FGS Appoints Patricia W. Rand as Treasurer

May 31, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces that Patricia W. Rand of Florida has recently been appointed to its Board of Directors as Treasurer.

Pat Rand has over 20 years of experience in the genealogy field and currently serves as President of The Villages Genealogical Society in The Villages, Florida which has over 700 members. She is a retired CPA, the current treasurer for the Florida State Genealogical Society and recently served as treasurer for the Florida Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Pat Oxley, President of FGS states, “We are so pleased to have Pat Rand join the FGS team as our treasurer. Pat brings a strong accounting background and years of experience. We feel so fortunate that she is willing to share her time and talent with FGS.”

Pat Rand replaces Kim Kasprzyk who has resigned the Treasurer position due to an extended illness. Please keep Kim in your thoughts and prayers and also help us in welcoming Pat to the FGS Board.

FGS Radio: Internet Tools for Societies

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/05/26/internet-tools-for-societies

Saturday, May 26, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled Internet Tools for Societies. Our guest will be Jane G. Haldeman, 1st Vice President of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and President of the Fox Valley Genealogical Society in Naperville, Illinois. We will be discussing tools that can help societies of all sizes run more efficiently and allow distance members to be included. We will also be featuring FGS member society Wimberley Valley Genealogical Society in our weekly Society Spotlight feature. Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Society Spotlight

This week's Society Spotlight features the Wimberley Valley Genealogical Society.

The Wimberley Valley Genealogical Society is dedicated to aiding individuals to develop genealogical pursuits, including but not limited to: fostering education and interest in genealogy, gathering and preserving genealogical and historical data, aiding members in their genealogical research and in compiling their family histories.

What can WVGS offer you?

• Provide ongoing programs, classes & events
• Announce monthly updates from different genealogical societies workshops, seminars and classes you could attend
• Encourage you to explore the quality genealogical holdings here at the Wimberley Library

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

RootsTech 2013 - Call for Presentations

March 21-23, 2013 | Salt Lake City, Utah

[Editor's note: The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a proud sponsor of RootsTech!]

The world of genealogy is changing at an ever-increasing rate through the development of new technologies. Millions of people are passionate about discovering their roots. They share an interest in learning about the latest technologies and methods to help them in this pursuit. The third annual RootsTech Conference brings together thought leaders and consumers who want to share and experience the latest trends in genealogy and technology. Building on the success and growth of previous years, RootsTech 2013 will reach thousands of participants on site and around the world. RootsTech includes engaging, interactive sessions that promote learning and the free exchange of ideas on improving the way genealogy is done. Genealogists and technologists attending this conference share a stance that is progressive and forward thinking. They are interested in the application of technology to simplify and improve the family history experience.

Unique tracks will be offered that address the specific needs of genealogists and technologists, with an emphasis on how they can more effectively work together. We invite proposals that address technology challenges and solutions that have the potential to improve family history and genealogical research. Additional consideration will be given to proposals that provide hands-on or interactive experiences, with presenters giving step-by-step approaches and live demonstrations for using technology for genealogy, including tips and helps for using software, hardware, standards, APIs, plug-ins, etc. Since RootsTech is designed as an interactive conference, traditional lectures depending entirely on text-based slides are discouraged.

Possible sessions for genealogists include:

• Solutions for saving, accessing and sharing data
• Publishing and sharing family history online
• Tools for online collaboration and community projects
• Using popular applications for family history
• Reaching and engaging new genealogists through technology
• Online sites and services for getting started

Possible sessions for developers include:

• GPS and geo-mapping ancestral locations
• Applications for mobile devices
• Social applications
• Standards and APIs
• Records imaging and tree visualization
• Gamification of family history experiences
• Cloud-based solutions for saving, accessing, and sharing data

Submissions are due by June 15, 2012, with an extended deadline of October 15, 2012 for limited, late-breaking technology research submissions.

Types of Sessions

1. Presentations: Classroom settings that engage participants.
2. Panels or Discussions: Formal panels of experts discussing specific topics, led by a facilitator.
3. Hands-on Workshops: Labs where attendees have hands-on experience in a specific task or objective.
4. Unconferencing: Informal, participant-led discussion groups.

Submission Information

Proposals will be accepted online at rootstech.org from May 9, 2012 through June 15, 2012. Syllabus materials will be due from participating presenters on October 1, 2012 (other than late-breaking proposals).

Presenters participating in the RootsTech Conference will receive a complimentary conference registration and a syllabus. There is no monetary compensation for presenters at this conference. Out-of-state speakers selected to present three or more lectures will also receive hotel accommodations.

