2025 Annual Seminar
Diana Elder AG, and Nicole Dyer of Family Locket:
“Finding Ancestors & Keeping Them Close to the Heart”
October 18, 2025
8:30 am to 4:00 pm PDT
Don’t miss this year’s VCGS Annual Seminar featuring professional genealogists, podcast co-hosts, and mother-daughter team, Diana Elder AG, and Nicole Elder Dyer. The selection of topics spans Records, Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, and Writing the Stories.
Join us in-person at the Camarillo Library, or be at home and utilize Zoom. Member “Early Bird” Registration will cost $35 from August 4th to August 31st. General registration will cost $40 from September 1st to October 17th.
To view the list of Online Silent Auction items, the In-Person Silent Auction items, and In-Person Door Prizes, click HERE. The number of items for the in-person silent auction continues to grow as more donations come in, so check that list periodically for updates.
Videos of the presentations will be available for a limited time after the seminar to everyone who registered. For more information, check out our Frequently Asked Questions at the bottom of this page.
Registration will be available August 4, 2025!
Our Speakers
Diana Elder, AG, AGL
Diana Elder AGⓇ, AGLTM, is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. She is the author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and co-author of Research Like a Pro with DNA: A Genealogist’s Guide to Finding and Confirming Ancestors with DNA Evidence. With her daughter Nicole, Diana leads study groups and an eCourse that teach the Research Like a Pro methodology using comprehensive video instruction and interactive learning modules. She shares genealogical research strategies on Family Locket (familylocket.com) and co-hosts the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast with Nicole. A sought-after speaker, Diana presents regularly at major conferences, including RootsTech and the National Genealogical Society Conference. She also enjoys conducting webinars and seminars for genealogical societies throughout the United States and abroad.
Nicole Elder Dyer
Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist specializing in Southern United States research and genetic genealogy. She is the creator of FamilyLocket.com and the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She co-authored Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and Research Like a Pro with DNA and is an instructor for the study groups of the same name. She lectures at conferences and institutes including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in History Teaching. At Family Locket Genealogists, Nicole is a project manager, editor, and researcher.
Presentations
Session 1 – Tax Records Tell the Story: Cluster and Neighborhood Research
Learn how tax records can help locate individuals, identify neighborhood groupings, and separate individuals from others of the same name.
Session 2 – Doing a Genealogy Research Project from Start to Finish
Do you feel overwhelmed by the never-ending nature of your genealogy research? Dividing research into finite projects can help. We’ll review the research like a pro process and how to stay on track during your project. Use a research project template with sections for objective, research plan, locality information, and more.
Session 3 – Understanding AI in Genealogy: Foundations and Tools
Learn how artificial intelligence can help with your family history research. This presentation covers what AI is, how it works, and which tools are most useful for genealogy. We’ll look at popular AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini and discuss what each one does best. You’ll learn how to work effectively with AI, including how to ask questions that get the best results and how to verify the information it provides. Whether you’re new to AI or already experimenting with it, this session will help you understand how to use these tools responsibly in your genealogy work.
Session 4 – Illuminating Ancestors’ Lives in Small Bites through Focused Themes and Engaging Narratives
Learn how to craft compelling ancestor stories to share: Spotlight captivating aspects of their lives through themed sketches, organized timelines, citations, and engaging narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have questions not addressed here, please contact membership@venturacogensoc.org for issues related to registration.
How much does it cost?
A discounted, “Early Bird” cost of $35 will be offered to members from August 4th to August 31st. From September 1st to October 17th, the cost of the all-day event is $40.
Do I need to have a PayPal account?
You do not need to have a PayPal account (or create one) to pay for your registration. We are using PayPal to collect the registration fees. The PayPal gateway has the option to accept credit cards, without creating an account. After you click on the “Pay and Register” button, you will be taken to the PayPal website to complete your billing details. If you have an account with PayPal, you can charge the seminar to that account. If you do not have an account with PayPal, you can select to pay via credit card. You will be prompted to enter your credit card information.
Can I pay by cash or check?
You can pay by cash or check. Payment can be made at one of the in-person monthly meetings at the Camarillo Library (August or September), or payments can be mailed to VCGS (at P.O. Box 24608, Ventura, CA 93002-4608). Payments mailed to VCGS must be received by October 13th at the latest in order to allow time to process the registration prior to the Seminar.
Is there a deadline for registering?
There are different deadlines based on your registration method. If registering by mail, your payment must be received at our Post Office by Monday, October 13th. If registering online, you can register any time up to Thursday, October 16th (end of day). Registrations the morning of the seminar will be accepted in person at the Camarillo Library.
What if I can’t attend, can I get a refund?
Yes, you can cancel your registration at any time prior to the start of the seminar. You must notify VCGS via email (webmaster@venturacogensoc.org) prior to the event. We will refund you the full registration fee. Please allow 1-2 weeks for your refund to be processed and mailed to you.
Will a recording of the seminar be available?
Yes! Each presentation will be recorded. A link to the recordings will be included in an email, sent the day after the seminar, to everyone who registered. The recordings will be available for three weeks until November 8, 2025. Only the presentations and Q&A sessions will be recorded.
How do I get the Zoom link?
After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email that will contain a link to the seminar. A reminder email with the Zoom link to the webinar will also be emailed to you one week prior to the event, and one day prior to the event. You are asked to not share the link with anybody else.
Will there be handouts?
Yes, a link to the program handouts will be included in the reminder emails sent to all attendees prior to the event. If, for some reason, you do not receive the reminder emails, a link to the handouts will also be posted in the Q&A window at the start of the seminar. The handout will contain any material provided by the speaker in addition to information on VCGS and promotional material.