Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference

Feet, legs, arms, eyes, ears, and more

2006-09-04T22:20:00.000-05:00

Can you figure out the common theme?

For those of us who were at the conference, we have sore and tired feet and legs. Walking from class to class, to the Exhibit Hall, to another class, back to buy one more CD or book over four exhilarating days does take a toll. Oh, but it was so worth it. Our arms are tired from carrying all those purchases. Our eyes are tired from all the viewing of syllabus pages and lecture visuals. Our ears have listened to the excellent lectures. So, what is the more?

It's a fact that the FGS/NEHGS Conference held this past week was a rousing success. The word is that we had fun -- and of course, there was the learning that was superb. The luncheon and banquet meals were great and the desserts and the dinner rolls -- I have never seen so many of these get eaten. They were so good that more and more people were eating them.

Standing in the Exhibit Hall Saturday and the hotel lobby Sunday for part of the morning and afternoon, I heard from many of you. You are tired, but enjoyed the week. A lot of hands went into making the week so good for all of us. I hope I don't forget anyone, but the conference chairs, the program chair, A-V chair, hospitality chair, registration chair, local publicity chair, volunteer chair, sponsored events coordinator, exhibits chair, FGS office, and so many helpers for each of these worked hard.

Lots of you were thrilled that the New England Historic Genealogical Society had extended hours last week. NEHGS was a great host for this conference.

The more? Your memories, your eagerness to use what you learned, the new friends you made, and your new calendar listing. Now we look ahead to the next FGS Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 15-18, 2007.

Did you know you may still register for this conference?

2006-08-30T16:03:00.000-05:00

It has been interesting to see that the number of people viewing the blog is still high. It might be the articles that appeared in the Boston Globe and New York Times are drawing curious folks. If you would like to join us at the conference, you can still come to the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay area of Boston and register to attend the lectures on genealogy and history from speakers representing 5 countries.

I have already seen a few genealogists who have made connections with someone related to one of their ancestors. Others are peering at the place names on the name tags and finding someone who lives in their family's old home town.

Some details for those of you at the conference

2006-08-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

Don't forget to attend the Plenary Session at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday. The theme for this hour is "Visions of the Future from Keepers of the Past." This takes place in the Sheraton Boston Hotel in the Grand Ballroom. We are privileged to have two of those keepers of the past at that session, the Archivist of the United States, Dr. Alan Weinstein and the President and CEO of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, D. Brenton Simons. As if that isn't enough to draw you, this is the place to get additional conference information.

For more information on this exciting session, check this previous posting on the blog. Immediately following this is the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall. I peeked into an open door of the Hall today and saw a hotbed of activity. Booths being set up, computers being connected, books unpacked, CDs and DVDs being lined up, and oh, were my feet itching to get in there and browse.

Live excitement in Boston

2006-08-30T01:08:00.000-05:00

Hello from the conference host hotel, the Boston Sheraton. This afternoon at 3:00 folks began to arrive to pick up their registration materials, the 4 volume syllabus, and a very nice tote bag. It was an explosion of genealogists as suddenly it seemed like everyone arrived at once. But this was a nice explosion -- the kind that made the conference planners smile. The volunteers working at registration did a phenomenal job.

It was also exciting to see a lot of folks who showed up to register for the entire conference. Today's Boston Globe had a long article about a special release of detailed Irish maps. It even ranked as one of the most e-mailed articles as readers shared the news with others. Stop by the Ordinance Survey Ireland booth in the Exhibit Hall this Thursday through Saturday -- you don't have to be registered for the conference to visit the Hall - it is a free visit! To see a list of most of the exhibitors please visit the FGS Website.

If you want to attend the full conference or just one day --just come to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston and register at the door!

"It's a Small Biz: Genealogy is Just the Product You Sell"

2006-08-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

One last posting on the Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference at the FGS/NEHGS Conference on Wednesday, August 30th. Some space is still available -- you can still sign up online or at the Hynes Convention Center.

"It's a Small Biz: Genealogy is Just the Product You Sell"

by Beverly Rice, CG

So you want to start a genealogy business or maybe you've already started one? But as the words "genealogy business" imply, you will be involved in genealogy and business. In the genealogy part of the business, you use your skills to produce a service or product. On the business side, you manage the finances and sign up clients. In this lecture, you will learn how the balance between the two sides of your business will help it become successful.

The APG -PMC. http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there,

Richard F. Robinson, CG
Publicity APG PMC

Shopping and Dining Nearby

2006-08-27T18:57:00.000-05:00

The Shops at Prudential Center is just steps away from both the Shertaon Boston Hotel and the Hynes Convention Center. Purchase a bouquet of flowers, chocolate chip cookies, make-up, socks, shoes, jewelry, books, cheesecake, slacks, shirt, newspaper, get your shoes shined, a haircut, pray in a chapel, buy a stamp, and . . .

An information desk is located in the Center Court. Maps, brochures, restaurant menus, and other items are available at this desk.

For a layout map of the "Pru," a merchant and service directory, and other details visit: www.PrudentialCenter.com

Hopping a train to FGS/NEHGS Boston

2006-08-27T10:40:00.000-05:00

Sharon Sergeant of Waltham, MA shared this with the blog. Thanks, Sharon!

Hello,

Below you will find train, commuter rail and subway routes to The Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston this week (August 30-September 2). Note handicap accessible station icons in the links. Bus routes references are also available on the system wide map.

While Boston traffic will be light during this pre-Labor Day vacation week, parking and hotel savings outside the city, combined with the extensive public transportation system, is a very convenient option. Read More

Email me if you are interested in hotel recommendations in Waltham - convenient to the Federal Archives, Lexington/Concord side trips and both Belmont and Waltham train connections.

Download the FGS/NEHGS Conference PDF overview at www.ancestralmanor.com/mp3/FGSPR.pdf and open the bookmarks to view highlighted segments with clickable links. Irish -especially- need apply! See the "Irish are Coming" 4 track segment and Irish Pavillion.

Amtrak Discount for FGS/NEHGS Conference in Boston
====================================================
http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/06/amtrak-discount-for-fgsnehgs.html

Amtrak: Back Bay Station Boston
===============================
(less than 1 mile from the Hynes Convention center or see subway map link below for connections to the Hynes Convention Center or Prudential Center stop on the Green line)
145 Dartmouth St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 345-7958
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080551250

Amtrak: South Station Boston
============================
(about 2 miles from the Hynes, though most would continue to Back Bay Station you can also take the Red line subway to Park street, then the Green line subway to the Hynes Convention Center or Prudential Center stop)
2 South Station
Summer St & Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02110
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080550772

Commuter Rail MAP
=================
http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_commuterrail.asp

Commuter Rail PDF Schedules
============================
http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_commuterrail_pdf_sched.asp

Commuter Rail Lines from the North and West to North Station (then take the Green line subway from North Station to the Hynes Convention Center or Prudential Center stop).
=====================================================================
Newburyport/Rockford Commuter Rail Line to North Station through Goucester, Manchester, Rowley,
Ipswich, Hamilton, Wenham, Beverly, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn

Haverhill/Reading Commuter Rail Line to North Station through Bradford, Lawrence, Wakefield, Melrose, Malden

Lowell Commuter Rail Line to North Station through Billerica, Wilmington, West Medford

Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line to North Station through Leominster, Shirley, Littleton, Acton,Concord, Lincoln, Waltham, Belmont and Cambridge.

Commuter Rail Lines From the South and West to Back Bay and South Station (see directions above for subway lines to Hynes Convention Center or Prudential Center stop).
=====================================================================

Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line to Back Bay and South Station through Grafton, Northborough, Southborough, Ashland, Natick, Wellesley, Natick, Newton

Needham Commuter Rail Line to Back Bay and South Station through West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Forrest Hills

Franklin/495 Commuter Rail Line to Back Bay and South Station through Norfolk, Walpole, Norwood, Dedham, Readville, Dorchester

Providence/Greene Airport/Attleboro/Stoughton Commuter Rail Line to Back Bay and South Station through Foxboro, Marshfield, Sharon, Rt 128/95 Westwood, Hyde park, Forrest Hills

Middleboro/Lakeville/Plymouth/Kingston Commuter Rail Line to Back Bay and South Station through Bridgewater, Brockton, Holbrook, Halifax, Whitman, Hanson, Abington, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester

Boston Subway Connections
=========================
Red line: Cambridge/Alewife from the Route 2 Western connection or Braintree and Mattapan from the South to Park Street station to pick up the Green line to the Hynes Convention Center stop.

Green Line: Newton/Riverside from the Route 128/95/30 Western connection or the Somerville/Lechemere Rt 93 Northern connection to the Hynes Convention Center stop.

Orange Line: Malden from the RT 60 Northern connection or Forrest Hills from the Southern connection to North Station to pick up the Green line to the Hynes Convention Center stop.

Blue Line: Revere/Logan Airport Northern connection to the Government center stop to pick up the Green line to the Hynes Convention Center stop.

Subway Map
==========
http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_subway_pop.html

Boston MBTA detailed System maps with bus lines
===============================================
http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_pdfmaps_system.asp

See you in Boston!
Sharon Sergeant
Program Director, Massachusetts Genealogical Council
info@AncestralManor.com

Getting to the New EnglandHistoric Genealogical Society

2006-08-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

1. Be sure to check their website www.NewEnglandAncestors.org for hours and some times when you need to sign up for a reserved spot. The fire marshall just won't let all the conference registrants in there at one time!

2. From the Hynes Convention Center, Sheraton Hotel, or the Prudential Shopping Mall -- just follow signs or ask other people to direct you to Boylston Street. Once on Boylston Street turn to the right. Then there are severall options. Read on for more details

At the cross street called Gloucester, you can cross to the other side of Boylston and walk a block on Gloucester to Newbury Street. Once on Newbury, walk 4 blocks to 101 Newbury Street which is the address of NEHGS. The location is just past the intersection of Newbury Street and Clarendon. Using this route you will pass by the many shops and restaurants on famous Newbury Street.
Or, once you have crossed to the other side of Boylston, you can continue walking down Boylston. Walk 4 blocks until you come the the cross street, Clarendon. Take a left on Clarendon and walk a block to Newbury Street. Cross Newbury Street and turn right and a couple of buildings down you will see NEHGS at 101 Newbury Street.
The third option is to look at the people walking ahead of you on the street who are carrying those heavy tote bags (or even the conference tote bag ) we all take to libraries -- and just follow them!
Taxis are always available at the main entrance to the Sheraton Hotel.
Taxis may be flagged down once you are on Boylston Street.

Need to make a copy or ship something during the conference?

2006-08-26T10:36:00.000-05:00

If you need to make a copy or ship something home during the conference, you are in luck.

During the conference week, including Saturday, the FedEx Kinko’s location in the Hynes Convention Center will be open all day, but not in the evenings.
There is also an independently operated business center in the Sheraton Hotel. You will see it as you walk between the hotel and convention center.
A full service Post Office is in the same complex; read this earlier posting

What do the Archivist of the United States, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, President of NEHGS and Abraham Lincoln have in common?

2006-08-26T00:16:00.000-05:00

I could just stop here and let you find out at the conference. Hmmmm . . .

They all play important parts in the FGS/NEHGS conference that begins in a few days.

First, Abraham Lincoln will be greeting registrants and passers by at the Prudential Mall entrance to the Hynes Convention Center on Tuesday, August 29th. That day from 3:00-7:00 p.m. registrants may pick up your registration materials at the Hynes. Not registered? You can register at those same times and on any of the conference days.

Lincoln himself won’t be there, but George Cheevers has an uncanny resemblance to Lincoln (though several inches taller at six foot ten inches), and also presents himself in the Lincoln re-enactor wardrobe as a thoughtful and knowledgeable student of Lincoln, the man. Read More
Cheevers has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard, a Masters degree in education from the University of Massachusetts, and is continuing advanced studies in English and American Literature. He is an educator in history as well as English as a Second Language in the Boston school system, and has also taught in Japan. He also worked for several years as a legislative aid in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Second, The Archivist of the United States, Dr. Allen Weinstein, one of the Keynote speakers, is being introduced by The Honorable Frank J. Williams, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island and a member of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. Justice Williams has been a leader in the Lincoln community and a Lincoln scholar for 30 years. He is the founding Chair of The Lincoln Forum and author of over 11 books including Judging Lincoln and The Emancipation Proclamation - Three Views.

Third, the first Keynote Speaker, Dr. Allen Weinstein, was appointed as the ninth Archivist of the United States in 2005. Dr. Weinstein is a noted scholar and professor of history and a recognized leader in global democracy issues. He is a former Professor of History who has held positions at Boston University, Georgetown University, and Smith College, is the author of numerous essays and books, including The Story of America (2002), The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America-The Stalin Era (1999), Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case (1978 & 1997), and Freedom and Crisis: An American History (3rd edition, 1981). From 1985 to 2003, he served as President of The Center for Democracy in Washington, DC. His international awards include the United Nations Peace Medal (1986).

Fourth, the other Keynote Speaker is D. Brenton Simons, President and CEO of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. He is the author of Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: True Stories of Scam, Scandal, Murder, and Mayhem, in Boston, 1630-1775. Simons is also the author of The Langhornes of Langhorne Park and the originator and co-editor of The Art of Family: Genealogical Artifacts in New England. A native of New Haven, Connecticut and a graduate of Boston University, Mr. Simons lives in Boston. He currently appears as a guest narrator on "The Boston Audissey, See the Sites -- Hear the Legends," an audio walking tour of Boston.

The Keynote Speakers will appear during the conference Plenary Session on August 31st at 8:00 a.m.

Exhibit Hall Grand Opening and Door Prizes

2006-08-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

Immedediately following the Plenary Session on Thurday morning, we are all invited to the Grand Opening of the Exhibit Hall. We anticipate it opening between 9:15 and 9:30 depending on the ending of the exciting Plenary Session. The day's lectures don't begin until 10:30, so be prepared to browse the Hall and maybe purchase a thing or two (or ten, I have seen some of you with several bags of purchases at conferences!) Don't forget to return to the Hall in-between lectures or other times on Thursday through Saturday -- I often find something I did not see on my first time through.

Everyone with a full conference registration will get 30 door prize tickets to use in the Exhibit Hall. These tickets will be in the registration packet you pick up at the Hynes Convention Center beginning Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. You get to choose which door prizes interest you and put your tickets into those boxes only.

Special Session for Genealogical Societies -- Open Forum

2006-08-25T09:41:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, 3:30-4:30, Session W62

Open Forum for all society officers, committee chairs, committee members, other volunteers and any other interested conference registrants.

This is an opportunity for an hour of discussion about running a genealogical society. Whether you are the person who labels the newsletter, the webmaster, the secretary, greet people at the annual semminar, or the society president, there will be Read More
something of interest for you in this session. Bring along your great tips that may help a volunteer from another society. If your society is experiencing a problem bring that along to share and the others in this session may have some great advice for you. Even if you don't have anything to discuss, join us for the hour and you will learn tips to take back to your genealogical society. (Many of these will also be helpful for family organizations, library committees, and historical societies.)

Don't forget to check the online program grid at the FGS website to see the other Wednesday sessions designed especially for those involved with their society.

Another Lecture for Professional Genealogists

2006-08-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

We're just days away from what will be another great Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference on August 30 at the FGS/NEHGS Conference hotel, the Sheraton Boston, in historic Boston's Back Bay. And there's still room for you at the PMC! Not sure about attending? Here's a taste of what you'll be missing!

"Kinship Theory"
Speaker: Carolyn Earle Billingsley, Ph.D.

The main principle guiding your genealogical research should be an understanding of kinship theory. This lecture explores the meaning of kinship and kinship theories that can help genealogists produce more . . . Read More

sophisticated research results, particularly in the areas of settlement and migration, religion, political and economic power, marriage, and naming patterns.

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your career.

Don't let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management
Conference
30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies
conference Registration http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there.

Dick
=============================================
Richard F. Robinson, CG
Publicity, APG PMC

______________________________

The Subways in Boston

2006-08-24T00:18:00.000-05:00

A couple people have shared info about the transportation system in Boston.

Peggy Baldwin said:
I'm already in Boston and have been using the subway. It works great! Some stations are in transition with the Charlie card, so buying both some trip tokens and adding credit to a Charlie card is a good idea. People won't have any trouble using the Boston subway, especially if you have taken a subway anywhere else in the world. The signage is good. Get a good subway map, which our hotel had and you will do fine.

Barbara Poole said:
The "T" is going through a change and installing new machines for riders to purchase Charlietickets (they are replacing the tokens). Some subway stations sell these and some still use the tokens (which you buy from a person). Depending upon where you travel, you might need to buy both tickets and tokens. The cost for each is the same, $1.25 per trip, no matter the distance. I just want the readers who plan to do a little travelling around the city via subway to be aware of this. The MBTA web site is www.mbta.com with good information, including maps and the FAQs have additional information about the Charlieticket.

What to Wear at the Conference

2006-08-22T18:21:00.000-05:00

These tips apply whether you a packing for an airplane ride to the conference or thinking about a daily commute from your home.

Comfort
First of all, comfort is an issue. Be sure to bring your walking shoes. It can be a bit tough to walk around in flip-flops or loose sandals at a conference. I can’t figure out how they can do all the walking from room to room and not trip or get a blister! Heck, for most of us a few too many birthdays have passed and we need to be careful! (Oh, yes, I do . . . Read More

count myself in this category) Dress in layers for the lectures sessions in case you feel a room is too cool or too warm for you.

