Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve found.
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Before I get into this post, I wanted to quickly share that I have been named an Official Blogger for the RootsTech 2012 family history and technology conference. I’m honored that FamilySearch chose me as an ally in promoting RootsTech.
On February 2-4, 2012, FamilySearch will host its second annual RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. RootsTech is a conference that brings family history and technology together. It provides a forum for genealogists and technology developers to converge under one roof with the goal of learning from one another. While genealogists take in sessions about using various types of technology to assist in their family history projects, the developers learn how genealogists use technology and how to develop solutions aimed at solving genealogy-related problems.
I’m excited about attending RootsTech 2012, and here are a few reasons why:
For a listing of the sessions that are planned, visit http://rootstech.familysearch.org/schedule.
Be sure to register by November 30, 2011 for the early bird rate of $129 to save.
Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve found.
New-to-Me Blogs
Online Articles/ Posts
Print Articles
Websites
Apparently I missed the boat on this little tidbit of information, but perhaps I’m not the only one. Did you know that all of the back issues of the now-out-of-publication Ancestry Magazine are available on Google Books. Yes, that’s right, all of them, in full, can be found here.
Thanks to Laura Prescott for mentioning this in her Diaries & Journals presentation at the FGS 2011 Conference.
Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve found.
New-to-Me Blogs
Online Articles/Posts
Print Articles
Websites
A few years ago, Becky at kinexxions took the 99 Things Meme and put a genealogy twist on it. I’ve done a lot in the last few years, and since this meme is going around again, I thought I’d take a few minutes and update my list. You can see my original post from 2009 here.
The list should be annotated in the following manner:
While I was at the FGS 2011 Conference, I stopped by the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and learned about a new scholarship. The Birdie Monk Holsclaw Scholarship for IGHR was established in 2010 to cover the cost of tuition. The application deadline is October 1st annually.
Click here to learn more.
In honor of their 12th year of providing online genealogy courses, the National Institute for Genealogical Studies is offering a 12% discount on course packages. The course packages are already discounted tremendously (i.e., if you were to purchase each course separately, you’d spend a lot more), so a 12% discount is icing on the cake.
I finished my Basic Level course package back in May, and with FGS 2011 Conference responsibilities, I did not purchase another package. Now that the conference is over, I can get back to working on my goals, and for starters, that means purchasing another batch of courses to work on. I’m certainly going to take advantage of the 12% discount, which is available through October 4, 2011.
Visit the National Institute for Genealogical Studies website to learn more about their courses, certificate programs, and instructors.
The FGS 2011 Conference was a whirlwind of activities, and as exhausted as I am (even after being home for a few days), it was well worth it.
Ribbons
Since this was my first national genealogy conference, I had to of course see how many ribbons I could amass. By the time I left on Sunday, I had 28 ribbons, which reached my ankles. If I didn’t have the longest tail, I’m sure I was a close second. Sadly, it reminds me how much I spend on genealogy (albeit, for me, well worth it) since all of the membership ribbons are legit (I didn’t take anything that I didn’t belong to).
Exhibit Hall
I don’t typically spend much time in the exhibit hall at conferences. I usually take in as many sessions as I can, but this conference was a different experience for me. I found the exhibit hall to be my networking hub and spent more time there then I would’ve bet on one week earlier.
I visited about 75% of the vendors over three days. I learned about a variety of new products and services that I was previously unaware of, and learned about new offerings from familiar vendors. Look for blog posts later this week about some of my favorite vendors and interesting news items.
Since I normally don’t find myself in the exhibit hall, I don’t usually come home with much more than I left with, but I found some great goodies and memberships that I just had to have:
Books
Memberships
Other
Fellow Genealogists
I had a blast talking with everyone I came in contact with. One of the benefits of being on Facebook and having a blog is that I already knew so many people before having ever met them in person. Most everyone was as I imagined. And of course I met some new friends and I look forward to growing those relationships.
Wrapping It Up
Overall, FGS 2011 met or exceeded my expectations. I really do encourage you to attend a national genealogy conference if you have never been to one. There is so much to learn and so many wonderful people to connect with, you are at a disadvantage if you don’t.
If you weren’t able to attend FGS 2011, you can purchase conference recordings of the sessions. (Note: Not all sessions were recorded.) Recordings can be purchased at Fleetwood Onsite Conference Recording.
To read more about my conference experience, refer to the following posts:
The nice thing about this conference was the post-conference brunch. Even though I only live an hour away from Springfield, I knew I would be too exhausted to drive home Saturday night. So I was pleased to see the Farewell Brunch on Sunday, which offered one last chance to hang out with colleagues before heading home. The brunch was well-attended and I hope they continue to do this at future conferences.
I of course was thoroughly ecstatic when my number was called for the 1-year Ancestry membership door prize. My subscription is up in a few months, so this will come in handy! (And by saving on my subscription this year, I may be able to go to RootsTech 2012.)
