The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is pleased to announce the theme for the NGS 2026 Family History Conference—America at 250. The conference is scheduled for 27–30 May 2026 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Our theme, America at 250, invites us to consider the full span of stories and experiences that have shaped this nation—not just its founding moments, but the generations that followed. We envision a program of sessions, workshops, and interactive experiences that reflect the many ways individuals, families, and communities have lived through, contributed to, and been affected by the unfolding American story.

Deadline to submit: September 3, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT

Call for Proposals – NGS 2026 Family History Conference

Theme: America at 250

The National Genealogical Society invites innovative proposals for its 2026 Family History Conference, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, our theme—America at 250—encourages reflection on the stories, communities, and research strategies that help us understand the nation’s past and how genealogists can preserve it for the future.

What We’re Looking For

We welcome proposals that reflect the diversity of approaches, experiences, and records used to explore American family history. We especially encourage sessions that:

• share compelling case studies, clear methodologies, or strategies for tackling common research challenges;
  
• introduce tools, methods, or sources that attendees can try right away;
  
• help genealogists navigate complex or conflicting records;
  
• illustrate and interpret historical and social context;
  
• bring fresh perspectives or creative solutions to family history research;
  
• encourage thoughtful discussion, collaborative learning, or audience engagement; and
  
• tie into the conference theme of “America at 250” such as through historical context, civic memory, or reflection on generational change.
  

Session Formats

We welcome proposals for the following formats:

Traditional Lecture (60 minutes)

A structured, one-hour presentation including time for questions and answers. Ideal for methodology, historical context, record analysis, and case studies. Lectures should include practical takeaways.

Interactive Session (60 minutes – limited capacity of about 75 people)

Held in our dedicated interactive learning room. These sessions emphasize practice, collaboration, or hands-on learning using worksheets, case packets, maps, visual tools, or guided discussion. Please note: Power and computers are not provided.

Spotlight Session (25 minutes)

Short, focused talks of 25 minutes or less (think “Tik Talks”) that introduce a case, tool, concept, or provocative question. Ideal for new voices, intriguing projects, or focused topics tied to the conference theme. Think about combining TED Talk principles with the engaging, direct style of TikTok as you consider your proposal (see https://publicwords.com/2013/04/30/how-to-prepare-a-20-minute-ted-like-talk/).

Panel Discussion (25 minutes or 60 minutes)

A moderated conversation among two to four panelists offering different perspectives on a shared topic related to the conference theme, America at 250. Panels should emphasize thoughtful dialogue and include time for audience interaction. Panel discussions can be proposed as either a 60-minute interactive session or a 25-minute spotlight session. We also welcome suggestions for a spotlight talk paired with a spotlight panel discussion.

James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture Series

NGS and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) seek proposals for (a) African American/black family history research lectures, and (b) lectures on any topic by lecturers of color. AAHGS members receive preference, but everyone is encouraged to submit proposals for inclusion in this series. Proposals may take the form of a traditional lecture, interactive session, or spotlight session.

Sponsored Lectures

We will accept a limited number of lecture proposals from sponsoring organizations and companies. Sponsors pay speakers directly and must have a sponsorship agreement with NGS.

Pre-Conference Workshops

We welcome proposals for pre-conference workshops that offer in-depth, hands-on learning aligned with the topics listed above. Workshops should emphasize applied skills and active participation. Two formats are available:

Traditional hands-on workshops (1.5 hours or 3 hours) Three-hour workshops will include a short break at the midpoint to align with the overall schedule and allow for room transitions. These sessions will be held in a standard classroom setting with tables; participants may be encouraged to bring their own devices.

Computer lab workshops (1 or 2 hours; max 18 participants)

We have access to a small computer lab at the Allen County Public Library for short-format, hands-on computer sessions. Proposals should include specific details about the activities and any required software or online access.

All pre-conference workshops require separate registration and fees.

IMPORTANT: Before submitting a workshop proposal, you must email the program co-chairs to discuss potential requirements, including equipment needs, registration caps, space design, registration fees, and revenue sharing.

Other Creative Session Proposals

Do you have an innovative idea that doesn’t fit our standard formats? We welcome proposals for creative, in-person-only experiences that bring fresh approaches to genealogical learning. Whether it is a unique interactive format or a creative presentation approach, we want to hear your ideas. Please contact the program co-chairs to discuss such ideas before submitting your proposal through the online system.

