HHS Conference 2004 -

"Trail of History"

June 16-19, 2004, Exton, Pennsylvania

Exton is located in southeastern Pennsylvania between the Amish farmland of Lancaster [45 miles] and historic Philadelphia [35 miles] and Valley Forge [15 miles]. Family members traveling from the west can visit Gettysburg National Park and the Eisenhower Farm before attending the conference, while those traveling from the south can tour various historic sites in Washington, DC. Traveling to this conference and visiting local historical sites is truly a "Trail of History".

The conference hotel is The Inn at Chester Springs in Exton, Pennsylvania. Nearby attractions include Longwood Gardens; QVC Studio; Herrs Food; Wineries; Golf; Museums; and shopping - King of Prussia Mall [8 department stores, 365 specialty shops, and 40 restaurants].

The Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday morning, followed by a DNA / genealogy program. The annual banquet will be at the hotel on Saturday evening. Special entertainment and the popular Hinchman Silent Auction will follow.

DNA testing to discover relationships among various Henchman Hinchman families was a special project during 2002 which resulted in more questions than answers. This year the society has invited Charles F. Kerchner, Jr. to speak on Saturday morning.

Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.

Charles Kerchner has been an amateur genealogist for over 25 years primarily researching his Pennsylvania German family surnames. He is very active with genealogical projects on the Internet - http://www.kerchner.com/kerchner.htm. In the last year he has explored a new scientific tool for genealogical research - the use of genetics and DNA testing and analysis to help solve genealogical puzzles where traditional research methods have reached a dead end. He has used Y-DNA testing to clarify several puzzles in his single name study research of the various clans in the U.S. of his Kerchner surname. He has also started an international Kerchner Surname Y-DNA Project on the Internet to build a Y-DNA haplotype database for the Kerchner surname and similar sounding surnames. In his lecture, Mr. Kerchner will present a brief introduction to the science of Genetics and DNA with particular focus on Y-DNA testing and analysis. He will discuss what he has learned as to what can and cannot be done to assist genealogical research using DNA testing as well as the pros and cons of using DNA testing and analysis for genealogical purposes. He will discuss the results of various case studies which used Y-DNA testing to solve genealogical puzzles including his own Kerchner project.

Proposed Program

Wednesday dinner: Hoss Restaurant, Exton, PA

Thursday dinner: Plain and Fancy Farm, Route 340, Bird-In-Hand, PA

Friday dinner: Old Country Buffet, Exton, PA

Saturday morning: Annual Meeting, DNA / Genealogy Speaker

Saturday lunch: Hoss Restaurant, Exton, PA

Saturday evening Annual Banquet, Karioke Entertainment, Silent Auction.