Join the National Genealogical Society (NGS) in Observing Pride Month in June

 

Pride Month commemorates the June 1969 Stonewall uprising and the broader history and contributions of LGBTQIA+ people. For genealogists, it's also a reminder that the lives of LGBTQIA+ ancestors are often underdocumented in standard sources. Same-sex relationships were rarely recognized in civil records before the 21st century. Obituaries and letters tended to code identities rather than name them, where a partner might be identified as a “longtime companion” or “devoted friend.” A transgender ancestor’s records may appear under more than one name.

For these and other reasons, LGBTQIA+ community archives are an essential resource for family historians. They preserve the history of queer organizations, publications, and communities and, in some cases, also hold personal papers and biographical files. Many were built and maintained by community members because mainstream institutions weren't collecting this material.

Consider the archives listed here as a starting point:

ONE Archives at the USC Libraries
Founded in 1952, ONE Archives is the largest LGBTQ archive in the world, with millions of items including personal papers, organizational records, periodicals, photographs, films, audio recordings, and ephemera.

Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library

Founded in 1973 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Stonewall is one of the oldest and largest facilities in the United States dedicated to collecting and preserving LGBTQ+ history. The John C. Graves lending library houses more than 30,000 books and audio-visual materials, and its archive contains more than 2,800 linear feet of documents.

Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria
The Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria in British Columbia began actively acquiring materials in 2007, and is now the largest trans archive in the world, with materials in fifteen languages from twenty-three countries spanning more than 120 years. Holdings include personal papers, organizational records, nearly 400 periodical titles, and an oral history collection of trans activist elders.

GLBT Historical Society
Based in San Francisco and founded in 1985, the GLBT Historical Society houses more than 1,000 collections in its Dr. John P. De Cecco Archives & Research Center, including personal papers, organizational records, oral histories, photographs, periodicals, and ephemera, with particular strength in the history of the Bay Area and Northern California.

Lesbian Herstory Archives

Founded in 1974, the Lesbian Herstory Archives in Brooklyn is run entirely by volunteers. It holds more than 11,000 books and about 1,300 periodical and newsletter titles by, for, or about lesbians, as well as oral histories, photographs, and personal papers documenting lesbian lives and organizations.

Cornell University Human Sexuality Collection
The Human Sexuality Collection, established at Cornell's Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections in 1988, preserves primary sources on US LGBTQ history, with significant holdings of personal papers, organizational records, and rare periodicals from the nineteenth century onward.

Digital Transgender Archive (DTA)
This international collaborative project provides centralized access to digitized historical materials related to transgender history, including newsletters, photographs, organizational records, personal papers, periodicals, and oral histories. It is particularly valuable for locating materials held by smaller archives or community organizations that may not appear in union catalogs.

AIDS Memorial Quilt (National AIDS Memorial)
The interactive online Quilt contains nearly 50,000 panels memorializing more than 110,000 individuals lost to AIDS and is fully searchable by name, panel number, or keyword. Associated archival collections totaling more than 200,000 items, including biographical records, letters from panel makers, photographs, news clippings, and obituaries, are held at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

LGBTQ Religious Archives Network (LGBTQ-RAN)
A virtual resource center rather than a physical repository, LGBTQ-RAN provides biographical profiles of more than 700 LGBTQ religious leaders, oral histories with more than 90 early leaders of LGBTQ+ religious movements, and a catalog identifying related collections in repositories around the world.

Invisible Histories
Founded in Alabama and currently establishing a permanent archive in Charlotte, North Carolina (opening in 2026), Invisible Histories is a community-based organization preserving LGBTQ history across the American South, a region underrepresented in mainstream LGBTQ collections. Holdings include personal papers, organizational records, and oral histories.

OutHistory.org
OutHistory is a free public history website that creates and promotes high-quality, evidence-based LGBTQ historical research. The site includes biographies, documents, exhibits, and articles on LGBTQ history, with content contributed by historians and community members.

Ace Archive
This curated digital archive focuses on the history of asexual and aromantic communities, which are often underrepresented in broader LGBTQ collections. Holdings include manifestos, periodicals, zines, academic works, and personal writings documenting asexual and aromantic discourse from the late twentieth century forward.

--by Kimberly T. Powell, AG

What to Know Before You Go: Info to Help You Enjoy the NGS 2026 Family History Conference

 

Thank you to everyone who is registered for the NGS 2026 Family History Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the virtual conference. We look forward to being together, spending time with friends, meeting new people who share our interest in family history, attending outstanding presentations, and enjoying all the terrific networking opportunities.

Please take the time to read through all of the information below as part of your preparation for the conference.

