Saturday November 7, 2026
David M. McCorkle is a land records expert with research experience in a wide variety of other records used by genealogists, including court records, probate, colonial records, and governmental records. He has an extensive background in computer software. He has been working on using Artificial Intelligence tools to help researchers process evidence from these records in a more comprehensive and less time-consuming manner. David is currently President of the NC Genealogical Society.
Please register by Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
$25 for each TNGS Member – Virtual *
$35 for each Non-Member – Virtual*
ALL PROGRAMS WILL BE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR 30 DAYS FOR REGISTRANTS
Session Schedule
8:30 a.m. CST Registration
9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Opening Remarks & Introduction
9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Land Research in the United States
Genealogists often overlook land records for various reasons, one of which is they can be complicated. Learn how you can use these records in your research, how they vary in different parts of the country, and where to find them.
Break 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m. –11:30 a.m
rFinding, Understanding, and Using Deeds
Deeds are extremely useful in genealogical research for determining time and place, relationships, neighbors, wealth, occupations, and more. They are also the most voluminous records you’ll encounter dating from before the founding of this nation up to right now.
ood can provide many genealogical clues and evidence. Learn how to find those neighbors by following land ownership over time using a variety of rLunch 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Tracing Land Ownership Over Time: Forwards, Backwards, and from the Middle
Knowing your ancestor's neighbors and neighborhood can provide many genealogical clues and evidence. Learn how to find those neighbors by following land ownership over time using a variety of records.
Break 1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Using Maps and Mapping Software to Help Understand Your Ancestor's Time and Place
Land records can determine where your ancestor lived, but maps can provide clues to their lives, their church, business activity, access to transportation, and most importantly who lived nearby. Learn how to use websites and software to overlay old maps on top of modern maps to help extract this information.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Q&A & Wrap-up
Refund Policy: Full refund if request is received on or before Nov. 3, 2026. A refund of the registration fee less $20 will be given for requests received after Nov. 3, 2026. No refunds for requests received the day of the seminar or later.
*Deadline for Registration: Tuesday Nov 3rd
Virtual Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. CST
