NGS Conference in Salt Lake City, Apr. 28 - May 1

A recent article in USA Today, "History buffs head to Salt Lake City for genealogy events" highlights some upcoming genealogy events, including the 2010 NGS Family History Conference (NGS), to be held April 28 through May 1, 2010 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sponsored by the National Genealogical Society, the Salt Lake Conference is always a hit for its close proximity to the LDS Family History Library. For more information visit the Conference website. 

NGS Conference in Salt Lake City, Apr. 28 - May 1

As noted in Broomfield Enterprise genealogy column, it's time once again for the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference, this year in Salt Lake City. The article, "Need a reason to attend NGS event? Here`s 10," offers ten good reasons to attend the event. One of the biggest benefits to the Salt Lake City location is, of course, the Conference proximity to the LDS Family History Library. The NGA, organized in 1903 is over one-hundred years old. An interesting article in PDF format, "The National Genealogical Society: A Look At Its First 100 Years," shows how the Society has evolved, as has the genealogical community itself. Researchers might also be interested in the very compelling video, "Paths to Your Past," available on the NGS website. Professionals and non-professionals alike express the heart the the genealogist.

Salt Lake Family History Expo, Aug 28-19

If you are in the area, mark your calendar for the Salt Lake Family History Expo, to be held August 28-29, 2009 at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. In addition to other presentations, FamilySearch will offer classes on New Family Search -- a class certain to be a hit. The New FamilySearch, currently available only to a select group is eagerly awaited by the genealogy community at large. For details, visit the Family History Expo website.

Logan Family History Expo, May 9

The Logan Family History Expo is Saturday May 9, 2009 at the Eccles Conference Center in Logan, UT. With the theme, “Learn the Tech to Trace Your Roots,” the conference will feature national speakers and vendors promoting the latest techniques and technology, with hundreds of door prizes, and opportunities to network with experienced professionals. Keynote speaker Barry J. Ewell is a Senior Marketing Manager for IBM and founder of MyGenShare.com.  For more information, see the schedule of events on the conference web site.  Pre-registration cost is $45 and ends May 1, 2009. At-the-Door Cost will be $50 . The Eccles Conference Center is located at 5005 Old Main Hill, on the campus of Utah State University.

2009 National Genealogical Society Conference, May 13-16

The 2009 National Genealogical Society Family History Conference will be held 13–16 May 2009 at the Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, North Carolina. Join NGS and local host, the North Carolina Genealogical Society. Registration is now open. Be sure to check out the conference blog.

PRO TALK: Virtual Genealogy Presentations

Professional genealogists understand the many challenges of presenting live at conferences; issues of traveling and setup, to say nothing of the expense. In her latest PRO TALK article, "Virtual Genealogy Presentations,"Judy Rosella Edwards offers a viable alternative "without ever leaving home." The discussion covers the various technologies available and how they can be used.

5th Annual Family History Expo, Feb. 27-28

It's time once again, the 5th Annual Family History Expo, February 27-28, 2009. The event will be held at the Dixie Center, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George, Utah, 84790. For complete details, visit the Family History Expos web site. .

FGS/AGS 2009 Conference Program and Registration Now Online!

"A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists" is an annual event of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. It moves all around the U.S. and the 2009 host is the Arkansas Genealogical Society and the place is Little Rock, Arkansas. The conference theme is Passages through Time which symbolizes the journey taken as we learn more about our ancestors, their place in history, and the lives they led.

Join your fellow family historians, librarians, editors, archivists, historians, writers, professional genealogists, software developers, book and database vendors, volunteers, and the growing number of younger genealogists as we network, learn, share, and even have some fun. You might meet a 3rd cousin you didn’t know about or someone from an ancestral home town.

This year’s conference is being held in Little Rock’s Statehouse Convention Center. The Exhibit Hall, on-site registration area, and the lecture rooms are conveniently located in the same building that is easily walkable. One host hotel, the Peabody, is attached to the convention center. The Doubletree is less than a block’s walk.

For registration information, visit the FGS Conference Website. Once you are on the page, the links to the conference program and registration are on the left. The registration link for the Exhibit Hall is also live. Be sure to check the Conference Blog.   FGS and AGS invite you to join us as we learn more about Passages through Time.

State Library of Pennsylvania Genealogy Day, Sep 20

The State Library of Pennsylvania will celebrate its second annual Genealogy Day on Saturday, Sept. 20, with exhibits and information sessions. The State Library is located in the Forum Building, Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street, in Harrisburg. For more information, contact Marc Bender at the State Library, (717) 705-6272 or marbender@state.pa.us. To learn more about Pennsylvania libraries, please visit the Department of Education Web site at www.pde.state.pa.us.

28th Annual Jewish Genealogy Conference coming up, Aug 17-22

An recent column on TribStar.com announced the upcoming, International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies (IAJGS), 28th Annual International Conference on Jewish Genealogy to be held in Chicago Aug. 17-22. The conference will be presented in the Chicago Downtown Marriott Magnificent Mile Hotel. Co-hosting the occasion will be the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois and the Illiana Jewish Genealogical Society. For more information on this event, visit the IAJGS web site.

NGS and the Southern California Jamboree, coming up

Two big genealogy conferences are coming up, NGS in May and the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree in June.

As announced previously, The 2008 NGS Conference In the States and Family History Fair will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, 14-17 May 2008, while the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree and Research Expo will hold its annual Jamboree, June 27-29 in Burbank California. There's still time to register for either conference; be sure to reserve your hotel as soon as possible.

National Archives Hosts Free Genealogy Fair, Apr 23

The National Archives will host its fourth annual Genealogy Fair on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to an article in the Biloxi Sun Herald. The fair will provide information and guidance for experienced genealogy professionals and novices alike. This event is free and open to the public. For a schedule of lectures and demonstrations, see http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/know-your-records/genealogy-fair.

DNA research focus of Pennsylvania seminar

Plan ahead. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania has announced its full day program featuring nationally recognized experts in the field of genetics and DNA technology as applied to genealogical research. Speakers will include: Bennett Greenspan, President and CEO of Family Tree DNA; Thomas H. Shawker, M.D.; and others. The event will be held Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Thomas Jefferson University, Brent Auditorium, Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust St., Philadelphia. Registration Fee is $75 (includes lunch buffet). See http://www.genpa.org for details and online registration

Computerized Family History and Genealogy Conference, Mar 14-15

The eleventh annual Conference on Computerized Family History & Genealogy at Brigham Young University is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 14 and 15, 2008. This conference is designed to be a how-to guide for everyone—beginning, intermediate, and advanced researchers. The focus of the conference is to help everyone learn how new computer programs and advancements in existing programs can improve family history and genealogy work.

In addition, representatives from the Family and Church History Department will be discussing how to effectively use LDS Church family history programs. Also this year will be new classes by vendors of products that aid family history work. The conference is sponsored by the BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy, LDS Family History Library, and BYU’s Division of Continuing Education. Anyone with an interest in family history or genealogy is invited to attend and meet with fellow genealogists and computer enthusiasts.

St. George Family History Expo, Feb 8-9

The Family History Expo 2008 (formerly the Genealogy and Family Heritage Jamboree) will be held in St. George, Utah, February 8 and 9, at the Dixie Center. This two-day event is drawing speakers and vendors from all over the U.S. and beyond. It will feature 101 presentations to choose from, more than 50 vendors and exhibitors, and the latest genealogy products and technology. Many free drawings and prizes each day!

Pre-registration is $60.00, at the door $65.00. Online pre-registration ends February 5, 2008. Registration packet, name tag, CD syllabus, and a goody bag are included in cost of registration. You may pick these up at the door.

Plan ahead for 2008 Genealogy Cruise

Time to plan ahead. The WhollyGenes fourth annual cruise and conference is scheduled for Oct. 26 - Nov. 2, 2008, according to an article on NewsOK.com, "Genealogists to gather on Caribbean cruise." Bob Velke, president of WhollyGenes, is the developer of The Master Genealogist, a genealogy database software program. The educational and fun-filled voyage to the Eastern Caribbean will include opportunities to learn about genealogical research methods, tools and technologies from noted speakers and authorities in those fields. For more information and to obtain a registration form for the conference and cruise, go to www.whollygenes.com or call
(800) 377-9383 and press "8.”

WorldVitalRecords to sponsor 4th Annual St. George Jamboree

WorldVitalRecords.com announced in a press release today its major sponsorship of the 2008 St. George Utah Genealogy and Family Heritage Jamboree to be held on February 8-9, 2008.

"Being a sponsor of this event is an awesome opportunity and privilege because we have never had sponsors before," said Kimberly Savage, VP of My Ancestors Found. "I have attended conferences for 20 years, and this is an excellent conference. Professionals who are on the cutting edge of learning will be attending, along with the leaders in the industry, such as WorldVitalRecords.com, Footnote, Ancestry, and FamilySearch.”

Tenth Annual Hispanic Family History Conference, Oct 19-20

As noted in the Deseret Morning News, The Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by hosting the tenth annual on 19-20 October, 2007.

The conference is free to the public, and classes will be conducted in Spanish and English. Attendees will also receive free genealogy software.

For additional information, please contact Ruth Merriman (801) 240-6208 or Ruth Gomez Schirmacher at (801) 240-1530, or go to FamilySearch. Co-host for the conference is the BYU Center for Family History and Genealogy.

Southwest Oklahoma Genealogy Jamboree, Oct 13

As noted on NewsOK.com, The Southwest Oklahoma Genealogical Society (SWOGS) and Lawton Public Library will hold a Genealogy Jamboree to commemorate Oklahoma's Centennial year and celebrate Family History Month, October 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Creative Living, 3501 Dr. Elsie Hamm Drive, Lawton. This event is an opportunity to hear about some of Oklahoma's history that is often overlooked.

Also, the SWOGS Oklahoma Centennial Lecture Series "Civil War Along the Red River” will conclude at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Museum of the Great Plains, 601 NW Ferris, Lawton. Civil War historian Patricia Rochette's topic will be "North Texas and Indian Territory During the Civil War.” Rochette is an authority on the Civil War in the Red River region. She is author of the book "Bourland in North Texas and Indian Territory During the Civil War.” Rochette studied and transcribed more than 200 documents pertaining to Col. James Bourland and the Red River area Texas militia brigades. Through her work, new light was shed on topics such as the North Texas Brush Battalion, Bourland's Border Regiment and the 1862 Tonkawa massacre at Anadarko.

Northern Utah Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree, Sep 15

My Ancestors Found and the Ogden Regional Family History Center are once again joining forces to bring a genealogy and family heritage jamboree to northern Utah, as noted in the Deseret News. The conference will be held September 15 at the Ogden Marriott Hotel, 247 24th St. Pre-registration is $40 for the full-day event. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $45. Register online at www.myancestorsfound.com web site.

Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society

As reported in the Terre Haute Tribune Star, "Genealogy: Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society prepares for 29th annual conference," the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society Inc. was founded with the goal of preserving the family histories of those individuals with African ancestry. The organization promotes cultural diversity by its focus on genealogy and historical research. Its national headquarters are in Washington, D.C.

The Society plans to stage its 29th annual conference this year in the Boston area. Titled “What’s in a Name . . . The Voyage of Discovery,” the conference will be staged Oct. 25-28 in the Boston Marriott Burlington Hotel, Burlington, Mass. The conference will feature more than 30 sessions, six historical tours, and a workshop on National Archives records. More information and the registration brochure can be downloaded from the www.aahgs.org Web site.

