McCleary Historical Society 2026 Genealogy Conference

The McCleary Historical Society hosts genealogist Cyndi Ingle of Cyndislist.com; Joy Iversen, director of the Elma LDS FamilySearch Center; and Lily Eng, Storyteller, for a gathering of engaging topics and lunch. Cost is $25, advance purchase is required. Tickets will be available starting August 1st.

Cyndi Ingle, Genealogist, Creator, and Innovator of CyndisList.com
Be Your Own Digital Archivist: Preserve Your Research
Are you doing everything you can to safeguard your genealogical research? Your documents? Your data? Your scanned images? We will talk about the importance of taking charge of your own materials and making sure they aren’t going to disappear.

Cyndi Ingle Bio: Cyndi Ingle, a genealogist for more than 45 years, is the creator and innovator behind the award-winning and globally recognized CyndisList.com.. Cyndi is an expert in using technology for genealogy research in the United States and bringing together traditional methodology with organization, computers, software, and the Internet. She is an internationally known guest lecturer, and she has authored numerous articles, two magazine columns, and three books. Cyndi is the Executive Director for the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.

Lily Eng, Storyteller
Capturing Family History Through Storytelling: The Importance of Oral History
The best stories are unexpected heirlooms, passed down through generations. But too often family stories are not captured for the future and can be lost forever. Oral history offers a unique opportunity to share family history not only with our children, but also with future generations.

Lily Eng Bio: Lily Eng has been a journalist at The Seattle Times and The Los Angeles Times. Most recently as a senior vice president at Edelman, a global communications company, Lily worked with small, local companies and large, global corporations. A University of Michigan alumna, Lily also has a certificate in museum studies from the University of Washington, where she concentrated on oral history. She loves telling stories and listening to them as well.

Joy Iversen, Director of the LDS FamilySearch Center in Elma.
Genealogy: Where Do I Begin?
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced researcher, we will explore FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and Ancestral Quest (a personal genealogy program) to help you confidently navigate these tools at every stage of your journey.

Joy Iversen Bio: Joy Iversen’s passion for history began at age twelve, collecting Bibles, photos, and letters at her family’s Tennessee homestead. Joining the LDS Church at 16 unlocked the resources to turn that early curiosity into a lifelong calling. For nearly forty years, Joy has shared her expertise as Director of the LDS FamilySearch Center in Elma. Deeply dedicated to local preservation, she also serves as Board Secretary for the McCleary Historical Society, bringing decades of warmth and wisdom to genealogy.