America at 250: A Call to Action

The 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding is more than a historic milestone; it is a chance to highlight the importance of genealogy in understanding who we are as individuals, families, and communities. Whether you’re an individual genealogist or part of a society or organization, America at 250 provides a meaningful framework to engage others in the value of family history. 

A Call to Action: Do One Thing 

During the National Genealogical Society’s (NGS) annual meeting, which was held on 20 August 2025 (the recording is here), Executive Director Matt Menashes encouraged all of us to commit to at least one thing in 2026—something that inspires, educates, and encourages family history preservation and research. Even one action can make a lasting difference. Just think of the impact when multiplied across our community. 

A Personal Contribution 

We are the guardians of America’s story in the most meaningful way possible—history up close and personal. Now is the time to share the stories we’ve found with family and friends. As the spotlight shines on history in the upcoming year, we have the power to make it personal for our families. Here are some ways you can share family history and hopefully pique the interest of relatives. 

Write biographical sketches. Keep it simple focus on one ancestor at a time and tell their story. They don’t have to be Revolutionary War patriots, just anyone with a connection to a chapter in American history. 

Plot it on a map. Your family may not realize all the places where your ancestors once lived. Use maps to chart locations and routes taken during your family’s immigration or migration.   

Use history to tell the story. Were your ancestors part of a large migration? What were the circumstances under which they relocated? If your ancestors didn’t move around, learn about the history of the area in which they lived. Check local histories to learn about local events that aren’t found in history books. City and county histories are widely available via sources like Internet Archive, Google Books, HathiTrust, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com. 

Include art where available. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so use photographs of people and places to illustrate your family story.  

Share it! History is best preserved when shared. Short stories can be shared easily via email and social media (although be sure to use caution and don’t share details on living persons).  

In the Community 

Volunteer locally. Look for opportunities to volunteer with your local library, genealogical or historical society, or municipality. There will be plenty of events celebrating America’s 250th anniversary so join the fun.  

Teach family history. You have a lot to offer. Create a presentation, workshop, or class on beginning family history that you can present through your local library or some other organization.  

Write an editorial. Remind others through your local newspaper of the importance of recording our family stories and the preservation of the records and resources that are vital to and enrich our family stories.  

Collaborate with cultural and educational institutions. Partner with museums and archives to highlight resources available and teach genealogy skills. Also, check to see if there is an interest in local schools, community centers, alumni organizations, or any group that might be interested in learning how to begin family history research.  

Visit elderly people in your community. Humans are our most fragile archives. Look for opportunities to record the histories of our oldest friends and neighbors. Their stories are America’s story, too, and without someone taking the time to record their memories, that part of the story could be lost forever. 

Our Collective Impact 

Imagine the nationwide effect if we all did just one thing. From small-town libraries to major archives, from local societies to national organizations, together we can show the public the many ways family history research enriches our understanding of history and who we are. 

For more ideas, see the NGS pamphlet (.pdf), Family History is America’s Story: An America250 Toolkit for Genealogy and Family History Organizations. 

As we prepare to celebrate America at 250, let’s use this opportunity to make family history more visible, accessible, and meaningful for all. What’s your one thing going to be? 

 

NGS Announces Inaugural Cohort of the James Worris Moore Leadership Academy

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) has announced the inaugural cohort of participants in the newly established James Worris Moore Leadership Academy.

 

The Academy honors the legacy of James Worris Moore (1934–2007), a pioneering African American archivist whose career spanned forty-two years at the United States National Archives. In 1960, Moore's membership application to NGS sparked controversy when he and other African Americans were denied admission to what was then an all-white organization. NGS has since acknowledged and apologized for this wrong.

 

Despite barriers, Moore rose to senior leadership at the National Archives, where he tirelessly championed the preservation of, and public access to, genealogical records—particularly underutilized collections. In recognition of his groundbreaking contributions, he was inducted into the National Genealogy Hall of Fame in 2025.

 

The Academy was founded to carry forward Moore's vision and values. Its mission is to mentor and develop future leaders, enhance diversity and inclusion, encourage practical engagement, and build strong professional networks.

 

Please join NGS in congratulating and welcoming the following eight people who recently started their cohort journey.

 

Dr. kYmberly Keeton (Texas)
Director and chief library curator of the Art Library Gallery, Keeton holds a doctorate in information science and interdisciplinary studies. She has served as faculty librarian and African American community archivist and organized Growing Your Roots, Austin’s first African American genealogy conference. Founder of ART | Library Deco and the Black COVID-19 Index, she blends genealogy, storytelling, and digital innovation as a form of scholarship and activism.

