Approaching Fast – FGS 2013 Conference

It’s hard to believe that the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference is just a little over a month away.  I can’t wait!  This is my one conference for the year and I’m looking forward to some wonderful educational opportunities, researching at the Allen County Public Library, and getting together with my colleagues and friends (and hopefully meet some new ones!)

Below is some information I received today from the FGS conference chairs that I thought I’d pass along to my readers.

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This is a special genealogy conference you won't want to miss!

It's getting closer! The 2013 FGS conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 21-24 with pre-conference activities on August 20th and a Farewell Brunch on August 25th. Fort Wayne is the home of the renowned Genealogy Center which is giving us generous extended research hours during the conference.

• Of course, you may still register online or by regular mail for the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne!
• Register soon so that in early August you gain access to the online conference syllabus with an expanded subject index.
• We tweaked room arrangements and have ample room for more people to sign up for the luncheons that take place each day.
• Rooms are available at the two added hotels. They will run periodic shuttles to the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Fort Wayne has thousands of hotel rooms so there is space for all of us.
• Ample parking is available near the convention center.
• Don't forget about the wonderful quilt that will be awarded during the Friday evening festivities at the Allen County Public Library. That's an evening to benefit the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions Project with lots of fun activities.  A dessert buffet will be sponsored by FamilySearch. If you have registered for that evening, you get access to the Genealogy Center from 6:00 p.m. till Midnight!

Want more details on these points and to keep up with breaking news? Follow us on:

• The conference website: https://www.fgsconference.org/
• FGS Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org/
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FGSconference
• Twitter: @FGSconference, #FGS2013

We hope you join us for this great educational and fun week.

Choosing Sessions for a Conference

Figuring out what sessions to attend at a conference can be overwhelming, especially large, multi-day conferences that run several sessions at a time.  So how do you choose what session to attend when everything sounds so good?  And just how do you squeeze in time to visit vendors in the exhibit hall when your schedule is packed with sessions?  In this post, I’ll share my philosophy along with a few other tips along the way.

Choosing a Session

Session selection is based on my educational goals.  At this point in my genealogy research and career, I’m particularly interested in topics that deal with methodology, record sets that I am not familiar with, and locations that I primarily research.   When nothing in a time slot fits that criteria I do one of three things (in this order): a) opt to visit the exhibit hall instead of a session, b) attend a session where the topic is completely foreign to me, even though it isn’t part of my goal (as an example, I don’t research in the South and have no desire to do so, however, I’m always open to learning something new—you never know when you might need it!), or c) attend a session on something I am already familiar with as a refresher and hey, I might learn something new.

Tip:  For sessions that I think may be popular (such as anything presented by Elizabeth Shown Mills and Thomas W. Jones) I really try to get to the session as early as possible.  But I always have a backup session in mind just in case the room is full.

Making Time for the Exhibit Hall

Depending on how much time is between sessions and where the exhibit hall is located in relation to the sessions, I may try to pop into the exhibit hall.  However, I usually find there is not enough time, or I have too much walking to do to get from Point A to Point B and back to Point A.  With my health condition, that’s just not an option.  So, I usually schedule a few blocks of time throughout the conference to visit the exhibit hall.  I also have a plan for the booths I want to check out, which I usually highlight on the exhibit hall map.  Knowing where I want to go helps keep me from wondering around aimlessly and wasting time.

Tip:  Once the list of vendors is announced, I do some pre-investigating and determine if I want to stop by a particular vendor for a visit.  I make a list of those I really want to visit, noting the must-sees.  Whenever a map is available, I highlight the booths I want to visit, using one color for the must-sees and another color for the rest.

Keeping Track of My Schedule

I am a planner by nature.  If you read my previous posts, you know that the minute the schedule for the FGS 2013 Conference was released, I already had the sessions added to my calendar.  Everything gets put into Outlook (because that’s where I manage my life’s schedule!) and is then synced to my phone’s calendar.  Right now, there are no room numbers because that hasn’t been decided yet, but when those are released, I will simply add the location to each calendar entry.  When I’m at the conference, I only need my phone to tell me where I need to be.  And, it will remind me fifteen minutes before the start of a session or event so I know when to get moving.