Learn How To Attract New Members Using Affiliate Programs

Flip-Pal Affiliate Program for Genealogy Societies

Click here to register: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/284163806

Sponsored by Flip-Pal® mobile scanner

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
9:00 pm Eastern
8:00 pm Central
7:00 pm Mountain
6:00 pm Pacific

Presenters:

Robin Evans
Business Development Manager
Flip-Pal® mobile scanner

Thomas MacEntee
Ambassador
Flip-Pal® mobile scanner

Genealogical societies and organizations are always looking for ways to attract new members, new income streams as well as new benefits for their existing members.

Participating in the Flip-Pal® mobile scanner Affiliate Program is one way to tackle all these issues. By partnering with Flip-Pal, you’ll create a way that your society can earn commissions of up to 13% on Flip-Pal® mobile scanners and accessories purchased through your affiliate link.

In this fun and informative webinar, you'll learn from Robin Evans and Thomas MacEntee how to get your society's Flip-Pal® mobile scanner Affiliate Program up and running in no time!

FGS 2013 Request for Lecture Proposals Due May 15, 2012

REMINDER!  All lecture proposals for the FGS 2013 Conference, “Journey Through Generations,” to be held August 21 – 24, 2013, in Fort Wayne, Indiana are due on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

See 2013 FGS National Conference - Request for Lecture Proposals for details.

Facebook and Your Genealogy Society - Episode Outline and Links

Here is a brief outline of what we'll be discussing on this week's episode of FGS Radio: My Society entitled "Facebook and Your Genealogy Society":

• Why should your genealogy society have a Facebook presence?

• Don’t create a separate account on Facebook for your genealogy society.

• Which is better for your genealogy society: a Facebook page or Facebook Group?

• Make sure there is more than one Admin for your Facebook Page or Group.

• Use Facebook as your Facebook Page when posting society-related content.

• Make sure there is more than one Admin for your Facebook Page or Group.

• Like and Get Liked.“Cross-pollinate” your genealogy society’s content.

• Understand the Facebook Terms of Service.

Links

• Facebook
  http://www.facebook.com

• Facebook Help Center
  https://www.facebook.com/help/

• The Complete Guide To Facebook Privacy
  http://bit.ly/9PGBLa

• The Facebook Guide Book
  http://mashable.com/guidebook/facebook

FGS Radio: Facebook and Your Genealogy Society

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/05/12/facebook-and-your-genealogy-society

Saturday, May 12, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. This week’s episode hosted by Thomas MacEntee is entitled Facebook and Your Genealogy Society. Thomas will be reviewing features of Facebook that your genealogy society should be using to connect with society members as well as potential new members. Learn how to create a Facebook page, the difference between pages and groups, and more! We will also be featuring FGS member society Massachusetts Genealogical Council in our weekly Society Spotlight feature. Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Society Spotlight

This week's Society Spotlight features the Massachusetts Genealogical Council (MGC).

The MGC is an umbrella organization representing genealogists, historical researchers, and all those concerned about records preservation and open access to public records.

MGC holds a yearly seminar packed with multiple tracks of genealogical lectures and workshops, networking and book sales. We even provide lunch! The 2012 seminar is in the planning stages now and promises to be better than ever!

We hope you will consider joining the Massachusetts Genealogical Council. You will receive a significant discount on the July seminar. In addition, you will be directly notified of any legislation which threatens access to public records. And we are currently developing even more member benefits. Anyone interested in preserving open access to public records (individual or organization) is welcome!

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

FGS Member Societies Invited to Society Showcase at FGS 2012 Conference

FGS 2012 Genealogy Conference

Birmingham, Alabama

Featuring Society Showcase LIVE!

Friday, August 31st, 2012

5:00-8:00pm

FGS invites its Member Societies to reserve a table in the FGS 2012 Society Showcase (form opens in PDF). If you have never been to an FGS conference you may not be aware that in addition to regular exhibit hall booths, there are also tables available (at a great price!) to FGS member organizations. This is the Society Showcase area, and it's a perfect way to introduce your society to the rest of country.

This year the Society Showcase will be strategically located adjacent to the main FGS Booth, so there will be lots of traffic and visitors to your table. Tables may be staffed by your members during exhibit hall hours on Thursday through Saturday, or you can just leave display materials. The table your society reserves will be all yours.

Participants will be featured in Society Showcase LIVE! held during the extended exhibit hall hours on Friday evening when we especially urge you to staff your table. A rich variety of genealogical, historical, and family societies will join with conference attendees, vendors, speakers, and volunteers to provide a stimulating evening of browsing, shopping, door-prizes, networking and fun!