Location for the In-Person Conference

The conference takes place at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Floor plans are available on the Whova app at the bottom of the Home page by clicking "Floormap." There are several workshops and events taking place at the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) on Tuesday and Wednesday, in addition to the tours of the Genealogy Center taking place there throughout the conference. The ACPL is one block away from the Convention Center on the corner of W. Washington Blvd. and Webster Street.

Whova App

Please download the Whova app for the latest conference program. You can download the Whova mobile app or access the web platform on a computer.

Use the Whova app to check each session's speaker, topic, title, time, and room. The app also includes floor plans, exhibitor information, giveaways and discounts, the names of conference attendees, and numerous ways to connect with attendees in Fort Wayne and online.

Download the Whova App

We encourage you to sign in to Whova, update your profile, upload your photo, and start connecting with other attendees. Please visit the Registration Desk if you need assistance with Whova on-site.

Speaker Handouts and Compendium

You can access speaker handouts in two ways:

1. NGS has shared a link to the Compendium with conference registrants. You'll be able to download the PDF to your computer. You may print one copy for your personal use.
2. Each session listing in the Whova app or web portal will have the speaker's handout available for download in the coming weeks. You can open the handout right on your laptop or mobile device. The speaker often references websites and resources in the handout, which requires less note-taking.

Please note that capturing, transmitting, or redistributing materials from either the Compendium or the individual handouts in the app, or taking photos, videos, or screenshots of the presentations in a lecture, infringes on the intellectual property rights of the speakers. Review the NGS Social Media Policy in the Compendium.

NEW: RSVP and Add to my Agenda for Sessions

The interactive sessions with an "RSVP" button in Whova have limited seating and are NOT being recorded. RSVP for those now if you are sure you want to attend. If you change your mind and decide not to attend, please un-RSVP so someone else can have your spot.

All other sessions with an "Add to My Agenda" button are open seating until the room is full. Those sessions ARE being recorded and you will find the recordings in the Whova app within 24-48 hours of the live session.

Session Recordings

Conference session recordings will be available in Whova 48-72 hours after a session concludes to complete post-production processing. Recordings are available to watch through 11:59 p.m. ET on 15 July 2026.

PDF Schedule

If you prefer to view the main conference schedule as a PDF or print a copy, you can find it in Whova under Resources > Documents. Please print the PDF before you leave if you need a printed copy. We will post any last-minute speaker cancellations or changes to the Whova app.

Badge Pickup and On-Site Registration

On-site registration and badge pickup are located at the registration desk in the lobby of the Grand Wayne Convention Center near Convention Hall A on the Ground Floor. Materials will be released only to the person named on the registration and upon presentation of a valid ID consistent with the name of the person who pre-registered.

Registration Hours:

• Tuesday, 26 May | 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, 27 May | 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, 28 May | 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Friday, 29 May | 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 30 May | 7:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Expo Hall

The Expo Hall in Fort Wayne is open to all conference participants with a badge. Exhibitor information is available in the Compendium and the Whova app.

Expo Hall Hours:

• Wednesday, 27 May | 5:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Expo Hall Opening Event
• Thursday, 28 May | 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
• Friday, 29 May | 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 30 May | 9:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Tours

If you registered for a tour, you should meet at the bus loading area 30 minutes before your tour begins. Tour groups will meet in the hallway between Convention Hall A and the Harrison meeting rooms, near the Washington Blvd. entrance. Please be sure you pick up your badge before your tour departure. You need a badge for every session or event. For workshops taking place on Tuesday before registration opens, there will be a registration list at the workshop room entrance, and you will be admitted without a badge.

Buy/Sell/Trade Tickets

All ticketed events are sold out, or registration is closed. You may sell or trade your tickets with other attendees via the BUY/SELL Conference Event Tickets discussion in the Community section in Whova.

Wi-Fi

There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotels and convention center.

Clothing

Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will do a lot of walking and sitting. NGS cannot control the temperatures in the facility, and event rooms may be hot or cold, so prepare for both. Please remember, temperature is subjective. You may be chilly, but others may be warm. If temperatures are highly uncomfortable, please notify a room monitor, who will contact event management.

Food and Beverage

There are water stations throughout the hotel. We encourage you to bring a refillable bottle to use throughout the week.

There will be concessions available in the Exhibit Hall 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Parking

Please visit https://www.visitfortwayne.com/plan/tools/transportation/parking/ for more information on parking in Fort Wayne. Make sure you have license plate information with you for times that may be needed in a parking app.

Have Fun, Be Kind

We want everyone to have the best experience possible in Fort Wayne. NGS does not tolerate inappropriate behavior in any form. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to abuse, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or sustained disruption. Email us or stop by Registration if you need to discuss a concern or ask for staff assistance.

