See You in Fort Wayne: What to Expect at NGS 2026
- Kate Penney Howard
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
The National Genealogical Society brings its Family History Conference to Fort Wayne from May 27 to 30 this year. The theme is “America at 250,” and the location is no accident. Fort Wayne is home to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, the second-largest genealogy library in the country after the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. If you’re a genealogist and you’ve been meaning to make a pilgrimage, this is your year.
Here’s what to know if you’re registered—and what to consider if you’re still on the fence.
A Conference Built Around a Library
Location is the gift this year. The Grand Wayne Convention Center sits in downtown Fort Wayne at 120 W. Jefferson Boulevard, just a short walk from the library. You can leave a session, walk a block, and apply what you’ve just learned to an actual record set within minutes.
Most conferences place you in a convention complex far from any research facility. This one puts the library and the sessions side by side—fundamentally changing how you plan your days.
Schedule at a Glance
Pre-conference workshops run on Wednesday, May 27. The main conference runs Thursday through Saturday, May 28–30.
NGS has programmed:
An AI-in-genealogy track
A Legal Genealogist presence with Judy G. Russell
Sessions on Revolutionary War and War of 1812 research
Plenary programming built around the Semiquincentennial
The full schedule is available on the conference website. Plan your personal agenda before you arrive—popular sessions fill quickly.
What to Pack (Hint: Think Like a Researcher)
Pack for research, not just sitting:
A lightweight laptop or tablet
Your current research log
A pedigree chart for each surname you plan to work on
A USB drive
A small power strip
Library staff are used to conference crowds, but outlets fill up quickly—especially when multiple attendees share a table.
Also bring:
A water bottle
Comfortable shoes
The convention center is compact, but you’ll still log miles by the end of the day.
Allen County Public Library. Carol M. Highsmith for The Library of Congress
Make the Most of the Genealogy Center
The Genealogy Center holds roughly 1.2 million print volumes and 600,000 microforms, along with extensive digital collections.
Preparation makes the difference. A focused researcher can uncover more in a day than an unprepared one can in three.
Arrive with a specific target:
A county history
A newspaper run is not available online
A state-specific reference series your local library doesn’t own
Avoid researching multiple surnames across multiple states in a single afternoon. Pick one line—and go deep.
'America at 250' in Context
The theme is more than decorative. The Semiquincentennial—marking 250 years since the United States Declaration of Independence—has sparked new research tools, publications, and access initiatives.
Expect strong programming on:
Revolutionary War pensions
Loyalist records
Early American land grants
Underrepresented voices in the founding era
Black, Indigenous, and immigrant histories are increasingly central to genealogical research, and the sessions reflect that shift.
Networking That Actually Works
Conferences can feel like a firehose. Be intentional.
The Topic Tables Luncheon—new this year—lets you choose a discussion topic and connect with others working in the same area. For many attendees, that’s a better investment than a general cocktail hour.
Bring:
Business cards
A concise answer to “What are you working on?”
Keep it focused—no one needs the 20-minute version.
Can’t Travel? Attend Virtually
A virtual option is available. Session recordings will be posted in the Whova app within 48–72 hours and remain accessible through July 15, 2026.
Stay a Little Longer
Whether you attend in person or from home, make the most of the conference. Fort Wayne offers:
A well-regarded art museum
A minor league baseball team
A growing restaurant scene
Two rivers that converge downtown
Stay an extra day if you can. Bring a research plan. See what the library gives you.
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