FGS provides a reserved 8' skirted table, two chairs and a table-top sign. You bring brochures, membership forms, sample publications, and other information. These tables are for promotional purposes and selling memberships and may not be used for other sales. If your society has products and publications to sell you will want to opt for a regular exhibit hall booth instead. For details on those click here.

To reserve a Society Showcase table for your FGS member organization, download the registration form at the top of the right column in this email. Then send it with a check for $25.00 to: FGS 2012 Society Showcase, PO Box 200940, Austin, TX 78720-0940. Further details will be sent after booths are reserved. Set-up for these special tables will can begin as early as Wednesday, August 29th.

There will also be a few tables set aside where societies without reserved tables may place brochures or other small give-away items. These are the Spotlight on Societies tables.

If your society or organization wishes to participate in Society Showcase but is not yet a member of FGS, it's easy to join. Visit www.fgs.org and click on Membership Information. Don't know if you're a member? Search FGS Members on the FGS website to find out.

Conference details are available on the FGS Conference News Blog. In the meantime, if you have a question, please contact Polly Kimmitt at societyshowcase@fgs.org.

FGS Stern NARA Fund Helps Make Sultana Disaster Records Available

Free Access Provided by Fold3

May 4, 2012– Austin, TX: The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is proud to announce its recent participation in making the Sultana Disaster records available to genealogists and family history researchers.
When the boiler exploded aboard the steamer Sultana on April 27, 1865, more than 1,700 people lost their lives. The records include lists of survivors, along with their military service information, as well as information on those who perished.

Through a grant from the Malcolm H. Stern-NARA Gift Fund, FGS has helped to bring this important Civil War record set to the Fold3 website. The fund is a nationally supported program to finance preservation and imaging of valuable research materials now preserved in the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) in Washington, D.C.

In addition, FGS and NARA, with the help of the genealogical community, have begun an exciting project to digitize the War of 1812 pension files. There are 7.2 million pages in 180,000 pension files that have never been available in any other form before. The Preserve the Pensions Project is in progress to digitize and make every page of these information-rich files available as part of a bicentennial commemoration of this historic conflict. Learn more about this important preservation and digitization project at the Preserve the Pensions page (http://www.fgs.org/1812/) and get involved by making a donation today.

Here is the recent announcement from Fold3 about the Sultana Disaster database and the specific information to be found within the records:

When the boiler exploded aboard the steamer Sultana on April 27, 1865, more than 1,700 people lost their lives. Most of those aboard were recently released Union prisoners from Confederate prisons in Cahaba, Alabama, and Andersonville, Georgia. They were en route from Camp Fiske in Mississippi to Camp Chase, Ohio, but the explosion occurred only a few hours into the journey. 

In addition to the faulty boiler, the ship was also grossly overburdened with 2,200 passengers on a vessel built to carry 376.

Records relating to the Sultana Disaster, April 1865, are now available on Fold3. They include lists of the former prisoners who survived the disaster, with military service information and brief comments on their injuries. There are also lists of those who perished, yet not of the civilian survivors or those who died.

The enormity of the disaster led quickly to investigations. By January 1866, a court-martial was convened to charge Captain Frederick Speed, the man who volunteered to coordinate the transfer of prisoners, with “neglect of duty to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.” There are 647 documents in the court-martial case with testimonies, witness accounts, and statements by the defense and prosecution. After "nearly six long weary months" the trial came to a close. Capt. Speed was the only person charged in the incident. He was found guilty, yet the charges were later dismissed by Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt.

The Sultana Disaster records can be accessed on the Fold3 website at http://www.fold3.com/title_797/sultana_disaster_april_1865/. The original publication was financed by The Abrams Foundation of Michigan through the Stern-NARA Gift Fund and the National Archives Trust Fund.

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

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

About Fold3

Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com) offers the web’s premier collection of original military records, gathering the best U.S. military records, photos and stories to help customers discover and share the stories of those who served. With more than 91 million historical record images already online and more being added every day, Fold3 brings the details of America’s military service to life.

FGS Radio: What's New with Mocavo?

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http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/05/05/whats-new-with-mocavo

Saturday, May 5, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies. This week’s episode hosted by Randy Whited is entitled What’s New with Mocavo? Our guest will be Michael Leclerc. Michael is an internationally-known researcher, author, and speaker. He is currently Chief Genealogist at the genealogy search engine Mocavo. He is a director for the Association of Professional Genealogists and a former Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Together we will be talking about Mocavo’s entry into the genealogy community, their services and what they have to offer genealogical societies. We will also be featuring FGS member society, North Carolina Genealogical Society, in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Join Accessible Archives at the NGS 2012 Family History Conference

Accessible Archives will be at the NGS 2012 Family History Conference at booth 436. The Conference will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio from 9–12 May 2012.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.