Keep Up with #FGS2016 from Home!

If you are unable to make it to the FGS 2016 National Conference in Springfield, Illinois, there are still a few ways to keep up with what's happening here.

First, we have a Facebook Event Page where not only we are posting pictures and videos, but our attendees, exhibitors, and speakers are too.

Second, we have a dedicated conference hashtag #FGS2016. This allows you to follow the conference hashtag on hashtag-centric social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. 

Third and speaking of social media platforms, here is a list of our social media platforms. Have you connected with us on them?

Facebook Page

Facebook Event Page

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube

Fourth, for Twitter you only need to venture as far as this blog post. We have embedded our Twitter feed of our conference hashtag #FGS2016 below. Or you can follow our #FGS2016 Twub where we've registered our hashtag.

Fifth, make sure you follow our speakers and exhibitors on your social media platform of choice as they will certainly be posting images and videos of their experiences from #FGS2016 here in Springfield.

Sixth, follow our Conference Platinum Sponsors — Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch on the social media platform of your choice.

Can't follow along live? Come back here to the FGS Voice Blog to experience daily recaps from #FGS2016.

Twitter Feed:
#FGS2016 Tweets

Download the FGS 2016 App to Have Conference Information at Your Fingertips!

To have the FGS 2016 Conference schedule, maps, list of
speakers, and up-to-date information plus a way to connect
with fellow attendees at your fingertips, download the
Guidebook App on your iOS or Android mobile device or you can even access it on your desktop or laptop!

Follow these detailed steps to download the app:


1. Download Guidebook.

• Navigate to guidebook.com/getit on your device's web browser.
• Go to the app store that corresponds with your device and search for "Guidebook"
• For desktop users or users with Windows Phones or non-Blackberry 10+ devices, navigate to guidebook.com/browse in your web browser (at this time, we only offer a native Guidebook app for iOS, Android, Blackberry 10+, and Amazon Kindle).

Follow the prompts on your screen, and the app will download.

2. Now that you've got the Guidebook app, it's time to download the guide for FGS 2016! Open up the Guidebook app on your device to get started. Note: Internet access is required for this step.

• Download and open the Guidebook app on your phone via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Use the Search box to type in "FGS 2016" (without the quotes) in the guide bar at the top.
• Tap "Get this Guide" to download the guide.

If you accidentally download the wrong guide, no worries! From the "My Guides" screen, tap the guide you wish to delete until you get a message that says "Unsync [name of guide]?" and press OK.

Note: After you delete the guide, it will appear at the end of the "Guides For You" lineup in case you accidentally deleted it or would like to access it again soon.

Desktop, Windows, non-Blackberry 10 users

On your phone's web browser (Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.), type in guidebook.com/browse/

Click on the search bar below "Select a Category". Type in "FGS 2016" (without the quotes), and tap on "Search" or "Return" in the bottom right of your keyboard. View the results, and click on your event to download!

Note: If you are able to download a native app for your phone, a small "Get the Guidebook app" banner will appear at the top of your screen. Click this to download the native app.

3. Explore the FGS 2016 Device Guide!

For more detailed instructions for downloading and navigating the FGS 2016 Guidebook App, visit: https://support.guidebook.com/hc/en-us/articles/202891364-Using-the-Guidebook-App-for-end-users-.

 

NEW! FGS 2016 Exhibit Hall Vendor Bucks

One of the most exciting areas at an FGS conference
is the large Exhibit Hall, featuring the latest software,
books, maps, databases, and gadgets on the market for
genealogists and family historians, as well as information
about genealogical organizations. The Exhibit Hall opens Thursday morning after the keynote session.

New this year are Vendor Bucks! Each attendee will
receive $10 in Vendor Bucks to spend at the vendor
booth of their choice. After a purchase is made, the
vendor will indicate that on the Bucks. For immediate
reimbursement, the attendee will present the Bucks at
the Vendor Bucks Reimbursement booth located at the
rear of the Exhibit Hall.

Exhibit Hall Hours:

Thursday: 9:30am - 5pm

Friday: 9am - 5pm

Saturday: 9am - 3pm

Celebrating 40 Years of FGS!

At this year's conference in Springfield, Illinois, FGS will be celebrating 40 years of community and growth!

We have a long history focused on connecting the world of genealogy, learning new techniques and skills together, and providing the tools to succeed. We cannot wait to share this history with you at the 40th Anniversary Gala on Friday evening.

