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Conference Theme & Session Topics

CAGGNI GeneaQuest 2026 – Pursuit of Ancestry: Life, Liberty & Heritage will be an America 250 tribute event celebrating the 250^th anniversary in 2026 of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The conference will focus on topics related to researching our ancestors’ American experience and uncovering their path to “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The following core themes of the conference are inspired by the commemoration of the United States Semiquincentennial.

Legacy of Liberty: Honoring Those Who Built, Defended, and Improved a Nation

• Generations of courage, service, sacrifice, and perseverance shaped the country.
• Celebrate our ancestors who fought for freedom, equality, and opportunity.

Journeys to America: Stories of Hope and Heritage

• Every family has a founding story.
• Discover the immigrant journeys that define our nation.

Tech Meets Tradition: Genealogy at America’s 250^th

• Harness technology to honor the past.
• Unlock the story of America written in your DNA.

Legacy of Liberty

Each struggle tells a story of strength – our ancestors' gift lives in us.

250 Years Later – Everyday American Patriot Heroes, Robert Campbell Sr and His Family presentation by Vicki Ruthe Hahn

• 2026 is the 250 years anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the United States signing the Declaration of Independence. Explore the time period around the War for Independence through the lives of Robert Campbell Sr and his family, and their Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania neighbors. Learn about Robert Campbell, (and other pioneers including Daniel Boone) expanding westward through the Allegheny Mountains to settle on Native American’s land, the resulting French Indian War, the War of Independence, and afterward. While away from his farm bravely serving as an American Revolutionary soldier, Robert Campbell Sr had a compelling tragic experience. From his headstone – Robert Campbell Sr “was one of the early settlers of this valley and with them suffered much from Indian cruelty. In the year 1775 his wife and infant daughter were barbarously murdered, his house burned, and the rest of his children, five in number taken captives, one of whom never returned.” What is the rest of their story?

Additional sessions to be announced

Journeys to America 

Your ancestors crossed oceans – now cross time.

Sessions to be announced

Tech Meets Tradition 

Innovate the way you research, remember, and reconnect.

An Introduction to One-Name Studies presentation by Marty Acks

• Family historians often start by researching their ancestors and cousins. A one-name study, by contrast, focuses on individuals with the same (or similar) surname, even if they are not related. These projects can span many countries, continents, and centuries. In this presentation, the speaker will provide an overview of one-name studies methodology and terminology, relying on the approach of the Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS). Family Tree DNA's Y-DNA projects and WikiTree surname projects will also be studied. The presentation will conclude with a review of his own case studies, including one that broke open a decades-old brick wall, and examples of other unique one-name projects.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) presentation by Eric Vavra

• Session title and description coming soon

Additional session to be announced

Pursuit of Ancestry

Genealogy Vignettes in a Lightning Talk Style presentations by Larry Olson, Marty Acks, and Additional Speakers to be announced

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Speakers

The conference includes a great lineup of a variety of quality speakers.

• Marty Acks
• Tina Beaird
• Caron Brennan
• Vicki Ruthe Hahn
  
• Suzanne Hoffman
• Debra Dudek
• Eric Vavra
• Bill Wheeler
• Additional speaker(s) to be announced

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Sponsors, Exhibitors, & Donors

The following are the generous sponsors whose support helps make GeneaQuest possible. Please visit their websites for more information about their organizations and offerings. 

Platinum Level

• Sponsors to be announced

Gold Level

• Sponsors to be announced

Silver Level

• Golf By The Book golfbythebook.com
• Conference Keeper conferencekeeper.org
• Additional sponsors to be announced

Bronze Level

• Sponsors to be announced

If you wish to be a Conference Sponsor, please visit caggni.org/event-6557206

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Door & Raffle Prizes

Door Prizes

Two (2) door prize drawing entry tickets are included with each paid conference admission. 

• CAGGNI One-Year Membership [1 available, $30 value]
• Donated by caggni.org 
• Guild of One-Name Studies Researching Surnames Booklets [2 available, ≈$10 value each]
• Donated by one-name.org 
• Additional prizes to be announced

Note: Door prize tickets will be provided at check-in. Each ticket(s) should be placed in the "bucket" for the specific prize drawing(s) you wish to enter. The drawing will be conducted in-person and announced in the dining room during lunch (approximately 12:30 PM). You must be present to win. Prize winners must pick up their prizes by the end of the conference (4:00 PM). Additional information will be provided in the syllabus and at the entry table.

Raffle Prizes

Raffle entry tickets may be purchased Two (2) tickets for $5.00 or Five (5) tickets for $10.00 (CASH ONLY - There is NOT an ATM available in the building). 

• America 250 Challenge Coins (Official Limited Edition, 1.75" Gold Plated Collector Coins) [3 available ≈$40 value each]
• Donated by Cathy Gulbrantson, CAGGNI President
• Additional prizes to be announced

Note: Ticket sales will be limited to only the day of the conference between doors opening (approximately 7:30 AM) and the beginning of the lunch announcements (approximately 12:30 PM). Each ticket(s) should be placed in the "bucket" for the specific raffle prize drawing(s) you wish to enter. The raffle drawing will be conducted in-person and announced in the dining room during lunch (approximately 12:30 PM). You must be present to win. Prize winners must pick up their prizes by the end of the conference (4:00 PM). Additional information will be provided in the syllabus and at the entry table.

Only persons aged 18 years or older may participate in the raffle (Village of Palatine Code of Ordinances Chapter 11 Article VII Raffles).

If you wish to donate Raffle/Door Prize(s), please visit caggni.org/event-6557216.

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Venue

GeneaQuest is returning for our 2^nd conference at the Wojcik Conference Center at Harper College in Palatine, IL. The conference center is a state-of-the-art facility with enhanced technology for meetings.

Harper College

Wojcik Conference Center (Building W)

1200 W Algonquin Rd

Palatine, IL, 60067

Directions

Free parking is available in Lot 14 adjacent to the building. (No permits are required.)

The information contained herein relates to third-party use of the facilities, property, and equipment of William Rainey Harper College. Use of the College’s names, logos, trademarks or affiliation by the third-party identified in this advertisement or promotion does not constitute or imply the College’s endorsement, recommendation or approval of the third party and its products or services.

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For More Information

• GeneaQuest on Facebook – Look for the latest news about GeneaQuest 2026 on our Facebook page.
• Contact: conference @ caggni.org

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Notices

• * Sessions will be recorded, technology permitting, and available for registrants via a secure website for approximately one month after the conference.
• CAGGNI reserves the right to make schedule and/or other changes should unforeseen circumstances arise.
• Photographs and/or video/audio recordings may be taken during the event. By attending the conference, you grant the event organizers rights to use the resulting media for future promotional purposes.
• Links to external sites are only provided as a convenience. CAGGNI assumes no responsibility or liability for the content or functionality of those sites.