Sitting in the Lecture Rooms
Those layers really do work. A vacation outfit of Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts might make you feel a bit out of place. Comfort does help as you will be sitting in a chair for an hour. I do like to wear something a bit tailored but not too dressy. Often I will wear a skirt or slacks and a somewhat dressy jacket. I like jackets that have pockets. Others are quite comfortable in jeans. You may be going directly from a lecture to a luncheon so read the next section.

What about the luncheons?
There is no time to change clothes between the lectures and the luncheons. You will see a variety of clothing. Many of the men wear a sport shirt or a polo shirt. A few do wear shirts and ties. Some women wear slacks with a jacket. Some wear dresses. You will also see some jeans and t-shirts.

What to wear for the Banquet on Friday night?
It is not a formal event, but usually folks wear clothing they might wear to church or a business meeting. Many men wear a shirt and tie, or sportcoat and slacks. Some do wear suits. Many women wear a dress or dressy pantsuit. Some women wear just what they wore all day and add a bit of jewelry. As previous posts have said, each year there seem to be a few more really dressed up women. (We need to wear those clothes somewhere!) There are also a few folks who come dressed very casually.

Now That I Have Said All That.
What you wear is up to you! We each have our own clothing tastes and we definitely don’t want to tell you what you can and cannot wear. We have faith in you, a faith that tells us you WILL wear clothes!

Update on Genealogy Table Quiz

2006-08-22T17:28:00.000-05:00

Mary Ellen Grogan just shared this update and said there is still space available. For other details on the Quiz and and to learn how to add fun event to your conference registration check the August 6th blog posting.

Warning: you will be hungry after reading about the food for that evening!

Genealogy Table Quiz
The Genealogy Table Quiz will take place on Thursday evening, August 31st from 6:00pm to 10:00pm, in the Sheraton Boston Hotel, Constitution Ballroom B.

Attendance is limited to 120 players; 30 teams of 4 players each. There will be a cash bar and the following buffets: Read More

INTERNATIONAL CHEESE DISPLAY: Selection of Assorted Domestic and Imported Cheeses
Garnished with Fresh Berries and Grapes, Cracker Assortment and Baguettes

FRESH GARDEN CRUDITÉS: Elaborate Presentation of the Season’s Freshest Vegetables
Served with Classic Ranch and Parmesan Peppercorn Dip

SAVORY SNACK DISPLAY: Assortment of Pretzels, Mixed Nuts, Chips and Tortilla Chips
Served with Guacamole, Fresh Salsa and Onion Dip

SEASONAL FRESH FRUIT AND BERRIES DISPLAY: Presented with White and Dark Chocolate Fondue, Pound Cake and Whipped Cream

SCHEDULE
6:00pm: Doors open, bar open, refreshments out

6:30-7:00 Quiz rounds one, two and three

7:00-7:30 Break (Time to talk and refresh your drink and food plate)

7:30-8:00 Quiz rounds four, five and six

8:00-8:30 Break and draw raffle prizes

Raffle prizes will be theme baskets. This will be a wonderful opportunity to take a chance on some great gifts for yourself or someone you love.

Cape Cod Basket – this basket will take you outside for a quick sandwich on the deck, beach or porch. Finish up with some great saltwater taffy, a Cape Cod treat.

Christmas Basket – a great combination of items to help decorate your home for the holidays.

Family Basket – create memories by serving from your new Pfaltzgraff platter. Includes memory book, family themed frames and photo album.

Boston Sports Basket – celebrate the best of Boston with memorabilia of our famous teams.

Halloween Basket – decorate for this fun holiday with the items in our basket.

Laura Ashley Basket – this basket is full of stationery items from Laura Ashley.

Boston Irish Basket – a great collection of items from Boston and Ireland.

8:30-9:15 Quiz rounds seven through ten

9:15 to 9:30 Final tally and prize giving

We will have prizes for first, second and third place tables. All 4 players at each winning table will receive a prize. The first prize will be a special new CD from Eneclann which will be formally introduced with a CD signing event on Friday!

James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture

2006-08-21T21:17:00.000-05:00

Lecture Title: Let No Man Put Asunder: Freedmen's Bureau Marriage Records
Speaker: Reginald Washington
Thursday, August 31, Session T-178, 5:00-6:00 p.m.

The lecture will include a state by state discussion of Freedmen's Bureau marriage records in the National Archives and their importance for African American genealogy research. The presentation will highlight marriage reports, licenses, certificates, and the Bureau's overall effort to assist former slave couples to formalize marriages they had entered into during slavery.

The James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture
James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture has been presented at FGS Conferences since 1994. It honors the late Jimmie Walker, one of the most popular and respected lecturers in genealogy. His thirty-year career at the National Archives in Washington, DC, included . . .
Read More
directorship of the annual Institute of Genealogical Research (now known as the National Institute of Genealogical Research) and supervision of the Military Service Records Section at NARA. This notable man did pioneering research on minorities in the American Revolution and helped thousands of genealogists during his career. He is a credit to his archival profession and essentially was a groundbreaker for black genealogical research in Federal records. He did not keep this knowledge to himself – he shared it with eager researchers.

Speaker Bio
This year’s lecture presenter is Reginald (Reggie) Washington, an archivist/genealogy specialist with the Research Support Branch of the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. He lectures frequently on records and research procedures, and has served as the African American Genealogy Subject Specialist at NARA for ten years. He has spoken at Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society conferences, National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies, National Institute on Genealogical Research, and numerous Washington DC area genealogical societies and clubs. Mr. Washington has conducted numerous workshops on the use of Federal records for African-American genealogical research, and his articles have appeared in Prologue, The Record, and Ancestry.

Keeping Public Records Open for Genealogical Research: What Do We Need to Do?

2006-08-21T15:47:00.000-05:00

This session, sponsored by the Massachusetts Genealogical Council, is another special presentation at this conference. Genealogists need to stay on top of legislation these days if we hope to keep even the access we currently have.

We expect a lively discussion from a variety of perspectives - ably presented by Alvie Davidson from Florida, Diane Gagel from Ohio, Sharon Sargent from Massachusetts, and Marie Melchiori from New Jersey. With such a varied cast, we'd like to solicit questions in advance so we can be extremely efficient with the limited twenty minutes or so alotted for audience participation. Constructive queries, phrased like "Why haven't we done.....?" or apt observations would be much appreciated and can be sent to moderator Melinde Lutz Sanborn at melinde44@comcast.net in advance of the conference.

The British are coming . . .

2006-08-21T09:20:00.000-05:00

…but this time without the muskets and red coats. A team from various parts of the UK has been assembled to give a selection of talks on a range of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish sources for your family history. You’ll be surprised at what you can find in British records – even if you think you have no British ancestry.

As an island nation and a former Imperial power Britain has always had a strong military and naval tradition, so it is a rare British – or Irish – family that does not contain a soldier or a sailor or two, or more. There are talks on the records of both the British Army and the Royal Navy from Paul Blake. He will also tell you . . . Read More

He will also tell you about Land Grants and American Loyalist Claims from 17th and 18th century records. He and Maggie Loughran are giving a pair of lectures on the Scots-Irish; they explain who these people were, when, where and why they migrated, and how to find out more about them. Paul and Maggie have previously lectured extensively in the USA, and will be doing so again immediately after Boston.

Genealogists like nothing better than lists of names, and Maggie will tell you about some early British ones, predating the first really useful census of 1841. There are several early censuses and other useful name lists, if only you know where to look. She can also help you identify the ‘Best of British’ websites for your research. Finally, she will tell you how to make use of the wealth of knowledge and experience that local and family history societies in Britain have amassed over the years, not only to help you with your research, but to expand and enrich it.

Else Churchill is the Genealogy Officer of the Society of Genealogists, and will talk on the related themes of local and specialist library collections throughout the UK, and her talk ‘I’m Stuck!’ aims to help you become un-stuck when researching your elusive English ancestors. She is particularly knowledgeable about 17th and 18th century records, and is in such demand that she has to leave the Conference early to fly back to England to speak at another International Conference there!

Audrey Collins comes from The National Archives (TNA) to give an overview of its records and facilities, and how to use them in your research; and the good news is that you can find an amazing amount of information online. She will speak separately on Irish resources in TNA; you’ll be surprised at the amount of information about Irish people that is held in England, and not in Ireland where you might expect to find it. And if you’re confused about the difference between England, Great Britain, the United Kingdom and the British Isles, she hopes to explain exactly what is ‘Britain’. She is also speaking as part of Librarians’ Day, where she will explain how the Family Records Centre in London deals with its patrons (we call them customers).

Roger Kershaw, also from TNA, specialises in the records of migration, and he talks on a number of subjects, all in different lecture tracks; child migrants to Canada in the International: Canada track, free migrants from Britain to North America in the New England track; passenger lists held in TNA comes under Archives and Repositories, and he teams up with Connie Potter from the U.S. NARA for ‘Hopping the Pond’ about sources for migration in the two archives, and how to identify them.

Joanna O’Rourke comes from Scotland, representing both the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) and the National Archives of Scotland (NAS). She is an expert on the vital records and census returns held by GROS, essential for anyone researching their Scottish ancestry, and in a separate session deals with the wills and probate records held in NAS. Many of the records she talks about have been digitised and are available online. She also brings the latest news on the exciting new Scottish Family History Service Project, being developed jointly by the two offices and the Court of the Lord Lyon, and of which she is project manager.

We are all looking forward to meeting old and new friends in Boston, and we have a combined ‘Best of British’ stand in the Exhibit Hall, where you can find out more about us, our archives and our records. See you there!

Thanks to Audrey Collins for sending this to the blog.

Counting the Days

2006-08-21T09:03:00.000-05:00

The excitement is definitely building. The FGS/Boston Conference is days away! Since I live in the Boston area, I'm pretty happy this conference is in my backyard. I know where to find everything I need, but I'm sure conference attendees coming from outside the local area probably have lots of questions about Boston. Blog postings mention where to find groceries, a drug store and even a post office, but perhaps you have a different query. This is your chance to ask. All you have to do is post a comment/question for this blog listing and you could see your question answered on the blog. Remember there are no stupid questions!

I'm spending the next several days plotting out what I want to do at the conference using the "Create Your Schedule" form on the FGS conference page. I downloaded the program and the form to make it easy to keep track of the lectures and events I'm attending.

See you soon!

Share the blog details with other registrants

2006-08-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

Not all registrants know that the blog has a lot of last-minute reminders and info about the conference. If you know someone else who is registered, would you please tell them to check the blog (both past and current postings)?

If there are additional last-minute things we have not covered, please email me your suggestion for the blog. These should be general things that would also apply to others attending the conference. Just click on my name in the right hand column for the link to my email.

During the coming week the blog will contain some last-minute tips about packing for and attending the conference. Thanks for your help in getting the word out.

Once you arrive at the Hynes Convention Center -- Registration

2006-08-20T02:33:00.000-05:00

Once you arrive at the Hynes Convention Center, you need to pick up your conference materials that includes a tote bag, syllabus (one volume for each day with all four total 1200+ pages), layout maps of the convention center and host hotel, a name tag, luncheon and banquet tickets, the chart of which lecture is at what time (and in what lecture room), and other items.

Hours for on-site registration and pick up of materials (signs in the Hynes will point the way):

Tuesday, August 29: 3:00p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, August 30: 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 31: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, September 1: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 2: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Excitement about Visiting Boston

2006-08-20T02:22:00.000-05:00

I had a message from Connie Bilkowski of Appleton, Wisconsin and in part her message said: Or are you "blogging" from St. Paul? Boston is such a neat city. I fell in love with it in 2002 after a Northeastern Mass. coastal vacation. I have been back there doing genealogy research at various repositories and combining a vacation to various parts of coastal Mass. every year since, excluding 2005. . . I successfully made my luncheon and banquet reservations per your good instructions. Thank you!

My reply was that I am currently blogging from St. Paul -- and that I have not been back to Boston since June. I have lots of local help for some of the details. I too fell in love with Boston in 2002 and understand her excitement at going back. For those of you visiting for the first time or if you haven't been there in many years -- you will soon experience why we are so excited about the city. Local residents know what a neat place it is and get the joy of the conference being in their own backyard.

Vanity Sketches: Discovering the Sources and Truths Behind Mugbooks

2006-08-20T02:02:00.000-05:00

Speaker: D. Joshua Taylor.
Friday, Session F-210, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Large volume works including state histories, multi-state histories, and regional histories often include a section devoted to biographical sketches, known as the mugbook section. Learn how to find the source of those sketches, their compilation, and . . . Read More
how to evaluate them as a genealogical source. If you are a subscriber of the FGS Forum, you can read a prelude to the lecture “Vanity Sketches: Mugbook Sources and Truths” beginning on page 13 of the Summer 2006 issue.

Speaker bio
D. Joshua Taylor "Josh" is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Josh has spoken for genealogical organizations throughout the United States including the Utah Genealogical Association and the National Genealogical Society. Josh has served as the Recording Secretary, Exhibit Chair, and Parliamentarian for the Utah Genealogical Association. Josh is currently a coordinator of the USGenWeb Project, serves as a member of the Election Committee and as their parliamentarian and is chairman of USGenWeb at FGS/NEHGS 2006, in celebration of USGenWeb's 10th Anniversary.

Josh is a member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the National Genealogical Society, and the Association of Professional Genealogists where he serves on the Web Enhancement committee. Josh is the recipient of the 2003 and 2004 Distinguished Service Awards from the Utah Genealogical Association, and the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society. Currently Josh serves on the Youth and Website committees of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, and is a member of the 2006 FGS/NEHGS National Conference Committee. He is a Reference Librarian at the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Need to add a luncheon, the banquet or the Irish Table Quiz?

2006-08-18T17:37:00.000-05:00

Several variations for adding these to your conference registration appeared on this blog July 28th. Just click on that date to get to the step-by-step instructions.

Be sure to have your conference registration confirmation email handy for your confirmation number. This e-mail was sent to you by Michael Leclerc after you registered. If you can't find that -- you can obtain the number by checking on your registration via the FGS website.

One last thought, in your rush to get ready for the conference, are you sure you really registered? That's just one of those "oops" things that can so easily happen. I admit to doing that once. (And that was also for a conference in Boston!)

Last day to add meals to your registration is August 24th.

2006-08-18T12:19:00.000-05:00

Still need to reserve your spot at the banquet or a luncheon? The last day to do this is Thursday, August 24th. There will be very few meal tickets available for sale at the conference -- so get your last minute meal additions done soon!

To do this, click on the link in your registration confirmation e-mail that takes you to the registration page. Follow the pages through till you come to the one that has the various conference paid items followed by a circle. Scroll down that page to verify what you have already paid for and then click in the circle for any items you wish to add.

A full-service Post Office just feet away

2006-08-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

The Hynes Convention Center entrance to and from the attached Prudential Mall opens into a world of stores and services.

A full service U.S. Post Office is just one of these services. It is open from 8:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. on Monday-Friday and until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. That is so convenient and something I have always wished for at a conference.

More on the Hynes Convention Center

2006-08-17T16:33:00.000-05:00

Today I had 3 e-mails from people who wanted to know more about the convention center where the conference is being held. If you were at the GENTECH conference there in 2002, you know that the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center is a perfect place for the conference. The easy navigation between the host hotel, the lecture rooms in the Hynes, and the Exhibit Hall make this a popular choice for conferences. The Exhibit Hall space is large enough so . . .
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you can easily walk around and browse without feeling crowded -- and don't forget there are some exhibitors that have never been at an FGS Conference before as well as our usual favorites. The layout enables us to get from one lecture room to another or to the Exhibit Hall in just a few minutes. Check out the layout map for the convention center at www.advanageboston.com

Some other conveniences at the convention center are:

An ATM
Lots of restrooms
Elevators and Escalators
An entire facility that is handicap accessible
Signage to help you get around
Snack bar
Air conditioning, of course
FedEx Business Center
Plenty of places to sit
Walk out the door into a shopping mall that even includes a Post Office
It's near drug, convenience, and grocery stores

Groceries Near the Conference

2006-08-16T18:21:00.000-05:00

Will you need some bottled water for your hotel room, an apple, pretzels, or maybe a candy bar? (Rumor has it that there are genealogists who need their daily dose of chocolate!) Some food items will be found at the drug stores mentioned in a post yesterday. The area also includes some convenience stores such as 7-11. However, there are two other nearby options for such purchases and one Farmer's Market:
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Shaw’s Prudential Supermarket
53 Huntington
617-262-4688
Open 6:00 a.m. to Midnight
A full-service grocery store

Deluca’s Back Bay Market
239 Newbury Street (at Fairfield)
617-262-5990
Open 8:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m.
Interesting corner market that is fun to visit

Copley Square Farmer's Market
Copley Square is across the street from the Boston Public Library
Just walk down Boylston Street from the Hynes Convention Center Complex.
Tuesday and Friday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

With a Little Help From Our Friends

2006-08-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

The Beatles knew what it took to make a difference--friends. A lot of genealogical friends are coming to Boston in a couple of weeks for FGS, but we'd like to make this the biggest genealogy event EVER. You can help us! All you have to do is tell two of your friends about the conference. They might not know about it. As you know, attending a conference is a great way for anyone involved in family history to meet like minded individuals and have fun. If your friends need convincing try economics. It's a dollars and sense issue.
Read on to see how you can entice them:

Amtrak is offering a is offering a 10% discount on the lowest available fare to Boston, MA between August 27 – September 5, 2006.
It's not too late to get a hotel room! Additional rooms at the Sheraton Boston are now available at the conference discount of $159.00 single/double and $40.00 for each additional person. That's approximately $100.00 off the usual room rate. To reserve a room at the Sheraton, contact the reservations line at 1-800-325-3535. Identify yourself as part of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference when calling.
Attending the conference is cheaper and easier than traveling the world looking for your long-lost cousin. Vendors and speakers from major repositories in England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States will be on hand. You can check out the list of exhibitors or take a peek at the program.

