The Lewis & Clark County Genealogical Society will host our 34th annual conference in Helena, 10-12 September 2026. The conference will be held in the newly constructed Montana Heritage Center, located at 225 Roberts Street in Helena. Hotel information and registration forms will be available soon.

Thursday, 10 September 2026 – FREE pre-conference activities

Friday, 11 September 2026

Saturday, 12 September 2026

Jennifer Zinck’s Sessions:

After the Test: Exploring AncestryDNA Results – Many genealogists have taken a DNA test but are unsure what to do after the results arrive. AncestryDNA provides a wide range of tools and information, and learning how to interpret and use those results can open new opportunities for genealogical discovery.This session explores the key features of AncestryDNA and demonstrates how genealogists can begin working effectively with their results. Participants will learn how to interpret match lists, evaluate possible relationships, and explore shared matches to identify potential family connections. The presentation will also examine how online family trees and other Ancestry tools can help researchers begin identifying common ancestors with DNA matches.The session introduces practical strategies for organizing DNA matches, identifying promising research leads, and recognizing patterns among matches that may point to shared ancestral lines. Participants will learn how to use AncestryDNA tools such as shared matches, notes, tags, and match filtering to manage growing match lists and focus research efforts.

Special attention will be given to understanding the limitations of DNA evidence and the importance of combining genetic results with traditional genealogical research. By learning how to navigate and interpret AncestryDNA results, genealogists can move beyond simply viewing their results and begin using DNA as an active research tool.

Whether you have recently tested or have had results for years, this session will provide practical guidance for exploring AncestryDNA results and integrating DNA evidence into genealogical research.

Unleash the Power of DNA: Testing Family Members – Testing additional family members can dramatically improve the value of DNA results for genealogical research. While many genealogists begin by testing themselves, strategic testing of relatives can reveal information that a single test cannot provide. Parents, siblings, and other family members often inherit different pieces of DNA from shared ancestors, and testing multiple relatives can significantly expand the amount of genetic information available for analysis.This session explores how testing family members can increase genetic coverage, help assign DNA matches to specific ancestral lines, and strengthen genealogical conclusions. Participants will learn how testing parents can help separate maternal and paternal DNA matches, while testing siblings and other relatives can recover additional DNA inherited from earlier generations. The presentation will also demonstrate how testing aunts, uncles, and cousins can represent branches of the family that may not appear in a single person’s results.Through clear examples and practical illustrations, this session shows how strategic testing can help genealogists identify which ancestors contributed specific DNA segments and clarify relationships among DNA matches. Participants will also learn how thoughtful testing plans can help break down research problems and open new avenues for discovery.By understanding how DNA is inherited and how different relatives contribute unique genetic information, genealogists can make informed decisions about who to test and how to use those results effectively in family history research.

Expecting the Unexpected: Surprises in Our DNA – DNA testing has transformed family history research, but genetic results do not always confirm what genealogists expect to find. Instead, DNA can reveal surprising discoveries that challenge long-held family narratives and raise new questions about family relationships. As more people test and genealogists incorporate DNA evidence into their research, unexpected results are becoming increasingly common.This session explores several types of surprising DNA discoveries that genealogists may encounter. Examples include situations where DNA evidence suggests a different parent than expected, reveals previously unknown siblings or close relatives, or identifies relationships that differ from what family stories or traditional research suggested. These discoveries can create both exciting research opportunities and challenging dilemmas for genealogists.Attendees will learn practical approaches for evaluating unexpected DNA results and integrating genetic evidence with traditional documentary research. The presentation discusses strategies for analyzing surprising matches, reconsidering earlier conclusions, and carefully reexamining the historical record when DNA evidence points in a new direction. They will also learn how genealogists can evaluate multiple forms of evidence when unexpected results arise.The session also addresses important ethical considerations when dealing with sensitive discoveries that may affect living individuals and families. Thoughtful preparation and responsible research practices can help genealogists navigate these situations with care and professionalism.

By understanding the types of surprises DNA testing can reveal and how to respond to them thoughtfully, genealogists can approach unexpected discoveries with confidence and continue building well-supported family histories.

