# Event Details - **Event Name**: 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference - **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 10 Sep, 2026 at 03:00 pm – Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 03:00 pm (-06:00) - **Event Description**: Join us at the 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference to learn and connect with fellow genealogy enthusiasts.About this EventWelcome to the 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference!Date: 10-12 September 2026Location: Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, MontanaJoin us in Helena for our 34th annual conference. This year's event will feature engaging workshops, expert speakers, the Book Frolic sale, the annual membership meeting, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, there's something for everyone. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts and learn more about your heritage. See you there!Thursday, September 10🕑: 03:00 PM - 06:00 PMRegistration Desk Open, Book Sale Drop-off, VendorsInfo: Atrium and Ponderosa Room🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PMMSGS Board MeetingInfo: Goldfinch Room. Members are welcome, but not required, to attend.🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PMFREE Pre-Conference Workshop 1 - Montana History PortalInfo: Goldfinch Room. Learn how to use Montana’s best free, online history repository.🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PMFREE Pre-Conference Workshop 2 - Genealogy Jam SessionInfo: Meadowlark Room. Join us for an informal research work session. Bring your laptops and your questions; volunteers will be available to assist.🕑: 06:30 PM - 07:30 PMDessert SocialInfo: Visit the Lewis & Clark Public Library (120 S Last Chance Gulch) to tour MSGS’s Library, enjoy a treat, and visit with friends. No fee to attend, but an "add on" ticket is required.Friday, September 11🕑: 07:30 AM - 09:00 AMRegistration Desk Open & Book SaleInfo: Atrium & Ponderosa Room🕑: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PMVendorsInfo: Atrium🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:15 AMOpening RemarksInfo: Cottonwood Room🕑: 09:15 AM - 10:15 AMAfter the Test: Exploring AncestryDNA ResultsHost: Jennifer ZinckInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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. 🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMThe Perfect Fit: Locating and Applying to a Lineage SocietyHost: Shannon Combs-BennettInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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.🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PMLunchInfo: Cottonwood or outside terraces. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Sandwich & wrap platters, soup, salad.🕑: 01:15 PM - 02:15 PMUnleash the Power of DNA: Testing Family MembersHost: Jennifer ZinckInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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.🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:30 PMProving What You Know: Documentation for Lineage Society ApplicationsHost: Shannon Combs-BennettInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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. 🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:45 PMExpecting the Unexpected: Surprises in our DNAHost: Jennifer ZinckInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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.🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PMAnnual Membership MeetingInfo: Mountain Bluebird Room. Annual business meeting includes officer elections.🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PMBanquet and Awards CeremonyInfo: Central Commons. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Buffet choices include flank steak, roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, salad, tiramisu.Saturday, September 12🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AMRegistration Desk Open & Book SaleInfo: Atrium & Ponderosa Room🕑: 08:00 AM - 03:00 PMVendorsInfo: Atrium🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AMConnecting Cousins: Finding Living Relatives on the InternetHost: Jennifer ZinckInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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.🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:15 AMAI & Ancestry: Using Artificial Intelligence to Expand Your Genealogy ResearchHost: Lori SamuelsonInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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.🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PMLunchInfo: Cottonwood Room and outdoor spaces. ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE GALLERIES. Pasta buffet, salad, breadsticks.🕑: 01:30 PM - 02:30 PMAI as a Genealogical Research Assistant: Breaking Through Brick WallsHost: Lori SamuelsonInfo: Cottonwood Room. 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. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/helena/2026-montana-state-genealogical-society-conference/100001990239817871 - **Event Categories**: business, conferences, artificial-intelligence, meetups, workshops, contests - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Location: Montana Heritage Center - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 230.2, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Helena - **state**: MT - **country**: United States - **location**: Montana Heritage Center - **lat**: 46.5867622 - **long**: -112.0159067 - **full address**: Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/d17a0c833b24b069ae8faf0a783e7ba532085e96300e288ec72e98d584ae8c37-rimg-w500-h500-dc000000-gmir.png?v=1780236363 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference being held? - **A:** 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference takes place on Thu, 10 Sep, 2026 at 03:00 pm to Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 03:00 pm at Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference? - **A:** 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference is organized by Montana State Genealogical Society. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 2026 Montana State Genealogical Society Conference is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Helena, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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