Have Your Family History Digitized at FGS 2018

Have a family history that needs scanned? Bring it with you to FGS 2018 and FamilySearch will scan it for free!

FamilySearch Book Scanning and the Allen County Public Library are offering a free service to digitally preserve your written family history at the upcoming FGS Conference in Fort Wayne. FamilySearch will scan and publish a searchable digital copy online! You keep the original. 

Bring your books to the FamilySearch booth at the conference. (Books under copyright must have a signed permission form, which is available at the booth.)

Extended Hours at the Genealogy Center for #FGS2018 Attendees

What's better than learning about genealogy? Being able to put what you've learned into practice right away at one of the nation's premier genealogy libraries! Attendees of the FGS 2018 conference will be able to do that with extended hours at the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.

Extended hours for conference attendees will be:

• Wednesday, August 22: 9am-11pm
• Thursday, August 23: 7am-11pm
• Friday, August 24: 7am-11pm
• Saturday, August 25: 7am-6pm
• Sunday, August 26: 9am-5pm

There will be "in and out" privileges; you'll be able to come and go during these hours. (Just be sure to have your conference badge!)

The Genealogy Center features one of the best genealogy collections anywhere. It has more than 800,000 books, microfilm, and microfiche titles from around the world. You'll definitely want to spend some time there!

Register now for FGS 2018, August 22-25. 

We'll see you at the library!

2018 FGS National Conference Call for Presentation Proposals

Deadline for submissions is 14 July 2017.

We are very excited to announce that presentation proposals are now being received for the FGS 2018 Conference, “On the Three Rivers—Past, Present & Future” to be held 22-25 August, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The conference will be held in conjunction with the Allen County Public Library as local host. Outstanding nearby research facilities and attractions will enhance the conference experience. The deadline for submission of lecture proposals is Friday, 14 July 2017.

The program committee specifically seeks new and dynamic proposals that will provide exceptional and unique educational experiences for conference attendees. Proposals for workshops and sponsored talks are also encouraged. Categories for submissions include:

·         Society Management                     

·         Methodologies and Strategies

·         Transportation

·         Midwestern Records

·         Military Records

·         Repositories

·         Record Types

·         Technology

·         Religious Groups

·         Ethnic Groups

·         Genetics and DNA

·         Migration/Immigration

Please note that there are approximately 130 slots to fill and we are looking for presenters that can give talks on multiple topics. Speakers are encouraged to submit 6 or more presentations for the committee to consider. The committee reserves the right to contact presenters for more details and/or clarification of submission.

Submission Requirements

Each proposal should include:

·         Speaker(s) name.

·         Speaker(s) contact information, including mailing address, phone, email, and website, if applicable.

·         Prior speaking experience.

·         Speaker(s) biography.

·         Speaker(s) brief brochure biography (40 word maximum).

·         Lecture title (not to exceed 12 words).

·         Lecture brochure description (50 word maximum).

·         Lecture outline/summary.

·         Lecture audio-visual requirements. FGS does NOT provide projectors, computers, or internet access for speakers.

Proposals should be submitted online at: https://www.fgsconference.org/fgs2018-call-for-presentations/

Submissions are due no later than 14 July 2017.

Compensation

Selected speakers receive an honorarium, travel compensation, and conference registration as well as per diem and hotel nights based on the number of lectures presented. (Sponsored speakers only receive conference registration and syllabus materials. See more about sponsorships below.) Non-sponsored speakers receive compensation according to the FGS Conference Speaker Policy.

Sponsored Lectures

Societies and businesses are encouraged to submit proposals for sponsored talks. The sponsoring organization will cover its speaker's costs to present the lecture. Sponsored speakers will abide by all speaker deadlines and syllabus requirements. Sponsored speakers will receive complimentary FGS conference registration.

Invitations to speak will be issued in October 2017. Syllabus format guidelines and deadline will be sent to speakers at that time. The deadline for acceptance and submission of signed speaker contracts is 1 November 2017.

Email questions to program2018@fgs.org.