After some emotional goodbyes, it was off to rejoin reality. But I can’t wait to incorporate all that I’ve learned and take my research in new directions. And of course, continue to build relationships with fellow genealogists, some of which started on Facebook several years ago.
It’s an exciting time in genealogy. If you’ve never been to a national conference, I strongly encourage you to attend one. You’ll be surprised just how much fun you can have.
It’s deja vu…another day of sessions and making my way around the exhibit hall. Since it was the final day, I had to make it count!
Digital Scrapbooking – I have to be honest, I was prepared to attend a different session at this time, but it was full. So it was on to my second choice. Although I’m not really that interested in scrapbooking, Linda Woodward Geiger made the topic interesting. And although I didn’t walk away with a strong desire to start scrapbooking, I did come away with a few scanning tips that will come in handy on other projects.
Michigan Roots: Genealogy Research in the Wolverine State – This was one of my must-see lectures, and sadly some things came up and I had to leave early and attend to my conference duties. But here’s a brief synopsis of what I did manage to catch. Kris Rzepczynski stepped through various record types and discussed time periods for each, what the records might reveal, and where to find them. He also talked about a few statewide resources, including those related to the Michigan pioneer program. Kris also recommended the following two books, one of which I had been eyeing just prior to the session (I did go back and purchase it later in the day, along with the other one): Michigan Place Names (Walter Romig) and Michigan Genealogy (Carol McGinnis). He also recommended the NGS Research in the States series for Michigan, which I think I already own. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
Using Diaries and Journals to Add Personality to Your Research – Laura Prescott discussed the use of journals/diaries in genealogy research to give us perspective, insight, and a tangible connection to the past. After seeing some of the gems she shared with us, I really want to go out and find whatever I can to supplement my own research…these sources are truly priceless. One main point Laura brings up with regard to locating diaries/journals (along with other genealogical resources) is not to overlook university libraries. Many times these rare resources were given to local universities before historical societies and public libraries existed.
In addition to the sessions, I attended a vendor demo for National Institute for Genealogical Studies in hopes of winning the door prize for a 9-course package so I could continue my certificate program. Even though I am a student, I did learn a few things, so it was certainly worth attending, even if I didn’t win the door prize.
It was a hectic day with conference duties, and I ended up missing my scheduled luncheon with NGS. I’m bummed because I really wanted to hear Janet Alpert’s presentation, How My Illinois German Ancestors Have Made Me a Better Genealogist.
I had a nice dinner with fellow genealogists Lisa Alzo, Amy Coffin, Caroline Pointer, Thomas MacEntee, and Paula Hinkel. The night ended with a relaxing conversation with fellow ISGS board members Jane Haldeman, Carole McCarty, Larry Pepper, and Michele Claypool.
By Friday, my days were blurring together, but regardless, I was still having a blast learning new things and meeting new people. Again, this day was spent between sessions and the exhibit hall.
Researching Your Indian Wars Ancestor Before the Civil War – Craig Scott provided an overview of the Indian War period prior to the Civil War. He also gave some tips on using some of the popular NARA records used in this research. Craig also recommended two books that provide the details of many of these conflicts: The Wars of America (Robert Leckie) and Colonial Wars of North America (Alan Gallay).
Using Correlation to Reveal Facts That No Record States – In this session Thomas Jones discusses the five methods for correlating evidence, which are narrative, list, timeline, table, and map. Tom also provided examples of each method to help illustrate his points. These methods will definitely be helpful in writing proof summaries and case studies in the future. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
I also attended the Association of Professional Genealogists luncheon, which featured speaker Kenyatta Berry. Her presentation, Discovering a Genealogical Treasure Trove with A. B. Caldwell, was fascinating.
I closed out the evening at the FGS 35th Anniversary Celebration dinner. Harold Holzer’s presentation, The Lincoln Family Album, was outstanding.
I got a pretty late start on Thursday and missed the Keynote Session. But I did arrive just in time to attend the press conference that we put together for the local media at 10am (for a clip of the local news, click here). Then it was off to sessions and the exhibit all for the rest of the day.
Immigrant Cluster Communities: Past, Present, and Future – Because immigrants traveled together, they usually settled together. Analyzing these communities, that is, beyond your own ancestors, could mean breaking down a brick wall. Lisa Alzo provided several strategies for studying immigrant cluster communities. In addition, she provided examples from her own research, which helped illustrate her points. I myself have only struck the surface of cluster genealogy and plan to take Lisa’s strategies and apply them to my own research in hopes of finally breaking through my German brick walls. You can purchase the recording of the session here. Or, catch Lisa on September 21 in a live webinar on the same topic, hosted by the Southern California Genealogical Society.