Tip:  Using Outlook, I have to make sure to put the sessions in at the stated time in the conference location’s time zone.  For example, I am in the Central time zone, but the FGS 2013 Conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is in the Eastern time zone.  So when I add a session to my calendar, that starts at say 3pm, I add it to my calendar in the 3pm time slot but select Eastern as the time zone.  This way, when my computer, phone, tablet, etc. change time zones, my calendar is correct.

Your Turn

How do you choose what sessions to attend at a conference?  Do you plan ahead or wing it?  What about making time for the exhibit hall?  Do you have a strategy, wing it, or do you not visit the exhibit hall at all?  Love to hear from you, so please share your thoughts in the comments of this post!

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This post was written for the June/July Ambassador Blogging Prompt as part of the FGS 2013 Conference Ambassador Program. 

If you’d like to be an Ambassador, you can sign up here.

 

Don’t forget!  The Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference is quickly approaching.  It will be held from August 21-24 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The early registration deadline, which saves you $50 on the cost of the full-conference registration fee ends July 1.  Don’t delay, head over and register now to save!

Don’t Forget to Register for the FGS 2013 Conference Before July 1st to Save $50!

June is almost halfway gone and the FGS 2013 Conference is getting that much closer.  If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to do so by July 1st in order to save $50 on a full registration.  I myself have been procrastinating, but as soon as I post this, I’m heading over to register.  See the press release below for more details.

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2013 FGS CONFERENCE EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS JULY 1
“Journey through Generations” – A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists

June 10, 2013 – Austin, TX.  Discounted early-bird registration for the 2013 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference will continue only until July 1. Early registrants receive a $50 discount for the full four days, or a $20 discount for any single day. Details at http://www.fgsconference.org.

The conference will be held 21-24 August 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. This year’s conference theme is “Journey through Generations,” and the local hosts are the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) and the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI). Platinum sponsors are FamilySearch, FindMyPast.com and Ancestry.com.

The conference offers opportunities for all who are interested in researching their family history, with over 160 educational sessions on records, strategies, and tools for genealogists at all levels. The exhibit hall features over 70 vendors offering a wide range of genealogical products and is open and free to the public.

Luncheons, workshops and special events provide additional opportunities for networking and learning. Make sure the get your tickets to these conference “extras” early to guarantee your spot.

See you in Fort Wayne in August!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit or subscribe to the FGS Conference Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org.
• Like the conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FGSconference.
• Follow the conference on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FGSconference and hashtag #FGS2013.
• Visit Fort Wayne at http://www.visitfortwayne.com/FGS.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visithttp://www.fgs.org.

My Itinerary – FGS 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana

It’s hard to believe the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 2013 Conference is just a little over two months away!  I’m really looking forward to spending a week in Forth Wayne, Indiana, where I can visit with all my genealogy friends (and hopefully meet some new ones!!), explore the exhibit hall, take in some wonderful lectures, and of course, spend some time at the Allen County Public Library.

I’m a planner by nature.  I like to know what I’m doing and when…I don’t like surprises.  So the minute the conference schedule was announced, I immediately added to my calendar the session I wanted to attend.  There are a few in particular that I think will help me with my genealogy research, especially in places and records that I’m unfamiliar with.  Here are some of those sessions:

Day/Time	Session	Speaker
Thursday 5pm	Research Reports for Ourselves: More Than a Research Log	Paula Stuart-Warren
Friday 8am	Research in the Hawkeye State: Records and Repositories of Iowa	Jill Crandell
Friday 11am	Discovering the Past Block-by-Block: Using ChicagoAncestors.org	Ginger Frere
Friday 2pm	German Marriage Laws and Customs	Warren Bittner
Friday 3:30pm	He Took Her Name: Understanding German Farm Names	Teresa McMillin
Friday 5pm	Methods For Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants	Michael Lacopo
Saturday 9:30am	Finding Catholic Church, Cemetery, School and Religious Order Records	Lou Szucs
Saturday 2pm	Organizing Evidence to Overcome Record Shortages	Thomas Jones
Saturday 3:30pm	Overlooked and Undervalued: Local Government Records in New York State	Karen Mauer Green

And of course I have added a few days to the trip so I can spend some time at the Allen County Public Library.  I’ve never been to ACPL so I’m really looking forward to my first visit.  I’m still working on my plan of attack, but fortunately, I had previously added plenty of to-do items to my Legacy database, so a quick filter on ACPL showed a lot of resources I need to check out.  I’ve also been perusing the ACPL card catalog and the Genealogy page for guidance.  Not sure if I’ll break down any brick walls, but you never know what you’ll find until you look!

The FGS 2013 Conference is being held August 21-24 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  If you haven’t registered for the conference yet, there is still plenty of time to do so and still get the early-bird rate of $190 (ends July 1, after that, the rate increases to $240).  Hope to see you there!!

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This post was written for the May/June Ambassador Blogging Prompt as part of the FGS 2013 Conference Ambassador Program. 

If you’d like to be an Ambassador, you can sign up here.

Learning & Networking: Why Genealogy Conferences Are Important to Me

Conferences come in all varieties and cover a wide range of interests.  Whether it’s your favorite hobby or a professional interest, there’s probably a conference (and maybe even an app!!) for that.  No matter the conference, they are designed to provide its attendees with learning experiences and networking opportunities.  So when asked “Why genealogy conferences?” my short answer is learning and networking.

Truth be told, I am still fairly new to the genealogy world.  I have only been working on my genealogy for about six years, but a few of those years genealogy was a daily occurrence.  I am by no means an expert and I still have things to learn.  While I take advantage of books, journals/magazines, webinars, and local programs to continue my genealogy education, I find that conferences offer so much more.

First, they are usually multi-day events, and it gives me an opportunity to immerse myself completely in genealogy for those few days…an escape from real life, and hey, we all need that every once in awhile.  I can attend sessions to learn about records and methodology and I can visit with vendors in the exhibit hall to explore various products.  Most importantly, I’m surrounded by people with the same interests and passions, which always makes for great conversation and networking. 

Of course I can read a book or attend a webinar on a topic, explore a software provider’s website, and even hang out with genealogy buddies on Facebook, but it’s not the same as the face-to-face interaction I experience at a conference.  This is why, for me at least, I look forward to attending genealogy conferences.  Where else can you talk about great-aunt Frieda for three or four days straight without anyone running away shouting “save me” or falling asleep from boredom?

I am really looking forward to attending the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 2013 Conference this August (it’s been on my calendar since 2011!!).  Honestly, location has a lot to do with why I am attending this particular conference to fulfill my one-conference-a-year quota.  It’s being held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is within driving distance for me, and I have never been to Fort Wayne, which is home to one of the largest genealogy collections around—Allen County Public Library (ACPL). 

Beyond location, I attended the FGS 2011 Conference in Springfield, Illinois, and had a spectacular time (it was also my first national genealogy conference).  The speakers were great, the atmosphere was wonderful, and I met a lot of fantastic people.  I’ve been to other national conferences since then, and so far, FGS takes the cake!

Of course I’m looking forward to the learning and networking opportunities as well.  In fact, the day the session schedule was released, I added all of the sessions I want to attend to my calendar (I know, obsess much?).  I am particularly thrilled that Elizabeth Shown Mills will be presenting at FGS 2013, as I have never attended one of her lectures and am looking forward to that experience…maybe she’ll sign my copy of Evidence Explained….

I am also looking forward to meeting “in person” genealogy friends I have come to know over the years through social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.  I also can’t wait to see the many friends I have met at genealogy events in the past and play catch-up.

I really am bubbling over with excitement as I write this post, but disappointed that the conference is still three months away!  Oh well, I guess that means more time to develop my research plans for the ACPL while I’m in town a few days before the conference!

Will you be at the FGS 2013 Conference?  Maybe we could meet up!  Drop me a line in the comments or via email if you prefer.

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This post was written for the April/May Ambassador Blogging Prompt as part of the FGS 2013 Conference Ambassador Program. 

If you’d like to be an Ambassador, you can sign up here.

Twitter Q&A With D. Joshua Taylor on April 15, 2013

D. Joshua Taylor, a leading genealogist from findmypast.com, will be answering questions about genealogy LIVE via Twitter on April 15 at 1 PM (Eastern). To ask a question or follow along, use @FindmypastUS or #FMPexpert.  Hope to see you there!

I’m an FGS 2013 Conference Ambassador, Have You Signed Up Yet?

Yesterday I received an email from the Publicity Chair, Tina Lyons, for the 2013 Conference of the Federation of Genealogical Societies.  All genealogy bloggers, societies, writers, and editors are encouraged to become an Ambassador for the conference, which will be held August 21-24 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  An Ambassador is someone who will help promote the FGS 2013 Conference through blogging and social media. 

If you are interested in becoming an Ambassador, take a look at the press release below.  Then all you need to do is sign up (by filling out a very short form), grab the Ambassador badge, and start promoting the conference!

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Become a FGS 2013 Ambassador

April 8, 2013 – Genealogy bloggers, societies, writers and editors are invited to participate in the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference by becoming FGS 2013 Ambassadors. Ambassadors help to spread information about the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, through social media to their friends, colleagues, and everyone interested in genealogy.

FGS 2013 Ambassadors will be:

• Participating in monthly blogging prompts.
• Writing about the conference on their blog.
• Using the hashtag #FGS2013 on Twitter.
• Mentioning FGS 2013 on Facebook, Google Plus, and other social networks.
• Letting their local historical and genealogical societies know about the conference.

Visit https://www.fgsconference.org/media/ambassadors/ to register as an FGS 2013 Ambassador and find the FGS 2013 Ambassador badge to add to your blog or other social media account. 

Benefits to FGS 2013 Ambassadors:

• Giveaways for active ambassadors, including conference registrations and discounts, special event tickets, and more.
• Potential to be guest blogger on FGS Conference Blog.
• Link to your blog or website on the FGS Conference blog's Ambassador Page.
• Part of Twitter list of FGS 2013 Ambassadors.
• Ambassador badge ribbon at the conference

The FGS 2013 Conference Committee looks forward to working with the FGS 2013 Ambassadors to make this conference a success. See you in Fort Wayne in August!

Learn More about FGS 2013 and Stay Connected

• Visit the conference website at http://www.fgsconference.org.
• Find the latest news on the conference blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.com.
• Like the conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FGSconference.
• Follow the conference on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FGSconference and hashtag #FGS2013.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit http://www.fgs.org.

Maureen Taylor Will Be in My Neck of the Woods in September!

Maureen Taylor, a.k.a. The Photo Detective, is the featured speaker at the Fox Valley Genealogical Society (FVGS) annual conference, which will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 in Naperville, Illinois.  Maureen will present the following lectures:

• Identifying and Dating Family Photographs
• Preserving Family Photographs – 1839 to the Present
• Reading Genealogical and Immigrant Clues in 19th Century Photographs
• Kodak Moments and Technicolor Dreams: 20th Century Photos and Films in the Family Archive

Maureen will also be providing 15-minute individual consultation for an additional $30 fee on Friday, September 27.

Registration is $35 for FVGS members, $40 for non-members, and $45 for everyone after September 13.  A continental breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee.  There will also be genealogy vendors and door prizes.

For additional information about the conference, and to register, visit the FVGS annual conference page on their website.

DuPage County (IL) Genealogical Society's 38th Annual Conference, February 23

The DuPage County (IL) Genealogical Society's 38th Annual Conference will be held on February 23, 2013 at the Hilton Garden Inn in St. Charles, Illinois.  This year’s speakers are: 

• Jeanne Larzalere Bloom
• Lloyd deWitt Bockstruck
• Billie Stone Fogarty
• Jennifer Holik

The registration fee includes admission to the conference and lunch.  The fee is as follows:

• $45 for members
• $55 for non-members
• $60 after February 11, for everyone

For additional details, including a listing of presentations, or to register, visit the DuPage County (IL) Genealogical Society’s website.

Kick Off RootsTech 2013 at the Keynote Session on Thursday, March 21

As an Official Blogger for RootsTech 2013, I get to share news with you before it's made public.  This keynote session will be held from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 21, 2013.  And while I haven’t heard what the topic or theme will be, I’ll bet it will be a great presentation since D. Joshua Taylor is one of the three speakers.  I’ve heard keynotes and lectures from Josh in the past and he is an excellent speaker and is always a wealth of knowledge. 

The other two speakers are Dennis C. Brimhall, who is the President and CEO of FamilySearch International, and Syd Liberman, who is a well-known storyteller who grew up in Chicago.  Since I won’t actually be at RootsTech this year, I hope I get to see this keynote session as a live video stream or a recorded video.  I believe they streamed and recorded all the keynotes last year, so I’m hopeful!

And don’t forget.  If you are planning to attend RootsTech 2013 and haven’t already registered, the early-bird rate of $149 will expire on February 15, 2013.  So hurry on over and register today!

Here’s some additional information on Thursday’s keynote speakers:

Dennis Brimhall is currently the President and CEO of FamilySearch International.  FamilySearch International is a worldwide organization helping individuals find, preserve, catalogue, and search genealogical information. FamilySearch International is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was formerly the President and Chief Executive Officer of University of Colorado Hospital from 1988 to 2005. A native of Provo, Utah, Mr. Brimhall earned an undergraduate degree in zoology from Brigham Young University in 1972 and a master’s degree in management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1974.  Mr. Brimhall and his wife Linda have four children and live in Dammeron Valley, Utah.

Syd Liberman is a nationally acclaimed storyteller, an author, and an award-winning teacher. Many of his best-loved stories deal with growing up in Chicago and raising a family in Evanston, Illinois. Syd is also known for his original historical pieces. He has received commissions to write stories for some of America’s leading institutions and agencies, including the Smithsonian; Historic Philadelphia, Inc.; NASA; and the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center. His work has garnered awards from the American Library Association, Parents' Choice, and Storytelling World. Syd was one of six tellers featured on the television special The Call of Story. He has also performed numerous times at the Timpanogos and National storytelling festivals.

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS is the Business Development Manager – North America for brightsolid online publishing, the creator of findmypast.com. A nationally known and recognized professional genealogist, lecturer, genealogical author, and researcher, Taylor is the current president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the former Director of Education at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Taylor holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College, and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit, and the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society. Taylor was also a featured genealogist on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are?.

How Can You Save $90 On RootsTech 2013 Conference Registration? Read This Post!!

For the second year-in-a-row, I have been selected as an Official Blogger for RootsTech!  The third annual RootsTech conference will be held March 21-23, 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Building on the success and growth over the past two years, RootsTech 2013 is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet!  Registration is now open…keep reading to find out how you can save $90 on the full conference rate.

RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch, offers an opportunity unlike any other to discover the latest family history tools and techniques, connect with experts to help you in your research, and be inspired in the pursuit of your ancestors.  You will learn to use the latest technology to get started or accelerate your efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share your family’s connections and history.

RootsTech has something for everyone, whether you’re an avid genealogist, just getting started, or simply want to discover the latest technologies and solutions to better connect with your family.  At RootsTech, come prepared to experience world-class content from speakers all over the country, an exciting exhibitor hall, and great keynote speakers.  Check out the session listing to see all the great presentations that are scheduled.

New In 2013!  A full track of Getting Started classes and labs will help those new to family history learn things like where to start, how to build their family tree, and how to use technology to explore your connections.

Now for the good stuff.  As a GenBlog reader, you can take $90 off the full conference rate between September 24, 2012 and October 12, 2012, by using the discount code RT129 when you register.  That’s right, $90 off, brining the registration fee to $129 for three days of learning, networking, and just plain fun!

So what are you waiting for?  Head over and register today!!

John Philip Colletta, PhD, Featured Speaker at Illinois State Genealogical Society Conference

This year’s Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS) conference promises to be big, with a variety of speakers and topics over a day and a half, a banquet dinner, and a youth workshop!  The conference will be held Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20, 2012 at the Best Western Clock Tower Resort & Conference Center in Rockford, Illinois.

John Philip Colletta, PhD, is the featured speaker and has some great presentations in store for conference attendees:

• Is Any Body There? – Tracking Ancestral Remains (presented at dinner on Friday)
• Breaking Through Brick Walls: Use Your HEAD!
• Our National Archives: The Astounding Institution & How to Use It
• Discovering the REAL Stories of Your Immigrant Ancestors

Other speakers include:  Thomas MacEntee, Dr. Daniel Hubbard, Jeanne Larzalere Bloom, Dr. Gary K. Hargin, Oriene Springstroh, Larry Pepper, David McDonald, and Kathy Carey.

The conference begins on Friday, October 19, at 12pm, with two sets of lectures in the afternoon, time to browse the exhibit hall, and enjoy dinner with fellow genealogists.  Activities resume on Saturday, October 20, at 8am with four blocks of lectures throughout the day and lunch.  You have the option to attend one or both days.  Registration is as follows:

ISGS Members
Friday, October 19 – Sessions/dinner/speaker	$43
Friday, October 19 – Dinner/speaker ONLY (no Friday sessions)	$28
Saturday, October 20 – Sessions/lunch	$40

 

Non-Members
Friday, October 19 – Sessions/dinner/speaker	$50
Friday, October 19 – Dinner/speaker ONLY (no Friday sessions)	$30
Saturday, October 20 – Sessions/lunch	$50

To learn more about the lectures, presenters, or to register, visit the conference page at the ISGS website.

In addition, ISGS is hosting its second annual youth workshop on Saturday, October 20.  The workshop for children, grades 1st-4th will be held from 9:30am to 11am; children grades 5th-12th will be held from 1pm to 4pm.  For more information or to register, visit the youth workshop page at the ISGS website.

Juliana Smith & Lou Szucs, Featured Speakers at Fox Valley Genealogical Society Conference, September 29

This year’s Fox Valley Genealogical Society (FVGS) conference will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 from 8am to 4pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner Road, Naperville, Illinois.  This year’s speakers are Juliana Szucs Smith and Loretto “Lou” Dennis Szucs and they will present the following lectures:

• Getting Started on Ancestry.com
• What’s New at Ancestry.com
• Getting the Most From Your Family History Finds
• They Became Americans: Finding Naturalization and Ethnic Origins

Registration is $35 (members), $40 (non-member), and $45 for anyone registering after September 14.  The registration fee also includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

To learn more or to register, visit the conference page on the FVGS website.

Carol Whitton To Present at Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society, September 29

On Saturday, September 29, 2012, Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society (TCGHS) will hold it's tenth annual genealogy workshop “Harvest Time for Genealogists.”  The workshop will be held from 9am to 3pm at the TCGHS Library in the Ehrlicher Research Center, 719 N. 11th Street, in Pekin, Illinois.

Carol Whitton, CG (sm), is back for the second year in a row and will speak on the following topics:

• Using & Understanding the Meyers Orts Lexikon & other German Gazetteers
• Reading German Church Records
• Using Ancestry More Effectively including the 1940 Census
• Finding First Family Facts

Registration is $30 and includes handouts, refreshments, and lunch.

To learn more or to register, visit the workshop page at the TCGHS website.

Fox Valley Genealogical Society 2012 Conference in Naperville, IL

This year’s Fox Valley Genealogical Society (FVGS) conference features popular genealogists, Lou Szucs and Juliana Smith.  There will be four one-hour presentations:

• Getting Started on Ancestry.com
• What’s New at Ancestry.com
• Getting the Most from your Family History Finds
• They Became Americans: Finding Naturalizations and Ethnic Origins

The conference will be held on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville. Registration in $35 for FVGS members, $40 for non-members, and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

On a personal note, I attended their conference last year.  Although I am not a member, nor do I live in the area, everyone made me feel welcome.  There were actually several people that attended last year that were not from the area and I bet they’d say the same thing.

To learn more about the speakers, presentations, and the conference in general, visit http://www.ilfvgs.org/fvgs-conference.  From here you can also print the registration form or register online.

Midwestern Roots 2012 – I’m Registered…Are you?

Early today I came across the latest information about this year’s Midwestern Roots Conference.  The conference, put on by the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) will be held July 20-21, 2012 in Indianapolis.  I’ve had conflicts in previous years, but this year, I finally get to go!

Bonus:  If you register before March 18, the registration fee is only $99 (IHS member or not).  After the 18th, prices will revert to $150 (non-member) and $125 (IHS member).  The full conference registration fee includes both Friday and Saturday lunches (the banquet dinner on Friday is a separate cost).

They have a great lineup of speakers, including J. Mark Lowe, D. Joshua Taylor, Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, Dick Eastman, Juliana Smith, and Curt Witcher.  There are also several pre-conference activities available on Thursday, July 19.

To learn more, visit the Midwestern Roots 2012 website.  Here, you can register online and download the conference brochure.

RootsTech 2012: Not Just for Techies

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:

• I have the opportunity to share my thoughts with developers on their current offerings and provide input that may lead to future products.
• I have the opportunity to network with other genealogists on any topic. (And since the venue is extremely close to the Family History Library, this could be a rare opportunity to get some expert research advice!).
• I have the opportunity to attend sessions such as:
  • Taking Your Family History Electronic—Creating Your Own Amazing eBook, presented by Luana Darby
  • Publish Your Genealogy Online, presented by Laura Prescott
  • Learning Genealogy Online: So Many Choices, So Little Time!, presented by Lisa Alzo
  • Advocating Genealogy and Growing the Market: Issues of the New Genealogist, presented by Janet Hovorka
  • Mining Newspaper Archives, presented by Kathleen Murray and Tara Carlisle
  • Inspiring Ways to Capture the Interest of the Non-Genealogists in Your Life, presented by Lisa Louise Cooke
  • Planet Earth’s Genealogy: It’s Time for a New Approach, presented by Geoff Rasmussen
  • Genealogist’s Viewpoint—Copyright Law for Genealogists, presented by James Tanner
  • How To Create an Exciting Interactive Family History Story Tour With Google Earth, presented by Lisa Louise Cooke
  • Genealogists Need a Reputation, presented by Jimmy Zimmerman

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.

FGS 2011 – My Overall Experience

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

• Carmack’s Guide to Copyright & Contracts, Sharon DeBartolo Carmack
• Michigan Genealogy, Carol McGinnis
• Michigan Place Names, Walter Romig
• Genealogical Writing in the 21st Century, Michael Leclerc and Henry Hoff (I was in the right place at the right time and got a free copy and had it signed by Michael!)

Memberships

• JustAJoy
• Godfrey Memorial Library
• Utah Genealogical Association

Other

• Subscription to Family Chronicle
• Several back issues of Family Chronicle and Internet Genealogy
• NGS membership pin

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:

• FGS 2011 – Recap of Pre-Conference Activities
• FGS 2011 – Recap of Day 1
• FGS 2011 – Recap of Day 2
• FGS 2011 – Recap of Day 3
• FGS 2011 – Recap of Day 4
• FGS 2011 – Recap of Post-Conference Activities

FGS 2011 – Recap of Post-Conference Activities

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.

FGS 2011 – Recap of Day 4

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.