Directory of Members

Laura Cubbage-Draper, CG^®, is a genealogical researcher and lecturer based in Metuchen, New Jersey. A Garden State native with deep Pennsylvania and German roots, she began researching her family in 1999 and earned the Certified Genealogist credential in 2024. Laura holds a certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University, is a graduate of ProGen 40, and has completed many courses at genealogical research institutes. She has spoken for local, state and national organizations, societies and libraries where she enjoys teaching about genealogical methodology and resources.

Certified Genealogist^® credential

Suzanne Johnson Memorial Scholarship, Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, 2021

Ancestry.com: Getting the Most Out of a Comprehensive Website – Known as the go-to website for genealogy research, this multifaceted site has a wealth of resources and tools. Learn how to improve your searches, take advantage of the card catalog, utilize the family tree feature, plus tips and suggestions to level up your genealogy research and get the most out of your subscription.

Cluster and Collateral Research (FAN Principle) for Genealogical Problem Solving – Expanding our research beyond our direct ancestors can be the key that opens doors to unknown family. This lecture will cover strategies for researching our ancestor’s collateral relatives and community to help reconstruct families and solve genealogical problems.

Familysearch.org: Getting the Most of a Free Genealogy Resource – One of the largest free genealogy websites, FamilySearch.org contains a massive global collection of records and resources. This program will tour the site as well as provide search tips and techniques for navigation of the main components (searching and browsing records, digital library, research wiki, and family trees).

Finding Female Ancestors – Researching the women in our family can be problematic. Our female ancestors left very few records making it challenging to determine a maiden name or family of origin. This program will cover strategies and record groups that can advance your research and help to uncover female ancestors as well as learn more about their lives.

Genealogical Timelines for Organization, Analysis and Problem Solving – In researching our family, we gather extensive amounts of records and information to be compiled. Timelines are a tool that allows us to organize our data, and to visually identify patterns, gaps, themes, and relationships. This program will provide examples of genealogical timelines (migration patterns, research gaps, specific record type, historical perspective, etc.) as well as suggestions on creating timelines in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Introduction to Genealogy: Discovering Your Family History – Interested in researching your family history, but don’t know where to begin? Have you searched for your family but need some instruction on how to proceed? This program offers an overview of key genealogy records and resources, as well as tips and techniques for getting started on discovering your family stories.

Maximize Your Census Research – Census records are one of the most utilized records in our genealogy research containing important and valuable information about our ancestors. This program will discuss the background of these records, what is available in different census years, special enumerations and schedules, plus strategies and tips for effective searches.

Military Records for Genealogical Research – Records created about military service are an important resource in our genealogical research, providing valuable details about our ancestors and families. This program will provide an overview of U.S. military records for both veterans and for those ancestors who did not serve in the military. Emphasis will be on a survey of military resources available and where to search for records.

Organizing Your Genealogy Research – Whether you are new to genealogy or have been researching for years, it is easy to become overwhelmed by records, notes, articles, copies, downloads, photos and more. This program will provide strategies, suggestions, and tips to help you organize your research process as well as your paper and digital files.

Using Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research – Before Facebook and Twitter, the local paper was the place to get the scoop on your neighbors. Historical newspapers are indispensable to genealogy research and learning about your ancestors and their community. This program will highlight the importance of this resource as well as the range of details that can be discovered, including how and where to access digitized US newspapers, plus search techniques and tips.

Using Spreadsheets (Excel) to Plan & Organize Your Genealogy Research – Learn the power of using spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, etc.) with your genealogical research. This program will cover their use in research planning, checklists, data organization and analysis, and presentation of research with descendant and pedigree charts.

For Professionals:

Smarter Not Harder: Creating Systems for Your Genealogy Business – “You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.” (James Clear)  Professional genealogists, whether full-time, part-time, lecturers, and/or society leaders, have much to manage including their time, tasks, and information. This lecture will help participants determine why, where and how to create systems which will empower them to work more effectively and joyfully.

HoneyBook for Genealogists – Looking for a better way to manage contracts, invoices and projects? Learn how HoneyBook, a client relationship platform, can organize your business in one place. This program highlights the key features of HoneyBook that are most useful for genealogists. It also mentions other features (lead management, testimonial requests, Chrome extension for Gmail, logos and branding) and upgrade options for integration with QuickBooks, Calendly, Canva, Slack, Zoom and more.

• Genealogical Society of Greater Miami (FL) - "Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research"
• Summit Free Public Library (NJ) – “Maximize Your Census Research” – October 2025
• Association of Professional Genealogists, Professional Management Conference – “HoneyBook for Genealogists” – September 2025
• Mercer County Library System (NJ) – “Introduction to Genealogy: Discovering Your Family History” – August 2025
• Palatines to America, Pennsylvania Chapter (PA) – “Using Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research” – August 2025
• Library of the Chathams (NJ) – “Introduction to Genealogy: Discovering Your Family History” – August 2025
• Hillside Public Library (NJ) – “Introduction to Genealogy: Discovering Your Family History” – May 2025
• Friends of the Clifton Public Library (NJ) – “Introduction to Genealogy: Discovering Your Family History” – April 2025
• Morris Area Genealogy Society (NJ) – “Cluster and Collateral Research (FAN Principle) for Genealogical Problem Solving” – October 2024
• Tour of the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery (Metuchen, NJ) – September 2024
• Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society 50th Anniversary Conference – “Finding Female Ancestors” and “Using Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research” – June 2024
• Passaic County Genealogy Club (NJ) – “Military Records for Genealogical Research” – April 2024
• Niagara County Genealogical Society (NY) – “Genealogical Timelines for Organization, Analysis & Problem Solving” – April 2024
• Main Line Genealogy Club – “Finding Female Ancestors” – March 2024
• NJ Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists – “Smarter Not Harder: Creating Systems for Your Genealogy Business” – December 2023
• New Providence Memorial Library (NJ) – “FamilySearch.org: Getting the Most of a Free Genealogy Resource” – November 2023
• Genealogical Society of Bergen County (NJ) – “Military Records for Genealogical Research” – September 2023
• Allen County Public Library (IN)– “Cluster and Collateral Research (FAN Principle) for Genealogical Problem Solving” – August 2023
• Summit Free Public Library (NJ) – “FamilySearch.org: Getting the Most of a Free Genealogy Resource” – May 2023
• Matochshoning-Rebecca Cornell Chapter, DAR (NJ) – “Finding Female Ancestors” – March 2023
• Monmouth County Genealogical Society (NJ) – “Using Historical Newspapers in Genealogical Research” – February 2023
• Summit Free Public Library (NJ) – “Finding Female Ancestors” – January 2023