Going Beyond the Bare Bones: Reconstructing Your Ancestor's’ Lives – Genealogy is more than just names, dates, and relationships. In this lecture, Thomas Jones goes through a variety of sources that can be used to shed light on the lives our ancestors lived. For example, court records could reveal the details of the dispute and the parties involved, financial status, occupation, property value/description, and more. Using these sources and their information collectively can make for a rich story. Tom also discussed different approaches to use when crafting a biography, one of which I had not previously considered. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
In addition to these sessions, I attended the Illinois State Genealogical Society’s luncheon. Speaker, Dr. Michael Lockett, presented Strange, But True, Stories of the Civil War, which was fascinating. While I wasn’t attending sessions, I was mingling with the crowd and vendors at the exhibit hall. Finally, I wrapped up the evening at dinner with fellow bloggers, Carol Genung, Kathryn Doyle, and Paula Hinkel.
Wednesday at an FGS conference is traditionally Focus on Societies Day, where each of the sessions pertain to society management. As an Illinois State Genealogical Society board member, I found each of these sessions offered some wonderful ideas to consider as ISGS continues to enhance its membership offerings.
How Will Our Society Survive? (Plenary Session) – David Rencher kicked off the day challenging society leaders to think about where their society is today and where they want to be tomorrow. He encourages us to adapt to the changing world of genealogy and technology and find ways that will make our societies grow and prosper. Determining a plan of action is key to successful change. Oh, and don’t forget to start engaging the younger generation.
Tour Guide and Travel Agent: Planning Your Society’s Next Research Trip – As the chair of the newly formed Education Committee for ISGS, research trips are near the top of my list of activities, so naturally I had to attend Josh Taylor’s session on the subject. Research trips are a great membership benefit and allow societies the opportunity to mentor new genealogists and support repositories. Josh offered a variety of ideas on planning trips, including how to budget, schedule, and publicize your trip. I think the biggest take-away is to be creative and consider lesser-known repositories as well as the “big” ones. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
How to Develop and Implement Affordable Membership Benefits – George Morgan reminds us that membership benefits need to be effective in order to draw people in, but we also need to balance our offerings (or HOW we offer them) with the cost. A perfect example of this is publications. Should we continue to spend money on the hard-copy publishing of books (and even our periodicals) or should we consider making these publications available electronically at a lower (or near zero) cost? Although this session was not recorded, the syllabus provides a wonderful outline of ideas to implement benefits both you and your members can afford.
Printed vs. Online Publishing for Societies – Truth be told, I attended this session for myself, even though it was targeted to societies…I had a feeling it would be just a valuable to an individual, which it was. Donna Moughty discussed a variety of options available in the world of publishing today. My favorite part of the lecture was when Donna talked about print-on-demand options, such as Lulu and CreateSpace. Print-on-demand allows you to create a book, just as you would if you were going to have it printed, except that in this case, instead of ordering hundreds of books at a time, you order just what you need. Additionally, consumers can purchase the printed book directly from the print-on-demand vendor. It is a great alternative to traditional publishing and one (in my own opinion) societies should consider. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
Building a Society Education Program for Genealogists and Family Historians – Again, this was a not-to-miss session for me as Education Committee Chair for ISGS. And what a great session! J. H. Fonkert provided a wealth of ideas, I simply couldn’t write fast enough! One very important point he makes is that “students self-identify as beginners or experts.” And in some cases we label ourselves incorrectly. This point becomes important when planning educational activities. You can purchase the recording of the session here.
After a day of sessions, I hung out at the Prairie Social, which was hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society. From there, it was dinner with good friend and roommate Carol Genung.
Like many of those on the conference committee, I arrived days early for conference prep. On Monday, after I sorted and organized all of the signs, I helped to stuff the bags that would be handed out at registration. The evening ended with dinner with fellow Illinois State Genealogical Society board members and Amy Crow.
On Tuesday, I spent the morning at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library doing research. While Debbie in the newspaper microfilm lab was happy to see me, she (along with the rest of the library staff) was probably overwhelmed by the crowd that swarmed the library all week.
After my library visit, I attended to some conference duties and then it was a whirlwind of activities for the evening. My calendar told me I had to be in four places at once; I managed to make my way to three events. First, I hung out with fellow APG members, J. Mark Lowe, Laura Prescott, and DearMyrt for about a half-hour prior to the Roundtable session. Then Myrt and I were off to the Blogger Reception held by FamilySearch, where we met up with fellow bloggers, Kimberly Powell, Amy Coffin, Paula Stuart-Warren, Thomas MacEntee, Linda Swisher, Jennifer Hollick, Ancestry Insider, Randy Seaver, Becky Higgins, and several others. Paula and I had to leave the reception early to attend a small shindig with fellow conference committee members. My evening ended with a friendly late-night dinner with Sue Zacharias and Margaret Cheney.
Weekly column sharing genealogy-related things that I’ve found.
Online Articles/Posts
New-to-Me Blogs
Most of these blogs were found this week based on the list of GeneaBloggers attending the FGS 2011 Conference next week. I can’t believe I managed to miss some of these!
Print Articles
Websites
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