FGSCruise2015: Featured Speaker D. Joshua Taylor

2015 is a year of adventure for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. From our joint conference in February to September's regional event in New York, there are numerous opportunities to connect with the family history community in 2015.  

One highlight of the year will be the inaugural FGS Cruise, which sets sail to Alaska in August. The event offers the opportunity of a lifetime — the chance to learn from some of the world's leading genealogists while enjoying the incredible landscapes of Alaska and British Columbia. 

The first-class slate of speakers is just the beginning of the adventure. Hands-on workshops, social events, game nights, dinners, and a host of other activities promise to provide a memorable experience for all involved. Whether you are looking to enrich your knowledge of Irish research, DNA methods, evidence analysis, or archival records, there is something for everyone aboard the FGS 2015 Cruise.   

— D. Joshua Taylor, FGS President

Joshua will be delivering four lectures during the cruise:

• Tracing Eastern Origins of Western Families
• Beyond Belief: The Wealth of Genealogical and Historical Societies
• Treasures in the Archives: Using Archive Grid
• Creating a Website for Your Society

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS is the President of the Federation of Genealogical Societies and a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Joshua is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including RootsTech’s Distinguished Presenter Award, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Award of Merit, and the Rubincam Youth Award from the National Genealogical Society. He holds an MLS (Archival Management) and an MA (History) from Simmons College and has been featured genealogist on Who Do You Think You Are? and the hit PBS show, Genealogy Roadshow.

Book Your 2015 FGS Alaskan Cruise Cabin Today

Book Your 2015 FGS Alaskan Cruise Cabin Today!

Book your cabin now for the upcoming FGS Alaskan Cruise scheduled to set sail August 28, 2015. Cabins in the FGS block are available now and must be booked via cruise travel agent Susan Smith of Cruises Inc. at: https://www.fgsconference.org/cruise/cruise-home/.

Cruise goers will enjoy 7 nights aboard Royal Caribbean’s luxurious Jewel of the Seas in the FGS’s maiden voyage of genealogy cruising. The Alaskan Cruise conference will feature over 20 sessions during sea days from an all-star cast of speakers - Elizabeth Shown Mills, David Rencher, Judy Russell, and D. Joshua Taylor. Activities include engaging social events, game nights, historic land excursions, and private dinner seating for fellowship with registered attendees. Twelve of the first 100 registrants will win individual consultations with the featured speakers. 

Cruise organizer and past FGS President Pat Oxley stated, “I hope everyone will come aboard with FGS on this new adventure where we combine the fun of cruising, the excitement of lectures by four top-notch speakers, and the splendor of Alaska, all packed into 7 days aboard a beautiful ship - it’s the perfect trifecta!”

The ports of call will include:

• Seattle, Washington
• Juneau, Alaska 
• Skagway, Alaska
• Victoria, British Columbia

Cruise goers will experience breathtaking views while cruising the Alaska Inside Passage and Tracy Arm Fjord. The FGS website https://www.fgsconference.org/cruise/cruise-home/ has full details about the ports of call, pricing, and how to place cruise reservations.

FGS Announces Upcoming Events for 2015 and 2016

2013 FGS National Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

FGS Hosts 2015 Alaskan Cruise, 2015 New York Regional Conference, and 

Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary in Springfield, Illinois in 2016 

The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) is excited to announce its upcoming events lineup, which includes a 2015 FGS Alaskan Cruise, August 28th - September 4th; a 2015 New York Regional Conference in Syracuse in conjunction with the New York State Family History Conference, September 17th-19th; and the 2016 FGS National Conference in Springfield, Illinois, August 31st – September 3rd.

2015 Alaskan Cruise 
Join your friends and fellow genealogists on the first FGS Cruise in the fall of 2015. This 
event promises to deliver a memorable vacation and education from leading 
genealogists on a variety of topics. Watch for additional information in late 2014. 

2015 New York Regional Conference 
The New York State Family History Conference returns to Syracuse, New 
York September 17-19, 2015. Organized by the New York Genealogical and 
Biographical Society and the Central New York Genealogical Society, the second 
biennial conference has expanded to include three tracks of lectures, a significant 
increase in attendance, and an enlarged space that will accommodate many more 
exhibitors and societies of interest to attendees. One of the conference focal points is 
researching New York families, a pursuit that offers unique challenges and requires 
special techniques and knowledge; the other focal point is building general research 
skills. In 2015, the event will be hosted as a regional conference of the Federation of 
Genealogical Societies (FGS) who will provide topics and events for genealogical 
society leaders and volunteers as part of the conference's activities. 

2016 National Conference 
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Federation of Genealogical Societies as we return 
to Illinois in 2016. Hosted in the Land of Lincoln, the 2016 conference will feature the 
latest news and updates from the family history community, a full exhibit hall, the 
popular Society Showcase, and sessions related to the Midwestern states, research 
methods, and other topics. 

FGS President D. Joshua Taylor states, “As we watch our organizations meet the needs 
of today's genealogists, we are delighted to offer a variety of activities for 2015 and our 
return to Springfield for our 40th Anniversary in 2016.” 

Currently, registration is open for the Federation’s 2014 National Conference, “Gone to 
Texas,” to be held in San Antonio, Texas, August 27th-30th. Further, the Federation has 
a Call for Papers for its 2015 National Conference, “Connect. Explore. Refresh.” to be 
held concurrently with Rootstech in Salt Lake City, Utah, February, 11th-14th.