Family History Library sets family day July 7

As announced in the Deseret News, "Family History Library sets family day July 7," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Library will offer family activities for all ages Saturday, July 7. With the theme "Discover Your Family Treasures," families are invited to enjoy activities for all ages designed to introduce them to ways to participate in family history as a family. Activities run from 1-5 p.m.

Due to limited space, participants must register in advance. E-mail names and number in your group to FHLClassReg@ldschurch.org or call 240-4950. The library is west of Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Paid parking is available at the northwest corner of West Temple and North Temple streets.

DNA testing offered as part of Family Restoration Roundtable

In a press release yesterday, Diversity Restoration Solutions and Slave Descendants Freedom Society announced they have partnered with Family Tree DNA, the largest DNA company in the field of genetic genealogy, to offer attendees of the Family Restoration Roundtable Educational Seminar series an opportunity to test their DNA for ancestral origins. The seminar series focuses on reconnecting families from the African Diaspora through the use of genealogy and history.

In addition to offering DNA testing with Family Tree DNA, the DRS and SDFS seminar series entitled "Restoring African American Families Using Genealogy and History" will examine and discuss a number of topics, including Transatlantic slave trade and slavery in America; The importance of African American family genealogy as it relates to slavery; 13 steps to restoring a family with genealogy and history; and Cultural and business opportunities in Africa, with The Gambia as the gateway.

The seminar series will be held in more than 50 cities in the United States and abroad into 2008. For more information, visit www.slavedescendants.org or call (757) 238-7790.

Allen County Library a great place to do research

An article in the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette, "Tourism officials rooting for library," provides a great overview of the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, located in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center is the second largest genealogy library in the nation, next to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The Library recently moved into new facilities and the article highlights a number of benefits available to researchers, including the facility's being wireless throughout so patrons can bring their own computers and use the Library's licensed databases. Many other benefits are noted in the article. The Genealogy Center will be hosting the upcoming Federation of Genealogical Society (FGS) Conference 20007 to be held August 15-18 in Ft. Wayne.

2007 NGS Conference and Family History Fair, this week!

The 2007 NGS Conference in the States and Family History Fair will be held this week, May 16-19. The National Genealogical Society together with the Virginia Genealogical Society, the Fairfax Genealogical Society, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA) will be hosting this year's conference, bringing together genealogists and family historians from around the country and beyond.

The 2007 conference which marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of America in 1607 and the first settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, will be held at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Richmond Marriott Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Check it out, it's not too late and promises to be a memorable event.

ROOTS 2007 Conference to be held in June

An article in the West Island Chronicle spotlights the Quebec Family History Society ROOTS 2007 Conference, celebrating 30 years of volunteer community service. The conference will be held June 15 -17 at Montreal's McGill University.

Jamestown 400th Anniversary celebrations in the news

Organizers of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown say researchers will help visitors trace their ancestry. Ancestry. com will run a booth during "America's Anniversary Weekend" on May 11th through 13th. The event precedes the 2007 NGS Conference that May 16 to 19 in Richmond. For information on Jamestown celebrations, visit America's 400th Anniversary. For information on the NGS Conference, visit the National Genealogical, Rediscover America web site.

Plan now for upcoming Pennsylvania German Conference

Mark your calendar for September 15. The Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center on the campus of Kutztown University, in response to a well-received genealogy conference in the fall of 2005, has announced another in the works. According to an article published in the Lebanon Daily News, "Plan ahead for fall Pa. German conference in Kutztown," it's an event "worth planning for in advance." The keynote speaker will be Roland Paul, a noted German genealogist and former Director of the Institute for Palatine history in Kaiserslatuern. Paul’s address will focus on letters sent home to Germany by 18th century immigrants in America, with insights into the "chain and cluster migrations" that helped bring additional settlers to the American colonies. Other well-known Pennsylvania German researchers include Corinne Earnest and John T. Humphrey.

Logan, Utah Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree

Join us for "Pirates of the Pedigree, March 24, 2007, at the Logan, Utah Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree. Sponsored by the Logan Regional Family History Center and My Ancestors Found, the event will be held at the Eccles Conference Center, on the campus of Utah State University, Logan, Utah.

This one day event is drawing speakers and vendors from all over the U.S. It will feature 36-plus terrific classes to choose from, more than 20 vendors and exhibitors, and the latest genealogy products and technology. Drawings for prizes will take place all day long with grand prize drawings at the end of the conference! Admission to the exhibit hall and keynote address is FREE to the public, and classes will be offered for a minimal fee. Conference highlights include DearMYRTLE, "your friend in genealogy," as keynote speaker.

Pre-register for classes at the low admission price of $37, which includes box lunch ($42 at the door). Registration at the door begins Saturday at 7:30 am. Online registration and a complete class schedule and exhibit hall map are available at www.MyAncestorsFound.com. See you there!

BYU 10th Annual Computerized Family History & Genealogy Conference

It's spring once more (well, almost), and time for BYU's 10th Annual Computerized Family History and Genealogy Conference, March 16-17. The aim of he conference is help participants integrate computers and genealogy. The theme this year is,"Strengthening Ties that Bind Families Forever"

"The conference is to help people improve their skills and using the computer to trace their family tree," said Kip Sperry, professor of family history and doctrine and co-director of the conference. "For many years computers have made family history research much easier, especially with the introduction of the Internet," as quoted in a recent BYU NewsNet article.

This conference is designed for general computer users, teaching at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. To register, see the Conference web site.

Heads -up . . .

This heads-up from the Lebanon Daily News, "Cities in Midwest, South to host ’07’s national conferences." For the last three decades, there have been two annual conferences that bring together just about the entire genealogical community — one sponsored by the National Genealogical Society and the other by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. These conferences rotate around the country, and this year brings the NGS event to Richmond, Va., and the FGS gathering to Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Richmond conference will be held May 16 through 19 in the Greater Richmond Convention Center. More information about the conference is available at the NGS Web site. Richmond was picked for the conference because this year is the 400th anniversary of the founding of nearby Jamestown. The choice by FGS of Fort Wayne [August 15 -18] as its conference site might seem less obvious unless one knows about the genealogical riches of the city's Allen County Public Library. The genealogy and local history collection of this library is probably second only to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. For more information, see the FGS Conference Web site.

GenWeekly's own Gena Philibert-Ortega offers preservation tips at St. George Jamboree

Genealogy Today is hosting a booth at this year's St. George Genealogy and Family Heritage Jamboree. One of the speakers is GenWeekly's own, Gena Philibert-Ortega. Gena gave a great class yesterday on Preserving Your Heirlooms, offering very good information on the display and long term care of everything from family photos, documents, and books to heirloom quilts. As always, Gena does her research. She exposes old fallacies and offers the pros and cons of new and popular methods of preservation. Importantly, she leaves leaves you with multiple resources to provide benefit beyond the class. Today Gena will be speaking on Cemeteries and Their Secrets. Gena is currently researching a book on cemeteries of the eastern Sierra, so has lots to offer. Worth your time if you are at the Jamboree or in the area.

St. George Genealogy & Family History Jamboree , Feb 9 - 10

Be sure to visit the Genealogy Today booth at the St. George Genealogy & Family Heritage Jamboree , February 9 & 10 at the Dixie Convention Center in St. George, UT. Now in its third year, this two-day event is drawing speakers and vendors from all over the U.S. It will feature 100+ terrific classes to choose from, more than 60 vendors and exhibitors, and the latest genealogy products and technology. Many free drawings and prizes each day! The event is sponsored by My Ancestors Found and the Washington County, UT PAF User's Group.