October 25 (Saturday) IN PERSON ONLY – McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC.
New to genealogy and tired of watching videos where you can’t ask questions, and dealing with confusing websites with conflicting information? Why not learn the tools of the trade in person from a variety of experts who’ve already been through it all? The NCGS Fall Conference Beginner Day is tailored for those just starting or in need of some extra guidance. It consists of four one-hour classes on topics to help you get started and/or provide options to get past any roadblocks you might be having. And unlike videos, there will be time to ask questions if you need more explanations. Best of all, it’s only $20 for the whole day!
The Beginner Day will be held concurrently with the main conference at NC State University’s McKimmon Center, and you may join everyone else for a buffet lunch and awards presentation for only $10 more. You also have access to our Genealogy Resource Room during breaks. Space is limited!
Classes
Welcome!
Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:15 AM (Beginner Day) – David M. McCorkle
In addition to going over how the day will work, we’ll talk a little about North Carolina genealogy and the North Carolina Genealogical Society.
Beginning Your Genealogy Journey: 8 Steps to Getting Started
Saturday 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM (Beginner Day) – Cheri Hudson Passey
New to Genealogy? Who better to learn from than an experienced researcher, lecturer, and creator of the Carolina Girl Genealogy blog. This presentation will give beginners the confidence needed to begin and move forward. Cheri will discuss items found around the home with clues and information about your family, how to keep your information organized, the most common records you’ll need to research (birth, marriage, death, censuses, church, etc.), how to plan your research, where to find information online, and where to find information in person.
Family Mysteries: Can Genealogy Shed Light?
Saturday 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Beginner Day) – Gay H. Baynes
A professional genealogy researcher and instructor will show how genealogical research uncovers evidence and sheds light on all those family mysteries. We not only inherit objects from our ancestors, but we also inherit the unforeseen and the mysterious. We long for knowledge of that inheritance and an understanding of what actually happened. Genealogical research uncovers evidence and sheds light on those mysteries. The session includes a variety of secrets, riddles, and misunderstandings that demonstrates the power of genealogy. A quest for truth by a descendant can transform what may have been a troubled past into an enlightened present.
Gay will give an overview healing through genealogical research, brief examples and responses, and detailed examples such as a grandmother’s disappearance and the possibility that a father was a Nazi.
Lunch Break + Awards Ceremony + Door Prizes
Saturday 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM (All attendees) – Buffet lunch, extra cost
Saturday lunch is more than just eating and socializing. Each year, the North Carolina Genealogical Society honors worthy individual and society endeavors in publishing and other contributions to North Carolina genealogy. Awards winners for 2025 will be recognized and will receive their plaques. If you are interested in nominating someone for an award, please see our awards page. Deadline is August 31, 2025. We will also be giving out door prizes to the lucky winners!
Finding Your North Carolina Ancestors
Saturday 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Beginner Day) – David M. McCorkle and Diane L. Richard
Learn how to find your North Carolina ancestors from an NC native with roots back to the 1700s and a Connecticut Yankee transplant with 35 years of professional experience. Finding ancestors in North Carolina requires more than just a quick search. History influences what records were kept and where they are now. Geography influences migrations and settlements.
David and Diane will explain what makes North Carolina a unique and interesting state for genealogical research. They will cover many of the types of records available, both common and obscure, how to use them in your ancestor search, and most importantly where to find them both online and in person.
How Not to Do Genealogy – A Look at Common Mistakes Many Make in Conducting Their Research
Saturday 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Beginner Day) – Larry W. Thomas
Even the most enthusiastic researchers can go off track without realizing it. A genealogy researcher and professional lecturer with 30 years experience gives this fun and informative presentation. It explores the common pitfalls that can sabotage your genealogical efforts—from copying unsourced online trees to clinging to family legends that don’t hold up under scrutiny. Through real-world examples and a touch of humor, we’ll examine mistakes including misidentifying people with the same name, overlooking conflicting evidence, ignoring historical context, and failing to cite sources. Designed for both beginners and experienced researchers, this session provides practical strategies for verifying information, assessing reliability, and staying on solid ground. Whether you’re tempted to trust Aunt Mary’s handwritten chart or that “perfect match” on Ancestry, this presentation will show you how to avoid costly missteps and build a more accurate, thoughtful family history. Come prepared to learn—and laugh—at how not to do genealogy.
Instructors
Gay H. Baynes
Gay H Baynes is a professional genealogist who teaches, presents, and researches for individuals. She holds the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate and has completed the ProGen Study Group. Gay served six years on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Genealogical Society. She is a previous Membership Chair of her local DAR chapter. She assembles lineage society applications, coaches genealogists who wish to enhance their skills, and presents in libraries, genealogical societies, (NCGS), senior communities, and teaches online in “Gifts From Our Ancestors,” her course for beginners at Dogwood Genealogy.
Cheri Hudson Passey
Cheri Hudson Passey is a professional genealogist, instructor, writer, speaker, and owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. She hosts the YouTube genealogy chat show GenFriends and is a genealogical researcher subcontracted by Eagle Investigative Services, Inc., for the US Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch. She is involved in many genealogy societies and organizations and is on the National Genealogical Society board. Cheri writes the blog “Carolina Girl Genealogy,” sharing her genealogy tips, methodologies, family stories, and research adventures.
David M. McCorkle & Diane L. Richard
Diane L. Richard, MEng & MBA, is a professional genealogist and owner of Mosaic Research and Project Management. With over 35 years of experience, she has written over 600 articles, edited numerous publications, and is the editor of the NCGS Journal. She’s a specialist in researching Southern ancestors, the formerly enslaved, female ancestors, and more, and has appeared on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?
David M. McCorkle is the creator of the free website nclandgrants.com which contains 1.2 million images of original NC land grant documents. He is President of NCGS, and on the board of several other genealogy related organizations. David is an NC native with ancestors dating back to the 1700s.
David and Diane have given lectures and webinars to international, national, state, and local audiences on a wide variety of topics. They are co-owners of GenWebinars which offers live, in-depth, and interactive genealogy webinars.
Larry W. Thomas
Larry is a retired US Army Captain with 23 years in the field of Aviation, Transportation & Logistics, he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management, an FAA airplane mechanic license, and earned an MBA in Management Information Systems from Southern Polytechnic State University while working for the US Army Reserves as a Program Manager, earning his certification as a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute in 2013.
Larry began his Genealogy Research over 30 years ago with his own Thomas Family, Georgia residents since the 1750s. He then added the rest of his and his late wife’s families before beginning to research for clients in 2008, operating www.AtlantaGenealogy.com.
A graduate of ProGen 38, Larry has assisted with the TV Show Finding Your Roots. He is a member of numerous Genealogical and Historical Societies, VP of the Board of the Georgia Genealogical Society, is the current president of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and is past president of the Cobb County Genealogy Society. He is becoming a popular genealogy presenter, bringing some fun to learning how to research.