Michael Cassara - Genealogy SpeakerMICHAEL CASSARA has spoken on a variety of topics at major genealogical conferences, society meetings and in classroom settings.  As a professional genealogist, Michael brings over 25 years of experience in genealogical research to his presentations and is comfortable with groups of any size and ability.  A member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, Michael is based in New York City, and travels regularly to present on a number of different topics, as well as offering presentations via Zoom and webinar platforms.

Custom talks are always possible, based on your society’s needs, but some current talks include:
  • 21st Century Italian Genealogy – There has never been a better time to do Italian genealogical research! With more and more records now online, this talk provides a strong overview for the beginning researcher, while including some lesser-known resources that will be of interest to even the most advanced researchers.
  • Cemetery Crowdsourcing Cemeteries frequently provide genealogists with clues that exist nowhere else. In recent years, even the most remote cemeteries have become accessible to researchers worldwide, thanks to the internet. This talk explores the future of cemetery research – including BillionGraves, FindAGrave, and other apps and databases – highlighting different strategies and approaches to make the most out of cemetery research.
  • Large-Scale Digitization on a Small-Scale Budget: Next Generation Archiving for Genealogists and Societies – first given at the APG Professional Management Conference in 2018, this talk explores digitization approaches for individuals and groups trying to get large amounts of content online. Features multiple case-studies and the latest equipment information.
  • One-Name Studies: What Are They and How Can They Help Your Research? A One-Name Study is “in-depth research on all occurrences of a single surname”. In this talk, Michael explores the different types of one-name studies/surname projects, including the latest software and methodology as well as DNA/technology.
  • Putting Things in Their Place: Paying it Forward in the Digital Age – Have you ever found an old photograph, scrapbook, or family keepsake from someone *else’s* family, and wondered how you might track down a descendant? This talk explores the many fascinating ways in which people are doing just that – helping to preserve our unique heritage and return things to where they belong!

For a limited time, you can watch Michael’s talk on “Cemetery Crowdsourcing” from the 2016 RootsTech conference on RootsTech.org at https://www.rootstech.org/videos/michael-cassara


BRAND NEW TALK TOPICS (FALL, 2023)
Some newly available talks include:
  • New York in Postcards: Bringing Deltiology to Your Genealogy – For genealogists with an affinity for New York research, postcards can be an overlooked and occasionally invaluable means of peering further into the lives of our ancestors, or those of our clients. Not only can they illuminate microhistory (in ways that may otherwise be lost to the ages), but both the front and the back of postcards can contribute mightily to any genealogical study. Images on the front of a card can offer illustrations of long-demolished places of interest, while messages on the back may shed light on an ancestor’s travels, giving the researcher a clearer sense of the writer’s concerns of a long-forgotten moment. These are only a few of the many ways in which genealogy and deltiology (the study and collection of postcards) can intersect. (PLEASE NOTE: This talk can also be uniquely customized to use examples solely/primarily from other states – including Connecticut, New Jersey, and Ohio (so far!)
  • Immagini di Antenati: Photos Of Our Italian Ancestors – Finding, preserving, organizing, and sharing priceless images. Photographs can bring our ancestors to life in exciting and moving ways. In some cases, a family photo may be the only remaining evidence of what someone looked like, while in other cases, they can provide significant genealogical clues, helping us to overcome those pesky brick walls. This talk will delve into all aspects of using historical photos in our genealogical research, along with introducing methods of *finding* photos of ancestors, and discussion of the very real challenges of photo organization.

If you would like to book Michael for your group or event, please contact him using this form.

Speaker bio:

Michael Cassara is a professional genealogist and lecturer based in New York City, specializing in Italian/Sicilian genealogy, 20th century US immigration, and genealogical technology. He has frequently presented at national conferences, including five years of presentations at RootsTech, a recent talk at the 2018 Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference, and a popular 2019 APG Webinar on genealogical technology, OGS, FGS, and many more. Additionally, he has given dozens of talks to local and regional societies throughout the United States and worldwide. Michael holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University (OL19) and is a graduate of the ProGen Study Group (ProGen 43). 

Michael served three terms as President of the Italian Genealogical Group and continues to serves on its Board. In his “other” life, Michael is a leading casting director for theatre and film, having cast over 700 musicals, plays, and movies – in New York City and worldwide. He blogs about his research at DigiRoots.net and can be found online at @DigiRoots

UPCOMING TALKS

 
September, 2023

Wednesday, September 20th, 2022 – 7 PM (Eastern)
New York In Postcards: Bringing Deltiology to Your Genealogy
Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County Library District) (Elmira, NY) – register here for Zoom webinar

October, 2023

Saturday, October 7th, 2023 – 1 PM (ET), talk begins at 2 PM (ET) – *in person only*
Connecticut in Postcards: Bringing Deltiology to Your Genealogy 
Middlesex Genealogical Society (Darien, CT)

Wednesday, October 10th, 2023 – 7 PM (ET)
Immagini di Antenati: Photos Of Our Italian Ancestors
The Genealogy Collective, sponsored by the Locust Valley (NY) Library
Free/Open To All (presented virtually) – register online here 


RECENT TALKS (selected)

