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Book a speaking engagement today!

The researchers, archivists, conservators, and publishing professionals at American Ancestors/NEHGS are world-renowned speakers and leaders in their fields. They present at conferences, lead seminars and workshops, and are featured regularly in the news. Our team can provide quality educational experiences for your members, patrons, and communities—in New England and beyond!

Genealogist giving a lecture

Topics

Our experts can present on hundreds of genealogical and historical topics, in any format and at any experience level. Don’t see the topic you’re looking for? Let us know in the request form.

Popular Topics

  • Getting Started in Genealogy: Learn the basics of family history research. This lecture delves into the best practices for research, basic organizational tools and templates, common records and resources, and more. It’s a great place to start!
  • Researching Veteran Ancestors: Interested in researching your ancestors who served in the military? We offer many lectures on tracking down genealogical information for veterans, from Colonial Conflicts through World War II.
  • Using DNA in Your Family History: DNA testing can be extremely helpful in genealogical research and breaking down long-standing brick walls but there are still a lot of questions surrounding this newer area in the genealogical world. Our experts can go over DNA basics, the different tests and companies, DNA tools, how to interpret results, and more.
  • 17th-Century New England Research: New England is still a strong area of interest and expertise here at American Ancestors. Learn more about essential published resources, where to access essential records, and about migrations in and out of the New England area.
  • Writing and Publishing Your Family History: Gain step-by-step tips on how to write, publish, and share your family story with family, the genealogical community, and future generations.
Methodology & Tools
  • Taking Action: How to Create a Research Plan
  • Family Ties: Using Extended Family to Circumnavigate a Brick Wall
  • Broadening Your Scope: Employing Ancestral Associates in Your Research
  • Knowing the Neighbors: How Neighbors Can Help Solve Genealogical Mysteries
  • Making Your Case and Drawing Conclusions
  • Choosing a Genealogical Software Program
  • Using Occupations to Trace Ancestors
  • Hosting an Online Family Reunion
  • Choosing a DNA Test for Family History Research
  • Researching Women in Archives
Genealogical Records
  • Mining the Treasures in Newspapers
  • City and Rural Directories: More than Just Names
  • Using the U.S. Federal Census
  • Raising the Dead: Finding Clues to Ancestors from Headstones, Family Plots, and Burial Records
  • Navigating Notarial Records in Quebec
  • Finding Your Ancestor in American Fraternal Organization Records
  • Using and Evaluating Mug Books for Family History Research
  • Follow the Money: Breaking Down Brick Walls Using Financial Records
  • Boston Historic Catholic Records Online
  • Using New England Probate Records
Area and Population Studies
  • Chinese American Genealogy
  • Getting Started in African American Genealogy
  • Italian Family History
  • Top 10 Published Resources for Early New England Research
  • Getting Started in Polish Research
  • Applying for Dual Citizenship by Descent
  • New York Research and Resources
  • Resources for Pennsylvania Genealogy
  • Guide to Connecticut Resources
  • Lesser-known Irish Land Records
Preservation
  • Preserving Your Family Treasures
  • Organizing Your Family History Papers
  • Digitizing Your Family History
  • Identifying Photographs
  • Surveying Your Collection
  • Preparing to Donate Your Genealogy
  • Conducting, Collecting, and Recording Oral Histories
  • Caring for Photos, Albums, and Scrapbooks
  • Preserving Born-Digital Items
  • Creating an Inventory
American Ancestors/NEHGS
  • American Ancestors/NEHGS: Who we are, what we do, and how we can help
  • Using AmericanAncestors.org
  • Using AmericanAncesTREES
  • Using the Collections at the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at NEHGS
  • Preparing for Your Visit to the American Ancestors Research Center
  • Database Volunteer Opportunities at AmericanAncestors.org
  • Searching Databases on AmericanAncestors.org
  • Searching Journals on AmericanAncestors.org
  • Searching Study Projects on AmericanAncestors.org
  • Writing for NEHGS Periodicals

Types of Speaking Engagements

Lecture

As our most popular format, lectures are great for group meetings, events, conferences, and more. Standard presentation time runs forty-five minutes to 1 hour and includes a question and answer period with the presenter. Each lecture is accompanied by an in-depth PowerPoint presentation (dependent on AV set-up) and handout. This is a great way to easily bring the American Ancestors expertise to a genealogical topic of your choosing!

Three-Hour Workshop

If your group is looking to do a deep-dive into a genealogical topic, the three-hour workshop format is for you! Our three-hour workshops are formatted to provide three 1-hour PowerPoint presentations on a cohesive theme. From military research spanning Colonial Conflicts through the War of 1812, to organizing, preserving, and digitizing your family history, and much more, a three-hour workshop can provide your group with the in-depth expertise they need to move forward in one area of their family history. Our workshops include three PowerPoint presentations, time for questions and answers with the expert, and detailed handouts for each presentation.

Five-Hour Seminar

Our Five-hour seminar format is our most extensive, in-depth format and is designed to give yourself and your group a full day of genealogical expertise! A five-hour seminar includes five 1-hour lectures on a particular theme with Q & A, time for lunch, and an afternoon break built into the day. Our five-hour seminars have been expertly crafted to give a comprehensive, all-encompassing look at a specific genealogical topic and give you ample time to learn from our valued experts. Our five-hour seminar topics can also lend themselves to being more hands-on and interactive.

Keynote Address

Hosting a conference or special event? Consider booking one of our genealogists, archivists, researchers, librarians, conservators, or publishing professionals to start your event off right. Keynote addresses can vary in topic and length, but are typically 1 hour in length. Keynote addresses are customizable to the event and topic at hand.

Private Webinar

Hire one of our experts to virtually present to your group on a subject of your choosing! Our custom webinars allow members of your group to hear and watch a presentation in real time, interact with a genealogical expert, type in questions and receive verbal responses, and have exclusive access to a recording of the presentation. Each custom webinar lasts one hour, and can serve a maximum of 500 individual registrants. Webinars may be scheduled for anytime between 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM eastern time Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; and 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM eastern time on Wednesdays.

The cost to book a speaker is as follows:

Our online programs are $250 an hour and include:

  • PowerPoint presentation plus time for live Q & A
  • Corresponding handout to distribute to participants ahead of time
  • Permission to record the session and make it available to your members after the broadcast (please no public posting online).

For virtual requests, we ask that the requesting organization host the presentation on their own Zoom account. 

 

Our in-person lecture programs are $200 per hour (plus speaker travel fees) and include:

  • PowerPoint presentation plus time for live Q & A
  • Corresponding handout to distribute to participants at the event

Travel fees for the speaker are separate and vary depending on the speaker (and their residence vis a vis your location).



*There is no fee for us to present on using the American Ancestors website and resources.