2026 Program Sessions

Migrating West to Missouri

Presented by Carol Whitton

The geography of the terrain our ancestors traveled as they migrated to the west greatly affected their progress. Learn about the routes they followed from eastern U.S. colonies, trekking on trails that became early roads, floating on rivers, canals, and the Great Lakes. Discover techniques and sources for locating an ancestor as they migrated.

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Moving Through—Moving On

Presented by John Dougan

As the Gateway to the West and a gateway from the East, Missouri’s rivers, trails, roads, and railroads funneled ancestors to, through, and from Missouri. Knowing details about these paths will aid your research and often give clues to many of the unknown whys in our research.

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Using County Court Record Books and Associated Records for Genealogy

Presented by Christina Miller

County Court Records are the official proceedings/minutes of the county court (now county commission). While much of the content appears to be the mundane actions taken on all county business, their orders and payments also document a wide variety of government assistance. While much of the content appears to be the mundane actions taken on all county business, their orders and payments also document a wide variety of government assistance—both within the county—appointments, apprenticeship indentures, pauper burials, road maintenance, poor farms and pest houses admissions, even cash payment to the impoverished—as well as with the state—admissions to the state hospitals, schools for the blind and deaf, and even inmate transportation. All of these add details to your family story. Some can even document residence in non-census years.

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Research Like a Pro!

Presented by Ilene Murray

Whether you have been working on your family history for one year or thirty, sometimes it is good to take a long, hard look at what you have. Pick up some pointers on analyzing basic records, looking carefully at genealogy websites, and reviewing basic research techniques.

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Mapping St. Louis: A History of the Gateway City in Rare Maps

Presented by Andrew Hahn

In the digital age, maps are more important and accessible than ever. Today, thanks to mobile devices, maps literally tell you where you are going. But maps were just as important in the past. They not only helped you navigate the world, but they also guided future plans and dreams. In this lecture, we’ll chart the growth of the city from its founding in the 1760s to the present day. Many different styles of maps are featured—maps for exploration and navigation, pocket and atlas maps, development and planning maps, pictorial maps, and fantasy maps. Maps can be your guide to charting St. Louis’s rich history, and may spark ideas about where the city may be heading.

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Introduction to the Missouri State Archives

Presented by Christina Miller

As the official repository for state government records, the Missouri State Archives holds an abundance of genealogical resources. This session will provide you with an overview of the records available for research at the archives, as well as provide information on how to do distance research at the archives by using online databases or submitting a research request.

Return to Family History Conference.

Last modified: 10-Feb-2026 09:43