The goal of this conference is to highlight the importance of exploring family research as a means to better understand one’s family and one’s part in it. The invited researcher, Ryan Woods, leads a nationally recognized organization, American Ancestors, the oldest genealogical organization in the US. From his rich experience in traditional genealogical research, he will present on how people are motivated and impacted by genealogical research and on his observations of patterns and legacies in published family histories. His broad research perspective will interface with presenters who will describe research of their own families from the perspective of Bowen family systems theory. Participants will come away with an appreciation of how family research broadens one’s understanding of family emotional process and how Bowen theory illuminates one’s understanding of family history. Woods is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Ancestors and the New England Historic Genealogical Society - America’s founding genealogical organization. There is ample time for questions and discussion with the audience.