See You Soon in Fort Wayne and Online

If you have any questions, please email conference@ngsgenealogy.org. Enjoy the NGS 2026 Family History Conference, America at 250!

Chinese American Genealogy is American Genealogy

 

Used with permission of Carly Lane Morgan

Growing up, I always understood that my Chinese American family history was part of California history. We had connections to multiple places in the Bay Area, and being part of celebrations and community organizations was woven into the fabric of our family. It wasn’t until I began seriously researching our family tree that I realized how often Chinese American genealogy is treated as something separate from “mainstream” American genealogy.

In reality, Chinese American genealogy is American genealogy.

One of the women who first taught me this lesson was my grandmother’s grandmother, Quan Yee See. She was born in China and lived at China Camp, a shrimp-fishing village along the Marin County shoreline. At first glance, those facts seemed simple enough, but as I began researching her life, I quickly realized that understanding her story meant understanding the broader history of Chinese immigration, exclusion laws, and community survival in the American West.

Quan Yee See. Used with permission of Carly Lane Morgan

Researching Chinese American families often means learning to work with fragmented records, changing names, and historical systems that were not designed to preserve our stories clearly. In Yee See’s case, even identifying her consistently across records became part of the challenge. Depending on the source, she appeared as Yee See Quan, Quan Yee C., Kwang Ye Si, Mary Quan, or simply “Grandma Quan”. Learning to recognize those variations required understanding Chinese naming customs, transliterational differences, community naming practices, along with the realities of recordkeeping always faced by genealogists.

Too often, genealogy education unintentionally teaches researchers to expect neat paper trails and consistent records. Chinese American genealogy reminds us that family history research is rarely that tidy. Records are affected by language barriers, government policies, and the priorities of the people creating them.

As I researched Quan Yee See’s life, I also had to immerse myself in the history of the places where she lived, so I could place her life within the broader context of Chinese immigration in California. That historical context mattered because Chinese immigrants in the United States faced intense legal and social restrictions almost immediately after arriving. Those restrictions shaped immigration patterns and created barriers to immigration that were sometimes only surmountable through crime, secrecy, or carefully constructed identities.

In my research, I found myself asking difficult but important questions that hadn’t come up for other ancestors. Why would records not exist? What assumptions did Americans at the time make about Chinese women? What risks did women face during immigration? What stories were intentionally hidden, softened, or left untold within families trying to survive in a hostile environment?

Those questions were fundamental in understanding Yee See’s history and understanding this corner of American history, even if I didn’t always love the answers I found.

Over time, I began to realize that Chinese American genealogy encourages a different kind of research mindset. It pushes us to think beyond names and dates alone. It reminds us to ask not only “What records exist?” but also “Why do these records exist?” and “What historical forces shaped them?” Those lessons benefit every genealogist, regardless of background.

Chinese American families have been part of the American story for generations. Our ancestors built businesses, raised families, formed communities, participated in local economies, and navigated systems that often treated them as outsiders, even while they helped build the country itself. This history needs to take up space in our understanding of America.

Used with permission of Carly Lane Morgan

I also believe that when genealogy organizations, educators, and researchers make space for more Chinese American stories, the genealogy community becomes stronger. People are more likely to preserve family history when they see families like their own reflected in educational programs, articles, conferences, and research discussions.

Chinese American genealogy is not a niche interest existing at the outer edge of genealogy. It is one thread within a much larger tapestry of migration, resilience, violence, family, adaptation, and community. Every preserved story helps us better understand not only individual stories like Yee See’s, but the history of the United States itself.

---Carly Lane Morgan

NGS Honors Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Join the National Genealogical Society (NGS) in honoring Asian/Pacific American

Heritage Month this May. Here are some resources that can aid in the discovery and

preservation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander family history.

FamilySearch Resources

FamilySearch Wiki: Asia and Middle East 
familysearch.org/en/wiki/Asia_and_Middle_East

FamilySearch Wiki: Pacific Island Guide 
familysearch.org/en/wiki/Pacific_Island_Guide_to_Family_History_Research

FamilySearch Wiki: South Korea Genealogy 
familysearch.org/en/wiki/South_Korea_Genealogy

National Archives Resources

National Archives: Asian American and Pacific Islander Records                            archives.gov/research/aapi

National Archives: Chinese Immigration and the Chinese in the United States  archives.gov/research/chinese-americans/guide

National Archives: World War II Japanese American Incarceration: Researching an Individual or Family archives.gov/research/aapi/ww2/genealogy

Chinese American Resources

Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation                                                                                          aiisf.org

