Rich is available to lecture for genealogical and historical societies, events of all kinds, and family reunions, both in-person and via webinar.
“I booked Rich as the Fayetteville Public Library keynote genealogy speaker in February 2019. He taught four sessions for us and our crowd loved every minute. Nearly a year later, our local genealogists are still dropping by to tell me how much they enjoyed his workshops. He has an amazing depth of knowledge and is a dynamic speaker. Rich took time between sessions to address specific questions from attendees, showing an interest and attentiveness that is not often seen. I cannot wait to bring him back to Arkansas!”
AVAILABLE LECTURES*
+Common Threads: Weaving Our Ancestral Tapestries
When we think of our ancestral stories like a tapestry, we can see many colors and themes that link ours to others. This lecture focuses on the threads we share in common with others. In a time when politics divide us, our shared stories have the power to unite.
+Records Not Revenue: Genealogy and Public Policy
Learn about the work of Records Not Revenue, ad-hoc group of genealogists that came together to fight the proposed USCIS Genealogy Program fee hike.
+Italian-Americans: Find Your Roots in the Old Country
Learn the basics of Italian records, what’s available and where, and tips and tricks for finding elusive ancestors. Discover your famiglia and make Nonna proud!
+Italian Records: Beyond Civil Registration
Dive deeper into Italian records, learning about church records, military records, and other records available in Italian state archives (archivio di stato).
+Italians in America: Their Records, Their Stories
In addition to helping find a town of origin, ethnic record sets specific to Italian-Americans can help contextualize your ancestor’s life.
+Immigration Records Roadshow
Are you confused about when your grandma became a citizen? Have you been looking for a ship manifest for years, to no avail? Submit your immigration records challenge, and if selected, Rich will feature your challenge in an Immigration Records Roadshow session!
+The Aliens Are Coming: An Overview of USCIS Record Sets
A-Files? AR-2 Forms? C-Files? Oh my! Wade through the alphabet soup of the record sets the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) holds to find where your immigrant ancestor may be hiding.
+USCIS Genealogy Program: Certificate Files (C-Files)
This lecture will examine the ten different sub-series of C-Files, which document naturalizations or repatriations of individuals from 1906 – 1956, currently available through the USCIS Genealogy Program.
+USCIS Genealogy Program: Visa Files & Registry Files
A new US immigration policy and legislation of the 1920s created new and different records now available via the USCIS Genealogy Program. Learn about Visa Files and Registry Files, and how they may help contextualize the life of your 20th-century immigrant ancestor.
+USCIS Genealogy Program: AR-2s and A-Files
The 1940s saw the creation of new forms and new policies instituted to regulate aliens resident in the United States. Learn about two important series currently held by the USCIS Genealogy Program document these individuals, sometimes in glorious detail.
+Alien Registrations in America
Learn about various alien registrations instituted in the USA as early as 1798, the records they created, and where to find immigrant ancestors within.
+Researching in A-Files: Where, Why, and How
Alien Files (A-Files), mainly relating to 20th-century immigrant ancestors, hold rich value but can sometimes be hard to research. Discover where and how to find them.
+FOIA and Privacy Act Requests for USCIS and Dept. of State Records
Discover the wonders of 20th-century A-Files and passport records, how they may be helpful in your research, and how to request these records.
+Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins: Exhausting Every Resource
Pin down your elusive immigrant ancestor’s place of origin using some well-known – and lesser-known – record sets, ideas, and techniques.
+Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins: Digging Deeper
Continue the search to find your ancestor’s foreign origins in some lesser-used record sets – and help contextualize their life in the United States.
[Note: The above two lectures can be combined into one lecture, Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins]
+Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Many records were created when immigrant ancestors became American citizens. Learn what they are and how to find them.
+Unsung Immigration Records of NARA: Contextualizing Recent Immigrant Ancestors
The National Archives (NARA) holds various records about that can provide a treasure trove of information on twentieth-century immigrant ancestors that made America their home. Learn about INS Case and Correspondence Files, Bureau of Naturalization Correspondence Files, and Alien Personal History and Statement forms.
+Immigrant Records at the National Archives: College Park
20th-century immigrant ancestors are just waiting to be found in the records of the Department of State and U. S. Embassies and Consulates at the National Archives at College Park. Learn what records can be found and how to access them. [Note - this can be combined, but is best presented as a two-part lecture.]
+Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look
Ship manifests are the “go-to” record to find immigrant arrivals in the 1800s and 1900s. Discover all the different information they can tell us.
+Ship Manifest Indexes: A New Look at an Old Resource
Searching and searching and still no ship manifest? Learn about the various indexes available to help locate an ancestor’s elusive arrival record.