Connecting with Cousins: Finding Living Relatives on the Internet – Family history research does not end with records. Often the next breakthrough comes from connecting with living relatives who may hold family knowledge, photographs, documents, or DNA results that can help answer genealogical questions. Learning how to locate and communicate with cousins can open important new paths for research and help genealogists build stronger, more complete family histories.This session explores practical strategies for finding and identifying living relatives using online tools and publicly available information. Participants will learn how genealogists can use obituaries, newspapers, online family trees, directories, yearbooks, and other digital resources to reconstruct modern family networks and identify potential cousins. The presentation also examines how search engines, social media platforms, and people-search websites can help locate individuals while highlighting the limitations and potential pitfalls of these tools. Participants will also learn techniques for tracing descendants forward in time, connecting scattered records to living individuals, and organizing information about modern family networks.Once relatives are identified, the next challenge is making contact. This session offers practical suggestions for reaching out to cousins, introducing yourself and your research, and encouraging productive collaboration. The presentation also addresses ethical considerations when contacting living people, including respecting privacy, setting appropriate expectations, and sharing genealogical information responsibly.By combining sound research techniques with respectful communication, genealogists can successfully connect with cousins, build collaborative relationships, and uncover new information that advances their family history research.

Shannon Combs-Bennett’s Sessions:

The Perfect Fit: Locating and Applying to a Lineage Society – Have you ever wondered whether you might qualify for a lineage society, but weren’t sure where to start? Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just beginning to explore your family history, lineage societies offer a meaningful way to honor your ancestors and connect with others who share your heritage. The good news is that there are far more societies than most people realize, and you may already have the family connections to join one. This session takes the mystery out of finding the right organization for you and your family. We’ll survey the wide landscape of lineage societies from well-known groups like the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Mayflower Society to lesser-known organizations tied to specific events, ethnicities, regions, and time periods. You’ll learn how to evaluate eligibility requirements, match your proven ancestry to potential memberships, and prioritize which societies best align with your research and personal goals. We’ll also walk through what the application process typically looks like, so you know what to expect before you invest your time and energy. From identifying a qualifying ancestor to understanding the role of a sponsoring member, this session gives you a practical roadmap from curiosity to membership. Along the way, you’ll discover that lineage societies aren’t just about the past, they’re vibrant communities that celebrate family history, support research, and preserve our collective heritage for generations to come. Come find your perfect fit.

Proving What You Know: Documentation for Lineage Society Applications – You’ve identified a qualifying ancestor, traced the lineage, and found the society you’d love to join. Now comes the part that trips up even experienced genealogists: assembling the documentation to prove it all. Lineage society applications hold your research to a high standard, and understanding exactly what reviewers are looking for can mean the difference between a smooth approval and a frustrating round of corrections. This session breaks down the documentation process in a clear, approachable way, whether you’re submitting your first or your fiftieth application. We’ll explore what constitutes acceptable evidence for lineage society purposes, how to identify and locate the records most commonly required (vital records, census records, military documents, church registers, and more), and how to present your sources so they meet application standards. We’ll also discuss strategies for those inevitable brick walls: what to do when the ideal record simply doesn’t exist and how to build a compelling case using indirect and circumstantial evidence. Special attention will be given to common pitfalls, including over-reliance on compiled sources, undocumented family trees, and gaps in the line of descent, and how to address them before they become problems. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to evaluate the strength of your own documentation and the confidence to submit an application you’re proud of. Proving what you know has never felt more manageable.

Lori Samuelson’s Sessions:

AI & Ancestry: Navigating the Future for Family Historians –Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the genealogist’s research environment, yet many family historians remain unsure how these tools work or how they can be used responsibly.This beginner-friendly session introduces the major AI tools currently available to genealogists and explains what they can and cannot do. Participants will learn how artificial intelligence can assist with common tasks such as research, writing, and analysis.The session also addresses common concerns about artificial intelligence, including misinformation, privacy, bias, and the fear that technology may replace human researchers. Attendees will see why AI functions best as a tool that supports genealogical work rather than replacing it.

Designed as an introduction, this presentation helps genealogists understand the capabilities and limitations of AI so they can begin experimenting with these tools confidently in their own research.

AI as a Genealogical Research Assistant: Solving Research Problems with Artificial Intelligence – Once genealogists understand the basics of artificial intelligence, the next question becomes: how can these tools help solve real research problems?This session demonstrates how AI can assist genealogists in working through complex research questions using real historical examples. Participants will see how artificial intelligence can help analyze records, organize evidence, compare sources, and identify gaps that suggest new avenues for investigation.Rather than focusing on tools alone, the presentation shows how AI can support the genealogist’s reasoning process, helping researchers move from scattered documents to structured analysis, research questions, and a clear research plan.

Throughout the session, the Genealogical Proof Standard remains central. Attendees will see how AI can assist with evidence organization and analysis while genealogists continue to evaluate sources, resolve conflicts, and reach well-supported conclusions.

This session moves beyond basic AI usage to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can become a practical partner in solving genealogical challenges.

 2028 Conference

Is your local society interested in hosting the 36th annual conference? Please let us know at admin@montanamsgs.org