Burke County Genealogical Society announces second annual conference

The Burke County Genealogical Society, in partnership with the Burke County Public Library and the North Carolina Genealogical Society, will host its second annual Genealogy Conference on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The conference will offer a full day of presentations designed to help family historians strengthen their research skills, discover new resources, and explore innovative approaches to preserving family stories.

Registration is $25 per person, with an optional box lunch available for an additional $12. The conference takes place in the fellowship hall of First United Methodist Church at 200 N. King St., Morganton.

The opening keynote session features Sara Campbell presenting Budget Genealogy: Finding Your Ancestors Without Breaking the Bank. An educator, author, and editor with more than 35 years of genealogical research experience, Campbell will share practical strategies for saving money on research subscriptions, genealogy education, and in-person research. She was a presenter at this year’s North Carolina Genealogical Society conference earlier this fall.

Additional presentations throughout the day will address a variety of interests and research methods. Rhonda Roederer, from Heritage with Heart will present 3 Keys to Successful Research and Keeping the Momentum, offering guidance for developing effective research habits and maintaining progress on family history projects. Her second presentation, Roots and Road Trip: The Ultimate Family Adventure, will explore the possibilities of combining genealogy and travel.

Laura Stotts will present Last Witnesses: Genealogical Service to a World War II Veteran. Through her work documenting abandoned historic places and her relationship with World War II veteran Andrew Pendleton of the 451st Bomb Group, Stotts will explore how genealogy can serve others beyond one’s own family. Her presentation will consider the importance of working with living veterans and preserving their stories while they can still be told firsthand.

Wes Patterson will demonstrate how genealogists can use artificial intelligence to organize research and assist with writing in his presentation, Leveraging Gemini Notebook: Transforming Research into Discovery. Patterson brings more than 35 years of genealogical research experience, along with a professional background in web development. He currently serves as Web Technology Program Coordinator and Instructor at Forsyth Tech Community College.

The schedule provides a mix of traditional research strategies, personal storytelling, travel, and emerging technology, offering something of interest to genealogists with a range of experience.