All it takes to make this conference a spectacular event is a few more genealogists. Let's turn it into a challenge. If each and everyone one of us tells two friends we could double the number of attendees. So, how many of your friends can you convince to come to Boston?

Drug Stores in Walking Distance

2006-08-15T23:21:00.000-05:00

Drug Stores

If you get into Boston and find that you need some lip balm, toothpaste, chewing gum, aspirin, deodorant, razor, hair gel, a new curling iron, or even a tube of lipstick, there are plenty of nearby options including a Walgreens and two CVS Pharmacies. The Hynes Convention Center is at 900 Boylston St.
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Walgreens
841 Boylston St.
617-236-8130
24 hour store (Pharmacy more limited hours)
Across the street from the Hynes Convention Center complex

CVS Pharmacy
240 Newbury Street at Gloucester St.
Store 7:00 a.m - Midnight (Pharmacy more limited hours)
617-236-4007
1.5 blocks from the Hynes Convention Center complex

CVS Pharmacy
587 Boylston St. at Dartmouth St.
24 hour store (Pharmacy also 24 hours)
617-437-8414
4.5 blocks from the Hynes Convention Center complex

FGS/NEHGS Conference Hotel Deadline Extended

2006-08-15T20:36:00.000-05:00

The Sheraton Boston Hotel, conference hotel for the 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference in Boston, has graciously extended the discount deadline to Wednesday, August 22. The conference is proving so popular that the conference committee has added additional rooms to the block to accommodate the increased demand. Plenty of rooms are available. The Sheraton Boston is conveniently located at 39 Dalton Street, attached to the Shops at Prudential Center and the Hynes Convention Center. Rooms are $159.00 single/double and $40.00 for each additional person. To reserve a room at the Sheraton, contact the reservations line at 1-800-325-3535. Identify yourself as part of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference when calling. There is still time to register for the conference. Get details about the program, including all of the sessions by international speakers from Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland Scotland, and England, at www.fgs.org.

5 Days Left to Reserve Hotel for a 60% Savings

2006-08-12T09:32:00.000-05:00

If you haven’t made your reservations yet, now is the time to do so. The last day to reserve at the special rate is August 15th. Counting today, that gives you only 5 days left. This hotel can accomodate one heck of a lot of people.

The FGS/NEHGS Conference hotel rate is almost 60% off the regular room rate at this hotel. [If you recently tried to reserve a room and the hotel said it was too late - try again, the deadline is truly August 15th.] Read the pricing and contact details

Take advantage of the FGS Conference Special in the next week and save money by reserving a room for only $159.00 per night. The $159.00 rate is for one or two people in a room. To add extra people, the cost is $40.00 per night.

Sheraton Boston Hotel
39 Dalton Street
Boston, MA 02199

617-236-2000
1-800-325-3535

When you call, please identify yourself as a part of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference in order to get this incredibly reduced rate.

To learn more about the hotel’s amenities (including incredibly comfortable beds, pool with retractable roof, non-smoking restaurants, and other neat things): Boston Sheraton Hotel

Lecture: Irish-American Famine Immigration sponsored by the Irish Family History Forum

2006-08-11T17:01:00.000-05:00

Lecture Title: Irish-American Famine Immigration
Speaker: Dr. Kevin Whelan
Sponsoring Organization: The Irish Family History Forum

Speaker biography
One of Ireland's best known and widely published scholars, was named the inaugural Michael Smurfit Director of the Keough-Notre Dame Centre in Ireland in 1998; has lectured in over a dozen countries; has published fifteen books and almost 100 articles on Ireland's history, geography and culture.

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Sponsoring Organization
The Irish Family History Forum (IFHF) is a Long Island(New York)-based organization that supports the Irish family research efforts of its members. Founded, in 1991, as the Long Island Chapter of a prominent Minnesota based genealogy group, the Forum became an independent organization in 1993. It is a member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), the Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS), the National Genealogical Society (NGS), and the Genealogy Federation of Long Island (GFLI).

It is also a sponsor of the all-volunteer GFLI Indexing Project. This project has made available on the internet an index of approximately five million naturalization, marriage, and death records for the boroughs of New York City. Some of these records are from as early as 1866 and as late as 1938.

The Forum hosts monthly meetings that feature professional guest speakers. Recent guests have included Dr. Brian Trainor and Fintan Mullan from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast; genealogists June DeLalio and Donna Moughty; and Irish-born author Tom Phelan. Each meeting is usually preceded by an informal help session, where members come together to discuss their research problems, to share their success stories, and to seek guidance from more experienced members.

The Irish Family History Forum has a rapidly growing and expanding member-use library consisting of over 300 items including: books, audio and video tapes, CDs, pamphlets, reference materials, journals, and newsletters of general and Irish-related genealogical significance.

The Forum’s bi-monthly Newsletter of the Irish Family History Forum (indexed in PERSI), features informative articles on the latest developments in genealogical methodology, resources, finding aids, and repositories; articles on historical topics relevant to Irish family history research; reviews of our monthly presentations; articles from members discussing their genealogical experiences; a member queries section; and other items of interest. Our series on the Roman Catholic Parishes in the five boroughs of New York City - which includes the starting dates, current contact information, and map location for each parish - has earned mention in several genealogical publications for its value in determining the parish our ancestors most likely attended at a particular point in time.

The Irish Family History Forum can be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 67, Plainview, NY, 11803 or by visiting our website at www.IFHF.org.

The U.S. National Archives Northeast Region: Waltham, MA

2006-08-11T15:17:00.000-05:00

This conference is filled with lectures about the national archives of several countries – and representatives who will tell you about these wonderful places for research. Some of these will also have a presence in the Exhibit Hall. The blog just received the following from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Regional Archives location in Waltham, Massachusetts. Once you hear these lectures and read about the resources at Waltham, you will definitely be planning a research visit.
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Thursday, 10:30am - Naturalization Records at the National Archives in New England

Thursday, 2:00pm - Records of Deceased & Deserted Seaman

Friday, 9:00am - The Boston Passenger Arrival Records, 1820-1891: The Federal Records

Saturday, 10:30am - Boston Custom House Records: Quarantine & Immigration,1884-1912

Presenter biography
These four lectures will be presented by Walter V. Hickey. Mr. Hickey has been with NARA since 1990, serving at both the Waltham and Pittsfield Regional Archives in the Boston area. Previous to joining the National Archives, he was the Special Collections Librarian at the Pollard Memorial Library in Lowell, Massachusetts, having previously taught Social Studies for a number of years. Mr. Hickey has written articles for many genealogical society newsletters and is a frequent speaker to societies throughout New England.

Region Biography (http://www.archives.gov/northeast/)
The National Archives, Northeast Region consists of three regional facilities in Waltham, MA, Pittsfield, MA and New York, NY. The Waltham facility is located just outside downtown Boston, NARA's Northeast Region has its headquarters in Waltham. This facility is among New England's renowned learning centers for local, regional and national historical research, serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This facility also serves as a Records Center where retired Federal records are stored temporarily and made available for agency retrieval as needed. Our Records Management program staff provides assistance to Federal agencies throughout New England. The Pittsfield facility is located amid the beautiful Berkshire Mountains area of Massachusetts, NARA's Northeast Region, Pittsfield office is a research center for genealogical, local, and national historical records. The New York facility is located in Greenwich Village, NARA's Northeast Region, New York City office is an integral part of the tri-state area's internationally renowned network of research and cultural institutions, such as universities, libraries, archives, and museums. Our holdings consist of Federal records from New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our Records Management program staff also provides assistance to Federal agencies throughout these locations.

Historical Resources
The National Archives, Northeast Region in Waltham holds vast quantities of records over and above the microfilmed resources commonly used for genealogical research. Many of these records contain information pertinent to local history. It is highly probable that there are many records pertaining to your community, making these records worthy of further research. Examples include, New Deal/World War II agencies dealing with life on the home front, Bankruptcy case papers, including Depression-era files, Tax assessment lists for the post Civil-War period, Documentation of Federal land condemnation.

Genealogy Resources available in NARA's Northeast Region in Waltham
The most widely used microfilm and original records for family history research at our facility are Census Records, Naturalization Records, Passenger Arrival Lists, Canadian Border Entry Records, Customs Records, Post-Civil War Tax Records, Draft, Military Service, and Pension and Bounty Land Application Files, Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files, Freedmen's Bureau and Records to African American Families, Dawes Commission Final Cards of the Five Civilized Tribes.

Census Records
Microfilm copies of the existing Federal population census schedules, taken every ten years, for all states and territories 1790-1930 (nearly all of the 1890 schedules were destroyed by fire in 1921).

Non-population census schedules for Massachusetts 1850-1880 and Vermont 1850-1870
Special census of Union veterans and widows of veterans 1890

Naturalization Records
Records of immigrants living in New England who applied for American citizenship through the courts.

Federal court records (U.S District Courts and U.S. Circuit Courts)
Connecticut, 1842-1991
Maine, 1790-1991
Massachusetts, 1790-1991
New Hampshire, 1873-1977
Rhode Island, 1842-1991
Vermont, 1801-1982

Select state, county, and municipal court records for Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, 1790-1906.

Non-Federal Connecticut courts, 1790-1974. Included are records of Connecticut Superior Courts, Courts of Common Pleas, District Courts, and some municipal courts. Complete or partial indexes are available for some of the Courts. There is also a Soundex index to naturalization petitions and records for all Federal and non-Federal courts in the New England states covering the years 1790-1906 (Connecticut 1790-1939).

Passenger Arrival Lists
Microfilm copies of the lists for the ports of:
Baltimore (1820-1891) New Orleans (1820-1902)
Boston (1820-1943) New York (1820-1926)
Galveston, TX (1896-1951) Philadelphia (1800-1926)
Gloucester, MA (1906-1942) Portland, ME (1820-1868; 1893-1943)
New Bedford, MA (1826-1852; 1902-1942) Providence, RI (1820-1867; 1911-1943)
Canadian Border Crossings (1895-ca. 1954)

At least partial indexes exist for most of the above lists. We also refer researchers to Boston passenger lists held by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Customs Records
American seamen from New England are documented in U.S. Customs Service records. Researchers will need to know what ports individual seamen may have shipped out of in order to effectively use these records. To locate crew lists it is usually necessary to know the vessel name and port.

These are available for various New England ports, 1789 ca. 1950. Please inquire about using these records before visiting, since the records listed above do not exist for every New England port in all time periods.

Information contained in the Customs House Records may include: place of birth, town of residence, physical description, names of relatives. Specific types of records include, Crew Lists, Shipping Articles (which document payments), Records of Seamen's Protection (issued for identification), Case files of Deceased and Deserted Seamen, Marine Hospital Returns of Seamen (not medical records, documents money withheld for dues)

Draft, Military Service, and Pension and Bounty Land Application Files
Microfilm copies of the applications for pension and bounty land warrants issued to veterans of the Revolutionary War and military service records of those who served in the war. These records cover all states and include name indexes. Microfilm copies of War of 1812 Military Bounty Land Warrants; an index to compiled service records of volunteer soldiers who served in the War of 1812; the pension index for veterans of the War of 1812, the "Old Wars", Mexican War, and Indian Wars, as well as a general index to pension applications, submitted between 1861 and 1934, for military service performed up to 1916. These records cover all states. Microfilm copies of abstracts of service records of naval officers for the period 1798-1893 and indexes to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from each New England state. Military Records at Waltham include, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, selected Civil War papers and indexes available on mircofilm, Naval Records, and Pension Indexes

Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files
Chinese Exclusion Act Case Files for Boston (1911-1955) and Montreal (1900-1952) are a valuable resource for the study of Chinese immigration and Chinese-American travel, trade, and social and family history from the late-19th to mid-20th century. A typical Chinese Exclusion Act case file contains information such as the subject's name; place and date of birth; physical appearance; occupation; names and relationships of other family members; and family history. Materials in the files may include, applications, certificates of identity and residency, various correspondence, INS findings, recommendations, and decisions, maps of immigrant family residences and villages in China, original marriage certificates, individual and family photographs, transcripts of INS interrogations and special boards of inquiry, witness statements and affidavits. The records are indexed by the individual's name. Privacy Act restrictions may apply to some cases.

The blog thanks Priscilla Foley and Diane LeBlanc for supplying the preceding details. Read on for more information on these two examples of great NARA staff.

Priscilla Foley Biography
Priscilla Foley started with the National Archives in 2002 working first for the Northeast Region in Waltham and then John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. Ms. Foley recently returned to the Northeast Region in Waltham to serve as Regional Archives Director.

Diane LeBlanc
Ms. LeBlanc began her career at the National Archives as a Northeastern University Co-op student and since then she has served as Assistant Director, and Director of the Federal Records Center. Diane LeBlanc currently serves as the Regional Administrator for National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region consisting of Boston, Pittsfield, and New York facilities.

Getting from the airport to the hotel and convention center

2006-08-10T21:08:00.000-05:00

Shuttle options vary from Boston Logan Airport. Once you have claimed your luggage, look for the overhead signs that include arrows pointing you to Ground Transportation, Taxis, or Shared Van Service. This is where you'll find transportation to the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Hynes Convention Center.

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While most shuttle services do not require advance reservations, they are recommended. These are shared van services that may make multiple stops. Please check the websites listed below or place a call to the service for rates. The contact details are from the Logan Airport website.

Verify the hours of operation for the service you choose and the method of payment they accept. If you purchase a round-trip transportation service, ask how much notice is required to pick you up at the hotel. Not all these shared van services have accessible vans.

Check this website for other transportation methods: http://www.massport.com/logan/getti.html

Ace American Super Shuttle
800.517.2281
http://www.aceamericansupershuttle.com

Back Bay Coach Shuttle
877-723-3833
www.backbaycoach.com

J.C. Transportation Services
800-517-2281
www.jctransportationshuttle.com

Logan/Boston Hotel Shuttle
877.315.4700

Star Shuttle Inc.
877-970-7827
http://www.starshuttleboston.com/rates.html

Zebra Airport Shuttle
800) 242-0064
http://www.zebrashuttle.com

For the Professional Genealogist: Pricing Your Services

2006-08-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

The great people who are working on the APG PMC have sent word that spaces are still available in the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference. This conference within a conference takes place on August 30 at the FGS conference hotel, the Sheraton Boston, in historic Back Bay Boston.

Are you a professional genealogist in need of some assistance with your business, someone who is thinking about joining this profession, or realize that some concentrated networking is needed? If so, then the APG PMC is the place for you. Not sure about attending? Here's one more example of what you'll be missing!

Read More "Pricing Your Services"

by Kory L. Meyerink, AG, FUGA

Are you earning enough as a professional genealogist? Of course not! But the reasons may not be what you think they are. Pricing your services should not be a mystery; indeed, it is economic science. Unfortunately, they didn't teach you that in "genealogy school." Well, we do now! Come join our lively discussion on "Pricing Your Services" and learn how you are undervaluing your services, and what you can do about it.

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your career.

Don't let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference 30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies/New England Historic Genealogical Society. For more details on the PMC and a link to registration for the PMC and the FGS/NEHGS Conference visit: http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there,
Dick

Richard F. Robinson, CG
Publicity, APG PMC

Part-Time Professional Genealogist?

2006-08-08T10:10:00.000-05:00

Dick Robinson, who is in charge of publicity for the APG PMC, just shared this message:

We still have room for you at what appears to be another great Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference on August 30 at the FGS conference hotel, the Sheraton Boston, in historic Back Bay Boston. Not sure about attending the PMC? Here's the info on one more session you'll be missing!

"The Part-Time Professional Genealogist: A Jekyll and Hyde Existence"
by Ann Mohr Osisek

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If you are considering a career as a professional genealogist but haven't yet "taken the plunge," then join us at the PMC. This session will help you to "expect the unexpected," stay focused on your aspirations, and impress upon you the importance of a support network in a positive atmosphere. You will learn that, with goals and patience, there can be a balance between a career in genealogy and another field.

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your careers.

Don't let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference 30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference Registration http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there.

Dick
=============================================
Richard F. Robinson, CG
Publicity, APG PMC

Sheraton Boston Hotel Deadline for Reduced Rate

2006-08-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

August 15 is:

The last day to register at the Sheraton Boston Hotel under the special nightly rates for the 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference. If you booked online today and used a AAA discount, you would pay $100.00 more than the FGS rate per night. [If you recently tried to reserve a room and the hotel said it was too late - try again, the deadline is really August 15th.]
Read the pricing and contact details

Take advantage of the FGS Conference Special in the next week and save money by reserving a room for only $159.00 per night. The $159.00 rate is for one or two people in a room. To add extra people, the cost is $40.00 per night.

