Recap: Important News Items from FGS 2013

You may have missed some of these news stories coming out of the successful FGS 2013 conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana last week. Over the next few weeks FGS Voice will provide additional information on many of these items - stay tuned!

• FGS 2014: The next FGS conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas 27-30 August 2014. Make your hotel reservations now! The FGS Conference website and the FGS Conference Blog will be updated with 2014 information in the next few weeks.

• FGS 2015: For 2015, FGS will hold its national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in tandem with RootsTech. This was a huge announcement and has generated quite a few questions as to logistics and future FGS conferences. Check back at FGS Voice to learn all the details so you can plan your FGS conference activities!

• RootsTech 2014 Discount: RootsTech is offering an exclusive discount for FGS members! Take an additional $20 off the Early Bird Discount price by using code RT14EXCLSV during registration. The discount code expires 9 September 2013, so don't miss out!

• Call for Volunteers: FGS is looking for energetic and committed volunteers willing to donate their time in skills. Look for a listing of specific projects and committees where help is needed.

• Dell Discount: FGS has negotiated a unique member benefit with Dell when purchasing a variety of items including computers, televisions and accessories. Dell is also the new sponsor of the FGS Youth Award.

• Preserve the Pensions: More than $20,000 was raised at the FGS 2013 Conference to help preserve and digitize the War of 1812 pension files. Preserve the Pensions will announce a new matching program for member genealogy societies in the coming weeks.

• FGS Awards: Several awards were given out at the FGS 2013 Conference and a complete list will appear here at FGS Voice soon.

FGS 2013 Society Showcase Live Door Prize Winners

On Thursday, 22 August 2013, a very successful Society Showcase LIVE! event was held during the FGS 2013 Conference. Here is a list of door prize winners from member societies who participated in Society Showcase:

• California Genealogical Society
  One-year full membership (includes two issues of their periodical, The California Nugget), and their signature publication, Raking the Ashes, Genealogical Strategies for Pre-1906 San Francisco Research, by Nancy Peterson.
  Winner: Patricia Coleman, Alabama

• Dallas Genealogical Society
  Autographed copy of Lloyd Bockstruck's new book The Name Is the Game: Onomatology and the Genealogist, a copy of the newly launched Pegasus, Journal of the DGS; and a bag of flavored nuts from Austinuts, all in a very sturdy canvas tote with the Dallas Genealogical Society logo.
  Winner: Kathryn Walter, Illinois

• Genealogical Society of Kendall Co.
  Certificate for admission to our spring seminar with speaker Josh Taylor on 1 February 2014 in Boerne, Texas. AND our most recent book, Family History Cookbook, a Genealogical Society of Kendall County cookbook which has families' histories and early recipes.
  Winner: Ann Flora

• Genealogy Society of Southern Illinois
  Winner: Valerie Eicher Lair, Minnesota

• Hamilton Co. Genealogical Society of Ohio
  One of their newer books (Index of Deaths, Marriages, and other Notices in the Cincinnati Enquirer 1818 – 1869) and a 1-year complimentary membership to the chapter.
  Winner: F. Timmerman, Michigan and Chris Gibbs, Ohio

• Indiana Genealogical Society
  Tote bag filled with IGS items.
  Winner: Jennifer Hershberger, Indiana

• Massachusetts Genealogical Council
  Massachusetts-themed gift basket with a free 1 year-membership in MGC, War of 1812 DVDs, lobster bibs, Boston Strong magnet, framed antique postcard of Pilgrims, USS Constitution paperweight, Necco wafers, Duncan Donuts coffee, and more!
  Winner: Darlene Moegerle, Indiana

• Michigan Genealogical Council
  Registration and lunch to the October 26 MGC Fall Seminar featuring Lou Szucs at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. A gift basket of Michigan made goodies.
  Winner: Constance Olson, Michigan

• Minnesota Genealogical Society
  1-year membership and our cookbook
  Cookbook winner: Ree Hopper, New Jersey
  Membership winner: Valerie Lair, Minnesota

• Montana State Genealogical Society
  3 Vol. set of their First Families book.
  Winner: Wayne Galloway, Alabama

• Ohio Genealogical Society
  Gift basket with goodies (chocolate and wine) from Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center where they'll be holding their 2014 conference.
  Winner: Nancy Evans, Iowa

• Palatines to America
  CD: The Ancestor Chart–Master Index to Volumes 1-18.
  Winner: Leanne Newman, Wisconsin

• South Bend Area Genealogical Society
  One year membership, including four quarterly Newsletters.
  Winner: Sue Downey, Indiana

• Southern California Genealogical Society
  One-year single membership to SCGS.
  Winner: Erica Voolich, Massachusetts

• St. Clair Co. Genealogical Society
  St Clair Co Research and Resources: A Genealogist’s Guide (133 pp), and Methodist Church Records of Belleville, Illinois 1840 –1998 (354 pp).
  Winner: Vicki Wright, South Carolina

• Wisconsin State Genealogical Society
  Certificate for a free one-year electronic membership to WSGS.
  Winner: Carol Awe, Illinois

Photo: Courtesy of California Genealogical Society and Library

RootsTech 2014: Exclusive Registration Discount

You're invited to attend the fourth annual RootsTech Family History and Technology Conference, February 5-8, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This global event offers a unique opportunity to discover and share your family stories and connections through technology. Whether you're just beginning your family tree, an avid hobbyist, or an experienced researcher, RootsTech has something for everyone!

Exclusive Registration Discount

FGS societies and their members can receive an additional discount off the early bird price.

Get a Full Access 4-day pass for just $139 (a total savings of $100!) when you use the discount code RT14EXCLSV during registration. The discount code expires September 9, 2013, so don't miss out!

What will you experience at RootsTech?

RootsTech 2014 will be held in the east wing of the Salt Palace Convention Center with bigger classrooms, larger event space, and easier access throughout the venue! Here are a few things to look forward:

• Classes and Computer Labs - Choose from over 200 classes and computer labs taught by knowledgeable experts and enthusiasts in family history.

• Expo Hall - The RootsTech expo hall is growing - 20% bigger than last year - with over 100 informative vendors and interactive booths.

• Evening Events - Thursday's Opening Social features dessert and entertainment from the a cappella group, Vocal Point. And Friday offers attendees extended hours at the world-famous Family History Library.

Now the largest family history event in North America, RootsTech is the perfect conference for anyone interested in connecting generations - past, present, and future!

Learn more and register at rootstech.org.

RootsTech 2014 Pass Options

Host Hotel Reservations Now Available for FGS 2014

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the availability of room reservations at the host hotel for the FGS 2014 Conference, “Gone to Texas,” to be held 27-30 August 2014, in San Antonio, Texas.

All attendees are encouraged to make reservations at the Marriott San Antonio Rivercenter/Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas using this link: https://aws.passkey.com/g/20192270. Reserve your room now since demand will be high for rooms at the host hotel and we expect to sell out. We’ll see you in San Antonio!

Federation of Genealogical Societies Announces 2015 Conference

FGS and RootsTech Events To Be Held In Tandem

February 12-14, 2015 in Salt Lake City

22 August 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced today that its 2015 National Conference will be held February 12-14, 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah in conjunction with RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch. RootsTech is held each February in Salt Lake City and helps thousands of attendees from around the world discover and share family connections, stories, and history.

With the Salt Palace Convention Center as the common venue, both FamilySearch and FGS are committed to producing a one-of-a-kind genealogy event addressing the educational needs of the family history, technology and genealogical society communities. As the logistics of this sizeable event are still being worked out, both FGS and FamilySearch will work together to share resources and provide cost benefits for all parties, including attendees and exhibitors. Attendees can expect to see familiar elements of previous FGS and RootsTech events including keynote presentations, a Society Showcase and Expo Hall.

Registration for both events will begin in August 2014, six months prior to the February 2015 dates. FGS will also hold a smaller national event for its members in late 2015, with details to be announced at a later date.

FGS President D. Joshua Taylor states, “FamilySearch has been a valued partner and sponsor for FGS during its past conferences. It only makes sense for both organizations to work together and produce what will be the most talked about genealogy events of 2015.” Taylor added that such an event brings the best of RootsTech and FGS conferences together under one roof and will offer genealogists and family historians a wide array of activities and educational opportunities.

FGS Announces New Mobile App

Provides Access to FGS Services and FGS 2013 Conference App

August 20, 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces its new mobile application available for FREE for iOS and Android devices. A major feature is the FGS 2013 Conference app for the upcoming FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, 2013.

With the updated FGS App, resources and services such as FGS FORUM, Voice and Society Hall are now available to a wider audience. The FGS App is the perfect way to stay current with all the events and offerings at FGS. Whether you want to read news at the Voice, look up fellow FGS members in Society Hall or learn about the Preserve the Pensions project, the FGS App allows you to do all of that in one program.

According to D. Joshua Taylor, FGS President, “FGS is proud to release our mobile app for year-round use. With links to FORUM, Society Hall, RPAC, and current conference activities the app will easily become the first stop for the modern-genealogist in learning about FGS and our member societies.”

Accessing the FGS App

The best way to access the correct version of the FGS App for your device is to scan the QR code below.

• iOS: The FGS App is available for iPhone and iPad at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fgs-app/id689433117?ls=1&mt=8 via the iTunes Store.

• Android: The FGS App is available for Android devices in the Google Play store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fgs.fgsapp. 

Windows 7 and Blackberry users can access the FGS App content through their mobile browser via https://www.fgsconference.org/app/.

