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Tracing Roots in Florida and Beyond

A Genealogy Symposium

Enjoy engaging presentations from five nationally recognized speakers and local experts on tracing immigrant ancestors, researching family history in Florida and more, plus participate in roundtable discussions and connect with local genealogy and history organizations. Attendees are invited to bring up to five items to be digitized by the Library’s Digital Collections team. Limited digitization slots are available. Registration is required. For more information, contact 305-375-5572 or specialcollections@mdpls.org. Ages 18 yrs.+

Presented by the Special Collections & Archives Division of the Miami-Dade Public Library System.

This project is funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s LSTA program is administered by the Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.

About the Symposium

Join us to learn more about genealogy and family history from five nationally recognized speakers and local experts presenting on topics such as tracing 19th and 20th-century immigrant ancestors and conducting research in Florida.

The symposium will close with an “Ask a Genealogist” discussion panel with our professional genealogist speakers and moderator. Submit your questions in advance by emailing specialcollections@mdpls.org with the subject line “Ask a Genealogist - Tracing Roots in Florida and Beyond” and the experts might answer your question during the session. Submissions close at 6:00 p.m. on July 31, 2026.

Bring your photographs, negatives and documents with you! The Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Digital Collections will be digitizing your genealogical materials on site! You will also have the option of donating digital copies to our online Genealogy Collection or our Community Memory Project, which aims to create a digital archive of Miami-Dade County residents’ collective memory. All items scanned as part of the event are returned to their owners, who will also receive a flash drive with high-resolution digital copies to take home.

Local genealogy and history organizations will also be on site to tell you more about what they do:

• Genealogical Society of Greater Miami
• Jewish Genealogical Society of Greater Miami
• Genealogical Society of Broward County
• Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County
• Florida International University
• and more!

Schedule

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Registration 

Auditorium

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Scanning with Digital Collections

Lobby

Bring up to five items, and the MDPLS Digital Collections team will scan them in high resolution.

Limited slots available.

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Societies, Libraries and Archives

2nd Floor Rotunda

Find out more about your local genealogy and history organizations.

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Discovering Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Origins: Exhausting Every Resource

Auditorium

Immigrant ancestors can give us quite the challenge when trying to find their exact place of origin. The endless “Poland” notations or “Norway” listed as place of birth can drive genealogists, both beginner and expert alike, mad. This presentation delves into a variety of records found stateside that can narrow down the search, as well as ideas for when the paper trail continually runs cold. The main suspects will be discussed, as will numerous lesser-known and lesser-used records. Some of the record sets that will be covered include:

• Ship manifests
• Naturalization records
• Vital records
• World War I/World War II draft registration cards
• Church records
• County histories
• Probate files
• Ethnic record sets

About the Presenter

Rich Venezia founded Rich Roots Genealogy, LLC in 2013. He was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons and is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially with underutilized record sources and federal records. He works with law firms and individuals on complex U.S. derivative citizenship cases and specializes in Italian and Irish research. Additionally, he assists clients with dual citizenship applications and is a proud Italian dual citizen. He lectures nationwide and spoke at TEDx Pittsburgh 2017. He is also an award-winning records access advocate.

Here, There, and Everywhere: Using Land Records to Research Ancestors and Pioneers

2nd Floor Stage

Whether you are researching local records in Florida or reaching back to hometowns of your ancestors, land records such as surveys, deeds, and homestead applications can provide much more information than a point on a map.  This presentation gives insight into what to look for, what steps were taken for Pioneers to homestead land, and how to find the history of where you live today. Presented by Lorrie Martin.

About the Presenter

Lorrie Chupina Martin serves as president for the Genealogical Society of Greater Miami, and as chair of the National Genealogical Society Delegate Council for member organizations. After working in finance and operations, the search for biological family in 2018 led her to the field of genealogy. She earned the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research and became a professional genealogist focusing on forensic research. Lorrie is also a member of NGS, APG, the APG Forensic SIG, Florida State Genealogical Society, and others. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami and Master of Public Administration from Florida International University. Lorrie has served on other community boards including the Junior League of Miami and its Foundation and is currently on the Pinewood Cemetery Advisory Board for the City of Coral Gables.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Let's Talk: Finding Common Ground in America at 250 - An American Conversation Project Event

A one-hour small-group conversation, recorded to help share local voices as part of a national civic listening initiative. Space is limited to 10 participants to keep the conversation intimate and welcoming.

