ConferenceKeeper.org — Your Free Genealogy Events Hub

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In the guild of genealogy tools, calendars and event listings might seem modest, but those modest tools often act as the glue connecting researchers, societies, and learning opportunities. One such tool that has become indispensable to many in the genealogy world is ConferenceKeeper.org. It’s more than a list of dates — it is a central hub for discovery, lifelong learning, and professional growth.

What Is ConferenceKeeper.org?

ConferenceKeeper.org is a non-profit, free, online calendar of genealogy and family history events. It catalogs thousands of webinars, seminars, conferences, workshops, calls for papers, volunteer opportunities, contests, and other genealogy-education related activities worldwide. –

Founded in October 2012 by Jen Baldwin, ConferenceKeeper was created to fill a gap: genealogists needed one go-to place to find education and event listings. Eventually, it went on hiatus, and then in 2015 it was relaunched by Eowyn Langholf and Tami Osmer Mize, expanding its mission and giving the site a fresh look and renewed energy.

In 2022, the site became an official 501(c)(3) non-profit, and in 2023 it merged with the National Genealogical Society (NGS), which helps it with administration and extends its reach to more societies and individuals.

Key Features: What It Offers

ConferenceKeeper is built for genealogists who want to stay up to date and never miss learning opportunities. Some of its most useful features:

  • Comprehensive Calendars – You can view all upcoming genealogy events, including in-person, virtual, hybrid, by location, by subject (DNA, African American research, Jewish genealogy, etc.).
  • Virtual Events View – If you prefer webinars, Zoom meetings, or other online sessions, there’s a dedicated virtual calendar. Perfect for folks who can’t travel or prefer remote learning.
  • “What’s New” / Weekly Updates – Once a week, ConferenceKeeper sends an email with new events added, upcoming deadlines, and other timely items. Ideal for staying on top of application windows, conference registration deadlines, or scholarship/grant opportunities.
  • Submit Events / Open Participation – Societies, libraries, community groups, and individuals can submit their events for free. The site reviews submissions to ensure relevance and accuracy.
  • Other Opportunities – Beyond conferences, you’ll also find listings for jobs, volunteer roles, calls for presentations, grants, scholarships, contests, education (degree and certificate programs), podcasts & YouTube channels. It’s a full ecosystem of opportunity.

Why Genealogists Should Care

  • Never Miss an Event: Whether you’re looking for a DNA workshop, a local seminar, or an international conference, it’s all in one place. No more digging through mailing lists of multiple societies or guessing whether something relevant to your research is happening.
  • Efficiency of Planning: Because the calendar is categorized by subject and geography, you can quickly filter for what matters to you. Want only “African American genealogy events” or only events in “England” or “Online”? That’s easy.
  • Cost-Effective Learning: Many events listed are free or have virtual options. For genealogists on tight budgets, or those living in remote areas, this means more access.
  • Supporting the Community: By submitting your own events, whether large or small, you help make the genealogy field more vibrant and more connected. It amplifies what small societies do, and helps events reach people who otherwise wouldn’t hear about them.
  • Encourages Lifelong Learning: Because the site aggregates so many types of events—short webinars, multi-day conferences, grants, publications—it supports multiple paths of learning. Whether you want a quick one-hour webinar or a week away at a conference, there’s something for you.

Limitations and Things to Be Aware Of

No tool is perfect. A few caveats:

  • Because listings come from submissions and sometimes online sources, you should always verify details with the hosting organization—time zones, registration, cost, etc. ConferenceKeeper provides the info as a service, but doesn’t host the events itself. -+1
  • Some events may be added late or under-advertised; occasionally, the calendar has missing or out-of-date entries. It helps to check “What’s New” and follow up via links provided.
  • Virtual event quality can vary widely, especially for smaller organizations. Don’t assume all virtual sessions are well produced—or that recordings will be available.

Tips for Making the Most of ConferenceKeeper

  1. Subscribe to the weekly update email. That’s the easiest way to know what’s coming without checking the site constantly.
  2. Use filters. If you only care about DNA, or only about conferences in a particular geographic region, use the subject/location filters. It saves time.
  3. Plan ahead. Once you see a conference or institute that’s far in advance, mark your calendar, check early-bird rates, and watch scholarship deadlines.
  4. Share listings. If your society sends a newsletter, consider including interesting upcoming events from ConferenceKeeper. It spreads awareness.
  5. Submit your own events. Helps others benefit, and builds community awareness for smaller or local events that might otherwise be overlooked.

ConferenceKeeper.org has grown from a passion project into one of the go-to resources in genealogy education. Its free, inclusive, and global scope makes it especially relevant in an era where virtual learning and hybrid events are more common than ever. For genealogists who want to keep learning, stay connected, and catch opportunities big and small, it’s a tool worth bookmarking—and using.

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