+Board of Special Inquiry Records: Few and Far-Between
Family story about a detention at Ellis Island? “BSI” notation on a ship manifest? Learn what few records still exist that detail an immigrant’s questioning before a Board of Special Inquiry, and their possible subsequent exclusion, appeal, or detention.
+Ship manifests, Naturalizations, and Related Records
Naturalization records and ship manifests are often the go-to records for determining an immigrant’s place of origin. What else can they tell us, and what hints do they provide if they don’t reveal the precise information we seek?
+Passports of Our Ancestors
Our ancestors – native-born or naturalized – may have applied for U.S. passports if they ever traveled abroad (a requirement after 1941). Learn about how to obtain their passport applications, and what other related records may exist.
+When "I Do" Meant Losing Your Country and Other Citizenship & Immigration Law Peculiarities
Immigration and naturalization law has constantly changed over the years, and sometimes, ancestors were caught in the crosshairs – both native-born citizens and immigrants alike.
+Immigration & Naturalization Laws Throughout U. S. History
Learn about America’s immigration and naturalization laws in this overview, from 1790 – the present.
+Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors
Discover the variety of Irish record sets available, where to find which records, and how to learn the stories of your Irish ancestors.
+Demystifying Dual Citizenship: The Purpose and the Process
Of Italian or Irish descent and think you may qualify for dual citizenship? This how-to aims to break down the process and have you on your way to your red passport in no time.
[The above lecture can also focus exclusively on Italy or Ireland.]
+Pittsburgh Preview: Researching in the Steel City
Make the most of your Pittsburgh research trip by learning about the archives and resources the Steel City has to offer.
+Western Pennsylvania: Researching in the Steel City and Beyond
Discover the archives and resources of Western Pennsylvania, both in Pittsburgh and the other western-third of the Commonwealth.
+Finding Aliens in the National Archives at Kansas City
The National Archives at Kansas City holds several distinct and under-utilized records related to late 19th- and 20th-century immigrant aliens. All contain a wealth of genealogical information to the 20th-century immigrant researcher, and can aid in everything from discovering a place of origin to finding a photograph of an immigrant ancestor.
+Military Records and Immigrant Ancestors
Draft cards, service records, pensions, registrations… when an immigrant ancestor fought for the American military or interacted with the Selective Service System, the records left behind are numerous and enlightening. These records may not only reveal a place of origin, but could greatly help to contextualize an ancestor’s life and times.
+Underused Military Records and Immigrant Ancestors
Immigrant ancestors and their interactions with the military could lead to some interesting records – whether or not they fought.
*If you don’t see the right lecture for your group or event, contact Rich about creating a custom lecture that fits your needs!
UPCOMING LECTURES
Olympia Genealogical Society 2024 Seminar (Virtual - 3 February 2024): Four immigration-related topics
West Valley Genealogical Society 2024 Annual Seminar (17 February 2024, Sun City West, AZ): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins: Digging Deeper, Military Records and Immigrant Ancestors, Alien Registrations in America, and Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors
RootsTech (29 February - 2 March, Salt Lake City): Alien Registrations in America, and Immigration Records Roadshow (submit your immigration research question through the RootsTech if you’ll be joining us in SLC!)
Virtual event information coming soon (8 June 2024)
PAST LECTURES
Boston Public Library (November 2023): Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society’s New York State Family History Conference (November 2023): Alien Registrations in America & Ship Manifest Indexes: A New Look at an Old Resource
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (September 2023): Course 1: Intermediate Foundations: Overview of US Immigration & Naturalization Records
The Villages Genealogical Society (September 2023): Alien Registrations in America
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (June 2023): Beside, Through, and Beyond the Golden Door: Immigrants to the United States of America after 1890 weeklong course with Marian Smith, Alec Ferretti, and Marisa Louie Lee
Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s Family History Sampler: Different Strategies for Diverse Ancestors (May 2023): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship
Northeast Regional Genealogical Consortium (May 2023): Featured Speaker with four lectures and one plenary
The 10th Annual OCCGS Genealogy BASH (March 2023): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins, Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship, Alien Registrations in America, and Immigration Records Roadshow
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (February 2023): The Fight to Preserve Access to USCIS Immigration Records: It's More Than Fees with Renée Carl and Marian Smith, on behalf of Records Not Revenue
JewishGen (February 2023): Save Access to 20th Century Immigration Records - You Can Help with Renée Carl, on behalf of Records Not Revenue
NGS MemberConnects! (February 2023): Why the USCIS Fee Increases Matter with Renée Carl and Marian Smith, on behalf of Records Not Revenue
Northwest Suburban Genealogy Society (February 2023: USCIS Genealogy Program: Certificate Files (C-Files)
Genealogical Society of Sarasota (February 2023): Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Columbus Metropolitan Library ( November 2022): Demystifying Dual Citizenship: The Purpose and the Process
