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

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 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.

FGS Radio: FGS Conference Highlights

Click here to create a reminder to listen to FGS Radio:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2013/07/20/fgs-2013-conference-highlights

Saturday, July 20, 2013
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

Join us for the next episode of FGS Radio - My Society, an Internet radio show on Blog talk Radio presented by the Federation of Genealogical Societies.

FGS 2013 - A Special Genealogy Conference You Won't Want To Miss!

It's getting closer! The 2013 FGS conference takes place in Fort Wayne, Indiana on August 21-24 with pre-conference activities on August 20th and a Farewell Brunch on August 25th. Fort Wayne is the home of the renowned Genealogy Center which is giving us generous extended research hours during the conference.

• Of course, you may still register online or by regular mail for the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne!

• Register soon so that in early August you gain access to the online conference syllabus with an expanded subject index.

• We tweaked room arrangements and have ample room for more people to sign up for the luncheons that take place each day.

• Rooms are available at the two added hotels. They will run periodic shuttles to the Grand Wayne Convention Center. Fort Wayne has thousands of hotel rooms so there is space for all of us.

• Ample parking is available near the convention center.

• Don't forget about the wonderful quilt that will be awarded during the Friday evening festivities at the Allen County Public Library. That's an evening to benefit the War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions Project with lots of fun activities. A dessert buffet will be sponsored by FamilySearch.

If you have registered for that evening, you get access to the Genealogy Center from 6:00 p.m. till Midnight!

Want more details on these points and to keep up with breaking news? Follow us on:

• The conference website: https://www.fgsconference.org/
• FGS Conference News Blog: http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org/
• We are also on Twitter and Facebook

We hope you join us for this great educational and fun week.

2013 FGS Conference Early Bird Registration Ends July 1

“Journey through Generations” – A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists

June 10, 2013 – Austin, TX. Discounted early-bird registration for the 2013 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference will continue only until July 1. Early registrants receive a $50 discount for the full four days, or a $20 discount for any single day. Details at http://www.fgsconference.org.

The conference will be held 21-24 August 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Grand Wayne Convention Center. This year’s conference theme is “Journey through Generations,” and the local hosts are the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) and the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI). Platinum sponsors are FamilySearch, FindMyPast.com and Ancestry.com.

The conference offers opportunities for all who are interested in researching their family history, with over 160 educational sessions on records, strategies, and tools for genealogists at all levels. The exhibit hall features over 70 vendors offering a wide range of genealogical products and is open and free to the public.

Luncheons, workshops and special events provide additional opportunities for networking and learning. Make sure the get your tickets to these conference “extras” early to guarantee your spot.

See you in Fort Wayne in August!

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.

Become a FGS 2013 Ambassador

April 8, 2013 – Genealogy bloggers, societies, writers and editors are invited to participate in the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2013 Conference by becoming FGS 2013 Ambassadors. Ambassadors help to spread information about the FGS 2013 Conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, through social media to their friends, colleagues, and everyone interested in genealogy.

2013 FGS Conference Registration is Open

“Journey through Generations” – A Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists

March 8, 2013 – Austin, TX. Online registration is now open for the 2013 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference, scheduled for 21-24 August 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Register at http://www.fgsconference.org by 1 July 2013 for an early-bird discount. This year’s conference theme is “Journey through Generations,” and the local hosts are the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) and the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI).

This year’s FGS conference offers an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in researching their family history. This conference will offer over 160 educational sessions on records, strategies, and tools for genealogists of all levels. Ten different sponsored luncheons will provide opportunities for networking.

Session sponsors include FamilySearch, findmypast.com, Ancestry.com, Archives.com, Fold3, Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Speakers Guild, National Archives and Records Administration, and the Indiana Historical Society.

Conference Highlights

• Conference Sessions: A wide variety of genealogy-related lectures and workshops for all experience levels. Attendees will be able to learn about Midwest research, African American research, European research, military research, genetics, technology, migration, methodology and more.

• Focus on Societies: On Wednesday, August 21, 2013, sessions are jam-packed with ideas and tools to help societies promote themselves, increase membership, and develop sources of revenue.

• Librarians’ Day: On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, ProQuest will sponsor a full pre-conference day of sessions designed for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals serving family history researchers.

• Special Events: Include FGS Opening Social at the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory and “Journey Through the Genearations with Our Veterans” at the Allen County Public Library.

• Exhibit Hall: The large exhibit hall will feature the latest software, books, maps, databases and gadgets on the market for genealogists and family historians, as well as information about genealogical organizations. Representatives of FGS member societies will staff their booths in the special Society Showcase area.

• Extended Hours at ACPL: The Genealogy Center at ACPL will open early and stay open late during the FGS 2013 conference week to help genealogist maximize their research time.

There are more activities and research opportunities too numerous to list. However, you can learn all about the 2013 FGS Conference and register for this exciting four-day event at http://www.fgsconference.org. Be sure to also visit or subscribe to the FGS Conference Blog at http://www.fgsconferenceblog.org for more information.

We look forward to seeing you in Fort Wayne in August!

Learn More and Stay Connected

• 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.

Website for FGS 2013 Conference Now Online

The website for the Federation of Genealogical Societies' 2013 Annual Conference, Journey Through Generations, held in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, August 21-24, 2013, is now online. Visit the FGS 2013 website here to learn more.  Registration for the FGS 2013 conference will be available soon.

A Conference For The Nation’s Genealogists

Learn from experts. Collaborate with other genealogists. Look for your ancestors in the more than one million books and microform sources in The Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library.

The FGS 2013 confernece is co-sponsored by local hosts Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana and the Allen County Public Library.

FGS 2013 Request for Lecture Proposals Due May 15, 2012

REMINDER!  All lecture proposals for the FGS 2013 Conference, “Journey Through Generations,” to be held August 21 – 24, 2013, in Fort Wayne, Indiana are due on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

See 2013 FGS National Conference - Request for Lecture Proposals for details.