Sheraton Boston Hotel
39 Dalton Street
Boston, MA 02199

617-236-2000
1-800-325-3535

When you call, please identify yourself as a part of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference in order to get this incredibly reduced rate.

To learn more about the hotel’s amenities (including incredibly comfortable beds, pool with retractable roof, non-smoking restaurants, and other neat things): Boston Sheraton Hotel

Librarians Day at the FGS/NEHGS Conference

2006-08-06T22:41:00.000-05:00

THE DAY
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The Annual Librarians Day will be offered at the Federation of Genealogical Societies/New England Historic Genealogical Society Conference on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. Please join us for presentations by "front line" staff that will help enrich genealogy patron contact. This day is for library staff members to come and learn, network, and meet others serving genealogy patrons. Sponsored by ProQuest, the day will include a buffet luncheon for those attending.

The Day will take place at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, which is the conference host hotel. A full schedule for the day follows below. Pre-registration is required.

Read More

ALREADY REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE?
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Already registered for the conference and want to add Librarians Day? To do this, you'll need your registration confirmation number from your confirmation e-mail. Don't have it? You can request it via the conference registration Website.

You can either click on the live link in your confirmation e-mail or may modify your registration by going to the FGS website www.fgs.org, click on the yellow box for the 2006 conference, and enter your personal information as requested. Next you will be asked for the confirmation number, and then will be directed to a link to modify your registration.

DON’T HAVE YOUR REGISTRATION NUMBER?
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Go through the same online process and when prompted you may request that number via e-mail.

For further explanation on the process of adding items to your registration, visit the conference blog entry for July 28th at http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/.

If at any time you need help adding Librarians Day, please call the FGS office at 1-888-FGS-1500.

WISH TO REGISTER FOR THE FULL CONFERENCE?
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We invite you to register for the full conference if you haven't done so. The FGS/NEHGS conference offers many one-of–a-kind opportunities for education, networking, and exhibit browsing. For a full conference brochure, visit www.fgs.org, click on the 2006 Conference box, and then on the program grid link.

NOT REGISTERED FOR THE CONFERENCE BUT WANT TO ATTEND LIBRARIANS DAY?
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Call the FGS office at 1-888-FGS-1500 to register. There is no charge to attend Librarians Day. Please leave your name, address, and the subject of registering for librarian's day. Please leave a phone number where we can reach if the office needs to contact you. You can also send an email to the FGS office at fgs-office@fgs.org with Librarians Day in the subject line.

LIBRARIANS DAY AGENDA: WEDNESDAY 30 AUG 2006
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9:00 AM – Welcome

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Mary Celeste
ALA Local History and Genealogy Committee: An Overview

10:00 AM – BREAK

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Timothy G.X. Salls – NEHGS Archivist
Genealogical Sources: Internet

11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Buffet Lunch
William Forsyth, Director of Product Management – ProQuest

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
NEHGS Assistant Archivist – Patron Service

2:00 – BREAK

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
David Allen Lambert – NEHGS Online Genealogist
Genealogical Sources: Internet

3:30 PM – BREAK

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Audrey Collins – National Archives – United Kingdom
The Family Records Centre: How We Deal with our Patrons.

5:00 PM – Closing

PLEASE JOIN US

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The Federation of Genealogical Societies, the New England Historic Genealogical Society, and ProQuest invite you to attend this great opportunity to meet and greet your fellow librarians, learn some "best practices," and have a fun day.

I hope to see you there!

Sue Kaufman
FGS/NEHGS National Conference Co-Chair
"Birthplace of American Genealogy"
August 30 – September 2, 2006
Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.fgs.org/

Manager
Clayton Library, Center for Genealogical Research
Houston Public Library
5300 Caroline
Houston, TX 77004
www.houstonlibrary.org
susan.kaufman@cityofhouston.net

You Don’t Have to Be Irish to Join the Irish Table Quiz!

2006-08-06T15:52:00.000-05:00

Do you have plans for Thursday evening, August 31, during the FGS/NEHGS Conference?

Mary Ellen Grogan from Boston and Eileen O’Duill from Dublin, Ireland shared the details on something fun for that evening.

Please join other genealogists for the Genealogy Table Quiz being organized by TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association). If you like Trivial Pursuit, you will love this Quiz. The Quiz is a trivia game with a genealogy theme and promises to be lots of fun and a place to make new friends. Be prepared to socialize, to laugh a lot, and even use some of your hard-earned genealogy knowledge.

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In Ireland , the Table Quiz or Pub Quiz (as pubs are the usual venues) is a popular way to spend an evening. Teams of four players ( to each table) compete for prizes and the honor of winning.

The Details
Who: anybody who wants to have a great evening (but you do have to preregister)
What: Genealogy Table Quiz
When: Thursday evening, August 31, 6-9 pm
Where: Sheraton Boston Hotel (the host hotel and adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center)
Why: because we are genealogists and we like to have fun
What to wear: there will be a little bit of everything, most will be casually dressed
Cost: $20.00 per person; pre-registration is required for planning purposes and ordering food
Limits: the number of teams is limited to 30 groups of four; no limits on laughter

In addition to food, a cash bar will be available starting at 6:00 p.m. Come and mingle. Participants are grouped in teams of four people. You can organize your own team or let the organizers assign you to a team.

We will start the quiz portion of the evening about 6:30. There will be ten rounds of ten questions on genealogy, Irish and American history, and general knowledge. Clearly, you won’t be given a lot of time to come up with your answers. Be aware, however, that cheating is considered part of the game; consider your strategy. There will be prizes for the top three teams as well as a raffle featuring swell prizes from Ireland and from Boston.

Since TIARA is organizing this event, ½ of the questions will be about US genealogy and ½ will be about Irish genealogy. If you don’t know anything about Irish genealogy, this will not necessarily prevent you from winning. In a Table Quiz, there are prizes both for the correct answer and the best incorrect answer.

There will be at least two breaks so you may refresh your drink, your snack plate, and visit with other participants.
The organizers will use this time to tally the scores of each team, and post the information on a scoreboard for everyone to see!

A portion of the proceeds will be given to the U.S. National Archives branch in Waltham, Massachusetts for the purchase of research materials from Archive Specialist Walter Hickey’s "wish list." Please join us. You will have chance to unwind, have fun, and make a gift to a very good cause.

The Questions and Answers Attempt
I asked Mary Ellen to share the questions and especially the answers with me. Even a "please"didn’t work. I just wanted to be prepared to cheat legally! Her reply was "Unfortunately the questions and answers are in a high-security vault. I have no access. Only Eileen O'Duill (Ireland) and Janis Duffy (U.S.) are in the know. They have let it slip that some of the questions are "zingers!"

The Quiz Master
Quoting directly from Mary Ellen, "the inimitable George B. Handran [of Boston] will be the QUIZ MASTER" and then said "I can provide one teaser question: What famous Irish writer does the QUIZ MASTER resemble? HINT: go to the National Library of Ireland website."

How do I register?
It is easy to register for the Conference and the Table Quiz on the FGS website. If you are already registered for the conference, go to the Registration page, enter your name and confirmation number, and click "Modify." This will allow you to add additional items to your registration. The Table Quiz is near the end of page 2 of the Registration Form under "Optional Items."

How do I join a Team?
Go to the TIARA table in the Exhibit Hall (#820) on Thursday. We will be assigning people to Teams at the booth. We will try to assign someone with knowledge of Irish research to each Team, but there may not be enough Irish experts to go around. We suggest you stop by the TIARA booth early in the day. If you don’t have a chance to do so, you can join a team when you arrive at the Table Quiz in the evening.

Where exactly will the Table Quiz be held?
It will be in the Sheraton Hotel in one of the meeting rooms near the Hynes Convention Center. The room detail will be on your Quiz ticket, which will be in your Registration Packet.

If you have any other questions, contact Mary Ellen Grogan (megrogan@ix.netcom.com). Thanks to Mary Ellen and Eileen O’Duill for this info on the Quiz.

GO BOSTON CARD - Special pricing for FGS conference attendees!

2006-08-05T21:55:00.000-05:00

Go Boston Card is a multi attraction pass that offers unlimited admission to more than 60 attractions in Boston and beyond for one price! With the Go Boston Card you design your own itinerary while enjoying all that Boston has to offer including a 2 day trolley pass, Boston Duck Tour, New England Aquarium, Whale Watch, Boston Harbor Cruise, and so much more! Included with your card, you'll receive a free full color pocket sized guidebook and special offers on dining and shopping. FGS Conference attendees enjoy a 15 % savings on any of the following:

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1) One Day Go Boston Card

2) Go Boston Card Consecutive Day (good for any 2,3,5 or 7 consecutive days)

3) Go Boston Card Day Hopper (good for any 2,3,5 or 7 days out of a year!)

Simply visit this website www.gocardusa.com/partners and click on "Go Boston Card." After placing your order, enter this coupon code FGSBOSTON The 15 % discount will automatically pull in to your total price.

Note: While placing your order, you may elect to have your cards/guidebook shipped to you or you may pick up your cards/guidebook in Boston for free.

FGS thanks Sharon Sergeant for arranging this special discount.

The Program Grid and the Syllabus

2006-08-04T14:56:00.000-05:00

FGS/NEHGS Conference Program Chair, Rhonda R. McClure, has shared some great news with the blog. The program grid has been updated on the FGS Website and the syllabus that each registrant receives is going to be quite a production.
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1. An updated program grid is on the FGS Website. Click on this link http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm
and then scroll down the page to "Download Grid Brochure" and click on that to open the file.

2. The syllabus material you will be receiving at the conference is over 1200 pages in length. Don’t groan about the weight of carrying this many pages. It will be in four sections, one for each day of lectures. You will receive these when you check in at the Hynes Convention Center – details on this will be posted on the blog in the upcoming weeks.

If you are not familiar with the syllabus format at FGS Conferences, prepare yourself for a nice surprise. Most speakers supply the program chair with 1-4 pages of material related to their lecture(s). Normally these are combined into one or two volumes. With so many sessions being presented at this conference, you will receive a volume for each of the four days.

The material might be an outline, discussion of important points, summary, checklist, a bibliography for further research, maps, overview statement, related websites, and many speakers provide their contact information. Even if you don’t attend a lecture, you will still receive the material the speaker provided to Rhonda.

Conference shirts to be available in Boston

2006-08-03T17:43:00.000-05:00

Should you pack one less shirt? One way to make sure that won't cause a problem is to visit the FGS Booth at the conference and purchase a conference shirt!
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Sue Kaufman, a Co-Chair of this conference arranged for these shirts that members of the FGS board and conference committee are already wearing. Yep, we bought our own -- we just couldn't convince Sue that as a good friend she should buy one for each of us.

The shirts are long sleeve denim with a button down collar and left chest patch pocket. The colorful conference logo is on the right side. Shirts are available in two colors, light blue and natural.

The shirt costs $25.00 plus tax for one shirt. Two shirts purchased at the same time are $40.00 and three shirts cost $50.00.

Are you trying to figure out the meaning of the conference logo? Last September 28th, the blog included the neat and meaningful explanation.

If there are any shirts left after the conference, FGS will let you know how to purchase them.

Special Conference Event: The Friday Evening Banquet.

2006-08-02T17:40:00.000-05:00

Food, genealogists, and friendly conversation truly do go together. And once in a while we deserve to be treated royally. The FGS Banquet that takes place on Friday evening, September 1st, during the FGS/NEHGS Conference in Boston supplies all that and more. Please join us for this grand evening.
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Wendy Bebout Elliott, President of FGS, recently commented that "It will be an eventful occasion with some major FGS awards, great entertainment, and some added pluses for the evening in celebration of FGS’ 30th Anniversary." Wendy, also said that banquet attendees will "really be getting some bang for their bucks in New England." [Editor’s note – rumor has it that this refers to banquet guests receiving some goodies in honor of the 30th anniversary!]

FGS has received a few questions about the FGS Banquet and that likely means that others have the same questions.

Do I have to be a member of any organization in order to attend the banquet?
Not at all. You just need to purchase a banquet ticket; the evening is already planned and best of all, you get to sit and rest while others do the work and entertain you. You won’t have to fight the Friday evening restaurant crowds. No meal to cook. No dishes to wash. Cloth napkins. Pleasant company at your table.

May I bring a banquet guest who is not registered for the conference?
Everyone is welcome – and just think, it could be the start of that person becoming interested in genealogy once they see that we are truly normal. (Aren’t we all?) The conference registration form allows you to add guests for meal functions.

What should I wear?
Business casual, Sunday best, formal – it’s up to you. Many of the men wear a shirt and tie, some add a sport coat, some wear a suit, and others definitely skip the tie. Over the last few years a greater number of women have gone beyond a pantsuit or dress to adding some glitz and glamour. But, the choice is up to you – the evening is the key, not what you wear.

Where is the banquet being held?
The pre-banquet cash bar reception and the banquet are being held in the Sheraton Boston Hotel. This is wonderful for those of us staying at this conference hotel which is in the same indoor complex as the Hynes Convention Center.

What is on the agenda for the evening?

The evening starts with a cash bar reception from 6:00-7:00 p.m. that will have sodas, bottled water, wine, beer, and mixed drinks. This is a good hour for networking and swapping lots of laughter-filled or poignant stories from the conference. You may join in this hour even if you don’t purchase a ticket to the banquet. The banquet itself begins at 7:00 p.m. and generally lasts about two hours.

Food, of course: Chef's Soup du jour, Pan-seared Statler Breast of Chicken with a Tarragon Maple Glaze, Toasted Pecans, Cobb Smoked Bacon, and Sauteed Apples, Whole Grain Mustard Sauce; Ginger Scented Baby Carrots; Roasted Beets and Crisp Green Beans; Basmati and Wild Rice Pilaf. Dessert, of course: Almond Tuille filled with Cinnamon Apple Mousse, Seasonal Berries, and Caramel Drizzle.

Awards to some of the best genealogical volunteers ever. These are impressive and often quite moving. Among the special awards is the Ruth C. Bishop Living Volunteer Hall of Honor Award. You will be impressed at the accomplishments of the person inducted into the Hall of Honor at the banquet. No, we won’t give away the surprise.

A short presentation that will give you some advance info on the 2007 FGS Conference that will get you revved up for the next event.

The evening’s entertainment will be presented by the Boston History Collaborative performing a number of scenes depicting important events in history that are connected to Boston. These events also had a great impact on the world beyond Boston. The evening promises to be very interesting, entertaining, and informative – and as usual history will have an impact on your own family history. Check out the Collaborative’s website at: http://www.bostonhistorycollaborative.org./
Among the scenes to which we will be treated:

A short intro on Genius, Boston's genie

Ma Bell – The story of Alexander Graham Bell's genius through the eyes of his wife, Mabel. Mabel, the original "Ma Bell," was the financial genius who enabled Alexander to transform ideas into inventions.

Onesimus – Told from the perspective of Cotton Mather's slave, Onesimus, this is the story of the first smallpox inoculation.

The Mother – A moving piece that portrays the widespread impact of Dr. Sidney Farber's innovative and life-saving chemotherapy treatment developed in Boston's Children's Hospital.

Frederic Tudor – The story of the Ice King! Tudor made his fortune harvesting ice in Boston and shipping it to India and the Caribbean.

How do I purchase tickets for the banquet?
If you have not registered for the conference or the banquet yet, visit the FGS website click on "Get the details" in the yellow box. On the page that pops up, scroll down a bit and click on the words "Register Now." Follow the links on the next pages to register for the conference and meal functions.

If you have already registered for the conference and want to add the banquet to your lineup, check the confirmation e-mail you received to see if it includes the phrase "to modify your registration" and click on the live link, or:

If you have already registered for the conference and now want to add a banquet ticket, check out the instructions for this that were on this blog on July 28th.

It's on my calendar -- see you at 6:00 p.m., Friday September 1, 2nd floor of the Sheraton Boston hotel. Don't forget to bring your banquet tickets!

Do you have a research brick wall?

2006-08-01T21:42:00.000-05:00

Pam Eagleson, CG, co-chair of one of the conference special events sent this notice for the blog:

Has that brick wall got you stymied? Here's a chance to ask an expert. Attendees at the upcoming FGS conference will be able to meet for 20 minutes with an experienced genealogist to brainstorm ways to break through the brick wall blocking their research.
Read More Attendees are asked to prepare a concise written statement of one problem and bring it when they sign up for an appointment. Sign up time will be Thursday, August 31, between 9 am and 5 pm in the APG Ancestors Road Show area of the Exhibit Hall at the Hynes Convention Center. Road Show appointments will be held in the Exhibit Hall on Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm.

Sponsored by the Association of Professional Genealogists and hosted by the Greater Boston Chapter of APG, the Ancestors Road Show concept has been very popular at other conferences. This is the first time it will be held at a national conference.

Over 60 genealogists, including many who are nationally known, will be volunteering their time for this event covering such topics as American court records, Irish research, National Archives records, problem solving techniques, dating and identifying old photographs, lineage applications, British Isles research, general genealogy, forensic genealogy, military records, Quaker research, Loyalist studies, Internet research, immigration, census research, naturalization records, Swedish & Danish research, land records, Italian family history, Cherokee research, Canadian research, reading early American handwriting, Polish research, land records, missing heir searches, land platting, neighborhood reconstruction, Jewish genealogy, as well most regions of the United States.