 

Denise Miller (Michigan)

A Black, queer leader with a strong background in nonprofit leadership and genealogy education, Miller serves as director of education at the Institute of Public Scholarship. She has created programs and curricula focused on genealogy, co-founded two nonprofits, and designed intergenerational forums for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. Her work fosters collaboration and historical reclamation through inclusive genealogical education.

 

Oyuga George Nyaure (Nyanza, Kenya)
Nyaure is a genealogist and community leader who digitized and preserved key historical records in Kenya, making them publicly accessible. As a facility administrator for a Kenyan orphanage, he improved workflow and morale while training volunteers in archival methods and community engagement. His work has empowered families and researchers alike and left a lasting impact on local genealogical access and education.

 

Kassidy Price (Utah)

An active member of NGS, Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), Utah Genealogical Association (UGA), and International Society of Genetic Genealogy, Price serves on the UGA Board of Directors where she has driven growth in social media engagement. With a background in leadership and management, she has led genealogical initiatives in her church congregation and focuses on accessible, community-based genealogy. Her thoughtful approach to organizational change continues to strengthen genealogical outreach and education.

 

Luís Rívera (New York)

Rívera is a member of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía, NGS, and APG. His genealogical journey began with tracing his Puerto Rican roots and expanded into pro bono research tracing Jewish ancestry across Eastern Europe. A Posse Scholar, he spent nine years as a foreign language educator, serving as Spanish department curriculum leader and DEIJB committee co-chair. He is committed to using genealogy as a tool for cultural identity and justice.

 

Dayna Terrell (Ohio)
A passionate genealogist and experienced leader, Terrell has served in key roles with NGS, Mahoning County Genealogical Society, and the Ohio Genealogical Society. She has organized four large family reunions incorporating deep genealogical research. Her work exploring schools, neighborhoods, and cemeteries fosters stronger family connections. Skilled in overcoming research challenges with DNA testing, she is eager to expand her own history and support others.

 

Alexander Trapps-Chabala (Louisiana)
Founder and director of KinConnector, Trapps-Chabala is advancing African American and Afro-Indigenous genealogies through public research and education. He is the lead genealogist for the Sold Down River project at Norfolk State University and has served as an archivist at the African American Museum and Library at Oakland. He has presented nationally via PBS and KQED and is committed to descendant-centered research and equitable access to genealogical resources in the Gulf South.

 

Terri Ward (Florida)

An accomplished genealogist and cultural historian, Ward specializes in African American genealogy and Coastal Georgia history. She has presented for the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS), and Coastal Georgia Historical Society. As director of publicity for GGS, she has significantly increased membership and engagement. Through her business, The Front Porch Genealogist, she launched creative initiatives like 'Harmonizing the Heritage' and 'Journaling the JAMZ,' blending music and genealogy. She is a recipient of Midwest African American Genealogy Institute and Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research Frazine K. Taylor scholarships.

Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is pleased to join the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month (15 September–15 October) honoring the "histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America."

 

We hope the resources listed below will help anyone exploring Hispanic/Latino roots in their family tree.

• Hispanic Family History Resources page on the FamilySearch Wiki
• Documentary Relations of the Southwest from the University of Arizona Institutional Repository
• HOGAR de Dallas (Hispanic Organization for Genealogy and Research)
• Early California Population Project by the Huntington Library
• LLILAS Benson Digital Collections and Content of the University of Texas Libraries
• Research Resources from the New Mexico Genealogical Society
• Texas Colonial Period Subject Guide by the Briscoe Center for American History
• Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar by Pascual Madoz
• Guia de los Archivos de la Iglesia de España by the Diocesan Archive of Barcelona for the Association of Church Archivists in Spain with the collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports
• Portal de Archivos Españoles (PARES) / Spanish Archives Portal
• Diccionario geográfico, histórico y biográfico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos by Antonio García Cubas
• Guadalajara Dispensas includes names from the archives of the Catholic Diocese of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Valladolid Dispensas with indexes to the FamilySearch microfilms related to the "Antiguo Obispado Catolico de Michoacan"
• Mexican Genealogy Resources by Moises Garza
• Resources and Links from the Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami, Fl., Inc.
• Great New Mexico Pedigree Database from the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico