Join us for our July 2025 meeting, where we will have the honor of hearing from the amazing Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy!

Dr. Murphy will be sharing an important, but often neglected topic, “Physical and Emotional Health: Understanding Your Family Health History.” Her talk will include

  • Examples of how one’s ancestry can impact physical and emotional health
  • Practical advice for Exploring Your Family Health History.
  • Tools and support for navigating your discoveries
  • Community building tips to share and learn from others’ experiences

WHEN: Sunday, 13 July 2025
TIME: 4:30 p.m. SLT (same as Pacific Time)
WHERE: The Barn  SLurl

A brief business meeting will be held before the speaker’s presentation.

Genealogists of all levels are welcome at our meetings. You do not need to be a member of the SLVGS to attend, but we’d love it if you’d join!

About The Speaker

An avid genealogist for over 30 years, Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, a.k.a. “familytreegirl,” was born and raised in Michigan, now living in central Virginia. She conducts genealogy workshops at local, state, and national conferences. Murphy is known for her inspiring & interactive “SO WHAT” with genealogical research, along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures such as the use of Timelines.

Dr. Murphy serves on the Boards of the Library of Virginia and the Albemarle, Charlottesville, and Fluvanna Historical Societies.

She is the President, Coordinator, and Instructor at the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and develops staff and public educational programs for the Center for Family History at the International African American Museum (opening Fall/22). She holds membership in AAHGS, NGS, APG, DAR, and local genealogy groups.

Currently working for the University of Virginia as the Descendant Project Researcher, seeking descendants of the enslaved laborers who built the university. Adjunct Professor at Averett University since 2009. Dr. Murphy’s personal research focuses on Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia/West Virginia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Learn more at Dr. Murphy’s website, Family Tree Girl.