Chinese Family History Group                                                                                    chinesefamilyhistory.org

Chinese Historical Society of America                                                                                                    chsa.org

My China Roots                                                                                                                 mychinaroots.com

Siyi Chinese Genealogy Forum                                                                                siyigenealogy.proboards.com

Japanese American Resources

Densho: Japanese American Family History and Genealogy                                  densho.org/collections/family-history

Hoji Shinbun Japanese Newspaper Digital Collection                                                      hojishinbun.hoover.org

Japanese American National Museum                                                                                              janm.org

National Japanese American Historical Society                                                                      njahs.org/research

Native Hawaiian Resources

National Genealogical Society  Research in Hawaii ($)                                            ngsgenealogy.org/ris/hawaii/

University of Hawaii at Manoa Library: Hawaii Genealogy Research  guides.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiigenealogyresearch

Ulukau Hawaiian Genealogy Indexes                                                                          ulukau.org/algene/cgi-bin/algene

Andre Kearns Appointed NGS Vice President

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announced the appointment of Andre Kearns as Vice President, stepping into the role following a recent vacancy in the position. His selection marks a continuation of NGS’s commitment to strong leadership within the genealogical community.

 Andre Kearns 

Kearns brings both experience and passion to the position. First elected to the board in 2020, he has been an active contributor to the organization’s work, leading the Development Committee and serving on the Finance Committee, and previously leading the organization's inclusion efforts. A professional genealogist, public speaker, author, and Founder and CEO of Black Ancestries, Kearns is widely recognized for his engaging approach to family history and his dedication to uncovering complex ancestral narratives.

His personal research journey reflects the broader power of genealogy to illuminate the past. Drawing on DNA analysis and historical records, Kearns has explored his own lineage, uncovering connections to enslaved individuals, free people of color, Native Americans, and multiracial communities, stories that underscore the richness and diversity of American history.

In his new role as Vice President, Kearns will help guide NGS as it continues to support genealogists at all levels, promote education, and strengthen connections across the global family history community. 

The Society extends its sincere appreciation to Rebecca Whitman Koford for her service as Vice President. Her leadership and dedication contributed meaningfully to NGS and its mission, and the organization is grateful for the time and expertise she devoted to advancing the field.

DNA Day 2026

 

DNA is no doubt an important addition to the world of family history research. Genetic genealogy helps to answer questions when the record paper trail goes cold. Genealogy and DNA testing has evolved since the first consumer tests were made available in 1999 to include autosomal, mtDNA and Y-DNA tests and tools. Today, test-takers can expect to learn more about their ethnic background, trace their maternal or paternal lines, and identify family members previously unknown due to adoption or unknown birth parents.

April 25th marks National DNA Day, a day that honors the 1953 discovery of DNA’s double helix and the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003.

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) began celebrating DNA Day annually on April 25th after the 108th Congress passed concurrent resolutions designating it as DNA Day. The goal of National DNA Day is to offer students, teachers and the public an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the latest advances in genomic research and explore how those advances impact their lives.[1]

Because DNA advances are almost constant, it’s important that we as researchers identify what questions we want DNA to answer, and what tests and tools will help in finding those answers.

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) offers DNA education in several ways including books and publications as well as virtual and in-person educational opportunities. To learn more about incorporating DNA into your family history research, check out the following NGS offerings.

NGS Education

GenTech Toolbox Video On Demand: AncestryDNA Custom Clusters: Identifying Matches that Matter by Angie Bush. Available to purchase until 17 August 2026.

NGS Books

·         Forensic Genealogy by Michael S. Ramage and Catherine B. W. Desmarais, 2024.

·         Genetic Genealogy in Practice by Blaine T. Bettinger and Debbie Parker Wayne, 2016.

 

GRIP Genealogy Institute

·       GRIP Virtual Course (22-26 June 2026): Advanced DNA Evidence with Blaine Bettinger.

·       GRIP In-Person Course (12-17 July 2026 at the University of Pittsburgh): Genetic Networks: Start at the Beginning with Kelli Jo Bergheimer.

 

NGS 2026 Family History Conference

·        From Revolution to Reunion: Using DNA to Reconnect a German Family in America with Mary Kircher Roddy.

·       DNA Standards: Establishing Revolutionary War Ancestry with Catherine Desmaris.

·       WORKSHOP - Bloodlines and Breakthroughs: Inside Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) with Allison Ryall.

NGS YouTube Channel

·       MemberConnects! Looking backon 25 years of commercial DNA testing with Bennett Greenspan, founder of FamilyTreeDNA.

·        The Power of Ancestry DNA with Christa Cowan.

