Unlock More Secrets of Your German Ancestors – Register Now for Our Fall 2025 Online Seminar
The Next Chapter in Our Expert-Led Series – All New Speakers, All New Discoveries!
Saturday, September 20, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT / 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Following the overwhelming success of our May seminar, we're thrilled to bring you the next installment in our groundbreaking series!
Join us for Tracing Your German Ancestors - Fall 2025, featuring an entirely new lineup of expert speakers and fresh insights you won't find anywhere else. This live half-day seminar continues our mission to bring together the world's leading German genealogy experts in one accessible online event.
This second seminar in our series is hosted by the German Genealogy Collective and features expert speakers from Germany, Austria, and North America. It's an immersive experience that will equip you with new tools and advanced strategies to unlock your family history and navigate German research challenges.
Here’s what you’ll get when you register:
5 expert-led sessions, each 45 minutes long, with 15-minute live Q&A
A 1-hour break for rest, refreshment, or networking with other attendees
Access to cuttging-edge insights on German records and research databases
Advanced strategies for overcoming common research roadblocks
Direct access to international experts who’ll answer your genealogy questions
Confirmed Speakers & Topics:
Owen McCafferty II (Cleveland, OH, USA)
An Introduction to Records of the EWZ (Einwandererzentralstelle - Central Immigration Office)
Learn how how these crucial immigration records can unlock your family's migration story.
Owen M. McCafferty is a genealogist specializing in the former German minority of southwest Lithuania. His passion began with his maternal grandfather’s family history and has grown over 20 years into professional expertise. He is founder and president of the International Association of Germans from Lithuania (IAGL), has translated tens of thousands of historical records, and lectured at international genealogy organizations. In 2021, he contributed to the BBC program Who Do You Think You Are?
Gina Palmer, MS, AG® (Bürstadt, Germany)
Tracing Your Roots with LAGIS: Exploring Hesse's Historical Treasures
Learn to navigate this powerful database of Hessian historical and genealogical sources
Gina Palmer is a professional genealogist specializing in German family history. Born in the U.S. and raised in Hesse, Germany, she began genealogy by helping her mother read old German church records. Gina holds degrees in zoology and environmental education, and in 2018 earned a degree in Family History Research from BYU–Idaho. She is an Accredited Genealogist® (Germany South) and has conducted extensive on-site archival research across Germany.to be updated.
Viktor Pordzik (Bremen, Germany)
Introducing Arcinsys
Learn how to master this essential German archival information system for accessing historical records.
Viktor was born in Bremen in 1990 into a resettler family with roots in Upper Silesia and Bukovina. A lifelong history and genealogy enthusiast, he studied history and archive science and now works at the Bremen State Archives. Viktor is active in several genealogical societies, including as Deputy Chairman of Die Maus, Head of the Bukovina Research Group at AGoFF, and a member of the Bukovina Society of the Americas. In 2024, he received the Nachwuchspreis der DAGV.
Dr. Thomas Aigner (Vienna, Austria)
Matricula - Behind The Scenes and Future Perspectives
Learn to unlock the wealth of Catholic parish records available through this comprehensive online platform.
Dr. Thomas Aigner is an Austrian historian and cultural heritage expert. He served as President of ICARUS until 2023 and now acts as its Secretary General. Formerly director of the Diocesan Archive of St. Pölten (1995–2023), he now works as an independent consultant in cultural heritage affairs. Since 2019, he has also been Vice President of the Time Machine Organisation. See for more information: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-aigner-icarus/
Roger Lustig (New Jersey)
Jewish Genealogy in Germany Past and Present
Roger Lustig is the son of refugees from Nazi Germany. Since 2002, he has researched the history and genealogy of the Jews of Germany, especially those from Upper Silesia, which is now in Poland; but also those from other parts of Germany past and present. He has spoken at 15 conferences of the International Association of Jewish Genealogy Societies, and has given talks to many of those societies and at conferences in Germany and Poland. A native speaker of German, he has worked at and with archives in the US, Germany, and Poland.
There are more exciting sessions to be announced soon, covering a variety of regions, record types, and unique research challenges in German genealogy.
Event Details:
📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT / 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
💻 Location: Live on Zoom (In English)
🎥 Can’t Attend Live? We’ve Got You Covered.
If you're unable to join us live, don’t worry—recordings of all five talks will be made available to all registered attendees after the seminar.
Pricing Information:
$147
Why Attend This Next Seminar?
All-New Expert Insights from renowned specialists you haven't heard from before
Live Q&A for all your burning genealogy questions
Advanced Tools and Strategies to tackle your most challenging research
Networking Opportunities with fellow genealogists from around the world
Access to Recordings if you can’t attend live
This is the second event in our exclusive series—building on the success of our May seminar with fresh perspectives, new databases, and innovative approaches to German genealogy research. Whether you attended our first seminar or you're just joining us, this event will expand your research toolkit with specialized knowledge you can't get anywhere else.
Ready to Continue Your German Family History Journey?
🗓️ Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 20th, 2025 and register now to secure your spot. This is your chance to hear from a completely new lineup of leading experts and get personalized insights into your research.
🤝 Hosted by the German Genealogy Collective
The German Genealogy Collective (GGC) is an exclusive community for those passionate about uncovering their German roots. Founded by renowned professional genealogist Andrea Bentschneider, the GGC offers masterclasses, co-researching sessions, research tools, and a vibrant forum where members support each other on their family history journeys.
This seminar continues our groundbreaking series—bringing together researchers, experts, and enthusiasts across continents in one accessible space. Once again, you’ll hear voices from Germany, Austria, and North America side-by-side, offering diverse perspectives and specialized approaches to German genealogy research you won’t find anywhere else.