A Guaranteed Seat for Lunch!

2006-08-01T12:38:00.000-05:00

One of the neat parts of a genealogy conference is mealtime. Some of the wonderful participating organizations involved with this year’s conference are hosting luncheons; you do not have to be a member of any organization to attend its luncheon.

Having prepaid for a luncheon and knowing you have a guaranteed seat helps to streamline your time. You won't have to run around to find a place to eat and wait in line with the regular business lunchtime crowds.
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Sitting at a table with other registrants is always a plus as you may find a distant cousin, someone who knows about research in your family's ancestral area, or someone who can tell more about a particular type of record. On top of all that, there is a luncheon speaker to entertain and inform you.

To learn more about Wednesday Luncheons click here
To learn more about Thursday Luncheon click here
To learn more about Friday Luncheons click here
To learn more about Saturday Luncheons click here

All luncheons on a given day have the same menu. For the full menu for each day go to the FGS website and prepare to get hungry. At that site, you will see a white box that has the words "All Program," click on this box and scroll down to "Meals and click on that word,"and the last step is to click on the word "go" to the right of the white box. All these luncheons will be held in the beautiful Sheraton Boston hotel which is adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center.

Registering online for the luncheons can be done at the same time you register for the conference. If you have already registered or even signed up for a couple of luncheons and want to add more, that can also be done online. Each luncheon costs only $20.00 and this is a fantastic price for a conference hotel. Dessert is included.

Is the conference excitement level making you think about these things to do . . .

2006-07-29T20:31:00.000-05:00

My mind is spinning with all the great things to do at the conference. Read on for more details on five important parts of the conference

About all the things to do, browse, buy, and learn in the Exhibit Hall? Check out the long list of exhibitors at http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/conf-exhibitors.asp.

About being one of the vendors in the Exhibit Hall? Even with that long list of exhibitors, there are some spaces left in the Hall. Join the long list of vendors to show your wares or describe your genealogical services to genealogists, librarians, historians, editors and others from six countries. If you are interested in exhibiting at the conference you can get details at www.fgs.org/2006conf/conf-exhibitor-information.htm or contact exhibits co-chair Pat Oxley at pat@theoxleys.com.

About registering for the conference so you won't be left out of the on-site excitement? Just go to the FGS website and register online via the secure site or mail your registration to the FGS Office.

About staying at the conference hotel so that both day and evening you will be close to the action, the people, have a nifty place to drop off purchases, and won't have to be in the middle of rush hour traffic in the city? Call the Boston Sheraton at 1-800-325-3535 to reserve your room and identify yourself as a registrant for the FGS/NEHGS Conference. Don't forget that the conference hotel is conveniently in the same complex as the Hynes Convention Center -- so you don't have to venture outside!

About details on area transportation, hours to pick-up your registration materials, Exhibit Hall hours, area shopping and restaurant info, what clothing to pack and other things? Keep checking this blog at least weekly to get all those details as they are posted over the next 4.5 weeks leading up to the conference.

Already Registered? Need to add a luncheon, banquet, or the Irish Table Quiz?

2006-07-28T13:34:00.000-05:00

Have you already registered for the conference? Maybe you just decided that you would now like to register for a luncheon, the Friday evening banquet or the Irish Table Quiz? We put together step-by-step instructions to do just that online.
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If you saved your registration confirmation e-mail

Open that e-mail message and click on the line that says Click here to view event summary.
On the page that pops up, there is a summary of conference events. At the top of the page is a tab marked My Registration. Click on that tab.
The next page asks for your Confirmation Number. You received that in the e-mailed registration confirmation sent to you. Type the confirmation number in the white box and click OK. ( If you cannot find your number, there is a line on this page that says Click Here if you want your confirmation number e-mailed to you. It will arrive shortly in your e-mail inbox.)
The next page that pops up contains all the information you entered when you registered online. At the top of the page is a button that says Modify – click on that to get the next page.
Click on Next at the bottom of that page after making sure the info on the page is correct.
Further down the page that says "Conference Registrations" at the top, the meal events and workshops are listed. Simply click in the white box following each of the items you wish to add. The ones you had not previously registered for will still have a price next to the white box.
After you have indicated the items to be added to your registration, click on Next at the bottom of the page.
Complete the payment details on this page and then click on Finish at the bottom of the page.

If you did not save that confirmation e-mail

Click on this link: http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=cf3a6d69-d6e1-46c4-8e2f-5af1e5cfe706.
This takes you to the Summary Page and then follow the above instructions beginning with the second bullet.

One more way

Go to the FGS website </">www.fgs.org> and in the yellow box that says FGS/NEHGS 2006 Conference click on Get the Details.
On the page that appears, click on Register Now (right side below the conference logo).
On the page that appears, enter your name and e-mail address that you registered under and click on the word Next.
You will get a page that includes the line "To view or modify or your registration click here."
Then follow the first set of instructions above beginning with the third bullet.

New England on the Program

2006-07-27T08:10:00.000-05:00

If one of the reasons you're attending FGS Boston is your New England roots then put the following speakers on your schedule. Search their names in the conference schedule on the FGS website. The program has an impressive lineup of New England related talks. Read More

Scott Andrew Bartley, editor of the Mayflower Descendant and Vermont Genealogy, is talking about the Mayflower Society and how to join in his Thursday lecture, "The Mayflower Story: It's History, How to Join and Why."

Christopher Child, staff genealogist at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, specializes in New England migrations and Connecticut research. Learn more about "Northeastern Connecticut: A Crossroads of Resources" on Friday.

Marie E. Daly, Director of Library Research at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, is an expert on Irish-Americans in New England. Her lecture, "Researching Irish-American Women," covers the history of Irish female immigration and offers research strategies for finding our Irish-American grandmothers.

David Curtis Dearborn, also of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, is a nationally known genealogist and a Fellow of the Society of American Genealogists. On Thursday he offers a personal perspective on genealogy, "A Genealogist's Journey:Memories of the Past, Predictions for the Future."

This is the first of several installments on local speakers on the program.

Opening Session - The Archivist of the United States

2006-07-24T21:37:00.000-05:00

The opening session of the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference this year is a very special one. This is the 30th opening session, marking a milestone in the Societies history. The documents forming the society were incorporated in Illinois in 1976. They are now kept in the archives of FGS. Archives are very important. They hold the collective history of an organization, of a family, of a town and even a country.

The Federation is proud to announce that one of the keynote speakers of the opening session of this very exciting annual conference to be the Archivist of the United States, Allen Weinstein.

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Mr. Weinstein will be addressing the conference attendees in the topic “The National Archives Vision of the Future and Genealogy” The National Archives of the United States currently has new projects to digitize and create electronic resources and initiatives to keep the nations history in electronic format. The digital age is upon us, and one only has to browse the web, or go to their local genealogical societies website to find digitized records, indexes or family histories to understand the prevalence of these electronic times.

In addition to Mr. Weinstein, the New England Historic Genealogical Society President and CEO D. Brenton Simmons will greet conference goers. Mr. Simmons will inform the audience of NEHGS electronic projects and the NEHGS vision of the future. The Federation is very pleased to have the oldest genealogical society in the country partnering with us to bring you this anniversary conference.

Of course the opening session means the opening of the exhibit hall. Opening of the hall, the place to see the latest and greatest genealogical publications, technologies and exhibits rounds out opening morning activities of what promises to be the most exciting, educational, and eventful genealogical conference in recent memory.

The Federation and NEHGS look forward to having you attend. Please visit the FGS Website at www.fgs.org for conference information, and a registration form. You won’t want to miss the opening session with the Archivist of the United States and all the educational sessions, networking opportunities, exhibit browsing and much more that follows.

Please join us!!

Sue Kaufman
FGS/NEHGS National Conference Co-Chair
The Birthplace of American Genealogy
Boston, MA
Aug 30 – Sep 2, 2006

Another Podcast on Conference Details

2006-07-24T17:24:00.000-05:00

George G. Morgan, one of the speakers at the conference, just let the blog know about the recent podcast on which almost the last 30 minutes of discussion is about the FGS/NEHGS Conference.

On this podcast, the Genealogy Guys talk about the education, the fun, and the networking of the conference and about . . .
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the city of Boston and the area near the Hynes Convention Center. The "Guys" are George Morgan and Drew Smith, who is also a conference speaker.

On the podcast from this past Sunday, 23 July, George interviews Drew about the upcoming conference. Drew is a member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and shares some insider information about the conference.

I just clicked on the link and then on Direct Download and listened to the Podcast on my computer.

Exhibitor: Gateway Press

2006-07-24T11:30:00.000-05:00

Ann Hughes, from Gateway Press, sent this enthusiastic message about the conference:

Boston! The last time I attended a genealogical conference held in Boston, it was a rousing success. That location drew a wealth of positive, intelligent, successful people. I remember how lively that particular conference was: so many people abuzz with interesting projects! Read More

I always love the FGS conferences, as they draw key genealogical hobbyists from all over the country -- some of whom just happen to be my clients! The best part of any genealogy conference for me, is meeting IN PERSON the people I've worked with over the phone or by e-mail. It's always great, too, to see my colleagues in the exhibit hall and rub elbows with the who's who of genealogy, the professionals who give the talks.

But, truth be told – the thing I may be looking forward to the most about Boston is reprising the fabulous lobster dinner I had there with conference friends many years ago.

Gateway Press has been exhibiting at FGS conferences since their inception, and this August will be no exception. I hope you all come by to discuss your upcoming book projects with me or Kate. We'll be in the exhibit hall next to our sister companies, Genealogical Publishing and Clearfield Companies. See you soon.

Ann H. Hughes and Kate Boyer, Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland

Need to rent a wheelchair or scooter for the conference?

2006-07-22T19:16:00.000-05:00

If you need to rent a wheelchair, motorized scooter, or other medical equipment for the conference week, this is the contact information suggested by the concierge at the Boston Sheraton. I spoke with this company and they will deliver to the conference hotel.

Belmont Medical Supply
617-484-3888
www.belmontmedical.com

Updated Conference Grid and Pre-planning

2006-07-22T16:15:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, this blog shared info about the conference program in a grid format that was posted on the FGS Website. Since that time some neat additions have been made and then latest exciting program grid is posted there. The Program Chair, Rhonda McClure, somehow managed to get all those wonderful lecture titles and speakers names into the grid format that conference attendees are accustomed to seeing.
Read More

The updated conference program grid online is for your pre-conference planning. Once you are at the conference you will receive the details on each lecture and in what room and at what time it is being given. There are usually a few last minute changes at any conference so if you have your four conference days preplanned, don't forget to check it against your conference registration materials you will receive at the Hynes Convention Center.

Check back to the FGS website or watch the blog for news on conference updates. Have fun with your planning – and if you haven’t registered, you can still do that at the FGS website!

One More Topic from APG: Stolen Ancestors

2006-07-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

You can still get a ticket to attend this great Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference on August 30 at the FGS conference hotel, the Sheraton Boston, in historic Back Bay Boston. The PMC is designed for professional genealogists and those who are planning to become one. Not sure about attending? Here's what you'll be missing!

"Stolen Ancestors: How to Identify, Reclaim, and Protect"
by James Jeffrey of the Denver Public Library

James may be America's most outrageous librarian. He says "Stolen Ancestors," where you confuse the dead and irritate the living, will cut through the confusion of finding ancestors.
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It will explore methods and tools to facilitate the recovery of ancestors and the ability to distinguish between fact and genealogical fiction. James even might also tell you where to find the best local history and genealogy bookstores in Boston and where to get the best clam chowder in Davis Square!

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your careers.

For more on the Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference that is an exciting, regular part of the FGS Conferences, check out http://www.apgen.org/ and register for this at www.fgs.org.

Check out these previous blog posts about the PMC:
http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/06/
blog-received-this-message-from.html

http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/06/
calling-professional-genealogists.html

http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/06/
apg-pmc-detail-on-one-more-session.html

Don't let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference 30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference Registration http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there.

Kathleen W. Hinckley, CG
Executive Director
Association of Professional Genealogists
PO Box 350998
Westminster, CO 80035
www.apgen.org

Speaker Spotlight: Daniel Lynch

2006-07-16T21:42:00.000-05:00

Title: Immigrant Arrivals through Ellis Island and Castle Garden

Session S-296 (Saturday, Session # 296), 9:00-10:00am
Sponsored by Connecticut Society of Genealogists in the New England Regional Genealogical Conference Track

Sure - many hear the story "my grandmother came through Ellis Island" (or great grandmother, grandfather, or insert ancestors name here). BUT – then you go to find them and either come up empty handed or find yourself looking at 2,000 possible matches due to a common name. There are plenty of tricks which can help tame http://www.ellisisland.org/ (and can also help when searching Ancestry, Heritage Quest, and elsewhere).
Read More including details on how you can receive direct help in this lecture

We'll discuss strategies for expanding and/or narrowing your search, when/why you may need to select one or the other strategy, tricks for extracting more information that first meets the eye, and how this data can be used in conjunction with other sources to tie your family story together. Will also discuss other websites including Castle Garden, Steve Morse, Immigrant Ships, and the Ellis Island site for the American Immigrant Wall of Honor.

NOTE from the speaker: I will accept a limited number of "case study examples" submitted by blog-readers who know they will be in attendance. The only requirement is that you have attempted the search with/without success and are certain the Port of New York was the entry point to the U.S. Include details such as passenger name, any additional info, and how you tried to search and the results. I'll pick 3 or 4 of the best examples to use in my presentation and will hopefully have answers by then (and will bring printed manifests for the submitters at no charge)

Speaker Bio:
I have been actively conducting research for over 25 years and having worked in the computer industry since 1984, have a strength in the overlap of technology with genealogy. I served as VP, Business Development for Ancestry (MyFamily.com) from 1998-2001; then managed the Genealogy.com subsidiary for the A&E Television Networks prior to their sale of that business to Ancestry. For the last 4 years, I have been a marketing and technology consultant and The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation is one of my clients. I directed the effort to relaunch their site in 2004 with a refined navigation, additional site content, and more flexible searching options. In addition, we began accepting corrections for transcription errors.

I'm a CT native of Irish & Italian heritage (with my Italians coming through Ellis and the Irish still managing to hide from view, but likely through Castle Garden). Upon the release of the Castle Garden site in August 2005, I worked with Steven Morse in the few days that followed to develop detailed search tips for castlegarden.org. I've lived in MA and RI, in addition to CT and my site is www.danlynch.net. I was featured on Good Morning America in June 2004 (filmed at Ellis Island), showing how the Internet can be used as a tool for getting started.

The Sponsoring Organization:
The Connecticut Society of Genealogists was formed in 1968 and serves 4,000 members (more than half of whom reside outside the state ). While we do have a specialty emphasis on Connecticut resources, as well as New England and New York, the Society also promotes genealogy in a general sense and sponsors an annual Literary Awards Contest to recognize notable achievements by authors serving the market for genealogy works.

The 2006 Conference Exhibit Hall

2006-07-13T14:25:00.000-05:00

This is the place to browse, learn about, or purchase genealogy and history books (new, used, and rare), genealogy software, genealogical society publications and memberships, professional genealogists, maps, travel, databases, DNA, libraries and archives, ethnic research, self-publishing, genealogy magazines and newsletters (both online and off), historic sites, genealogical education, and hereditary organizations. The list of exhibitors is growing daily. For the list of conference exhibitors check out http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/conf-exhibitors.asp. Whew! I must be sure to bring my checkbook and credit card! If you want to ship your purchases home, that service will be available at the conference.
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The two side-by-side exhibit halls contain almost 76,000 square feet. They are open to the public and, as in many places today, you need to have a photo ID with you for entry into Boston's Hynes Convention Center. Conference registrants should wear their name tag. For conference registrants, a full 30 minutes between sessions gives you time to run to a couple of specific booths to browse or make a purchase. Most registrants plan time for the browsing instead of attending a session or two.

Back in a blog entry on July 5th http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/07/irish-pavilion-exhibit-irish-lectures.html Sue Kaufman talked about the special and gigantic Irish Pavilion area in the Exhibit Hall.

Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, August 31: 9:00 - 6:00 [The Grand Opening of the Hall takes place immediately following the Keynote session that begins at 8:00 a.m.]

Friday, September 1: 9:00 - 5:00

Saturday, September 2: 9:00 - 5:00

Conference Supporters
Three major supporters of this conference will have space in the Exhibit Hall. Make sure you visit the booths for these sponsoring organizations, Ancestry.com, ProQuest Information and Learning, and 1837Online.com, and thank them for supporting the conference.

A Free Research Consultation
A new feature this year is the Ancestors Road Show, being coordinated by the Greater Boston Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Conference registrants will have the chance to sign up on Thursday, August 31st, for no-cost, 15 minute consultations on Friday and Saturday with professional genealogists who are experienced in a variety of research specialties.

Do you want to be a part of the Exhibit Hall?
If you, your business, or organization is interested in exhibiting at the conference you can get details at http://rd.bcentral.com/?ID=4056302&s=82039141 or contact exhibits co-chair Pat Oxley at pat@theoxleys.com.

Genealogical Speakers Guild at the Conference

2006-07-11T21:37:00.000-05:00

Diana Crisman Smith, a Director of the Genealogical Speakers Guild shared the following information for blog readers.

The stated missions of the Genealogical Speakers Guild are:

To provide a unified, effective voice to promote speakers' interests by providing a forum for the discussion of topics of concern to genealogical speakers.
To broaden the speaker base by identifying, educating and assisting promising speakers.
To raise professional lecture standards.
To aid speakers in understanding and fulfilling their obligations to program planners and to audiences.

The FGS/NEHGS Conference in Boston will offer an excellent opportunity for all of these goals through the activities of GSG at the conference.
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First, look for the GSG booth in the Exhibit Hall (booth #313). There you will find a friendly face to answer questions, a display of numerous member brochures showcasing their speaking topics, and other information on GSG.

On Friday there will be a FULL DAY of presentations in the Speakers’ Track. That’s right – five sessions geared toward subjects of interest to current and prospective speakers. You do not need to be a member of GSG to attend these sessions. These five lectures are included in your conference registration fee.

At 9 AM, Sheila Benedict, CG, a charter member of GSG, will get the ball rolling with the first step – preparing a proposal that will let the program committee know that you are qualified to speak. [Session F195 “You Are Invited to Speak… Preparing Effective Proposals”]
Next, Diana Crisman Smith (GSG Director in charge of conference activities) and Debby T. Horton (GSG Webmaster), share their experience in making yourself known – a speaker needs audiences, after all. [Session F214 “HERE I AM – Marketing Yourself Using Print & Digital Media”]
After lunch, George G. Morgan, well-known speaker, author, President of AHA Seminars and immediate past Director of GSG, will charge us up with tips on planning and preparing interesting and informative presentatives. [Session F238 “Planning and Producing a Great Presentation”]
Next Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, another GSG member and past officer of APG, nationally-known for speaking and writing, will get to the realities of the business of speaking ….. show me the money! Since many speakers don’t think about what it really costs to prepare their speeches, Paula will outline how to calculate your true costs and not feel guilty setting fees accordingly. [Session F257 “Setting Realistic Fees for Presenting Genealogical Lectures”]
And to wrap up the day with a look to the future, Drew Smith, GSG member and FGS Board member, will show some of the newest techniques for putting “pizzazz” into your presentations using computer technology. [Session F277 “Using the Latest Presentation Technology to Connect to Your Audience”]

And finally, for Saturday lunch, the Genealogical Speakers Guild and the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors are planning a very special joint luncheon [Session S321]. Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak is well known for her work with the PBS Ancestors series and her writing and speaking (particularly on DNA and Genetic studies). She will be speaking on “Finding Your Voice: Speaking and Writing in the Genealogical World.” Sign up now while there is still space available. Sounds great for $20.00.

The Genealogical Speakers Guild looks forward to seeing you in Boston!

Genealogical Speakers Guild Track Topic by George G. Morgan

2006-07-11T21:27:00.000-05:00

Are you an genealogical instructor or lecturer? Do you need some help with the presentation from planning to delivering? Or maybe you are interested in lecturing and need some sage advice?

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Speaker: George G. Morgan
Topic: Planning and Producing a Great Presentation

Speaker Bio:
George G. Morgan is the president of Aha! Seminars, Inc., a Florida-based company working with library cooperatives and consortia providing continuing education to libraries and their employees, and genealogy consulting services. He has more than 30 years’ speaking and training experience, having been a training manager for both Sears, Roebuck & Company and IBM and then president of his own seminar firm. He is a highly experienced meeting and event planner, a conference and genealogy research trip organizer, and a consultant for libraries’ genealogical collection development planning.

George is a well-respected and sought-after speaker at local, state, national, and international genealogical conferences, and teaches online genealogy class through his company and two genealogical librarianship courses for the National Institute of Genealogical Studies with the University of Toronto.

George’s award-winning weekly genealogy column, "Along Those Lines…” appeared for eight years at Ancestry.com and now at his Web site, http://ahaseminars.com. He is the prolific author of hundreds of articles for magazines, journals, newsletters, and many other genealogical publications in the U.S., Canada, the U.K, Australia, Singapore, and elsewhere. He has written four books, and is at work on The Official Guide to Ancestry.com for MyFamily.com.

He is co-host of the “The Genealogy Guys Podcast” each week at http://genealogyguys.com with partner Drew Smith. This informative and enjoyable program is enjoyed by thousands of genealogists around the world. The podcast is recorded and can be downloaded and enjoyed on- or offline.

George is currently the president of the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors, a director of the Genealogical Speakers Guild, a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the National Genealogical Society, the Society of Genealogists (U.K.), and more than twenty other genealogical societies in the U.S. and the U.K.

George’s Participation at FGS 2006

George will be presenting two programs at the FGS Conference in Boston this year: once for the APG Professional Management Conference and once as part of the Genealogical Speaker’s Guild Track. His presentation for GSG is titled, “Planning and Producing a Great Presentation.” With his many years of training program development and management, George is the ideal person to deliver this topic!

“There are too many people speaking in the genealogical community who’ve had little or no formal training in how to do the job right, says George. “Their skills in developing well-thought-out, informative presentations and effectively delivering them are lacking. In many cases, these are people who have been “put on the spot” by their local society to present a program. In other cases, though, they don’t rehearse their material and/or they don’t know how to overcome their stage fright. The result can be an unsatisfying experience for both the presenter and the audience.”

George believes that all speakers can benefit from training, support, and continuing education in training methods, presentation media and tools, and presentation delivery strategies. “Each topic is unique and has its own needs in the way of content and supporting materials. Likewise, each audience is distinctive in its informational wants and needs, and a smart speaker will always begin by identifying and trying to understand his or her audience.” This is just the beginning of what George will discuss in his presentation in the GSG Track in Boston.

George has been a long-time member of GSG and believes that the support of other speakers in sharing knowledge and skills to be a superior speaker is vitally important for personal and professional growth. You’ll find that George has those skills and is always ready to share his experience with other people. That’s why we know you’ll enjoy and benefit from his presentation in Boston.

One more conference highlight – the FGS Banquet

2006-07-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

Friday evening at the FGS Conference is reserved for the FGS Banquet. For many of the conference attendees, this is a must do event. It is always a special evening and the 2006 banquet has a special element, the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of FGS. The evening is composed of several special parts: Read More

The evening starts with a cash bar reception with sodas, bottled water, wine, beer, and mixed drinks. This is a good hour for networking and swapping lots of laughter-filled stories from the conference. You may come for this hour even if you don’t purchase a ticket to the banquet.

There is always a meaningful after-dinner program and that includes the presentation of several key awards. The Ruth C. Bishop Annual Volunteer Hall of Honor Award recognizes genealogical society volunteers, both present and past, who render valuable service to organizations far and wide. Ruth Bishop, a special friend of both FGS and NEHGS, personally presents the prestigious Living Volunteer Award.

Many things have been invented or first came to common use in Boston, including the telephone, the microwave oven, the pacemaker, the first email and the @ sign, the instant camera, the use of anesthesia to make surgery possible, the first World Series of baseball, the mutual fund, smallpox inoculation, and baby formula. The Massachusetts constitution is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world, written by John Adams in 1780. And of course we have the famous 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the first free black regiment in the Union Army and immortalized in the film Glory. Actors from the Boston History Collaborative will be presenting vignettes about famous Boston inventions. The evening promises to be very interesting, entertaining, and informative. For more on the History Collaborative visit their website, www.bostonhistorycollaborative.org.

Several people have asked what to wear to the banquet. A wide range of wearing apparel will be seen there. Most people wear something close to their Sunday best or at least business casual. Over the last few years more people have been dressing up in fancier clothes as well.

For details about the conference program and banquet tickets visit www.fgs.org. Conference registrants can add banquet tickets at any time by following the link in their confirmation email. Want to bring a guest to dinner? Registrants can purchase as many tickets to the banquet as they like and bring their whole family!

Conference program in a grid format is online

2006-07-06T15:50:00.000-05:00

Did you know that the FGS website has the conference program available in a grid format? Check it out at http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/gridbrochure.pdf.

This version gives you a chance to compare sessions at any given hour. I love the colors! As I read through the grid, I get more excited about the conference. I love all the unique lectures, the variety of the sponsoring organizations, and the voices from so many research repositories. It truly is an International conference.

There are now 4 Irish tracks and more details about that will be on the grid soon. Check back to the website or watch the blog for news on updates.

Have fun with your planning – and if you haven’t registered, you can still do that at the FGS website!

Irish Pavilion Exhibit / Irish Lectures

2006-07-05T22:53:00.000-05:00

The Irish are coming; the Irish are coming to Boston!!!

A special area in the exhibit hall and 4 tracks of the conference are set-aside especially for the Irish. We are very excited to announce the Irish Pavilion area. This irish exhibit area, anchored by Ordinance Survey Ireland will be THE place to be for Irish exhibits, resources and information on Irish Family History.

Ordinance Survey Ireland is national mapping authority of Ireland. They have created a computer database of over 40,000 maps that were used for the taxation system in Ireland for land valuation beginning in 1842. They are unveiling this exciting database at the FGS/NEHGS conference. Read More

The last map was published in 1847, which means this exciting resource can be used for pre-famine research. The famine occurred from 1846-1850, and these 1700 maps help to identify some of those that might of immigrated to North America.

The Federation is proud to be the launch conference for Ordinance Survey Ireland. Be sure to stop by and see this very exciting resource, talk to staff from OSI, learn more about the maps, and find your ancestors land!!

Other Irish vendors included in this special Irish Pavilion include: Eneclann, Archive CD Books Ireland, Irish Origins, Irish Family History Foundation, Armagh Ancestry, Failte Ireland, The Irish Ancestral Research Association, and National Archives of Ireland…plus many more!!!

There are sponsored Irish lectures by TIARA (The Irish Ancestral Research Association – http://www.tiara.ie/links.html) that include: Irish Birth/Marriage and Death Records, Ireland in the 18th Century, Kenneth Whelan; Session on sources in both the National Archives and the National Library of Ireland, the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, specific county sources, Irish Estate Papers and a special workshop on Irish Valuation Records (a separate fee will be charged for this). Download the full TIARA track information at: http://tiara.ie/TIARAFGSProgram.pdf

And for further information about the conference and a full schedule visit the Federation of Genealogical Societies website at www.fgs.org

Boston is Irish, and the FGS/NEHGS will be the place to find your Irish roots!!!

Sue Kaufman

Workshops Filling Up

2006-07-04T11:11:00.000-05:00

A number of hands-on workshops are being offered as part of the conference, and they are proving very popular. Two workshops on land-platting by Patricia Law Hatcher have sold out. Identifying and Preserving Family Photographs with Maureen Taylor and David Mishkin is also full. You can get on a waiting list to enter these sessions in the event someone cancels their registration.

Other workshops are also available at the conference, Read More

but space is filling quickly so register for these sessions soon! Wendy Bebout Elliott and Shelia Benedict will give hands-on instruction, tips, and techniques for interviewing family members in Using Oral History to Enhance Your Genealogy. Noted Irish specialists John Grenham and George Handran are offering three workshops on Irish Valuation Records. These workshop will cover the information collected as the basis for Griffith’s Valuation such as Field Books, House (Rent) Books, Perambulation Books, and Griffith's Maps; Griffith’s Valuation Original Volumes and Amended or Corrected Volumes; Instructions to the Valuators; and Cancellation Books.

Register now at www.fgs.org for these workshops before they sell out completely!

Ten Hours Left to Save $30.00

2006-07-01T13:44:00.000-05:00

As I post this, there are just over ten hours remaining to take advantage of the discount registration for the FGS Conference. Register online (or with a postmark of today, July 1st) before the clock turns over to Sunday, July 2nd -- and you will save $30.00.

If you need some more convincing, read the posting below this one and listen to a podcast the will energize you to register.

Enthusiastic audio interview with Michael Leclerc, Conference Co-Chair

2006-07-01T12:51:00.000-05:00

Dick Eastman just let the blog know that his podcast interview with Michael Leclerc, co-chair of the FGS/NEHGS Conference, is available through Dick's online newsletter. I just listened to the podcast on my computer and it is jam-packed with conference details, info on special workshops, a few teasers about special things happening at the conference,the amenities in the area, and a lot more.

It is well-done and will definitely convince you further about the benefits of attending this conference. I am already going to the conference and have been involved with the conference committee over the last few years and the interview still got me more enthused about the conference.

It is easy to access via Dick Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter.

The APG PMC - Lecture from Professional Genealogist Eileen O'Duill from Ireland

2006-07-01T00:10:00.000-05:00

Professional genealogists practice their profession around the globe. APG is fortunate to have a PMC speaker from Dublin, Ireland who will tell registrants about International Probate Research.

You still have today (July 1) to register early (and get a member discount) for the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference in Boston on August 30. This event is a special part of the FGS/NEHGS Conference and will be held at the Conference hotel (Sheraton) in historic Back Bay Boston.

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Not sure about attending the PMC? Here's one session you'll be missing!

The Role of the 21st Century Genealogist in International Probate Research

by Eileen M. O’Duill, CG, CGL, of Dublin, Ireland

"In your professional opinion, based on the exhaustive research you have carried out, what living persons, have you identified as the rightful next of kin?" At some point in your career, you may be asked this question. Professional genealogists have become increasing involved in the process of "heir locating" particularly in intestate matters. Identifying the nearest next of kin and documenting their relationship to the deceased requires research skills and determination particularly in international cases. The genealogist completes the research, identifies the rightful heirs, prepares the required documentation and is often asked to provide expert testimony."

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your careers. Don’t let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference 30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference. Registration discounts through July 1. Check the APG website for more details.

Hope to see you there.

Dick Robinson

Amtrak Discount for FGS/NEHGS Conference

2006-06-29T17:38:00.000-05:00

Love riding trains? Planning on attending the Federation of Genealogical Societies / New England Historic Genealogical Society conference “Birthplace of American Genealogy” in Boston, MA August 30 – September 2, 2006?

Well, now you can combine the two! Amtrak is offering a 10% discount on the lowest available fare to Boston, MA between August 27 – September 5, 2006.
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Travel dates are approved for three days before the conference and three days after so you can do research at some of the finest repositories in the area including NEHGS and the Boston Public Library.

To book your reservation call FGS travel agent Nancy Mettes at (800) 999-6101 or email her at nancy.mettes@damartravel.com. Tell her you would like to make your reservation for the FGS/NEHGS conference in Boston, MA. She will be happy to help you with your travel plans. If you plan to travel by air, Nancy is available to assist you with that reservation, also.

Additionally, you may call Amtrak directly at (800) 872-7245. Convention travel may not be booked on the Internet. Please remember to mention the fare code X18L-966 when making your reservation.

Fare is valid on Metroliner and Acela service for all departures seven days a week, except for holiday blackouts. Offer valid with Sleepers, Business Class or First Class seats with payment of full applicable accommodation charges. This offer is not valid on Auto Train.

Let’s go Training to Boston!!!

Sue Kaufman
FGS/NEHGS Conference Co-Chair

More things to add to your conference week calendar

2006-06-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

The Boston Globe online edition of today had a neat set of images and descriptions for the "best tourist attractions in Boston." A quick visit to this site will be helpful to both local residents and those of you who will be traveling to Boston from other places. I saw a couple of things I still want to do in Boston.

July 1st is getting closer!

2006-06-29T17:15:00.000-05:00

Only two days left to take advantage of the early registration discount for the FGS/NEHGS Conference. July 1st is the last day to save $30.00 with your online or postmarked registration. There is so much to choose from at this conference. Whether you live in New England, the Midwest, the Canadian province of New Brunswick or Quebec, in County Kerry, Ireland, or just outside of London, England -- this conference has something related to your own search for ancestral information. Check out the program listing at the FGS Website.

As Maureen Taylor says in the posting below this one, start your planning now for your days at the conference.

Getting Serious about FGS

2006-06-29T12:49:00.000-05:00

If you've already registered for FGS Boston it's time to get serious about planning. If you haven't signed-up yet, hurry up or you'll miss out on all the fun.Four days -- full of networking, lectures, vendors, and so much more.
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Pick a Topic

FGS Boston offers an unprecented of number of lectures and an expansive exhibit hall. In order to see and hear as much as possible, make an itinerary for each day. Start with the FGS conference website.

Find out which companies will have booths in the exhibit hall by clicking on the Exhibitors tab at the top of the screen. You can scroll through an alphabetical list of vendors.
Click on the Conference Information link under the logo and start picking and choosing your options. For instance, got a favorite lecturer? Click on Speakers to see a list of names, their lectures and times. If you are particularly interested in a topic use the drop-down menu under Agenda to select one and see what's being offered.
Interested in everything? Click on a day to explore the listings.

You'll need a calendar or chart to keep track of what you've chosen. Just make sure you leave time in your busy schedule for the luncheons and to chat with other researchers.

Exhibitor: Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter

2006-06-26T16:55:00.000-05:00

Dick Eastman provided the blog with this expanded detail about his newsletter and EOGN's presence in the Exhibit Hall at the conference.

Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter is a daily online publication with over 25,000 subscribers worldwide. The newsletter provides reviews of new genealogy products, the latest genealogy business news, technical articles about how to get more from your computer, information on how to save money, announcements of upcoming genealogy events around the world, audio interviews ("podcasts") with expert genealogists and industry leaders, and much more.

