FGS Debuts New FGS 2012 Conference App

FEDERATION OF GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES DEBUTS CONFERENCE APP

Offers Updated Information On FGS 2012 Conference

August 20, 2012 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the debut of its free mobile application for the upcoming FGS 2012 Conference, Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" – to be held in Birmingham, Alabama 29 August to 1 September, 2012.

Based on the Guidebook app platform, the FGS 2012 Conference app provides smart phone and mobile device users with an easy way track all the exciting events and happenings at one of the largest genealogy events of the year.

With the FGS 2012 Conference app, users can:

• Look up the entire FGS 2012 conference schedule including Librarians’ Day and Vendor Demonstrations.

• Check on exhibitor information and locate those vendors to visit in the Exhibit Hall.

• View Speaker biographies as well as session numbers.

• Use maps of the venue including all floors of the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.

• View FGS 2012 Facebook page status updates and the FGS 2012 Twitter feed.

• Create a personal schedule using the To Do List function.

Visit http://guidebook.com/getit/ to learn more about accessing the FGS 2012 Conference app for iOS, Blackberry, Windows 7 and Android devices. Once the Guidebook application is loaded, search for “FGS” to load the FGS/AGS 2012 event.

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

FGS 2012 Conference – Are You Excited?

You still have time to get in on all the fun at the upcoming Federation of Genealogical Societies’ 2012 Conference - Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" – to be held in Birmingham, Alabama 29 August to 1 September, 2012.

Online registration at http://fgs.org/2012conference closes at 7:00pm Central time on Friday, August 17, 2012 so make sure you act fast!

What Was The “Old Southwest?”

The Old Southwest stretched west of the Appalachians and south of the Ohio. Home to many tribes of Indians, the Settlers came to these parts from the Old World and the “Original”13” who liked what they saw and stayed. Squatters were those who passed through on their way to places with “more elbow room,” or a new start, or pushing on toward the great West and the Soldiers who fought in the wars.

Come find your ancestors who traveled in “these parts”. Over 160 different educational sessions and exhibitors from all over the United States provide a great venue to learn and network with researchers just like you.

Findmypast Day - New Event Just Announced!

On Saturday, September 1st, Platinum sponsor will be hosting Findmypast Day at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. This special event is for those wanting to learn a few family history basics and for anyone interested in discovering how to use findmypast.com as a resource to extend their family tree. Tickets are $20; register online at http://www.fgs.org/findmypastDay).

Special Events, Exhibit Hall and Door Prizes!

While you are registering, don’t forget that there are many different events during the FGS 2012 conference:

• AGS Opening Social – Wednesday, August 29th. Presented by the Alabama Genealogical Society, tap your foot to great music of Bobby Horton in the grandeur of the Alabama Theater, the Great Showplace of the South. Transportation provided by FamilySearch. Click here to learn more./li>
  

• FGS Evening Social – Thursday, August 30th. Join us for an evening of adventure at Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Enjoy some Southern BBQ and tour the historic sites on this 32-acre interpretive museum. Attendees will be able to witness a private iron pouring. Sponsored by FamilySearch and FGS. Click here to learn more.

• Extended Exhibit Hall Hours – Friday, August 31st. The place to meet with over 77 vendors and 140 booths, you’ll find a variety of genealogy-related products and services. Hours extended until 8:00pm on Friday evening. Starting at 6:00 pm, FGS President Pat Oxley will be in the Exhibit Hall with her parade of prizes, so there should lots of fun and excitement. Vendors will be giving out great prizes including an iPad from FamilySearch, a Flip-Pal mobile scanner from Flip-Pal, as well as a Rootstech registration. Remember, all participants must be present to win so be sure to be there. The food vendors will also be open that evening, selling lots of great tasting eats.

• A 1940 US Census Celebration! – Friday, August 31st. Come join us at the 1940 Census Project booth for fun, food and prizes as we celebrate all the great achievements of those who helped with the 1940 US Census Community Indexing Project. There will be fun activities, prizes and food! Individuals and societies will be recognized for their contributions to the 1940 US Census.

• Grand Prize Drawing – Friday, August 31st. During the extended Exhibit Hall hours on Friday evening, we’ll hold the grand prize drawing for a super prize! Platinum Sponsor FamilySearch is once again supplying a trip to Salt Lake City to research at the famed Family History Library. The prize includes airfare for two and one week's stay at the Plaza Hotel (right next door to the library) provided by Bronze Sponsor the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel.

