Genealogy Presentations - MACY’s Genealogical Research

Megan Clark Young genealogy presentation

Is your genealogy society or historical organization looking for an informative and engaging speaker?

Megan Clark Young is a nationally recognized presenter on a variety of genealogy topics. She is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild and has previously presented for the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference, the Allen County Public Library, the Pennsylvania Historical Society, the Virginia Genealogical Society, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, and numerous regional and local groups.

“Megan was our most popular speaker and it is easy to see why: she’s extremely knowledgeable about a difficult topic while keeping her lectures engaging. We would have her back any time.”

Katy Bodenhorn Barnes, Director of Genealogical Programs and Services, Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Megan presents virtually using a variety of platforms and is also happy to conduct a live presentation if scheduling permits. If you are interested in a topic not listed below, feel free to reach out.

If you would like to view Megan’s presentation style, please check out MACY’s Genealogy YouTube Channel.

Currently offered genealogy presentations:

Genealogy 101: Establish Deep Roots on Your Family Tree

Learn best practices and research techniques to establish deep roots in your family and how to avoid the novice mistakes that most genealogists learned the hard way.

Genealogy 102: Prune Your Family Tree

There is a reason that programs like the “Genealogy Do-Over” exist. Unfortunately, most genealogists realize too late the gravity of the novice mistakes they made. This presentation gives practical tips on how you can prune your family tree, giving it strength for the long run.

Genealogy 201: Locating the Records to Answer Your Research Question

Take your genealogy research to the next level by identifying what records will most efficiently help you answer your research question, and how to locate those records.

Using Catalogs: Escape the Rabbit Hole and Find the Relevant Records

Learn additional search strategies to identify collections of records that will help you build your family tree.

Using Unindexed Records and the Full-Text Search at FamilySearch

Warning: You’ll probably break through some brick walls with the strategies you learn by digging deeper into the available, and often hidden, records at FamilySearch.

From Ulster to the Alleghenies: The Scots-Irish in Pennsylvania

Learn about the second-largest group of settlers in Pennsylvania who became known as the Scots-Irish. From the historical context and migration patterns that brought them to America, to their role in Pennsylvania’s settlement, we’ll discuss some of the unique challenges and learn effective research strategies to uncover records, including military, court, and church records. Handout

The Presbyterian Valley: How the Scots-Irish Populated Pennsylvania and Ohio

Learn how the settlement of the Scots-Irish in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio established the largest geographic concentration of Presbyterianism, earning the area the nickname, “The Presbyterian Valley.” We will discuss the impact of this settlement and how to find and use Presbyterian records in your genealogy research.

Squatters on George Washington’s Land—Pennsylvania and Virginia’s Overlapping Colonial Land Disputes

Learn the history of the colonial land dispute between Pennsylvania and Virginia, including an ejectment suit in Washington Co., PA, by the most famous man in America. Handout

Metes & Bounds: Making Sense of State Land Records

Tracing a tract of land over time can be a valuable research strategy. Learn how to interpret land descriptions and recreate a community. A basic lesson in land platting will be included, as well as how to identify the tract using modern maps.

Using Land Records to Solve Tough Cases

Land records often provide the names, dates, and locations necessary to answer tough genealogical questions. But finding the records isn’t always a simple task. Learn what types of land records were created in a particular place and time, and where to find them today. Also, learn strategies to use these records to solve tough cases. Handout

Cluster Research: Identify the FAN Club

Expanding your research beyond your ancestors and collateral relatives to include Friends, Associates, and Neighbors can provide valuable information. Learn how to identify this network and how researching the FAN Club can lead to breakthroughs in your genealogy research.

“Extra, Extra!” Utilize Newspapers to Round Out Your Genealogy Research

Mentions in the news can add context to your genealogy and provide clues for additional research. Learn how to locate the publications you need both online and off.

“Remember the Ladies”: Finding and Documenting Your Female Ancestors

Women often are hidden in the records, and documenting them can be a challenge. Learn strategies to bring your female ancestors to light and take their rightful place in your family tree.

He Wasn’t A Captain! Correcting Myths and Mistakes Using Modern Methods.

Avoid the pitfalls of accepting incorrect information as fact. Learn how to identify myths and mistakes, and how to correct them and share the information with others using a variety of modern methods. Handout

Joining a Lineage Society: How to Trace Your Roots and Preserve Your Family Legacy

Learn what information constitutes genealogical “proof” and how to submit a successful lineage society application.

Documenting Your Sources: The Key to Credible Genealogy

Does the thought of documenting your sources seem daunting and tedious? Have you reviewed your own work, or someone else’s, and not been able to determine the origin of the information? Learn why documentation is necessary for all genealogists, and strategies and tools to simplify source citations that meet current genealogy standards.

So You Took a DNA Test . . . Now What?

Millions of people across the world have taken a commercial DNA test. Many, overwhelmed with their thousands and thousands of matches, don’t know what to do after they get their results. Learn best practices to get the most out of your DNA results and match list. Handout

Making Sense of Your DNA Matches

Move past the overwhelm of your match list, and learn how to view your matches in terms of a research question. Sort and identify the matches that will help you systematically identify a genetic ancestor.