, Be Persistent, Be Resourceful and more.
2. Ancestry ThruLines – Maximize your Ancestor DNA Results – A how to.
3. Locating Ancestors Through Scholastic Records (NEW) – Learn what type of records, resources, and research methods are available, and where to find them.
4. Hidden Treasures – 8 Generations – Find ancestors in known and unusual places.
Location:
This in-person event will be held at HCGS Library, 611 N. Davis Street, Sulphur Springs, TX. It will also be offered virtually via Zoom.
Cost:
$25 for current HCGS members
$30 for Non-Members
Become a member.
$35 for everyone
Registration:
With a credit card
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Fill out this Seminar Registration Form. | Email the form to: hcgstx@suddenlinkmail.com After processing, a PayPal Invoice will be sent to your email address. |
Pay the HCGS PayPal invoice when it arrives in your email. Note, an extra $1 is added to cover credit card fees. |
By check
Alternatively, you can mail a hardcopy of the Seminar Registration form and a check to the address on the bottom of the form.
2024 Seminar
Spring Seminar
May 18, 2024
Kelvin L. Meyers
Our Speaker: A fifth generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist since 1996, Kelvin L. Meyers is a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. Kelvin is a well-known speaker on land and Texas research. Kelvin was the founding director of the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) sponsored by the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) and has continued to speak each year at the TxSGS annual conference.
After being employed for ten years in the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library, Kelvin now has a solo practice as a forensic genealogist serving clients that include probate attorneys, trust department of banks, the U.S. Immigration Service and energy companies. He also specializes in southern brick-wall problems for clients. In 2016, Kelvin co-coordinated with J. Mark Lowe, “A Swing Through the South,” at SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogical Research) and will be coordinating in 2024 the Southern Course “The Trans-Mississippi South” at IGHR (Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research) sponsored by the Georgia Genealogical Society.
Kelvin has recently published Research in Texas for NGS (National Genealogical Society) Research in the States series. In November of 2023 the Texas State Genealogical Society made Kelvin a Fellow of the society.
Seminar Topics:
- With or Without Land: Using Land Records to Find Your Texas Ancestor – Because Texas was allowed to keep her public lands upon joining the United States, there are a myriad of ways our ancestors could acquire land.
- Why did Scarlett Make a Dress of her Mother’s Drapes? – “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” However, death happens only once, but taxes must be paid every year. This makes tax records an important resource for genealogist. These records can sometimes provide information about birth, death, and marriage and can help separate two men of the same name. Tax records may even help you identify the owner of your enslaved ancestor.
- Probate More Than a Will – Understanding the law in regard to inheritance, especially of land, is an important tool for interpreting records, especially in intestate estates. Knowing the law at the time our ancestor lived is paramount in understanding relationships based on inheritance of land.
- Are the Records Really Lost? – When you find you are dealing with a record loss, no matter the cause, you must look at the remaining records with fresh eyes and new angles.
Total Views: 734
2024 Seminar
Spring Seminar
May 18, 2024
Kelvin L. Meyers
Our Speaker: A fifth generation Texan and professional forensic genealogist since 1996, Kelvin L. Meyers is a frequent speaker to genealogical societies and family associations throughout the United States. Kelvin is a well-known speaker on land and Texas research. Kelvin was the founding director of the Texas Institute of Genealogical Research (TIGR) sponsored by the Texas State Genealogical Society (TxSGS) and has continued to speak each year at the TxSGS annual conference.
After being employed for ten years in the Genealogy Department of the Dallas Public Library, Kelvin now has a solo practice as a forensic genealogist serving clients that include probate attorneys, trust department of banks, the U.S. Immigration Service and energy companies. He also specializes in southern brick-wall problems for clients. In 2016, Kelvin co-coordinated with J. Mark Lowe, “A Swing Through the South,” at SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogical Research) and will be coordinating in 2024 the Southern Course “The Trans-Mississippi South” at IGHR (Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research) sponsored by the Georgia Genealogical Society.
Kelvin has recently published Research in Texas for NGS (National Genealogical Society) Research in the States series. In November of 2023 the Texas State Genealogical Society made Kelvin a Fellow of the society.
Seminar Topics:
- With or Without Land: Using Land Records to Find Your Texas Ancestor – Because Texas was allowed to keep her public lands upon joining the United States, there are a myriad of ways our ancestors could acquire land.
- Why did Scarlett Make a Dress of her Mother’s Drapes? – “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.” However, death happens only once, but taxes must be paid every year. This makes tax records an important resource for genealogist. These records can sometimes provide information about birth, death, and marriage and can help separate two men of the same name. Tax records may even help you identify the owner of your enslaved ancestor.
- Probate More Than a Will – Understanding the law in regard to inheritance, especially of land, is an important tool for interpreting records, especially in intestate estates. Knowing the law at the time our ancestor lived is paramount in understanding relationships based on inheritance of land.
- Are the Records Really Lost? – When you find you are dealing with a record loss, no matter the cause, you must look at the remaining records with fresh eyes and new angles.