The Fifth Annual Arizona Genealogy Day is Saturday, March 29, 2025
Free, virtual event features expert speakers and exciting topics
PHOENIX – The Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board and the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records are pleased to present the fifth annual Arizona Genealogy Day, a free, virtual event on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Time is running out and spots are limited! Visit https://azsos.libcal.com/calendar/starl/azgenday25 to register and reserve your spot today!
“As an Arizonan with deep roots in the state, I am pleased to invite family history enthusiasts to attend Arizona Genealogy Day,” said Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. “This year is the fifth anniversary of this exciting, educational event, and features expert speakers on topics of genealogical importance to local, national, and international communities.”
Curt Witcher is the Director of Special Collections at the Allen County Public Library, managing the widely acclaimed Genealogy Center as well as the Rolland Center for Lincoln Research. Witcher’s passion for finding families’ stories and his belief in the power of those stories to change lives has been recognized by numerous organizations. He is the recipient of the Indiana Historical Society’s 2019 Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award for extraordinary contributions to the field of history, the 2024 “I Love My Librarian Award” from the American Library Association for outstanding public service, and a 2024 Distinguished Hoosier Award from the Governor of the State of Indiana. Witcher will speak on “Beyond Hatched, Matched, and Dispatched: Methods for Finding our Families' Stories.”
Susan Weinberg is an artist, author, professional genealogist, and frequent speaker on genealogy topics. Weinberg is active in organizations within the world of Jewish genealogy, co-founder and immediate past president of the Minnesota Jewish Genealogical Society (MNJGS), vice president of the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS) and vice president of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest (JHSUM). She developed the Jewish Identity and Legacy Project, an oral history project with elders, then authored the book We Spoke Jewish: A Legacy in Stories that includes oral history, artwork, and history on three groups of Jewish immigrants who spanned the 1900s. Weinberg will speak on “Unraveling the Puzzle: Finding the Thread.”
An accomplished presenter, Mckell Keeney has shared her expertise at RootsTech, the Southern California Genetic Genealogy Jamboree, and various genealogy groups. She stays up-to-date with genetic genealogy techniques by attending specialized courses, conferences and webinars. Since 2016, Keeney has volunteered as a Search Angel, assisting hundreds of adoptees to discover their biological ancestry. She is skilled in traditional research, as well as in DNA analysis. She is the founder and coordinator of the Phoenix East Valley DNA Interest Group, which offers hybrid meetings—both online and at the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center—open to all and focused on intermediate to advanced DNA exploration. Keeney will speak on “Fresh Eyes on Your DNA: Exploring Essentials.”
State of Arizona Research Library staff members Emma Stoltenberg, MLIS, and Yahm Levin, MLIS, will speak on “City Directories: Step in the Right Direction.” Stoltenberg is the Research Library’s Lead Reference Librarian. She holds a MLIS degree from the University of Arizona and has a diverse work background as an elementary school media specialist, technology technician, and Librarian for the Heard Museum in Arizona. Levin is the Research Library’s Arizona Collection and Reading Arizona Librarian. In this role, she collects and maintains Arizona-related materials such as city directories, books, and periodicals, all of which can be useful for genealogical research. Reading Arizona is a free platform for eBooks and eAudiobooks about Arizona for Arizonans.
Amy Urman is an Arizona licensed private investigator and professional genealogist known for her expertise in forensic genealogy, genealogical research, and asset recovery. She serves in multiple roles with the Arizona National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), including on the DNA Network, Volunteer Genealogist, and Lineage Committees, and as treasurer of the Tucson Chapter. Additionally, she is the co-founder of the Pima County Genealogy Society. She holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and is a graduate of the ProGen Study Group 28. With her extensive training in law, land, genetic genealogy, advanced methods, and forensic genealogy, Urman brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her work in both genealogy and private investigation. Urman will speak on “AI Tools for Genealogy.”
Visit https://azsos.libcal.com/calendar/starl/azgenday25 for program details and to secure your spot for this free virtual event.
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For more information, contact the State of Arizona Research Library at 602-926-3870, [email protected], or visit the website at https://azsos.libcal.com/. The library also provides information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starlazlibrary/, X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateLibAZ, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stateofaz_research_library/, Threads: https://www.threads.net/@stateofaz_research_library, and Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/azstateresearchlib.bsky.social
This program is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.