 

NGS Magazine

·       DNA Discovery Column by Paul Woodbury.

National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ)

·       DNA Articles by various authors.

 

DNA Day 2026

Use DNA Day as inspiration to focus on your genetic genealogy. NGS has what you need, no matter if you are a DNA newbie or an advanced researcher. Look to NGS to learn more about DNA testing, matches, and next steps.

Happy DNA Day!

---

[1] “National DNA Day,” National Human Genome Research Institute (https://www.genome.gov/dna-day: accessed 19 April 2026)

Family History Hill Day 2026: Building Momentum for Records Preservation

Kelly Keegan (DC), Tricia Seguine, APG President (FL), Lorrie Martin, Greater Miami GS President (FL), and Bob Call (MO) in the Rayburn House Office Building

Alec Ferretti with Patty Hankins from Maryland and Barb Bombaci from Wisconsin inside the Hart Senate Office Building

The Records Preservation and Access Coalition’s third annual Family History Hill Day was an exceptional success—and a powerful reminder of what our community can accomplish when we show up together.

Each spring, genealogists from across the country gather in Washington, D.C. to share a unified message with federal policymakers: records preservation and access matter. This year’s Hill Day continued to build on that tradition, strengthening our collective voice and deepening our impact on Capitol Hill.

Throughout the day, participants met with Senators, Representatives, and their staff—forming new connections while reinforcing relationships we’ve cultivated over the past three years. These conversations are critical. They ensure that the importance of preserving and providing access to historical records remains visible and understood at the national level.

Just as meaningful were the moments we shared together. Hearing participants reflect on their meetings and experiences underscored the passion, expertise, and commitment that define the family history community. That energy is what makes Hill Day not just effective, but truly special.

Of course, this progress depends on continued growth. As we look ahead to the 4th Annual Family History Hill Day in 2027, our goal is simple: bring more voices to the table. Expanding participation by even five to ten people each year allows us to reach more offices, build more relationships, and strengthen our advocacy in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever considered attending, 2027 is the year to join us.

You don’t need prior advocacy experience, just a commitment to the importance of records preservation and access. Whether you’re a professional genealogist, a hobbyist, or someone passionate about historical records, your voice makes a difference.

We understand that traveling to Washington, D.C. isn’t always easy—but for those who can make the trip, Family History Hill Day offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and make a tangible impact. Together, we are building something that grows stronger each year.

 

David Rencher, NGS President, Senator Mark Kelly, and Melissa Thatcher from Arizona.

  

Alec Ferretti and Michele McEvoy from New York on Capitol Hill outside the Dirksen Senate Office Building

\

The group convenes over dinner to compare notes.

The April–June 2026 Issue of NGS Magazine is Now Online

 

The April–June 2026 issue of NGS Magazine, Volume 52, No. 2, is being printed and is now available digitally in the Members Only section of the website. This issue continues the year-long theme of America250, with an issue spotlight on the 1800s.

Note to longtime members and newer members who elected to purchase the print version of NGS Magazine: Delivery of print copies depends upon USPS schedules.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features

Diseases and Epidemics in the 1800s

Lori Lyn Price

Presidential Censuses and Passenger Manifests, Part I

Stephen P. Morse

Occupational Clues to an Immigrant’s Identity: A Case Study

Denise E. Cross, CG

Accessing US Synagogue Records for Jewish Family History Research

Ellen Shindelman Kowitt

A “Union Man” Dies as a Union Prisoner of War

William A. “Bill” Veselik

 

Departments

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

David Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, FNGS

EDITOR’S NOTE

Sunny Jane Morton

TEN YEARS OF CONFERENCEKEEPER

2026 NGS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

NGS NEWS

New Toolkit: For a More Welcoming, Inclusive Genealogy Community

Explore NGS’s New Online Member Community Space

In Memoriam

2025 NGS Donors and Volunteers

 

SOCIEY FORUM

Honoring Blue-Collar Ancestors: Inclusive Programming in Practice

Kate Townsend, CG

REFERENCE DESK

Emigrant Guides for Westward Travelers

Kathy Petlewski, MSLS

DNA DISCOVERY

Y-DNA and mtDNA for 1800s Research

Paul Woodbury, AG

GENTECH SOLUTIONS

Boo! Boolean Searching is NOT Scary

Robert Raymond

 

NGS Magazine is published quarterly to update members of the National Genealogical Society on NGS activities and to provide genealogists with special information and guidance on conducting effective genealogical research. The magazine is sent to libraries by subscription. Online access to NGS Magazine is available as long as membership is active. An index to the titles and authors of articles in issues from 2005 to 2024 is available for free.