This year's event will play host to the first ever FGS Family History Quest, and we hope you are ready for an evening of fun and long lasting memories. With J. Mark Lowe as our emcee, you can basically guarantee that we are all in for a very exciting evening. Stroll down memory lane with us as we present the opportunity to test your knowledge - and your creativity! We are thrilled to be giving away over $25,000 in prizes to Gala participants.

Gala prizes have been contributed from:

• Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com and MyHeritage.com
• Midwest Genealogy Center
• YourDNAGuide.com
• RootsTech
• Family ChartMasters
• and more! 

The Gala is not your only chance to celebrate with us, however. Each day of the conference, we will offer a question to both on-site attendees and those watching on social media, and we're inviting everyone to share their favorite memory, favorite moment, favorite element of FGS history with us. Watch our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter, and the hashtag #FGS40th, each day of the conference for our prompts. If you will be in Springfield with us, visit the expo hall to add your memories to our story.

We're on a quest to celebrate forty years - we hope you will celebrate with us!

Journey Through the FGS 2016 Exhibit Hall with Your Passport!

FGS 2016 Exhibit Hall Passport

Have each exhibitor “stamp” your passport. Return your stamped passport to the FGS booth by 1:30pm on Saturday, September 3rd to be entered into a drawing. You do not need to be present to win.

Drawings will begin at 1:45pm on Saturday, September 3rd at the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall.

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE 
(must fully “stamp” both sides of this passport):

• 2017 FGS Conference Package*
• 2018 FGS Conference Registration
• AncestryDNA kit

INDIVIDUAL PRIZES
(return a passport with at least 15 “stamps”):

• FGS 2017 Conference Registration
• FGS 2018 Conference Registration
• Family Tree Maker (for Mac or PC)


*includes registration, syllabus, four hotel nights, daily luncheons, and special events

FGS 2016 Conference Exhibit Hall Demonstrations

Free exhibitor demonstrations will be offered periodically
in the Exhibit Hall during open hours. This is the place
to take a “test drive” of scanning equipment, view the
special features of different genealogy software packages
as they are highlighted by experts, and learn how to
search efficiently in online subscription databases. Below is the Demo Area schedule. The complete schedule will be posted outside the Exhibit Hall and on page 47 of the On-site Guide.

FGS 2016: Trying to Build Your Family Tree with DNA?

Need help learning about DNA for genealogy?

Our 8 DNA Sessions Can Help With That

Using DNA for genealogy can get confusing, but once you get the hang of it, you can begin to use it to break down some long-standing family history research brick walls.

At the FGS National Conference in Springfield, Illinois, our DNA for genealogy experts will help you learn what you need to know — whether you are just a beginner or have already tested! On the Friday of our 4-day conference, we have devoted a full track to DNA for genealogy learning, and on Saturday, we have two more sessions dedicated to learning all about Ancestry DNA.

Friday — DNA Track

DIAHAN SOUTHARD












►F-307 Every Surname in Your Pedigree Can Benefit from YDNA Testing

Learn basic and intermediate principles of using YDNA to verify and extend your pedigree chart, including how to make the most of your family project.

►F-323 What Now? Your Next Steps with Autosomal DNA Testing

Overwhelmed with autosomal DNA? I can teach you in 45 minutes tools you can implement and understand today so you can find your ancestors tomorrow.

RANDY WHITED

►F-344 Genograms: Family Medical History and Cluster Research

Learn about genograms and how to adapt them to your research. By providing a different view of relationships, they can make patterns and gaps more easily recognizable.

BLAINE BETTINGER, PhD, JD

►F-315 Using Free Third-Party Tools to Analyze Your Autsomal DNA

Although DNA testing companies provide their own analysis of test results, there are free third-party tools that can benefit genealogists.

►F-352 DNA and the Genealogical Proof Standard

Learn how DNA test results are increasingly an important component of the genealogical proof standard!

►F-336 Genetic Self-Education: Where to Go for Help

You've received your DNA test results, but you have no idea what they mean. Where do you go for more information? How do you educate yourself about genetic genealogy?

Saturday — DNA Sessions

ANNA SWAYNE

►S-412 Finding Family History Discoveries Using AncestryDNA
Sponsored by Ancestry

Come as a beginner to learn how AncestryDNA works and what it is. Come as an intermediate to learn how DNA matching, DNA Circles, and New Ancestor Discoveries technology help validate your research and find new leads.

►S-433 Cracking the Case with DNA
Sponsored by Ancestry

Want to use your DNA results to break down a brick wall in your family tree? In this class we will show you step-by-step how to use DNA to solve mysteries in your family tree and answer your own genealogical questions.

