History Advocacy Day in Wisconsin

When
11 Feb 2026

Show details

Using Artificial Intelligence Tools for Genealogy by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

When
12 Feb 2026
7:00 PM
Location
Zoom

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable new tool for genealogists, potentially saving 100s of hours a year and offering new ways to organize our research. However, these tools have important limitations that must be understood in order to utilize them properly and efficiently. We will cover the benefits and limitations of generative AI, and how you can explore this entirely new field without becoming overwhelmed!

REGISTER HERE

Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD, is a professional genealogist specializing in DNA evidence. In 2007, he started The Genetic Genealogist (www.thegeneticgenealogist.com), one of the earliest blogs on the topic. Blaine is the author of The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy and co-author with Debbie Parker Wayne of the award-winning Genetic Genealogy in Practice, the world’s first genetic genealogy workbook. He also co-authored “Genetics for Genealogy” with Judy Russell in 2018’s Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (ProGen PPS) (Elizabeth Shown Mills, Author and Editor).

Blaine is or has been an instructor for genetic genealogy courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), and Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research. Blaine is a graduate of ProGen Study Group 21, a trustee for the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, and a member of the DNAngels Board of Directors since 2022 (President since January 2023), and a member of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) “Investigative Genetic Genealogy Working Group” since 2019. He is also the founder in 2017 of Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques, a very active Facebook group with approximately 90,000 members.

Show details

Wisconsin Genealogy Day

When
21 Feb 2026
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location
online - Zoom

Title: Wisconsin Genealogy Day

Presenters: Mica Anders, Rebecca Hopman, Dana Kelly, Eileen Snyder

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM Central

Format: Zoom webinar

Cost: Free

Description: Join us for a free virtual event where you will learn from expert speakers about how to research your Wisconsin and Midwestern ancestors. Presentations include “Researching Wisconsin Ancestors” by Rebecca Hopman; “Tracing Early African American Legacies in the Midwest” by Mica Anders; “Beyond Vital Records: Useful Government Resources for Genealogists” by Eileen Snyder; and “Norwegians in the Midwest” by Dana Kelly. Space is limited—reserve your spot today!

This webinar will be recorded and made available to registered attendees for 30 days.

Registration: https://wihist.org/wgd

Show details

Wisconsin Genealogy Day

When
21 Feb 2026
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location
Online Webinar

Wisconsin Genealogy Day

Discover how to research your Wisconsin and Midwestern roots in this free program.

Register Online

Part of Genealogy

Add to your calendar

About the Event

Wisconsin Genealogy Day celebrates Midwestern history and Wisconsin family stories through a free, all-day virtual program. Expert speakers guide attendees on how to research their regional ancestors. There will be time for questions at the end of each presentation. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society.

Don’t wait … register today to save your seat!

Schedule (Central Time)

8:45 - 9AM — Virtual doors open
9 - 10:15AM — “Researching Wisconsin Ancestors” by Rebecca Hopman
10:15 - 10:30AM — Break
10:30 - 11:45AM — “Tracing Early African American Legacies in the Midwest” by Mica L. Anders
11:45AM - 12:15PM — Meal break
12:15 - 1:30PM — “Beyond Vital Records: Useful Government Resources for Genealogists” by Eileen Snyder
1:30 - 1:45PM — Break
1:45 - 3PM — “Norwegians in the Midwest” by Dana Kelly

Presentations

Researching Wisconsin Ancestors by Rebecca Hopman
Explore your family’s Wisconsin story and learn about the unique genealogical resources of the Badger State. Beginning with an overview of Wisconsin’s rich state history, migration patterns, and agriculture and industry, we’ll then look at key records and resources as well as effective search strategies for family historians with Wisconsin roots.

Tracing Early African American Legacies in the Midwest by Mica L. Anders
Journey through the Midwest's rich African American history. We'll explore the lives of early black residents who shaped the region from the 1850s to the 1880s. Discover the stories of homesteaders, entrepreneurs, and veterans who contributed to the Midwest's development despite numerous challenges.

Beyond Vital Records: Useful Government Resources for Genealogists by Eileen Snyder
Government publications can provide genealogists contextual information about the lives of their ancestors beyond birth, marriage, and death records. We’ll explore some of the government collections at the Wisconsin Historical Society and learn how they can help us paint a fuller picture of our ancestors’ lives.

Norwegians in the Midwest by Dana Kelly
Norwegian immigrants began trickling into Illinois and Wisconsin during the 1830s and 1840s. They brought with them many traditions, including excellent Lutheran Church congregational record-keeping. We will explore Norwegian-American church records and how they can help point us to records in Norway. We will also touch on Norwegian naming traditions and their importance to genealogy.

Know Before you Go

A link to the webinar will be emailed after you register and again the day before the program.

If you do not see the email, please check your spam folder. A computer with internet access is required to participate.

If you do not have internet access, you may be able to call in for audio-only access.

Can’t attend live? That’s OK! This webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be made available to all registrants for 30 days.

Advance registration required.

Contact
Rebecca.Hopman@wisconsinhistory.org or 608-261-9515

Show details

My African American Family Research

When
27 Feb 2026
1:00 PM
Location
Milwaukee Central Public Library

Date of Event: Friday 27 February 2026

Start Time: 1:00 PM Central - Member meeting precedes Program

Event Title: My African American Family Research

Presenter Name: Catherine Bell

Description of Event: Cathy began researching her family genealogy in the 1980s. She will tell the story of how she traced her African-American roots back to the slave schedules and identified the slaveholder in Tennessee. Find out which resources helped her trace her family history.

Cathy has completed the Genealogical Principles course through Boston University’s Genealogy Studies Program. She is currently enrolled in the National Genealogical Society's course, Advanced Skills in Genealogy. She is a retired Program Coordinator/Instructor in Health Information Technology and Medical Coding at Milwaukee Area Technical College.

IN PERSON Location: Milwaukee Central Public Library 814 W. Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, WI 1^st floor Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Room

ONLINE Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/NkQfxKmfSUCyZneMD2ofEw#/registration

Show details

Naturalization: The Path to U.S. Citizenship

When
3 Mar 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location
Online - Zoom

Show details

Learning DNA Strategies Through Case Studies by Kelli Jo Bergheimer

When
12 Mar 2026
7:00 PM
Location
Zoom

Show details

Ask Us Anything: A Genealogy Q&A with WHS Staff

When
7 Apr 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location
Online - Zoom

Show details

Chinese American Genealogy

When
12 May 2026
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location
Online - Zoom

Show details

Wisconsin STate Genealogical Society

Upcoming Events