Family Roots Conference 2026

Alberta Family Histories Society is excited to welcome you to Family Roots 2026 – The 3 Rs of Genealogy: Relationships, Research and Resources. We’re looking forward to a great day of learning and connecting in person at our conference! 

When: Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 8:45 am to 4:30 pm

Where: Hotel Blackfoot, 5940 Blackfoot Trail SE, Calgary, Alberta (see map here)

Why attend? Come learn and connect with other family historians! Find inspiration and learn about new research skills. Expand your knowledge and make new discoveries.

Registration Fee of $90 (AFHS members) or $100 (non-members) includes:

• Four sessions (6 presentations, but there is a choice for two of the time slots)
• Continental breakfast
• Buffet lunch
• Digital syllabus

OPENING KEYNOTE SESSION

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: Is This Genealogy or the Cha Cha? – Sara Cochran

Revisiting and reevaluating our early research and home sources of information might seem like a waste of time, but often, it’s the key to getting past a roadblock in our research. We’ll discuss techniques for finding new clues in records we already have and look at several small case studies to see the value of taking the time to go backward in order to go forward.

MORNING SESSION – Choose one of two presentations

1) Navigating, Sensitivities, Trauma and Secrets in Storytelling – Rhonda Lauritzen (presenting via Zoom)

Are you grappling with how to address a family secret or trauma? This session will equip you to write about tough topics with empathy and grace. Tackle the challenge of crafting stories that heal rather than harm, avoiding “time bombs” that disrupt relationships. Through case study examples, learn critical mindsets to approach adversity in a story. You will come away with practical language for writing about sensitive topics and guidance for when to share or withhold stories. You will come away feeling empowered to draft a story that fosters transformation and connection. Discover how to write “time capsules” that inspire, ensuring your family history unites rather than divides.

2) Genealogy Starter Kit – Ron Gilmore

This presentation will introduce the notions of genealogy and the “Why” of this incredibly popular hobby with some examples. The session covers software, websites, DNA, genealogical organizations and sources of information. Ron will suggest a best practice set of structures for storing documents and digital files. The presentation includes many real-life samples of diverse aspects of Family History, far beyond simple birth, marriage and death dates. Genealogy has many fascinating dimensions, but the family stories uncovered are simply incredible.

AFTERNOON SESSION – Choose one of two presentations

1) To Spit or Not to Spit? Is DNA Testing Right for Your Research? – Sara Cochran

Covering the very basics of Genetic Genealogy, we will review the types of DNA tests available; list the companies that offer them, and determine how to choose which is best for your research and which family members to test – if any!

2) Advanced Genealogy Resources – Christine Hayes

Calgary offers a wealth of resources for genealogists, making it an excellent place to explore family history. In this session, Christine – an AFHS member and former library genealogist – will guide you through some of these valuable tools and collections. She will also share practical strategies to help you locate comparable genealogical resources in your own community. 

FINAL PLENARY SESSION

Missing: Reward! Locating Widows, Spinsters and Bachelors – Sara Cochran

Have some of the folks on your family tree disappeared?  Pick up some new ideas on how to find widows and never-married adults and then watch these techniques in action in three short case studies..

Sara Cochran – The Skeleton Whisperer

Sara is a full-time professional genealogist with over thirty years of research experience. Her research has taken her to nearly every state in the USA and Ireland. She especially enjoys breaking down brick walls, discovering the stories of black sheep ancestors, and helping individuals preserve their photographic legacy. She holds a Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree in Library Science, and is an alum of the ProGen Study Group. She is a member of DAR and other lineage societies, the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Genealogical Speakers Guild. You can find her online at TheSkeletonWhisperer.com.

Rhonda Lauritzen – Evalogue

Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer and keynote speaker, holding an MBA from the University of Utah. She served as CEO of her family’s business and was a state college vice president. Her storytelling began with her parents’ business saga, leading to founding Evalogue.Life in 2016. Rhonda has written over a dozen books with four traditionally published. She is a regular feature writer for Family Tree Magazine and has been interviewed by major media worldwide. Her professional work has included being hired to tell the stories of families, buildings, and cities. Rhonda believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending. Rhonda will be doing her presentation via Zoom. A full bio and a short highlight reel can be found here: http://evalogue.life/rhonda-lauritzen

Christine Hayes – AFHS Member

From a young age, Christine was the kid who perched quietly nearby, eavesdropping on the conversations of grown-ups and wondering about the people behind the names. Years later, after taking a job in the genealogy department at the public library, those names she’d heard resurfaced in census records—and she was hooked. Christine spent the bulk of her career helping people trace their ancestry. She believes that storytelling is the bridge between past and present, and that preserving family history is the most powerful way to keep our collective memory alive. Christine now serves as the Program Committee Chair of the Alberta Family History Society, where she continues to work with genealogists looking to find family and discover the lives of those who went before.

Ron Gilmore – AFHS Member

With a degree in Electrical Engineering and a master’s degree in mathematics, Ron worked for industrial giants such as General Electric and IBM before transitioning to a consulting career, assisting large organizations cope with installing and leveraging information technology. His work took him across Canada, USA and Europe. Now, he is enjoying a journey of discovery in genealogy. His focus is Ireland, Scotland, England, France/Germany and some rather entertaining family history sagas. Ron belongs to four genealogical societies in California and is a past president of the Alberta Family Histories Society. He has shared his presentations with genealogical groups in Canada and USA. His website can be viewed here.

Our conference committee is looking for donations for door prizes! If you would like to donate something, we will list your business here, include them in our syllabus and add them to the PowerPoint that will be shown during the lunch hour. Please contact familyroots@afhs.ab.ca

Confirmed door prizes to date are:

Donated by Wendy Schultz – To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

My Heritage – Certificate for 1 Year – MyHeritage Complete Plan (Full Access)

My Heritage – Certificate for 1 Year – MyHeritage Old News Subscription

My DNA – Coupon for the e-book version of Your DNA Guide: the Book

We hope that you are ready to register! Registration will open on June 6 and close on October 12 at midnight. There will be no registration at the door of the conference as we have to make seating and catering arrangements in advance.

• To register online with credit card payment, go to Eventbrite.
• If you prefer to pay by cheque, download and print this registration form and mail it with payment to the address on the form. Mail-in registration forms must be received at our office no later than October 9.
• We will offer payment by cash or cheque at the following Society meetings at our Resource Centre: June 8 and September 14.

If you have special dietary requests, please note them during the registration process.

Accommodations: If you would like to stay at the conference hotel, please contact Hotel Blackfoot and reference AFHS Conference 2026 to book your accommodation. Attendees are responsible for making payment directly to the hotel. The rates are as follows: 1 or 2 queen beds – $198.41 (includes taxes) OR 1 king bed – $233.07 (includes taxes).

Photography and Filming Disclaimer – Please note that photographs and footage may be taken at this Family Roots event. These may be used for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and on social media. Please contact familyroots@afhs.ab.ca if you have any concerns.