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2016 National Conference, "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories," in Springfield, IL, August 31 — September 3, 2016. Learn how to discover your family history with 72 speakers from across the world in over 160 sessions, luncheons, & workshops! Don't delay and register today at the early bird price which ends July 1, 2016.

FGS 2016 Repository Spotlight: Sangamon Valley Collection at the Lincoln Library

Sangamon Valley Collection at the Lincoln Library in Springfield, IL

The FGS 2016 Conference, "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories," location — Springfield, Illinois — offers an array of local research opportunities for attendees. 

One such opportunity is the Sangamon Valley Collection located at the Lincoln Library and the "bonus" is its proximity to the FGS 2016 Conference facilities.

Established in 1970, the Sangamon Valley Collection is one of Springfield’s valuable genealogical collections and a must-see when visiting the state capitol. The collection is housed on the third floor of the Lincoln Library, located at 326 S. 7th Street, Springfield, Illinois. It contains copious amounts of information for Sangamon County and its surrounding neighbors.

The collection is open during the following hours:  

• Monday - Wednesday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Thursday, Friday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. 

The library is within walking distance of the conference and is located at the corner of Seventh and Capitol Streets, next door to the Springfield Municipal Building in downtown Springfield.

What can you find in the Sangamon Valley Collection? 

• Photographs
• City and county directories
• High school yearbooks
• City and county documents
• Histories
• Maps
• Very extensive obituary index to the State Journal-Register (Illinois’ longest running newspaper).
• Genealogical materials from outside the area including histories from Virginia, German immigrant passenger lists, etc.
• Manuscripts (The index is online here. So, prepare before you go.)
• Microfilm resources (A PDF of their microfilm index is available here. Prepare before you go.) 

For more information on the library and collection visit the Lincoln Library website.

Early-bird registration is currently open for the FGS 2016 National Conference which will be held August 31—September 3, 2016, in Springfield, Illinois. Don't miss this valuable opportunity to research locally, to learn how to solve your research problems with methodologies and the latest technologies, and to meet family historians just like you. The discount for early registration ends July 1st, so don't delay. Register today to save!

Register today to take advantage of the early bird discount!

2016 FGS Conference Registration Is Now Open!

Register now for #FGS2016 "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories" in Springfield, IL.

Online registration is now open for the 2016 FGS National Conference, “Time Travel: Centuries of Memories” to be held August 31 — September 3, 2016, in Springfield, IL, and locally hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Register by July 1, 2016, for the early-bird discount at http://www.FGSConference.org.

Celebrating 40 years since the founding of FGS, each day of the conference is full of sessions aimed at strengthening attendees’ research skills no matter what level or area of interest they may have.

“Returning to our Illinois roots for the FGS 2016 Conference to celebrate our 40^th Anniversary in the state where FGS began is a dream come true,” says D. Joshua Taylor, FGS President. “With a solid educational program and a tremendous line-up of social events, this conference is not to be missed!”

Conference Highlights

• Conference Sessions: With over 160 sessions, 72 expert speakers from around the world, 10 luncheons with speakers, 7 workshops, and 2 interactive seminars, learning opportunities abound in the FGS 2016 Program. With strong daily tracks covering the U.S. Midwest (regional track), the United Kingdom (British Isles and Commonwealth track), and continental European research (ethnic track), attendees of all skill levels will learn a multitude of ways to uncover more about their family history.
• 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. Located in the special Society Showcase area, representatives of FGS Member Societies will be on hand to demonstrate how their society can help attendees with their family history.
• Special Events: With built-in networking opportunities, registrants can meet like-minded genealogists and family historians at FGS special events including “Farms & Families: Across the Decades” on Wednesday evening sponsored by FamilySearch and co-hosted by the Illinois State Genealogical Society and the Illinois State Historical Society; the “Meet & Greet” sponsored by Ancestry.com on Thursday evening; and the FGS 40th Anniversary Gala on Friday evening.
• Focus on Societies: On Wednesday, August 31, 2016, sessions are jam‐packed with ideas and tools to help societies promote themselves, develop projects, increase membership, and leverage technology. The day kicks off with a plenary session that explores the opportunities and challenges facing societies today and showcases ways to facilitate the changes needed for societies to succeed and thrive.
• Librarians’ Day: On Tuesday, August 30, 2016, ProQuest will sponsor a pre‐conference full‐day of sessions designed for librarians, archivists, and other information professionals serving family history researchers.

