Genealogy Unconference: Twin Cities

All 55 spots are filled! (Email me at theformidablegenealogist@gmail.com to join the waitlist.)

Saturday, October 24, 2026 • 9:30 AM–5:30 PM New Brighton, Minnesota

After you register, you will receive an email with a PDF to download. Don't see it? Check spam or go to my website and click on My Orders from the upper right side of any page. In it, there will be a link to a form you need to fill out prior to the event that will help me shape the structure of the event. It also contains exact event location information.

Get ready for a new kind of genealogy event!

Join Jen Shaffer of The Formidable Genealogist for a full day of genealogy conversation, collaboration, problem-solving, and connection at the Genealogy Unconference in New Brighton, Minnesota.

This is not a traditional genealogy conference filled with back-to-back lectures. At an unconference, the people in the room help shape the day.

Instead of spending hours listening to presentations, you'll participate in large- and small-group discussions, share ideas and experiences, work through genealogy challenges, learn from fellow researchers, and explore the topics that matter most to the people attending.

Whether you're a newer genealogist or an experienced researcher, you have something to contribute and something to learn.

What Is a Genealogy Unconference?

An unconference is an interactive, participant-driven event. Once you register, you will receive a PDF that has a link to a form where I will gather info from you regarding what you want to learn. Note - this will not be a DNA-heavy event as I am not a genetic genealogist. This will focus on records research and tools.

The point isn't to follow a predetermined slate of lectures.

The point is to get genealogists talking to one another and building community.

You'll have opportunities to:

• Participate in facilitated genealogy discussions

• Work in small groups with people who share your interests

• Ask questions and brainstorm difficult research problems

• Share resources, methods, and discoveries

• Learn from the experience of other genealogists

• Make connections with people in the local genealogy community

• Have actual conversations about genealogy instead of waiting until the five-minute break between lectures!

Schedule

Saturday, October 24, 2026

9:30 AM–5:30 PM

(There will be a 1-hour lunch break. Bring your own lunch or visit a nearby restaurant.)

The day will include a mix of full-group activities, smaller breakout discussions, collaborative sessions, breaks, and time to connect with other attendees.

We'll build the day's specific discussion topics around the interests of the people who register.

Just bring your curiosity, your experience, your questions, and your enthusiasm for genealogy.

Included With Registration

• All attendees will receive digital copies of The Formidable Genealogist's full PDF research guide collection.

• Notebook and pen

Refund Policy

Registration may be refunded within 7 days of purchase. Refund requests received after the seven-day period cannot be accommodated, even if the event has a waiting list.

After that period, registration is nonrefundable unless the event is canceled by the organizer.

If you are unable to attend after the refund period has passed, you may transfer your registration to another person by contacting The Formidable Genealogist with the replacement attendee’s name and email address.

Failure to attend does not qualify for a refund.

By completing your purchase, you're agreeing to the policies surrounding this event.

A Different Kind of Genealogy Event

Come prepared to talk genealogy.

Bring your questions. Bring your experiences. Bring that research problem you've been staring at for six months. Bring something you've discovered that you can't wait to tell another genealogist about.

Most importantly, come ready to meet other people who understand why finding an 1873 probate file can completely make your week.

Let's spend a day learning together and building our genealogy community. (There will be an option for a self-paid social gathering after the event. Details after registration.)