FGS 2013: Ancestry.com Giveaway To Benefit Preserve the Pensions

If you are attending FGS 2013 in Ft. Wayne this week, please stop by the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall starting on Thursday, August 22, 2013 to make a donation to be eligible to win one of these great prize packages sponsored by Ancestry.com. Ancestry is a Platinum Sponsor for the FGS 2013 conference and all proceeds go to benefit the Preserve the Pensions project.

Ancestry.com Gift Bag 1:

• Canvas tablet bag with Ancestry logo (approximately $25 value)
• 1 DNA kit ( approximately $99 value)
• 1-year Newspapers.com subscription (approximately $79.95 value)
• 1-year fold3 subscription (approximately $79.95 value)
• Along with Ancestry stylus pen, flash drive, mouse pad, frame and luggage tags.

Ancestry.com Gift Bag 2:

• Canvas laptop bag (approximately $35 value)
• 1-year annual subscription to Ancestry.com World Explorer (approximately $299 value)
• Along with Ancestry stylus pen, flash drive, mouse pad, frame and luggage tag.

Donations can may be made at the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday to be eligible for these prizes. The winners will be announced Friday evening, August 23, 2013, at the Allen County Library Social Event (donors do not need to be present in order to win).

FGS 2014 Conference Donation Package To Benefit Preserve the Pensions Project

Over $1000 Prize Package To Be Awarded at FGS 2013 Conference

15 August 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies 2014 Conference Committee announces an exciting fundraising effort to benefit the Preserve the Pensions project: the 2014 Conference Donation Package. This amazing prize package consists of the following items:

• One (1) full conference registration for the FGS 2014 Conference in San Antonio, Texas, August 27-30, 2014.
• Four (4) nights at the Marriott River Walk Hotel (during the FGS 2014 Conference), donated by the Marriott Hotel San Antonio.
• Riders On the Orphan Train by Alison Moore (FGS 2014 keynote speaker).
• Rider On the Orphan Train Music CD by Alison Moore and Phil Lancaster (FGS 2014 keynote speakers).
• First Families of Texas, donated by the Texas State Genealogical Society.
• Our Heritage Recipes, donated by the San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society.
• Texas water bottle and mug, Texas salsa and barbecue sauce, tortilla warmer, stone mortar and pestle, and San Antonio Classic Dessert cookbook all in a San Antonio bag donated by the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The total value of this package is approximately $1,000. Attendees at the upcoming FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana can enter the drawing by making any of the following donations:

• 1 ticket - $5 donation
• 5 tickets - $20 donation
• 12 tickets - $50 donation
• 25 tickets - $100 donation
• 55 tickets - $250 donation
• 110 tickets - $500 donation
• 225 tickets - $1000 donation

Donations may be made at the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall. The FGS 2014 Donation Package winner will be announced Friday evening, August 23, 2013, at the Allen County Library Social Event (donors do not need to be present in order to win).

FGS Webinar Recording Now Available - Researching in the Post War Records of 1812

The recording of this past Tuesday's webinar Researching in the Post War Records of 1812 presented by Craig Scott, MA, CG is now available to the public. Click here to view the recording or use the embedded version below.

Researching in the Post War Records of 1812



Description: This lecture will focus on the records created by the War Department after the War. It will include compiled military service records, pensions and pension payments.

Presenter: Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG is the President and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm with over 4,900 titles in print. A professional genealogical and historical researcher for more than twenty-eight years, he specializes in the records of the National Archives, especially those that relate to the military. He is the Coordinator of the Advanced Military Track at IGHR and SLIG.

FGS 2013 Online Registration Ends in One Week

If you haven’t registered for the FGS 2013 Conference yet, you still have time to register online, by mail or at the door. Mailed registrations must be postmarked by Friday, August 9. Online registration ends on Wednesday, August 14th. Pre-registering for the conference gives you access to some great benefits.

And don't forget, if you have already registered for the conference, you still have time to get your tickets to the conference "extras."

Only attendees who preregister for the conference can:

• Access the conference syllabus online prior to the conference.
• Guarantee a spot in the "extra" conference events (on-site tickets may be available to events if they have not sold out):
• 10 luncheons over the 4 conference days.
• 5 workshops over 3 days. There is still room in the Researching African Americans in University Libraries workshop. We have also added extra spaces and still have a few seats left Researching Midwestern American Indians and Using Griffith’s Valuation to Identify Your Ancestors' Origins. The other workshops are sold out.
• FGS Opening Social on Wednesday, August 21
• Friday Night at ACPL on August 23 with all proceeds going to the Preserve the Pensions Fund!
• Sunday Farewell Brunch with lots of door prizes.
• Register for a FREE genealogy consultation on Tuesday, August 20. You must sign up for a consultation in advance. See https://www.fgsconference.org/activities/ for details.

You can also purchase extra tickets (except for workshops) for your non-genealogy spouses or friends who traveled with you to the conference.

Visit https://www.fgsconference.org/registration/ to register or add "extras" today. We hope to see you in Fort Wayne, August 21-24.

Learn More and Stay Connected

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

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)

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