Newsletter author Dick Eastman and editor Pam Cerutti will be at the conference to meet subscribers and to demonstrate the newsletter's many services to everyone.

One week left to save $30.00!

2006-06-24T16:39:00.000-05:00

July 1st is just a week away. If you register by July 1st (postmark date or securely online at www.FGS.org) you save $30.00 ($155.00 fee vs. $185.00 after that date and at the door) off the full conference registration fee. That fee pays for four full days of genealogical and historical education. Single day registration is also available.
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For easy and secure on-line registration go to the FGS Webite.

What will you do with the $30.00 savings? Check out the conference meal events and sign up for at least one of them. Then look at the long list of vendors already signed up for the Exhibit Hall. A genealogist never lacks for a place to spend money.

Exhibitor: Fun Stuff for Genealogists, Inc.

2006-06-24T16:23:00.000-05:00

We have asked exhibitors to share more about what you will find at their booth space in the Exhibit Hall at the conference. The Exhibit Hall in the Hynes Convention Center will be open on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of the conference.

Bev Peterson from Fun Stuff for Genealogists, Inc. sent this:
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Fun Stuff for Genealogists will be bringing lots and lots of their over 500 "fun and useful" goodies for genealogists. The newest items include a "My Genealogy Stuff" zip pencil pouch, a wine bottle opener, and the hottest item to hit genealogy "Tag-Alongs" a pack of cards designed specifically for you to add your ancestors photos and vital data and carry with you to libraries or to family reunions where people just can't read a pedigree chart. You can see these and all of their products on their Fun Stuff for Genealogists website.

Visit the "Fun Stuff" web site before the FGS conference and get your shopping list ready ahead of time!

Calling Professional Genealogists

2006-06-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

One of the important parts of the FGS Conferences is the Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference. This year it takes place on the first day of the FGS/NEHGS Conference, August 30th. It does require an extra fee and registrants for the PMC receive an additional syllabus devoted to the professional genealogy lectures at the PMC. For some more details on the PMC, check out the APG Website at www.apgen.org and register online at www.fgs.org

Donna Moughty, PMC Chair, and Dick Robinson, who is in charge of publicity for the PMC, sent this message for the blog: Read More

You still have until July 1 to register early (and get a APG member discount) for the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference in Boston on August 30.

Not sure about attending? Here's an example of what you'll be missing!

"Print on Demand - A Publishing Option for Genealogists" by Birdie Monk Holsclaw, CG, FUGA, and Jake Gehring.

Learn about "print-on-demand," a recently developed technology which can offer new publishing and marketing options for the professional genealogist. This presentation will discuss the advantages and disadvantages, and give real-life examples showing the variety of printed materials you can create with relative ease and flexibility.

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in your careers.

Boston Harbor is the next port on your voyage toward a successful genealogical career. Don’t let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists Professional Management Conference 30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies conference Registration discounts until July 1 http://apgen.org/conferences/index.html

Hope to see you there.

[From the editor: no, they won’t let us have the PMC sessions in the actual harbor!We will be in real classrooms like the rest of the FGS Conference.]

Only two weeks till the July 1st discount deadline

2006-06-17T09:27:00.000-05:00

As of June 17, just two weeks remain till the Saturday, July 1st discount registration deadline (postmarked by July 1st or online) that saves you $30.00 off the full conference registration fee of $185.00. Why not register now for just $155.00 (U.S.) to attend four full days of genealogical and historical education? Read More

The Conference Committee looks forward to welcoming you to this event. Why not join the fantastic numbers of genealogists, historians, archivists, librarians, editors, volunteers, and others from a variety of states and countries who have already registered? The FGS website has an updated list of all the vendors and organizations that have already reserved space in the Exhibit Hall.

Don’t forget: save $30.00 if you register by or on July 1st.

Wednesday Luncheons

2006-06-16T19:30:00.000-05:00

Wednesday, August 30th Luncheons

Networking Luncheon
No speaker, just a great opportunity to eat with other genealogists and talk about our favorite subject, genealogy. (Session W-35)

Federation of Genealogical Societies Delegate Luncheon and Caucus
Join FGS member society delegates as we report in on the activities of the Federation's members. All delegates are welcome to share their stories and learn tips and strategies from each other. (Session W-36)

International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists Luncheon
Speaker:John Philip Coletta, PhD
What the Old Records Really Say: The Fun and Challenge of Understanding Archaic English (Session W-37A)

Thursday Luncheons

2006-06-16T19:27:00.000-05:00

Thursday, August 31st Luncheons

International Society for British Genealogy and Family History Luncheon
Speaker: Sherry Irvine, CG, FSA(Scot)
So Many Joneses: Names, Numbers, and the Triumph of the Welsh (Session T-106)

New England Historic Genealogical Society Luncheon
Speaker: D. Brenton Simons
Silly, Appalling, and Amusingly Absurd True Stories from NEHGS (Session T-107)

The Irish Ancestral Research Association Luncheon
Speaker: Gregory O'Connor
Some Proposals for Irish/USA/Canadian Genealogical Cooperation (Session T-108)

USGenWeb Luncheon
Speaker: Chuck Knuthson
Ten Years Later - The USGenWeb Project: A Valuable Research Resource (Session T-109)

Friday Luncheons

2006-06-16T19:17:00.000-05:00

Friday, September 1, 2006

Allen County Public Library Luncheon
Speaker: Curt B. Witcher
The Future of the Past: Realities and Responsibilities (Session F-197)

Board for Certification of Genealogists Luncheon
Speaker: Birdie Monk Holsclaw, CG, FUGA
Murphy's Law in Genealogy (Session F-198)

Genealogical Society of Utah Luncheon
Genealogical Society of Utah (Session F-199)

New York Genealogical & Biographical Society Luncheon
Speaker: Lauren Maehrlein
Adventures in New York Research (Session F-200)

Saturday Luncheons

2006-06-16T19:10:00.000-05:00

Saturday, September 2, 2006

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Luncheon
Speaker: Charles Martin
Black History to Find My Family History: The Early Life and Times of the H.B. Moss Family (Session S-287)

Association of Professional Genealogists Luncheon
Speaker: Constance Potter
The National Archives: What Would George III Think of Us Now? (Session S-288)

Genealogical Speakers Guild and International Society of Family History Writers and Editors Luncheon
Speaker: Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak
Finding Your Voice: Speaking and Writing in the Genealogical World (Session S-289)

National Genealogical Society Luncheon
Speaker: Buford J. Suffridge, Jr.
Was Grandpa Really Grandpa? (Session S-290)

Chocolate Chip Cookies and FREE Internet Access

2006-06-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

This past Monday, I spent some time looking around the Sheraton in Boston again. This time the conference Audio-Visual chair, Josh Taylor, accompanied me. In the coming weeks the blog will carry more on the conference hotel, its many amenities, and the attached shopping mall. I couldn't decide which was more important, cookies or FREE access to my e-mail -- the cookies won out and get first billing.
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Chocolate chip cookies in Boston
Did you know you can check the Boston Globe newspaper online? Under the A&E (Arts & Entertainment) tab, there is a link to Food – and on the left hand side of that screen you can click on to Message Boards. One recent topic was “Best Bakery for Chocolate Chip Cookies” and an oft-recommended place was Paradise Bakery in the Prudential Center, part of the complex where the Hynes Convention Center and the Sheraton Boston are located.

Free Internet access at the conference hotel
For those of you who are bringing your laptop computer to the conference, I hope you have a wireless card installed. In the hotel lobby and in some other public areas in the hotel, you can access the internet at NO charge every hour of the day! If you are a fan of Starbucks, you might want to sip a latte at its location in the hotel lobby, open up your computer, and check your e-mail for free. (No, the latte is not free.) As if that isn’t enough, there are also several computers in the lobby for guest use in going online. Of course, we each had to test the system for you and happily report we were able to check our e-mail while there. In your hotel room, Internet access is 9.95 a day.

Just 21 days left!

2006-06-10T21:30:00.000-05:00

July 1st is quickly approaching. That is the conference registration deadline which will provide you with a $30.00 discount off the full registration fee. Of course you can register after that - but to save the $30.00 be sure to have your mailed registration postmarked no later than July 1st or register online by July 1st.

FGS has been hearing from a lot of people lately -- registration is booming and we look forward to seeing you, too! Don't let the early deadline slip away. Check out the details and register online at the FGS website.

Lecture on Professional Speaking

2006-06-07T09:29:00.000-05:00

The blog received this message from Richard F. Robinson, CG, who is in charge of publicity for the Association of Professional Genealogists' Professional Management Conference (APG PMC). The PMC is held annually at the Federation of Genealogical Societies'conference and this year it is being held on Wednesday, August 30th. To attend the PMC you must also be registered for the FGS/NEHGS Conference. Future editions of the blog will carry more details on the exciting PMC presentations.
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For additional details on the PMC and a list of all the speakers and their presentations, visit the APG website.

You still have until July 1 to register early and get discounts for both the FGS conference and the APG PMC. Visit the FGS Website for registration details. Not sure about attending the PMC? Here's just one example of what you'll be missing!

Speaking!
by George G. Morgan

Professional speaking is a business venture, just like performing professional research for clients, writing, training, and other genealogical ventures. It requires development of the right presentation for the audience(s) you will be addressing. However, it is essential that you consider the cost components of speaking as a part of your business. Learn more in this presentation at the APG-PMC about successfully incorporating speaking into your professional services portfolio.

Professional genealogists and those considering a new career will also hear
nine other great presentations. Nowhere else will you find the information
and networking opportunities that can help you achieve, prosper, and grow in
your careers.

Don't let the ship sail without you.

The Association of Professional Genealogists
Professional Management Conference
30 August 2006 in Boston at the Federation of Genealogical Societies'conference
Registration discounts until July 1

Hope to see you there.
Dick Robinson

Spotlight on Speaker Marcia Iannizze Melnyk

2006-06-04T10:34:00.000-05:00

In New England genealogical circles, Marcia Melnyk is a popular and well-known lecturer. She teaches beginning and advanced genealogy classes. She is also the author of The Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research (Fourth Edition) (NEHGS, 1999), The Weekend Genealogist: Timesaving Techniques for Effective Research(Family Tree Books, 2000), The Genealogist's Question and Answer Book(Family Tree Books, 2002) and Family History 101(Family Tree Books, 2005).

Read More on Marcia and her lecture

In addition, Melnyk is a founding member of the Italian Genealogical Society of America. At FGS Boston you can hear her talk about Italian research. It's a topic she knows well. She visited Italy, reconnected with family and had fun in the archives. Here's what she had to say about her lecture.

Italian Genealogical Research

Researching your Italian ancestors can be a challenging but very rewarding venture. You must learn everything you can about the family on this side of the Atlantic before you can "jump the pond" and research in the Italian records. This lecture covers a brief history of the Italian Civil and Church Records as well as the unique records available to today's researchers. Once you get into the Italian records you will be amazed at the completeness of the information provided on a simple civil record. We will also discuss the handwriting, format, and nuances to these records. Many examples and tips will be provided to help you successfully accumulate your Famiglia di Italia!

Additional Hotel Rooms for the FGS/NEHGS 2006 Conference

2006-06-01T22:30:00.000-05:00

FGS has just increased the room block at the conference hotel, the Sheraton Boston, due to popular request.

If you haven’t made your reservations yet, now is the time to do so. The conference hotel rate is almost 60% off the regular room rate at this hotel. You can find details about the conference, including program and registration information as well as contact information about the Sheraton Boston, at www.fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm

The Role of the Genealogical Society in the 21st Century

2006-05-27T22:59:00.000-05:00

Speaker: Jana Sloan Broglin, CG

This lecture shows different ways of getting your society's name out to the public. Examples of the Ohio Genealogical Society's website, images of the Award Winning Ohio Genealogical Society Newsmagazine as well as the OGSQ (Ohio Genealogical Society Quarterly), member benefits and society benefits, plus awards is discussed. Many societies "blame" the internet for a loss in membership. In 2005, OGS gained 200 new members putting membership over 6,000. . .
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Speaker Bio:

Jana says: My family has lived in Fulton County, Ohio, for 156 years, which is good since the county wasn't formed until 156 years ago! I first got interested in family history on March 3, 1960. Not many people can actually pinpoint the date of their passion with genealogy, but I can. My mother (whose birthday was March 3) and I were looking at the "minutes" from the Brailey family reunion on March 3. Looking at the dates, we discovered my mother's maternal grandmother was born March 3, 1860, precisely 100 years to the day earlier. It was quite a surprise as my mom never knew she was born on her grandmother's birthday. I was hooked.

Family history seemed real to me. My maternal grandmother (Lou Kennedy Beard) was one of six sisters known in town as the Kennedy Girls. Their stories intrigued of early girls high school sports to making too many pancakes. In high school, I was fascinated with American History. Since I had the knowledge of my own family on the Kennedy side going back to the American Revolution, I could see the role my family played in the developing of the country.

Genealogy was put on hold during my college years. In 1970, I began dating my future husband; marriage, a daughter, and life in general had me doing my own research sporadically. (Our daughter married in 2000 and our family grew again in 2004 with the birth of our grandson). [Editor’s note – Jana just might share a picture of the grandson if you twist her arm!]

By 1980, our local genealogical society was formed. I made the "mistake" of attending. I was hooked all over again. In 1984, I received an appointment to the board of the Ohio Genealogical Society, staying on the board (except for a few years) since that time. Through the Ohio Genealogical Society, I have been conference chair, query editor, bylaws review chair and district trustee serving six counties in northwest Ohio. In 2002 I was elected to the Federation of Genealogical Societies board and am now FGS Vice President of Membership.

I've been speaking at national genealogical societies since 2003, but have traveled in different states presenting programs. It is rewarding to see the "light bulb" go on over an attendees head as they have the "I got it!" look.

In November 2000, I received the award as "Kentucky Colonel" for books published on Kentucky's early wills and estates. My main love is still the researching in the courthouses and libraries. This drive led me to apply and receive my certification (BCG) in November 2005.

And to think, it all began with stories my grandma told me.

FGS/NEGHS Conference Registration Early Discount Deadline

2006-05-25T18:30:00.000-05:00

Thirty seven days
37 days
Just over five weeks

No matter how you put it, the deadline for the early registration discount for this conference is inching closer. As of May 25th, the deadline is just thirty-seven days away. If you register (postmarked or online) by July 1st, you save $30.00 off the full registration price.

It is easy to register online at the FGS Website. The site includes

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lists of speakers and lecture titles, including on which day each is presented. This site also includes details of luncheons and banquets which are an exciting part of each FGS Conference. These do require an extra fee per meal and seasoned conference goers know they need to register for several of these meals. The site also has details on the conference hotel, travel agent, and other helpful information.

As speakers provide FGS with extended details on a lecture or luncheon talk, along with some more biographical information, these are posted on this blog. This is a neat way to gain more insight into the topic, the speaker’s expertise, and to be wowed at the backgrounds of the speakers we will be fortunate to hear later this summer. The blog is also the place to check as the weeks move nearer to the conference for additional details and suggestions for conference registrants. There is no charge to check this blog or to skim over the months of postings dating back to last September. (See Archives connections in the right hand column of this page.)

If you have any questions, please contact:

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG
FGS/NEHGS Conference National Publicity Chair

or the FGS Office at fgs-office@fgs.org

Volunteer at the FGS Conference

2006-05-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

Volunteer for the 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference

No annual conference can occur with the assistance of volunteers, and we need your help to make this event a success. Volunteers will be needed to stuff bags, staff the registration booth and hospitality table provide directions, and myria other tasks. You can even volunteer while attending sessions as a room monitor!

Volunteers are sought for the following shifts:

Tuesday, August 29
10:00 a.m., Stuffing Registration Packets
3:00-7:00 p.m., Registration Booth
3:00-6:00 p.m., Hospitality Desk

Wednesday, August 30 - Saturday, September 2
Registration Booth, Hospitality and Corridor Desk, Exhibition Hall Entrance
7:00-8:45 a.m.
8:45-10:00 a.m.
10:00-1:45 p.m.
1:30-3:15 p.m.
3:15-6:00 p.m.

Room monitors are necessary for every lecture throughout the confrence. Volunteers may register for a single shift or a block of time. They may choose to work in the same location for the duration, or in several different areas.

For more information or to volunteer, please contact NEHGS/FGS volunteer coordinator Susan Rosefsky at susanr@nehgs.org or 617-226-1276.

Spotlight on Local Speakers: Cherry Fletcher Bamberg

2006-05-19T11:40:00.000-05:00

As the editor of Rhode Island Roots, the journal of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society, Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, is always on the look-out for stories from the Ocean State. . .

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She's the author/editor of many books and articles on Rhode Island including The Diary of Capt. Samuel Tillinghast of Warwick, Rhode Island, 1757-1766 (RIGS, 2000).

Her lecture on the 1774 Colonial Census of Rhode Island, "People of Color at Warwick RI in 1774: Putting Names to the Numbers" is on Saturday (S-318). She'll discuss her techniques for identifying people of color in Warwick prior to the Revolution and tell the tales of Sampson Spywood, Fora Barton, Prosper Gorton, Tamar Rice and Newport Wickes among others.