This isn't a debate or a town hall. It's a chance to slow down, listen, and be heard — to share your story and hear from your neighbors in a setting built for genuine connection rather than conflict. Your voice will join thousands of others from communities across the country, helping paint a picture of what Americans are thinking and feeling as we mark this milestone anniversary.  Please note, the conversation may be securely saved and added to the ACP public conversation, where it can be searched and listened to by others for learning and storytelling, in ways that respect your voice and your privacy. Participants can use a pseudonym and can request that any comments be redacted at any time.

Register in advance here

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Understanding and Acknowledging the Lives of Ancestors in State Hospitals and Asylums

Auditorium

Behind every state hospital record is a human story. Learn how to uncover and understand the lives of ancestors who lived in state hospitals and asylums, and how to acknowledge their experiences with honesty, empathy, and respect.

About the Presenter

Kate is a former professional investigator turned genealogist, specializing in Pennsylvania genealogical research. She also has experience with records from Ohio, West Virginia, and New York City, as well as expertise in immigration, naturalization, and court records. She holds the Certified Genealogist® credential as of February 2024. Kate owns Family History Investigations LLC.

Kate has spoken at national and local genealogical societies, libraries, and conferences, including the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference, New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, and RootsTech. She has served on the faculty at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh.

Although Kate has been working on her own family history since she was sixteen, her interest in investigating and researching on a professional level was piqued when she served as an Archives Technician at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) while completing her undergraduate studies. She worked as a resource for both amateur and professional genealogical researchers, assisting them in conducting archival records research. Additionally, she gained experience with primary source documents in her first position with NARA, where she worked in the holdings maintenance department, preserving and cataloging records dating back to the 1800s.

Genealogy Road Trip: Along the Back Roads of Family History

2nd Floor Stage

Using folk music, historical photographs, and the stories of real people, this presentation highlights overlooked repositories and unexpected record collections that bring to life the people, places, and events that shaped generations of Floridians. Presented by Tamara Hallo.

About the Presenter

Tamara Hallo, MLS, a Miami native and owner of Hallo Genealogy Services, LLC, is an educator, librarian, and professional genealogist. Genealogy is her passion and a perfect complement to her repertoire. She has over 30 years of experience as an educator, holds a Master of Library Science degree, and a certificate of genealogical research from Boston University. In addition to client work, she presents on genealogical topics to both in-person and virtual audiences and teaches genealogy classes throughout South Florida. Tamara is a past president and currently serves as the Marketing and Communications Chair of the Genealogical Society of Greater Miami.

12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

"Bring Your Own Lunch" Discussion Roundtables

Bring your lunch and chat with other genealogists interested in the same topics! Choose from Genetic Genealogy, Researching in Florida, Forensic Genealogy and more!

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Let's Talk: Finding Common Ground in America at 250 - An American Conversation Project Event

A one-hour small-group conversation, recorded to help share local voices as part of a national civic listening initiative. Space is limited to 10 participants to keep the conversation intimate and welcoming.

This isn't a debate or a town hall. It's a chance to slow down, listen, and be heard — to share your story and hear from your neighbors in a setting built for genuine connection rather than conflict. Your voice will join thousands of others from communities across the country, helping paint a picture of what Americans are thinking and feeling as we mark this milestone anniversary.  Please note, the conversation may be securely saved and added to the ACP public conversation, where it can be searched and listened to by others for learning and storytelling, in ways that respect your voice and your privacy. Participants can use a pseudonym and can request that any comments be redacted at any time.

Register in advance here!

2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Discovering Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Origins: Digging Deeper

Auditorium

Immigrant ancestors didn’t always leave behind many records that hint at their exact place of origin. This lecture focuses on some lesser-known and lesser-used record sets that may help take the research subjects across the pond. Many of these record sets are also rich with genealogical details and can help contextualize and fill in our ancestors’ lives here in the United States. Some of the record sets that will be covered include:

• Lesser-used military records
• Fraternal orders record sets
• Social Security applications
• USCIS record sets
• Heat maps
• Employment records
• Passport applications

About the Presenter

Rich Venezia founded Rich Roots Genealogy, LLC in 2013. He was a member of the research team of Genealogy Roadshow (PBS) for two seasons and is an expert in the research of 20th-century immigrant ancestors, especially with underutilized record sources and federal records. He works with law firms and individuals on complex U.S. derivative citizenship cases and specializes in Italian and Irish research. Additionally, he assists clients with dual citizenship applications and is a proud Italian dual citizen. He lectures nationwide and spoke at TEDx Pittsburgh 2017. He is also an award-winning records access advocate.