Toledo Lucas County Public Library Genealogy Fair (October 2022): Alien Registration in America, Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship, Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look, and When “I Do” Meant Losing Your Country and Other Citizenship & Immigration Law Peculiarities
Columbus Metropolitan Library (October 2022): Italian Americans: Finding Your Roots in the Old Country
Medina County District Library (October 2022): Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Montana State Genealogical Society (September 2022): 31st Annual State Genealogy Conference: Shedding A Light On Our Past - Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins: Exhausting Every Resource, Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look, Alien Registrations in America, and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (September 2022): Course 1: Intermediate Foundations: Overview of US Immigration & Naturalization Records
Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (July 2022): The Third and Fourth Waves: Researching Recent Immigrants to the United States of America weeklong course co-coordinated with Marian L. Smith
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (July 2022): Guide to Treasures Found in Federal Records course - U. S. Passenger Arrival Records & Indexes and U. S. Citizenship: The Laws and Records of Naturalization
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (June 2022): Following Your Ancestors in Time and Place course - “Finding Your Ancestors as they Come to America”: one day of immigration records topics
Orange County California Genealogical Society (July 2022): Alien Registrations in America
Bucks County Genealogical Society (May 2022): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins: Exhausting Every Resource
San Diego Genealogical Society (May 2022): Passports of Our Ancestors and When "I Do" Meant Losing Your Country and Other Citizenship & Immigration Law Peculiarities
JGS Philadelphia (May 2022): USCIS Genealogy Program: Certificate Files (C-Files)
National Genealogical Society's 2022 National Conference (May 2022): Ship Manifest Indexes: A New Look at an Old Resource; USCIS Genealogy Program: Certificate Files (C-Files); and Underused Military Records and Immigrant Ancestors
Bucks County Genealogical Society (June 2022): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins: Digging Deeper
Cleveland Italian Ancestry Organization (March 2022): Italians in America: Their Records, Their Stories, Italian-Americans: An Introduction to Finding Your Roots in the Old Country, Italian Records: Beyond Civil Registration, and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U.S. Citizenship
North Hills Genealogists (April 2022): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins, Immigration & Naturalization Laws Throughout US History, Board of Special Inquiry Records: Few and Far-Between, and Military Records and Immigrant Ancestors
North Hills Genealogists (January 2022): Passports of Our Ancestors
Orange County California Genealogical Society (January 2022): Unsung Immigration Records of NARA: Contextualizing Recent Immigrant Ancestors and Ship Manifest Indexes: A New Look at an Old Resource
Italian Genealogical Group (November 2021): Demystifying Dual Citizenship: The Purpose and the Process
Main Line Genealogy Club (October 2021): Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins: Exhausting Every Resource
Columbus Metropolitan Library (October 2021): Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins: Exhausting Every Resource
Fox Valley Genealogical Society (September 2021): Daylong seminar about immigration & naturalization records
Utah Genealogical Association Summit of Excellence (September 2021): Discovering Your Immigrant's Origins: Exhausting Every Resource and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (August 2021): Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look as part of GRIP’s Evening Programs
Association of Professional Genealogists (August 2021: Records Not Revenue: Genealogy and Public Policy
Old York Road Genealogical Society (August 2021): Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Lorain County Chapter of OGS (August 2021): Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Historical Society of Pennsylvania (August 2021): Western Pennsylvania: Researching in the Steel City and Beyond in “Researching Family in Pennsylvania” course
41st IAJGS International Conference on Jewish Genealogy (August 2021): Know Your USCIS Records panel with Renee Carl and Marian Smith
Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (July 2021): Overview of US Immigration & Naturalization Records in “Intermediate Genealogy & Historical Studies” course
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (June 2021): Beside, Through, and Beyond the Golden Door: Immigrants to the United States of America after 1890 weeklong course
Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society (June 2021): Annual Meeting & Program: Demystifying Dual Citizenship
Ohio Genealogy Society Conference (April 2021): Behind the Scenes on Genealogy TV Programs, Unsung Immigration Records of NARA: Contextualizing Recent Immigrant Ancestors, Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look, and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Enoch Pratt Free Library (March 2021): Discovering Your Immigrant’s Origins, Ship Manifests: An In-Depth Look, Alien Registrations in America, and Naturalization Know-How: The Laws and Records of U. S. Citizenship
Morris Area Genealogy Society (March 2021): Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors
Patchogue-Medford Library (17 March 2021): Emerald Isle Express: Researching Irish Ancestors
RootsTech (February 2020): Naturalization: Laws and Records of US Citizenship and Find Your Italian-American Roots
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (January 2019): Beside, Through, and Beyond the Golden Door: Immigrants to the United States of America after 1890 weeklong course
TEDx Pittsburgh (June 2017): How to Grow Empathy From Uncovering Your Roots