Genealogy Seminars
HCGS Summer Seminar
with Ari Wilkins
June 20, 2026
8:30am – 3:30pm
In-Person or Virtual
Registration details will be posted here once they’re available.
A graduate of Louisiana State University, Ms. Wilkins has been actively researching family history since 1998, specializing in African American research.
Ms. Wilkins 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.
Seminar Topics:
Black and White Families in Southern Plantation Records
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, con-ditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more.
Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
Mysterious Relatives
Many researchers encounter mysterious people living in the household of a relative; or a letter signed by an unknown ‘cousin.’ As a researcher, it is important to investigate and understand the relationship between these strangers and your person of interest. This lecture will discuss cluster research methodology.
Reconstructing Communities Using Sanborn Maps, Census Records, and City Directories Recreating neighborhoods can provide rich and insightful details about an ancestor’s life and surroundings. This lecture will demonstrate ways to build a map using Sanborn Fire insurance maps, census records, and city directories in Google Maps.
Sources for Researching Rural Ancestors
“If you blink, you’ll miss it!” Did your ancestor come from a one-horse town or an unincorporated community? Learn about researching country ancestors!
This lecture will discuss a variety of census records; land records; maps (including census enumeration, postal route and cadastral maps); rural directories; newspapers and other sources. It will also discuss methodology and state-of-the-art tools for mapping and researching our rural ancestors.
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.
Registration and additional information will be provided here and in future quarterlies, by email and media outlets!
2025 Seminar
Summer Seminar
June 21, 2025
8:30am – 3:30pm
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.
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2025 Seminar
Summer Seminar
June 21, 2025
8:30am – 3:30pm
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.