Update on the Conference Hotel

2006-05-18T18:35:00.000-05:00

Michael J. Leclerc, Conference Co-Chair of 2006 FGS/NEHGS has an update on the host hotel, the Boston Sheraton

The 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference, Birthplace of American Genealogy, is attracting participants from all over the world. Just a note to let you know that the overall room block at the conference hotel is almost full and that the block for Tuesday and Wednesday is already full. But there is good news . . .
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We are working to increase the number of rooms that will be available, and hope to have that in place over the next couple of days. It was completely unexpected that we would fill up this quickly and will let you all know as soon as we can about the availability of additional room nights. On the plus side, it is kind of nice to have the problem of so many people booking into the conference hotel. :-)

The Sheraton Boston at 39 Dalton Street is the conference hotel. It is conveniently attached to the Hynes Convention Center through the Shops at Prudential Center. The conference registration, lecture halls, and the Exhibit Hall will all be in the Hynes Convention Center. All of the meal events for the conference will be held at the Sheraton. Rooms are $159 per night for single/double and $40 per night for each additional person. This is an incredible savings over the regular room rate of $299 per night.

To make a reservation, contact the Sheraton at 617-236-2000. Be sure to identify yourself as part of the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2006 Conference to get the discount.

For more information about the conference and to register online, visit the 2006 conference section on the FGS Website.

The Backgrounds of Conference Speakers

2006-05-11T18:27:00.000-05:00

This afternoon I decided to read through the bios of the 2006 FGS/NEHGS conference speakers at www.fgs.org. The diversity and breadth of the education, occupations, expertise, interests, and volunteerism is astounding. Reading these is a bit like peeking into their lives. A rather quick tally of these limited-word bios shows: . . .

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More than a dozen currently work full-time in the archival field
Another dozen or so work full-time in the field of history
Almost twenty work professionally as librarians
Over sixty are authors, editors, and/or writers in the fields of history and genealogy and some in other areas of interest
Almost fifty are genealogical educators as teachers and/or lecturers

The degrees speakers have earned encompass history, engineering, veterinary medicine, photography, technology, law, geography, mathematics, library science, and other disciplines. A large number of these have earned advanced degrees. You will get to hear from college professors, high school teachers, law enforcement specialists, software developers, website creators, world travelers, research tour leaders, manuscript collection curators, political advisors, business administration specialists, professional genealogists and many with extensive expertise in technology.

I have a bit of a disclaimer on these tallies – I included personal knowledge of the interests and occupations of some of the speakers for these tallies. In a future blog posting we will look at the ethnic interests, places of residence, genealogy professionals, and a few other areas. This is an impressive group of people that we are privileged to have sharing their expertise at this conference.

Finding Other Topics of Speakers

2006-05-04T23:05:00.000-05:00

It's easy to check which other lectures are being presented by the speakers featured on this blog.

Check the FGS website for these and for details on the other speakers and lectures. Click on the FGS Conferences tab and when you get to the page for the 2006 Conference scroll, down below the conference logo to find the links to conference and program information. This is also the place for easy and secure online registration.

Does the conference logo intrigue you? Check out its significance on the September blog archives. Simply click on the archives link located in the right-hand column of the blog page you are currently reading. (September 28th posting.)

Death and Burial, Peasant Ireland in the 19th Century

2006-05-04T22:57:00.000-05:00

Speaker: Seán S. Ò’Dùill, B.A., H.Dip.

The traditions of the West of Ireland were not exceptional. Many of these traditions were shared throughout Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries and were part of a wider western European tradition. Some of the topics Sean will cover in his talk are:
- Importance of subject , Cult of the dead
- Animism, Pagan, Fairy, Supernatural
- Social purpose and disease prevention . . .

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- Signs of impending death, reading the mind of God or the Augaries
- The wake: respect and disrespect, wake games and hooleys
- The funeral, digging the grave, the "Hungry Grass"
- Three steps for mercy

Sean told the blog that his lecture is in English with contributions in the Hiberno-English as spoken in Louisburgh, County Mayo. He learned this form of English at his grandparents' knees. [For more on the Hiberno-English check Wikipedia]

Speaker Bio:

Sean O'Duill is a fluent Irish speaker from Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. He teaches in St. Declan's College, Cabra, Dublin and has published many articles in Irish and English on various aspects of Irish Folklore. He first lectured to genealogists and family historians at the 4th Irish Genealogical Congress in Trinity College Dublin. He lectured for the first time in America at the Irish Seminar sponsored by NEHGS in 2003. In 2004, he presented 3 folklore lectures to the International Genealogical Festival in Sligo.

He has been a speaker at the NGS Research trips to Ireland 1999-2002, New England Historic and Genealogical Society Research trips 2002-2003, and most recently was a featured speaker for the TIARA 2005 research trip to Dublin. In 2005 Sean was the keynote speaker at the National Genealogical Society Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Many in the audience were not of Irish descent, but they thoroughly enjoyed his presentation on matchmaking and marriage traditions.

The source of Sean's research is the 1937 Irish Folklore Commission School Project which was designed to gather and preserve the richness of Irish folklore through school children of 12 to 14 years. By interviewing their grandparents and neighbors in the parish, they were able to reach back to just after the famine period and record the treasures of their elders. Sean declares himself to be "of the folk" and as he is from within the tradition, he can bring to life the voices of the children, their ancestors and ours.

Sean's career as an educator of adults is developing while his career as teacher of high school students has just ended with his retirement. This next phase of his life will probably lead him to many places in Ireland, the U.S., Canada, and the wider world wherever there are Irish descendants keen to learn more about the lives their Irish ancestors lead and to understand the many traditions they brought from Ireland to their new countries.

Researching Irish Genealogy: Planning is the Key to Success

2006-05-02T16:59:00.000-05:00

Speaker: Eileen M. Ò’Dùill, CG, CGL

Eileen shared some extended info about her lecture for blog readers:
This lecture is designed to help researchers who have already familiarized themselves with the records available through their local Family History Centers. Resources in Ireland which will bring you to the next level will be discussed. The preparatory research necessary before embarking for Ireland and advice on the best use of time while in Ireland will be reviewed. Handy hints, gathered from experienced American researchers in Ireland will be shared.

Her "insider's guide" to repositories and resources in Ireland will . . .

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map out an effective research strategy and avoid the most commonly made mistakes. All of the major Dublin repositories will be discussed particularly the free Genealogical Advisory Services in the National Library and National Archives. An update on changes in the General Register Office in Dublin will be provided as well as a discussion of what they have planned for researcher access now that the computerization is nearly complete.

Speaker Bio:

Eileen Ò’Dùill, (nee O'Sullivan) was raised in Queens, New York, one of 7 children of Irish parents. She obtained a B.A. in history from Emmanuel College, Boston and an M.A. in history from New York University. In 1974, she followed her heart to Ireland where she met and married Sean O'Duill. Sean is a Mayo man with a great love for the Irish language. [Also a conference speaker and his bio will be posted soon on this blog.]

The Ò’Dùill's have 5 Irish speaking children: Rita, a secondary school teacher, Caitlin a primary school teacher, Sorcha a medical doctor, Sean, a post-graduate student at National University of Ireland at Maynooth and Laura, a Leaving Certificate (high school) student.

Eileen was fortunate in 1991 when she was able to turn a lifelong hobby into a business providing a professional genealogical research service. Being an American living in Ireland has enabled her to have a unique perspective on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and an understanding of her fellow countrymen in their quest for their Irish heritage.

Eileen has lectured at Federation of Genealogical Societies conferences in Ontario, California (2002) and in Orlando Florida (2003). She has also spoken at National Genealogical Society Conferences in Richmond, Virginia, Providence Rhode Island, Milwaukee Wisconsin, and Nashville, Tennessee.

Eileen has been a guest on several Irish Radio shows including the Gay Byrne Radio Show, Liveline and Family Tree. In 2000, Eileen co-authored Irish Civil Registration- Where Do I Begin? with Steven ffeary Smyrl and is recognized as an expert on the General Register Office. She has been admitted as expert genealogical witness at kinship hearings in the Surrogate Courts of New York State between 1991-2005.

Luncheon: National Genealogical Society

2006-04-21T17:27:00.000-05:00

Saturday, September 2, Luncheon sponsored by the National Genealogical Society (NGS)

Speaker: Buford J. Suffridge, Jr.

Was Grandpa Really Grandpa?
This talk will not be about the science of DNA, but will give a brief overview explaining how DNA can be utilized as another aid in genealogical research; yet it is not a panacea as many believe. He will share some historical examples of its use in a few high profile (and one personal) cases. . .

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The presentation will be accompanied by PowerPoint visuals. He has previously made the presentation to several genealogical societies and other audiences.

Buford shared this aim for his luncheon talk, "I will make this an entertaining, as well as informative, talk and look forward to giving the presentation." As a science major, he has literally studied the DNA structure practically since it was discovered in 1954, and finds this "new science" combining DNA and genealogy absolutely fascinating.

Speaker Bio
After reading the biographical material that Buford shared, I needed to stop and take a breath. Some selected abstracts from his detailed bio follow. This man does not sit still!

Buford is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science in Bacteriology and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Social Fraternity. He attended the UofA School of Medicine and the Medical College of Georgia. Continuing his education, he attended the UofA Graduate School, Department of Geography. The next educational step was the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry where he graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. His employment background includes the North Carolina Department of Public Health, an active duty Lieutenant in the Naval Reserves, a general dentistry practice, and then on to the Orthodontic residency program at St. Louis University Medical Center where he graduated with a Master of Science degree with a specialty in orthodontics; thelatter was his full-time career until 2000.

Then he became the teacher, in the Orthodontic Graduate Program at The University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, as an Assistant Professor. He still practices orthodontics on a part-time basis in Arkansas. After his two years of active duty with the U.S. Navy, he continued in the reserves and retired as a Captain. The further reserve duty carries an impressive list of accomplishments and the official decorations that accompany such service.

As if all this background is not enough to tell you that he is an interesting and educated man, he is a 1997 graduate of the Missouri School of Auctioneering, a licensed auctioneer in Arkansas, and a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Course. He is a member of Perryville Masonic Lodge #238, F. & A.M., the Arkansas Scottish Rite and Scimitar Shrine Temple, Little Rock, Arkansas and has been a member of the West Little Rock Lions Club since 1974, having served twice as president and edits the monthly club bulletin, The Lions Mouth.

As a correspondent for the Perry County Edition of the Petit Jean Country Headlight, for the past six years he has written "Glimpses From The Past" a weekly column. He is a member of the Perry County Historical and Genealogical Society and is serving his second two-year term as president. He was co-editor of the book, Perry County, Arkansas, Its Land & People. He is a lifetime member of the Methodist Church.

His wife, Lynda Sue (Childers) Suffridge, worked as a librarian for the Arkansas History Commission and for the Arkansas House of Representatives. She has been active with several genealogical societies and is currently a member of the NGS Board of Directors. (Lynda’s bio doesn’t stop here, but since Buford is the speaker, he gets more space!)

Beyond the Lecture Halls

2006-04-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

Another installment in the series from former FGS board member, Kay Freilich. Kay has been sharing her knowledge about Boston based on almost twenty years of visiting the city.

For the sports fan
Take a tour of Fenway Park, the home of the 2004 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. . . .
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You’ll have a chance to walk on the field, see the wall that was moved to accommodate Ted Williams’ hitting style, visit the .406 Club, and sit in the dugout. For those interested in seeing a Red Sox game, check their schedule -- the team will be playing home games from August 31-September 6. Fenway is just a mile from the conference hotel and the Red Sox website lets you purchase ticket online.

Visit the Sports Museum at the TD Bank North Garden. Home to both the basketball Celtics and the hockey Bruins, the Garden (previously known as the Fleet Center) replaced the historic Boston Garden. Notables from all sports are honored at the museum.

Other Boston "must-do" breaks
Have a meal or just some liquid refreshment at the Bull and Finch Tavern. Inspiration for the long-running TV series Cheers, the original location in on Beacon Street. There’s now a replica at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace as well.

For history and nourishment at the same time, visit Union Oyster House. Billed as the nation’s oldest restaurant, dating from 1826, Union Oyster House is on the Freedom Trail near Faneuil Hall.

Take an elevator to the Skywalk Observatory in the Prudential Tower for a spectacular view of Boston and the surrounding area. At 740 feet, the observatory is said to be the highest viewpoint in New England. There are also some exhibits and a movie for you to view. [The entry is just steps away from the convention center, in the same enclosed complex.]

For those planning to visit several attractions, Boston’s CityPass offers discount admission via a single ticket to six of the city’s top attractions.

Back on the March 11th blog, Kay shared an extensive list of Boston websites.

Another Boston Conference Draws Record Attendance

2006-04-04T16:00:00.000-05:00

I just saw a press release about the Public Library Association’s (PLA) March 2006 conference in Boston. Quoting from that release: " . . . the largest-ever Public Library Association Conference. More than 11,000 library staff, exhibitors, authors and guests packed the Hynes Convention Center."

I realize that genealogical conferences don’t draw that kind of attendance, but PLA's total shows what a draw Boston is. Read More

Another draw that I witnessed that same week was the New England Historic Genealogical Society where I saw quite a few researchers wearing PLA name tags. The NEHGS is just one of many research places in the Boston area. I talked to one librarian who said that doing some family history research was one of her reasons for coming to the conference.

The Hynes Convention Center is such a great place for a conference. With multiple elevators and escalators, it is easy to get around. The facility is handicapped accessible. The aisles in the building are wide -- registrants can easily get between the lecture rooms and to and from the Exhibit Hall.

Federation of Genealogical Societies New Online Conference Registration

2006-03-31T09:36:00.000-06:00

Several weeks ago the Federation suspended its online conference registration to implement a new system. The process took slightly longer than anticipated, but we have now launched our new online registration system for Birthplace of American Genealogy, the 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference to be held August 30-September 2, 2006 in Boston. Participants can view details on each of the almost 350 sessions being offered . . .
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during the conference, including meals and workshops in addition to regular sessions. In addition to well-known American speakers, experts from Canada, England, Ireland, and Scotland will be part of the program.

This new registration system offers many new features, including the ability to make changes to your registration online at any time. All registrants will be sent a confirmation email with links to review and modify their registration whenever they like. In addition to credit cards, the system allows individuals to register and pay by check as well. You can view details about the conference and register online at www.fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm.

Thank you for your patience as we have moved through the process of implementing this new system. If you have any questions, please contact the Federation at
fgs-office@fgs.org or 1-888-347-1500.

Need a conference roommate?

2006-03-29T19:47:00.000-06:00

FGS has had several requests inquiring if there are other conference registrants looking for a roommate. Starting now, FGS will provide contact information (via e-mail) to those seeking a possible roommate. Robert (Bobbi) King, an FGS Board member from Colorado has graciously offered to handle the sharing of names and contact details.. .
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Bobbi and FGS will not be doing the roommate matching; that contact and decision is up to the individuals seeking a roommate.

To be a part of this service, all you have to do is e-mail Bobbi and provide details including your name, city and state/province, e-mail address, telephone number, and some details about the type of roommate you are seeking. This would include such things as smoker/non-smoker, late or early to bed and to rise, arrival and departure days, whether or not you have already booked a room, male/female roommate preference and other requirements.

The information you provide will not be posted online. It will only be shared with others seeking a roommate. Once you make a match, please let Bobbi know so that she can remove your name from the list.

To contact Bobbi: Rking24600@comcast.net

Lecture: Which Records Are Correct? The Uniqueness of Doing French-Canadian Genealogical Research

2006-03-26T14:06:00.000-06:00

Speaker: Pauline D. Cusson

Genealogical research for French Canadians has generally been done by using secondary sources such as alphabetical indexes or abstracts of church registers. These extracts were relatively reliable as they were being produced, in general, mostly from original sources by genealogical societies in the Province of Quebec. Until 1996, the only way to research the actual church registers here in the United States was to borrow . . .
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the individual parish microfilm through the LDS Church or by visiting one of the many Quebec Provincial Archives. In 1996 a copy of the defunct Drouin Institute microfilms was purchased by the American-French Genealogical Society (AFGS) in Woonsocket, RI who in turn sold a copy to New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston and the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, IN.

Now the American-Canadian Genealogical Society (ACGS) of Manchester, New Hampshire has the only digitized copy of these microfilms in the U.S. Ms. Cusson will show the unique brand of research that can be accomplished using both the secondary sources to collect data leading to primary source documents to complete your ancestral chart. Many a brick wall has tumbled since the acquisition of this collection. The American-Canadian Genealogical Society has six new computers networked for accessing this Drouin Digitized Collection of baptisms, marriages, and burials throughout the Province of Quebec, parts of the Provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Acadia, and some U.S. records.

At the FGS/NEHGS conference later this year, please visit the ACGS booth in the exhibit hall for a demonstration of how it works.

Speaker Bio:
Pauline Cusson is currently serving her 6th one-year term as President of the American-Canadian Genealogical Society of Manchester, NH. She has been serving as the Editor of their quarterly journal, the American-Canadian Genealogist since 2000. Ms. Cusson has made several presentations to various groups in New England on the migration of French Canadians from Quebec to the New England mill towns and the trials and tribulations of French Canadian research. For more information on the ACGS check their website at www.acgs.org