FGS 2018 Registration Is Open

Registration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2018 Conference is open!

Join us 22-25 August in Fort Wayne, Indiana and learn about DNA; technology; records; methodology; the Midwest; African American, German, Eastern European, Scandinavian, and UK research; and society management. It is a full four days of genealogy! Click here to see the program. 

The conference is directly across the street from the incredible Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, which offers you a unique opportunity to put what you've learned into action right away.

There are also additional hands-on workshops for DNA, maps, and using Google. Workshops fill up quickly, so register now!

Early bird pricing is in effect. Register now and save! 

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne!

An 1890 Census Replacement Project could be your societies' next big thing!

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is pleased to announce the April 2018 webinar, “1890 Census Replacement Project: Creating a Genealogically Relevant Project for Your Society,” presented by Dina Carson.

Our 1890 census project yielded: a searchable list of 1890 residents, a county-wide research guide, every-name indices of original sources, and a book. Yours could too.

This webinar will be held on April 19, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, and will be recorded for viewing on the FGS website shortly after its conclusion. Please register in advance.

About the Speaker

Dina Carson has been involved in genealogy for more than two decades and is currently the coordinator of the Boulder Pioneers Project, a comprehensive look at the original source documents for Boulder County during the Territorial period (1859-1876). She is the author of more than thirty annotated indexes of Boulder County source materials. She lectures frequently to genealogical societies throughout the state and is working with the Colorado State Archives on state-wide indexing projects. Although her formal education is in International Law and Economics, she owns Iron Gate Publishing, a publishing company, and is a partner in Imagination Technology, a graphic design and marketing firm working with small business clients.

Dina is the author of 10 books about publishing and genealogy including, Set Yourself Up to Self-Publish: A Genealogist's Guide and Publish Your Family History: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Stories of Your Ancestors. In early 2018, Dina was the coordinator and primary instructor for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's course, “Writing and Publishing Family Histories in the Digital Age.” Dina brings her experience with all phases of book publishing to help first-time self-publishers create quality family or local histories that are both believable and achievable. When she's not at a computer working on a publishing project, you can find her photographing the pioneer cemeteries of Colorado.

Coming Up Next Time

In May, Jill Morelli will present “10 Hot Tips to Create Publications every Member Wants to Read.” Register early! 

About the Webinar Series

Each month, the FGS Webinar Series features a new and interesting topic, ranging from recruitment and volunteer management to technology, publications, and working with your local tourism board.

Webinars are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Central Time. The webinars are free to watch live, but advance registration is required. Regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media.

Speakers interested in presenting topics should contact Jen Baldwin, Education Chair, at education@fgs.org.

Are you looking for a rewarding and beneficial way to volunteer? The Education Committee at FGS could use your expertise! Please contact Jen Baldwin at education@fgs.org

Spring 2018 Issue of FORUM Available

FORUM has a new look!.
Color is incorporated throughout regular departments and columns for some flair and brightness, but the biggest change is the page size. We've changed the page size to make it easier for screen reading on different devices. Also debuting with this issue are two new departments—Inbox and Help Desk, Inbox is similar to Letters to the Editor columns seen in many publications and Help Desk is the place to ask questions. 

In "State Historical Society Periodicals: Treasures Beyond the Articles," Diane Dittgen explains the kinds of information you might find in the special features in society publications.

Denise Barrett Olson discusses how to "Take Your Society's Policy & Procedure Manual Online" and the advantages of an online manual.

Get a sneak peek at the tracks and speakers for the FGS 2018 Conference coming up August 22–25 in Fort Wayne, Indiana in "FGS 2018.Conference Preview." 

And that's not all.

3 ..... President's Message: Spring Cleaning Equals Taking Stock

5 ..... Editor's Message: A New FORUM

7 ..... Inbox

8 ..... Help Desk

9 ..... State Historical Society Periodicals: Treasures Beyond the Articles by Diane Dittgen

16 ..... FGS 2018 Conference Preview: Program Tracks & Speakers

20 ..... Take Your Society's Policy & Procedure Manual Online by Denise Barrett Olson

24 ..... Ethics & Standards: A Lecture on Lectures: Copyright & Ethics by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

27 ..... Next Generation: Just Ask! by Shannon Combs-Bennett

29 ..... Records Preservation & Access: OCLC Partners With Internet Archive, New Indexes Online & More by Linda McCleary, MLS

32 ..... Forensic Genealogy: Forensic Genealogy and the Genealogical Proof Standard by Helen Haldeman Daglas

37 ..... Reviews

47 ..... Before You Go . . .

How to access FORUM:

The FGS website will be switched to a new platform very soon. To ensure that FGS member society leadership and FORUM individual subscribers have access to this latest issue during this transition, we emailed a direct link to the Spring 2018 issue of the magazine.

Current FGS Member Society Leadership:
The email with the direct link to the magazine was sent to the main contact and the delegate for each member society. If your society is an FGS member and you did not receive the link, please email forum@fgs.org.

Current FGS FORUM subscribers (individuals): The email with the direct link to the magazine was sent to the email address on file for each subscriber. If you are a FORUM subscriber and you did not receive the link, please email forum@fgs.org.

Who can subscribe to FORUM? Anyone. You don't have to be a member of a genealogical society in order to subscribe.

Genealogical Society Leaders: If your society is not a member of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, become one today and let your society's leadership begin accessing FORUM and its 25+ year archives which is just one of the many benefits of FGS membership.