Already Registered? Here’s How To Add Events

If you’ve already registered for the FGS 2012 conference, then thank you and we can’t wait to see you in Birmingham! You can still purchase tickets for any of the events above including the luncheons. Here’s how:

Return to the registration page (https://www.fgs.org/acs/index.php), enter your email address, and then when it asks for your Password/PIN, enter the PIN you received in the confirmation email when you registered. Then keep clicking Next to follow the pages to add the events you want to attend. Review your order, check out and your tickets will be waiting for you when you register!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

FGS 2012 Conference Hosts Legendary Bluegrass Musician Bobby Horton

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) proudly announces the appearance of legendary bluegrass musician Bobby Horton during its annual conference in Birmingham, Alabama, scheduled for August 29 - September 1, 2012. Birmingham-native Horton, who is best known for his Civil War-era music and his collaboration with Ken Burns, producer of the Civil War documentary, will appear at the historic Alabama Theatre on Wednesday evening, August 29, 2012.

This event, sponsored by FamilySearch and presented by the Alabama Genealogical Society, is available only to FGS 2012 Conference attendees. Tickets are $25 per person and include comfortable motor coach transportation to the theatre, light refreshments, and the Bobby Horton concert.

Upon arrival at the historic Alabama Theater which was built in 1927, guests will enjoy light refreshments in the spacious lobby and view the grandeur of one of the few remaining iconic theaters in America. The program will begin with organ music played on the mighty Wurlitzer Organ and a short film about the history of the Alabama Theatre. The main attraction will feature an evening of music with Birmingham native Bobby Horton. Horton is well-known in historic music circles for his thirty-five year career performing with the musical-comedy trio "Three on a String." He is probably best known however, for producing thirty-one music scores for PBS, A & E Network and the National Park Service, most notably, two PBS hit film series by Ken Burns, The Civil War and Baseball. Horton specializes in recording authentic period music and attendees will have a delightful evening in this historic setting.

Visit the FGS 2012 Conference website at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference to register for the conference and to purchase your tickets to this exciting event!

About the FGS 2012 Conference

This year’s conference theme is “Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the ‘Old Southwest’,” and the local host is the Alabama Genealogical Society (AGS).

This year's FGS conference offers an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in researching their family history. Over 175 educational sessions and 13 luncheons are designed to balance the needs of genealogists at all levels, exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to those interested in researching their family history. Special sessions include a wide variety targeting members and leaders of genealogical and historical societies. Other special events will include the FGS Evening Social at the historic Sloss Furnaces, Spotlight on Societies, and daily sponsored lectures provide an excellent environment to meet and network with others interested in family history and genealogy.

There are more activities and research opportunities too numerous to list. However, you can learn all about the 2012 FGS Conference and register for this exciting four-day event at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference. Be sure to also visit or subscribe to the FGS Conference Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org for more information and travel advice. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham in August!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

Display Your Society’s Brochure at the FGS 2012 Conference

The FGS 2012 Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, is drawing closer. This year’s event will take place from August 29th to September 1st, 2012. If your society is interested in having brochures available for attendees, but you’re not planning to purchase a table in the exhibit hall, you can ship copies for display on the Societies Literature Table.

Please ship your brochures to the following address for arrival between August 1st-15th. Please mark the exterior of the boxes “FOR SOCIETY LITERATURE TABLE” to make sure your materials are delivered to the conference venue and properly displayed.

Special Collection
University Library
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229

We look forward to having your society represented at this year’s FGS Conference!

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.

Registration Now Open for FGS 2012 Conference

For Immediate Release
January 16, 2012

Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest"

A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists

January 16, 2012 – Austin, TX. Registration for the 2012 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, scheduled for August 29 - September 1, 2012, in beautiful Birmingham, Alabama, is now open. This year’s conference theme is “Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the ‘Old Southwest’,” and the local host is the Alabama Genealogical Society (AGS).

This year's FGS conference offers an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in researching their family history. Over 175 educational sessions and 13 luncheons are designed to balance the needs of genealogists at all levels, exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to those interested in researching their family history. Special sessions include a wide variety targeting members and leaders of genealogical and historical societies. In addition, special events, such as the Alabama Genealogical Society Opening Social at the Alabama Theater, the FGS Evening Social at the historic Sloss Furnaces, Spotlight on Societies, and daily sponsored lectures provide an excellent environment to meet and network with others interested in family history and genealogy.

