Over the Halloween weekend, I spent several days at NERGC (New England Regional Genealogical Consortium/Conference). I’ve never been able to go before due to my job. Now that I’m retired and a full-time professional genealogist, it’s important for me to take advantage of any educational opportunities that come my way. But education isn’t just for professionals. Anyone interested in becoming a better researcher must keep learning, keep growing.
In this blog post, I’ll tell you about my time at NERGC and how you can plan for a genealogy conference so that you, too, can grow in your genealogy skills.
Since COVID, many genealogy conferences and institutions are offered virtually, but some are in-person only – like NERGC. There’s a lot to be said for networking and sitting in class with like-minded people.
NERGC 2025
NERGC 2025 was held in Manchester, New Hampshire, a great central location for those of us coming from across the six New England states. This was the 18th conference with the theme, “New Englanders – Here, There, and Everywhere.” There were 71 total sessions to choose from, ranging from beginner classes to advanced. Some were hands-on workshops where you could put your newfound knowledge into practice.
What Stood Out to Me
Range of Content
In years past, sessions were 60 minutes. Suggestions were made for more time. So this year, classes were 90 minutes with plenty of time for Q&A. This extra time allowed instructors to give more content than ever before. That, along with a robust syllabus, made for an excellent conference.
From case studies to learning about underused records, I walked away with tools I’m already planning to bring into client work and blog content.
Here are the classes I took:
- To Indian Territory and Back Again: A Case Study of a New England Family – Sara E. Campbell
- Following Ancestral Migrations: Three Case Studies – Annette Burke Lyttle
- Uncovering Pre-1900 New England Church Records for Genealogy – Bonnie Wade Mucia
- Turn Family History Facts into Stories You Can Share – Annette Burke Lyttle
- Locating Places Where Our Ancestors Lived and Worked – Karen A. Forten
- New England Probate Research – Michael Brophy
- Tax Tracks: Navigating Federal Tax Records for Genealogical Research – Michael Brophy
- Locating Revolutionary War Veterans in Your Family Tree – David Allen Lambert
- Accessing & Using FamilySearch Image-Only Records – Jill Morelli
The classes were not recorded, so it was important for me to pick the ones I needed now, both for my work and my personal research.
Connection & Community
Walking into the Exhibit Hall or simply sharing a meal with other genealogists reminded me of why I love this work. As someone who helps clients and loves genealogy, it was a special time to be with those I already know, and to meet new people.
There’s something about being surrounded by a sea of people who get the thrill of uncovering that “needle in the haystack” document, and it re-energized me.
Inspiration For My Business & Blog
Since I am both a practicing genealogist and a content creator, this conference wasn’t just about learning for me—it was about growing my business.
- I came home with several ideas for blog posts and other ways to help my clients. I also came up with new business-minded ideas.
- I saw new tools and service providers I might partner with, and I met people exploring platforms I hadn’t yet dug into.
- And, perhaps most importantly, I renewed my sense of purpose: helping busy people uncover their heritage without having to do all the work themselves.
Challenges & Take-aways
No event is perfect, and a few things stood out to me:
- Sometimes it’s hard to choose which class to go to. With multiple tracks happening at once, I sometimes felt torn: “If only I could be in both rooms.” My choice was mainly about the topic, but a few times, it was the speaker.
- The in-person only format means no virtual fallback—if you missed a session, you had to rely on the syllabus. Don’t get me wrong, it’s over an inch thick, so I’m sure it will be rich with information.
- Products and services in the Exhibit Hall were amazing. Several friends of mine had booths to advertise their businesses. Also, the APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) and NEAPG (New England Chapter of APG) had a booth and also held personal research sessions to help anyone who asked.
How You Can Choose A Genealogy Conference To Attend
If you’ve ever thought about going to a genealogy conference, now’s a great time to start planning. Conferences are one of the best ways to sharpen your research skills, discover new tools, and meet others who share your love of family history.
The next New England Regional Genealogical Conference (NERGC) will be held in April 2027 in Portland, Maine, and I couldn’t be more excited to have it right here in my home state. Whether you’re just starting out or have been researching for years, you’ll find sessions that fit your interests.
You can also explore RootsTech, the world’s largest genealogy conference, which takes place each year in Salt Lake City and is also offered online for free. It’s a great way to learn from top experts and connect with other genealogists from around the world without having to travel.
To find more events like these, visit ConferenceKeeper.org, a wonderful site that keeps an updated list of upcoming genealogy conferences, workshops, and webinars. You can search by topic, date, or location to find one that fits your goals.
Attending even one conference can reignite your passion for research.
Finally
If you’re reading this and wondering whether attending a genealogy education conference like NERGC is worth the time and investment, the answer is yes. The sense of shared purpose, the richness of the sessions, the energy in the halls—they all reminded me why I love this work.
You can never go wrong with more education. It comes in all forms…webinars, institutes, and conferences. For more on how to make your own education plan, read my blog post, “Become A Better Genealogist With A Smart Education Plan.”
Genealogy tip: When you get home from a conference, organize your material and notes right away. If you let too much time pass, you may be less likely to use the knowledge you gained.
I’d love to help you find your family. If you’re looking to extend your family tree, click below to get started. Your first 30 minutes are free.