Following the Sunshine: Tracing Ancestors Across Florida

2nd Floor Stage

Did your Florida ancestors seem to disappear from one county only to appear decades later in another? Chances are they were following opportunity rather than leaving the state. Explore the forces that shaped migration within Florida—from frontier settlement and railroad expansion to citrus, phosphate mining, military growth, and tourism—and learn how those movements created valuable genealogical records. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of Florida's migration patterns and practical techniques for predicting where your ancestors went next.

About the Presenter

Julia A. Anderson is an Accredited Genealogist® and Accredited Genealogist Lecturer™ with expertise in the United States Gulf South Region. She received a bachelor’s degree in history and university honors from Brigham Young University in 1993 and a master’s degree in history and post-secondary education from Grand Canyon University in 2021. Julia is the manager of the U.S. and Canada Research Team at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, teaches online genealogy research and accreditation classes for Salt Lake Community College, and is the owner and managing member of Anderson Genealogical Research, LLC. She currently serves as a commissioner on the board of ICAPGen and as the Conference Chair for the Utah Genealogical Association. Julia and her husband, Scott, live in Orem, Utah. Together, they have nine children and eleven grandchildren.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

"Ask a Genealogist" Panel

A discussion panel with professional genealogists Rich Venezia, Kate Townsend, CG ®, Julia A. Anderson, AG ® AGL ™, Tamara Hallo, and Lorrie Martin answering audience questions. Moderated by Dr. Ramona La Roche.

Submit your Florida- and immigration-related genealogy questions for our speakers in advance by emailing specialcollections@mdpls.org with the subject line “Ask a Genealogist - Tracing Roots in Florida and Beyond” and the experts might answer your question during the session. Submissions close at 6:00 p.m. on July 31, 2026.

About the Moderator

Ramona La Roche, Ph.D. examines Cultural Heritage Informatics through librarianship, critical community archives, genealogy, and arts related to coastal Florida, lowcountry SC, Barbados, Panama, Caribbean Latin-American territories, and West Africa. Rooted in Georgetown and Charleston, South Carolina, her work as a Gullah Geechee Creative, Cultural Heritage Informaticist, genealogist, and author underscores her dedication to storytelling and information dissemination that honors global African and Caribbean American narratives.

Her digital humanities work includes virtual reality projects like the Harlem Renaissance virtual reality traveling exhibit and Threads: An Interactive Map Exploring Broward’s Black History. During her tenure at the AARLCC, she acquired the Love-Thornell vintage photographs (1,300 images) and Alan Bell BLK LGBTQ magazine collections, as well as implemented an eight-member organizational partnership with Florida International University’s Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab. The Community Data Curation Project three-year grant was funded by the Mellon Foundation.

A former Institute of Library and Museum Services (ILMS) Cultural Heritage Informatics Leadership (CHIL) Fellow recipient, Dr. La Roche attended the University of South Carolina’s School of Library and Information Science in Columbia, SC. An accomplished photographer and multimedia artist, her published works include:

• “Bajan To Gullah” Cultural Capital: Wood, Stone, Iron, and Clay 1670 To 1770 (2017)
• Gullah Connections: Crossing Over, Passing The Links between the Worlds, Orisa: Yoruba gods and spiritual identity in Africa and in the diaspora (2005)
• Black America Series: Georgetown County, South Carolina (2000)

Free parking will be available in the Miami-Dade Cultural Center Garage – 50 NW 2nd Ave. – with ticket validation.

The presentations will be recorded and posted for a limited time in our Digital Collections after the event!

About the Special Collections and Archives Division

The Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Special Collections & Archives Division preserves and provides access to rare and historically significant materials for the public and scholarly community. Its diverse holdings include the Helen Muir Florida Collection, the 16mm Film Collection, the Cuban Collection of Rare Books & Ephemera, the Genealogy Collection, and rare and antiquarian books dating back to the 17th century. The Division also manages the Library’s Permanent Art Collection, which features over 7,000 works displayed across library locations, and The Vasari Project, dedicated to documenting Miami-Dade County’s art history since 1945. Committed to accessibility, it offers materials for viewing and research both in person and online through the Digital Collection, which includes more than 40 freely accessible collections, featuring materials from the Library as well as contributions from outside collaborators and partner institutions. Spanning rare books, manuscripts, photographs, prints, paintings, sculptures, artifacts, audiovisual resources, and electronic media, these collections ensure that Miami-Dade County’s rich history, artistic legacy, and cultural heritage remain available to all.

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