Session sponsors include FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, findmypast.com, the National Archives and Records Administration, and others.

Conference Highlights

• Librarian’s Day: On Wednesday, August 29, 2012, ProQuest is sponsoring a full day of sessions designed for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals serving family history researchers.

• Conference Sessions: A wide variety of genealogy-related lectures and workshops for all experience levels. Topics include Southern research, Settlers and Indians, soldiers, strategies and techniques, technology, and writing.

• Special Events: Include the AGS Opening Social at the Alabama Theater and the FGS Evening Social at the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark—all providing an excellent environment to meet and network with others interested in family history and genealogy. This exciting week of genealogy closes with a Farewell Brunch on Sunday.

• Exhibit Hall: Filled with a wide array of vendors and organizations, Cyber Cafe and lounge area sponsored by RootsMagic, and a special Spotlight on Societies area will showcase local and regional genealogical and historical societies.

There are more activities and research opportunities too numerous to list. However, you can learn all about the 2012 FGS Conference and register for this exciting four-day event at http://www.fgs.org/2012conference. Be sure to also visit or subscribe to the FGS Conference Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org for more information and travel advice. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham in August!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• Visit the Conference News Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org

• Follow the Conference on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fgs2012 and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/fgs2012

• Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau at http://www.birminghamal.org

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.

2012 FGS Conference - Call for Papers

FGS 2012 CONFERENCE - CALL FOR PAPERS

Deadline for Submissions is 1 June 2011

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces a Call for Papers for the FGS 2012 Conference to be held 29 August – 1 September 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama. The deadline for submission of papers is Wednesday, 1 June 2011.

The annual FGS conference will be held beginning Wednesday, 29 August through Saturday, 1 September 2012 at the Birmingham Convention Center, Birmingham, Alabama. The Sheraton Hotel, conveniently located adjacent to the convention center will be the host hotel. The conference will be held in conjunction with the Alabama Genealogical Society as the local host society. Outstanding nearby research facilities and attractions will enhance the conference experience.

The program committee is accepting a wide range of lecture proposals from interested scholars and researchers for potential presentations at the conference. The format of this conference begins with an all-day “Focus on Societies” program for genealogical society officers, board members, volunteers and other interested parties. This is followed by a three-day genealogical conference in which a variety of topics will be considered, but priority will be given to the following:

• Fundamental
• Basic genealogical instruction
• Methodology and problem solving techniques
• Burned courthouse research
• Domain Expertise
• International and Ethnic research, particularly German, English, Welsh, Irish, Scots-Irish, French, Italian, Swiss, Slavic African- American, Native American and Jewish
• Military
• Immigration
• Internet resources
• Genetics and family medical history
• Focus on Society Management
• Regional Interests
• Five civilized tribes
• Trail of Tears -- 1832
• Southern migration
• Early territorial research

Proposals for paid workshops will also be considered. Presentations may be co-presented or as part of a panel discussion if the topic seems appropriate for this method of presentation.

Speakers receive an honorarium, travel compensation, and conference registration as well as per diem and hotel nights based on the number of lectures presented. Each speaker is limited to presenting a maximum of four lectures, but may submit more proposals for consideration. Additional details about the financial package are available here (http://fgs.org/conferences/speakerpolicy.php).

Presentations will be one-hour long, which includes a ten-minute question/answer period. Interested speakers should submit their proposals by 1 June 2011. The following information should be included:

• Title of presentation with a detailed but concise, one-page outline
• Brochure summary (150 Characters for description)
• Audience skill level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
• Audio-Visual requirements (LCD projectors are not provided)
• Format of presentation (PowerPoint, overhead projection, other)
• Biographical data and resume of past lectures within the last three years. Those that have not presented at a regional or national conference before are encouraged to submit recording of a recent presentation.

Proposals should be submitted electronically to 2012proposals@fgs.org, or send two copies to:

Federation of Genealogical Societies
FGS/AGS 2012 Program Chair
PO Box 200940
Austin, TX 78720-0940 USA

The invitations to speakers will be mailed no later than 1 September 2011 and the deadline for syllabus materials for presenters is 31 May 2012.

If necessary, questions may be directed to Dean J. Hunter, AG at 2012proposals@fgs.org.