Our Growing Family Tree

Pre-Conference Adventures and Unexpected Connections

May 24, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Note: Writing this on Saturday morning Sometimes the best conference days are the ones that unfold organically, without a packed schedule or rigid plans. Yesterday was exactly that kind of day at my first in-person National Genealogical Society conference here in Louisville. A Working Friday Morning Since I still had…
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From Pajamas to Louisville: My First In-Person NGS Conference Adventure

May 22, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

As a veteran virtual conference attendee (five years of RootsTech pajama sessions, plus NGS, PaGE, North Carolina, and more!), it was finally time to experience one in person – especially when NGS landed practically in my backyard this year. I’ve finally taken the plunge into my first in-person National Genealogical…
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The Astonishing Roadster Revelation: My Quiet Grandfather’s Secret Wheels

May 19, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Sometimes the most surprising family history discoveries appear when you least expect them. While sorting through a forgotten box of papers (you know, the kind we genealogists can never resist), I stumbled upon something that made me catch my breath—a complete set of purchase documents for a 1936 Plymouth Sedan…
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My Library Journey: From Nancy Drew To Genealogy Research

May 11, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

Libraries have been my second home since childhood, shaping my love for reading and lifelong learning. From summer reading programs to complex academic research, they’ve influenced my education and career. Now, I’m thrilled to see my son sharing this same passion for libraries as I look forward to more adventures…
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The Healing Army: My Grandfather’s Service at America’s Largest WWII Hospital

May 4, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

When I think about institutions that shaped my family’s history, one stands out prominently: Percy Jones Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan. This wasn’t just any medical facility—it was where my maternal grandfather, George Dubinsky, served during the final months of World War II, and where thousands of wounded American soldiers…
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Breakthrough Methods: What I Learned at OGS Conference Day 3

May 3, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

After two intensive days of genealogical immersion at the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, I spent today absorbing knowledge from five remarkable sessions that have fundamentally changed how I’ll approach my family research. The “Light Up Your Genealogy” conference theme couldn’t have been more appropriate – each presentation illuminated different aspects…
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Breaking Through: 5 More Fantastic Genealogy Sessions

May 2, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

The second full day of the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference filled my head with new ideas, resources, and strategies! Five information-packed sessions left me with pages of notes, a growing to-do list, and that familiar genealogy conference feeling—equal parts overwhelmed and inspired. Here’s my recap of today’s enlightening journey through…
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Breaking Through: Innovative Genealogy at OGS 2025

May 1, 2025

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Kirsten M. Max-Douglas

After yesterday’s productive workshop sessions, I arrived early this morning eager to dive into the main conference program. The energy at OGS 2025 was palpable—hundreds of genealogists gathering to share knowledge, breakthroughs, and of course, tales of brick walls conquered! Morning Keynote: Judy G. Russell Lights the Way The day…
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