2025 Virtual Fall Conference
WONDERFUL WORLD OF WEBSITES:
Navigating NARA, LOC, and Historical Newspaper Websites
Join us ONLINE for our 31st Fall Conference!
Saturday, 27 September 2025
Conference begins at 8:30 am (CT) | Conference concludes at 3:00 pm
GENERAL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Members, log in first to unlock your discount.
Download the Conference Brochure
Join us online via Zoom for the Fox Valley Genealogical Society’s 2025 Virtual Fall Conference, “Wonderful World of Websites: Navigating NARA, LOC, and Historical Newspaper Websites.” Learn from leading genealogists Alec Ferretti, Shannon Combs-Bennett, and Laura Kovarik as they guide you through the best strategies for researching the National Archives (NARA), Library of Congress (LOC), and historical newspaper websites. To cap off the day, registrants will have the opportunity to put their new skills into practice during hands-on breakout sessions, allowing them to apply what they’ve learned in a collaborative setting.
Available again this year: Apply for a Gary Hargis Scholarship to cover the cost of attending the 2025 FVGS conference (see details below).
LECTURES:
Look Beyond the Lede: Online Newspaper Research by Laura Kovarik
The lede is the first sentence or paragraph in a news article. It draws you into the rest of the story. For many genealogists, newspaper obituaries are the lede. But when you look beyond obituaries, you will find more information and details about your family and their lives. The increase in digitized newspapers has made incorporating newspapers into your research easier than ever. This program will look at online databases, search strategies, and the types of information you can find in online newspapers.
Unlocking Family History: Navigating the Library of Congress Digital Collections for Genealogical Research by Shannon Combs-Bennett
This lecture will discuss maximizing the Library of Congress’s digital resources for your family history research. You will learn to navigate historic newspapers, maps, manuscripts, and photographs while mastering search techniques and digital tools. Learn to uncover family stories through practical case studies and proven research strategies.
Finding Digitized NARA Content by Alec Ferretti
Learn about how NARA has digitized millions of records spanning centuries of American history and where to find them. We will look at the NARA catalog, the unique collections accessible there, and all of the records available elsewhere via their partnership programs.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS:
Wrap up the day by applying what you’ve learned in a hands-on workshop! Choose from three specialized sessions, each designed to help you practice key genealogy research skills. Select one to attend live, then revisit any session later—recordings will be available for 30 days after the conference.
1. Online Newspaper Research Workshop by Laura Kovarik
In this workshop, attendees will be guided through exercises to use the skills demonstrated in the presentation. After several short exercises, attendees will have time to work on their own research. Worksheets will be provided prior to the workshop to ensure that attendees are prepared for their research time. The instructor will be available to offer suggestions and guidance throughout the workshop.
2. Hands-On Genealogy: Practical Library of Congress Research Workshop by Shannon Combs-Bennett
This workshop puts the research skills you just learned into practical experience. Participants will actively research in the digital archives while learning effective search strategies. Through guided exercises and real-time practice, attendees will develop confidence in navigating the digital collections at the Library of Congress for family history research.
3. Finding Digitized NARA Content Workshop by Alec Ferretti
Learn where to find millions of digitized records from the National Archives (NARA) spanning centuries of American history in this hands-on workshop. We will look at the NARA catalog and NARA’s partnership programs, along with examples of different kinds of digitized records.
CONFERENCE COST:
$45 Members | $55 Non-Members
Members, please log in before registering to access the member rate.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:
FVGS is excited to offer a limited number of Gary Hargis Scholarships to support the next generation of genealogists (aged 18 to 40) in furthering their family history research. Thanks to a generous donation from long-time member and past President Gary Hargis, those selected will have their registration fee refunded. All conference registrants (members and guests) are eligible to apply for a scholarship.
This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your research skills, connect with like-minded individuals, and gain fresh inspiration for your genealogy journey. Don’t miss out—apply today!
This scholarship is designed to:
- Support individuals on their genealogy journey with structured education
- Provide valuable networking opportunities with fellow researchers
- Foster collaboration and inspire new avenues for genealogical discovery
How to Apply:
- Eligibility: All registered conference attendees are eligible to apply for a scholarship. Nominees must be between 18 and 40 years old.
- Application Process: Register for the conference first. Your confirmation email will include a link to the Scholarship Application Form. Complete and submit your application by Friday, 15 August 2025, at 11:59:59 pm (CT).
- Selection & Notification: The Conference Committee will review applications and recipients. Scholarship recipient(s) will be notified by email by Monday, 01 September 2025.
DOOR PRIZES:
Registrants are eligible to win door prizes from generous donors. The winners’ names will be announced at the end of the day.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES:
Learn from these leading genealogists at the 2025 Fall Conference and unlock genealogical gold in the National Archives (NARA), Library of Congress (LOC), and historical newspaper websites!
Laura Kovarik has been involved in genealogy for more than thirty years. Her experience includes leadership, educational, and committee positions with societies at the international, state, and local levels. Laura has been providing educational opportunities for genealogists for almost twenty years. She is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), the National Genealogical Society, the Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS), the Norwegian American Genealogical Center, and other local genealogical and historical societies. She currently serves on the Long-Range Planning and Membership Committees for APG. She is a former President of ISGS and the Fox Valley Genealogical Society. Her writing has appeared in Fox Tales and The Quarterly.
Laura works as a professional genealogist. She has presented webinars and workshops for libraries and societies, including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Areas of concentration include Norwegian research, newspapers, and incorporating ephemera into genealogical research. Laura also assists with organizing and digitizing family archives. Laura has authored several books and articles using material from her family archive.
Shannon Combs-Bennett, QG (Qualified Genealogist), MSc, FSAScot, is an award-winning author who resides in Northern Virginia. From there, she writes and presents on various topics across the US and internationally, from genetic genealogy to methodology techniques. She earned her Bachelor of Science in biology with an emphasis in genetics from Indiana University and her Master of Science in Genealogic, Heraldic, and Paleographic Studies from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Shannon is a doctoral student in History and Genealogical studies at the University of Strathclyde, studying correlations of genealogy and lineage societies in the United States.
Alec Ferretti is a New York City-based professional genealogist who has worked for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center, researching family histories for high-net-worth clients. Alec specializes in the genealogy of 20th-century immigrants to the United States. He is a regular lecturer at genealogical societies and conferences. He serves as the President of the New York Genealogy & Technology Group, serves actively on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and on the Board of Reclaim the Records, a nonprofit dedicated to wrangling public records from obstinate government agencies.