Session Themes & Topic Areas

All sessions must tie into the “America at 250” theme, which focuses on the entire 250 years of American family history, not just the Revolutionary period. Proposals, for example, could address (but are not limited to) American family history through:

• examining migration and mobility across centuries;
  
• using land, military, tax, and court records as storytelling tools;
  
• uncovering the stories of enslaved persons, indigenous communities, immigrants, and overlooked populations;
  
• engaging in genealogy as civic practice to address memory, justice, and reparative work;
  
• applying DNA and 21st-century tools to explore 250 years of family history;
  
• writing, preserving, and sharing family and community stories; and
  
• sharing technology and methods that enhance historical discovery.
  

How to Propose

Use the submission portal to submit proposals for main conference sessions (28–30 May), pre-conference workshops (27 May), or sponsored sessions for the main conference.

NGS members receive first consideration as speakers.

Speakers may submit up to six proposals electronically. Each submitted proposal should include the following information:

Session Title: (max 14 words)

Session Summary: (max 160 characters) A short summary for the program brochure.

Session Description: (max 2,000 characters) Your description should:

clearly explain the session’s focus and main topic(s)

describe what attendees will learn or be able to do after the session

explain how you will structure the session to support learning and engage your audience

identify how your topic connects to the “America at 250” theme

(for interactive sessions only) describe how you will structure your session to actively engage participants.

Optional Outline: (max 1,500 characters) You may include a short, bulleted outline (3–5 points) summarizing the structure or major themes of the session.

Session Format: (select one)

Audience Level: (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, or All Levels). If you select All Levels, your proposal should explain how the session will offer meaningful takeaways for both newer and more experienced genealogists. For intermediate and advanced sessions, we encourage proposals that include entry points or context to help motivated beginners engage with the material—without diluting the content or limiting depth.

Speaker Biography: (max 160 characters)

Speaker’s Recent Teaching Experience: A list of national or regional conferences, in-person workshops, or institute or other online courses where the speaker has presented in the past three years.

NOTE FOR NEWER SPEAKERS: We encourage newer speakers to submit proposals for the conference, however we may ask you to provide a recording of an earlier presentation for review.

We seek fresh, innovative sessions that bring new ideas, approaches, or case studies to our attendees. Our goal is to offer content that participants are unlikely to have seen elsewhere in a similar format.

Please tell us on the proposal form if your presentation (or a substantially similar version) has been presented, proposed, or scheduled elsewhere before May 2026. This includes presentations given at regional, state, or national conferences, recorded for widely accessible platforms (such as Legacy Family Tree Webinars), offered online with free public access, or available free online.

While priority will be given to new and original presentations, we may also consider sessions that have been significantly updated from earlier versions or adapted for this conference’s audience.

Speaker Honorarium and Expense Reimbursement

Speakers receive a $300 honorarium, complimentary conference registration (appx. $350 value), and up to $500 in reimbursable travel expenses (receipts required) for a total compensation value of approximately $1100 for a one-hour session. If you are selected to present more than one session, you will receive a $300 honorarium and additional travel expense reimbursement of $200 for each additional session

Spotlight Session speakers will receive a flat rate of $200 per 25-minute session. Expense reimbursement and conference registration not included.

Workshop presenters negotiate revenue sharing with NGS based on total capacity, registration fee, and other factors, including NGS expenses and a management fee.

Speaker Selection Process

The program committee will review proposals through a multi-step evaluation process. In the initial phase, we evaluate proposals without submitter names to support fairness and prioritize content quality, clarity, and relevance to the conference theme. The final program will reflect a balance of session types, experience levels, and perspectives, all connected to the conference theme, America at 250. Final selections are based on the following criteria:

• relevance to the conference theme
  
• quality and clarity of learning outcomes
  
• applicability to genealogists at one or more levels
  
• format fit and potential for in-person engagement
  
• presenter expertise relevant to the proposed topic
  
• contribution to diversity in voice, region, and perspective.
  

Proposal Preparation

We have a free webinar, Becoming a Better Conference Speaker: Proposals and Preparations, on our YouTube channel. We encourage you to view the video before beginning the proposal process. Topics covered include lecture proposals, presentations, syllabus materials, communications, and delivery.

Proposal Acceptance

We will send acceptance notifications and speaker contracts in the fall of 2025. Syllabus material, due 1 March 2026, is required for each main conference lecture, spotlight presentation, and interactive session, and will be included in the compendium distributed to all conference registrants.

Session Recordings

Like the 2025 conference, NGS will provide lecture recordings via the conference app to paid registrants until mid-August, allowing us to provide every attendee with every lecture. All speakers agree to have their slides and audio (no speaker video) recorded live from the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Speakers who wish can allow NGS to market those recordings after mid-August 2026 for additional compensation.

Questions?

Contact Lauren Henretty (lhenretty@ngsgenealogy.org) with questions about session formats, the theme, or the submission process.

Deadline to submit: September 3, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT