EVENTS SCHEDULE

I am available for online and in-person presentations. For more info, contact me at clairegebben@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
German Migration Patterns
On-line presentation for the Jefferson County Genealogical Society
Since the 17th century, millions of German-speaking emigrants were leaving Europe for places far and wide, especially North America. Who were they? Why did they leave? The answer? It’s complicated. This talk explores waves of emigration in historical context, including wars, religious oppression, human and civil rights, weather, economics and other factors. Presentation also includes a look at patterns of settlement of German migrants on arrival in North America.

Monday, April 6, 2026, 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time – streamed online
Hidden Heritage: German Immigrants to the U.S. in the 19th Century
Presentation for Sun City Shadow Hills Genealogy Club
Nearly one-quarter of Americans claim some German ancestry. In the mid-19th century, millions of Germans came to the New World in search of a better life. What influence did these German Americans have on the culture, politics, education, economics and family life of the day? And what has become of them? Author of The Last of the Blacksmiths Claire Gebben shares insights uncovered while researching her novel about the buried legacy of the 19th-century German immigrant experience.

Saturday, November 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time — streamed online
Creating a Legacy with Family Papers and Genealogy
On-line presentation for the Jefferson County Genealogical Society
Many of us share a pressing concern: we possess family documents, artifacts, and oral histories, but have no idea what to do with them. This session examines formats, ideas, organizational tips, and inspiration to ensure the stories of our ancestors, and our own life stories, are not lost.