Identity Quest Genealogy Conference & Heritage Celebration was held November 12-13, 2022 and provided the midwest with a host of heritage society exhibitors, genealogy speakers, and heritage music, dance and art!

Saturday was a free conference with national and regional speakers who shared information on the latest genealogy tools and resources.

Sunday featured heritage celebrations including music, art, dance and cultural activities. On both days genealogists from across the region worked with participants’ anecdotal clues, documents, and family heirlooms to unite them with histories and people they never knew existed.

National Presenters

Kathleen Brandt, international genealogist and private investigator. She has researched for TLC Who Do You Think You Are? and PBS, Finding Your Roots. She has extensive experience in DNA analysis, international and nationwide documentation retrieval, free-colored research, military record retrievals, and tracing slaves, as well as Irish, Swedish, and German records.

Dan Debenham, creator and host of Relative Race, the Award-Winning Family History-Based Reality Competition Program, now in its 9th season. People from all over the country race to find their new relatives, even in Topeka!


In 2020, the library and our genealogy partners hosted Kenyatta Berry and Brett Bettinger in our first ever free Identity Quest Conference. Find out how to research your identity through DNA, family history and genealogy.

View the Presentations from 2020