Saturday, September 16th, 2023
One-Name Studies: What are they and how can they help your research?
Pima County Genealogy Society (Pima County, AZ)

Saturday, February 11th, 2023
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Downstate Delaware Genealogical Society (Kent County, DE)

Saturday, May 21st, 2022
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society (Henderson, NV)

Saturday, February 12th, 2022
21st Century Italian Genealogy
North Suburban Genealogical Society (NSGS) / Glenview Public Library (Glenview, IL)

Wednesday, January 12th, 2022 – 7 PM (Central)
Italian Genealogy
Fountaindale Public Library (Bolingbrook, IL)

Saturday, January 8th, 2022
Digital Organization for Everyone
Houston Genealogical Forum (Houston, TX)

(throughout September, 2021)
21st Century Italian Genealogy
NYSFHC @ Home
New York State Family History Conference

Wednesday, September 8th, 2021 – 7 PM (Eastern)
Putting Things in Their Place: Paying It Forward In The Digital Age
Genealogy Club of Newtown (Newtown, CT)

Saturday, April 17th, 2021
Ohio Genealogical Society (OGS) Conference

Thursday, April 8th, 2021
3:30 PM (US/Central)
Cemetery Crowdsourcing
Racine (WI) Public Library 

February 25th through 27th, 2021
RootsTech Connect – video presentations will be available for the next year – including my session, Cemetery Genealogy Using BillionGraves 

Monday, February 22nd, 2021
21st Century Italian Genealogy… with a New Jersey Focus!
Genealogical Society of Bergen County (NJ)
 
register here
via webinar

Wednesday, February 10th, 2021
Top Ten Tech Tools for Genealogy.
Genealogy Club of Newtown (CT), 
via webinar

Wednesday, January 13th, 2021
One-Name Studies: What Are They and How Can They Help Your Research?
Fountaindale Public Library District
(Bolingbrook, IL), via webinar

Sunday, November 15th, 2020 at 10:30 AM (eastern)
Putting Things In Their Place: Paying it Forward in the Digital Age
Virtual Genealogy Association (VGA) – Annual Conference
via webinar

Saturday, October 17th, 2020 at 1:30 PM (eastern)
Cemetery Crowdsourcing

Kinseekers Genealogical Society (Lake County, FL)
via webinar

Thursday, October 15th, 2020 at 7:30 PM (eastern)
Putting Things In Their Place: Paying it Forward in the Digital Age
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, New York City Chapter
via webinar (for members) 

September, 2020
Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)
– 2020 “Virtual” Conference
  • Facebook Groups: *Now* I’m a Believer!
  • Digital Organization for Everyone

Sunday, September 13th, 2020 at 2 PM
One-Name Studies: What Are They and How Can They Help Your Research?
Monmouth County Genealogy Society (Monmouth County, NJ), via webinar

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

Top 10 Tech Tools for Professional Genealogists
New York Genealogy & Technology Group
 – NYG&B, 36 West 44th, Suite #711, New York, NY

Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 at 10 AM
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Italian Genealogy Society of NJ – Clifton Memorial Library, Clifton, NJ

Monday, May 20th, 2019
Top 10 Tech Tools for Professional Genealogists
Association of Professional Genealogists – online webinar

Monday, November 19th, 2018
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Greater Cleveland Genealogical Society – Fairview Park, OH

Sunday, November 11th, 2018 at 1:30 PM
Cemetery Crowdsourcing
Monmouth County Genealogical Society – Eatontown Community Center, 72 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ.

Friday, October 5th, 2018
Large Scale Digitization on a Small Scale Budget
Association of Professional Genealogists – Professional Management Conference – Kansas City, MO

Monday, September 17th, 2018 at 7 PM
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Sachem Public Library – Holbrook, NY

Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at 10 AM
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Passaic County Genealogy Club – Paterson, NJ

Tuesday, June 12th, 2018
One-Name Studies For Genealogy
Central Jersey Genealogy Club – Hamilton, NJ

Saturday, May 12th, 2018
Italian Genealogy
Rogers Memorial Library – Southampton, NY

Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 at 7 PM
Cemetery Crowdsourcing
Connetquot Library – 760 Ocean Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017
Cemetery Crowdsourcing For Genealogy
Central Jersey Genealogy Club – Hamilton, NJ

Saturday, March 11th, 2017
Genealogy Software
Italian Genealogical Group – Bethpage, NY

Saturday, February 25th, 2017
21st Century Italian Genealogy
Capital District Genealogical Society – Colonie, NY

Saturday, October 8th, 2016
Cemetery Crowdsourcing For Genealogy
Westchester County Genealogical Society – Dobbs Ferry, NY

Saturday, May 14th, 2016
One-Name Studies For Italian Genealogy: What Are They and How Can They Help Your Research?
Italian Genealogical Group – Bethpage, NY

Saturday, February 6th, 2016
Cemetery Crowdsourcing
RootsTech – Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, February 12th, 2015
21st Century Italian Genealogy
RootsTech – Salt Lake City, UT

Thursday, February 6th, 2014
Putting Things in Their Place: Paying it Forward in the Digital Age
RootsTech – Salt Lake City, UT