Platinum sponsors include leading family history companies Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. Other participating and supporting organizations include Findmypast, Internet Genealogy, Your Genealogy, Lexmark, Eneclann, Illinois State Genealogical Society, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Historical Society, and more. Please visit the conference website for a complete listing of all sponsors and partners.

Also visit the conference website at http://www.FGSConference.org for additional details including links to conference hotels, research opportunities, and more. Keep up with conference news and announcements right here on the FGS Voice blog at http://voice.fgs.org/ and by subscribing to the FGS Voice Newsletter at http://fgs.org/cpage.php?pt=71.

We can't wait to see you in Springfield! Register now.

Selected FGS Focus On Societies Day Recordings Available Now

New Resource for FGS Member Societies!

To help society leaders improve their society management skills, FGS offers a whole day at national conferences every year devoted to societies for all society leaders (FGS members or not) and their members followed by three days of excellent genealogy and family history sessions and workshops — open to anyone and for all skill levels. 

In an effort to expand some of the society management learning opportunities to more of our FGS Member Societies and thanks to the generosity of our speakers, FGS is now able to provide access to selected "Focus on Societies" Day audio recordings of selected past national conferences to FGS Member Society leaders! 

The first series of selected FGS "Focus on Societies" Day audio recording sessions that are available in the Members-only Area of the FGS website come from our FGS 2014 National Conference, "Gone to Texas" in San Antonio, Texas. Take a look at the lineup:

• Plenary Session and Strong Business Strategy = Sound Society Strategy, David E. Rencher and Ed Donakey — Run your society as successfully as a business. For all society delegates, members-at-large, and other interested parties.
• Strategic Planning for Society Leaders, Jordan Jones — The National Genealogical Society recently completed a strategic planning process. Come hear the President of NGS discuss strategic planning and how your society might benefit from it.
• Preparing for Change: Transition Planning and Your Society, D. Joshua Talyor — As new officers and committee members come into your society, it is essential that information is easily passed from one to the other. Learn ideas for planning transitions within your society (both the expected and unexpected).
• Embracing Technology: Tools You Can Use Today to Move Your Society Into Virtual Space, Jen Baldwin and D. Joshua Taylor — Learn about a variety of tools available to create a more efficient and organized collaborative online presence for your society.
• Is WordPress Right For My Society?, Randy W. Whited — It's not just for blogs anymore. The popular Content Management System (CMS), WordPress, powers about 20 percent of all websites. Learn more about the basics and extended capabilities of this tool and decide if it is right for you and your organization.
• Innovative Programs: The How-To, Cindy Foreman — Society programs can become stale and repetitive. Identifying topics and finding speakers can be challenging. Come learn a system that will help you develop fresh, interesting resources and programs.
• FGS Supports Member Societies (Sponsored by Dell), Ed Donakey — Learn how FGS supports societies and individuals by cooperating with for-profit and non-profit organizations to deliver tools and services for genealogists.
• It Sometimes Takes Two: Partnering with Other Societies or Organizations, Sandra J. Crowley — Learn how your society or organization can identify potential projects and organizations to partner with to help you both achieve your goals.
• Virtual Presentations for Genealogy Societies, Thomas MacEntee — Learn how you can expand your genealogy speaking opportunities to include virtual presentations from the comfort of your home or office.
• Creating a Community Indexing Project, Thomas MacEntee — Learn the available options for taking a set of genealogy records, creating an index, and sharing it with the genealogy community.
• The Dotted Line: Sign Before Other Steps, Paula Stuart-Warren — Handshake? Text message? Email? Available on__? Does this protect organizations, speakers, or researchers? Nope. No way. No how. Details need to be clear and agreed to by all parties. Leave this session prepared for the next event.
• Volunteering from a Distance, Paula Stuart-Warren — Learn how you can expand your genealogy speaking opportunities to include virtual presentations from the comfort of your home or office.
• Effective Advocacy, Teri E. Flack — Records are the lifeblood of genealogical research; however, their preservation and access continues to be threatened. Advocacy by the genealogical community, and your society in particular, can help mitigate the threats, but only if we act effectively.
• Electronic Publishing Fundamentals for Society Leaders, Jordan Jones — Your society may publish books, journals, and newsletters on paper, as PDFs, or in e-book format. Whether your society already publishes electronically, or you?re only considering it, learn ways to do it successfully.

To start listening to and learning from the experts, FGS Member Society leaders just have to log-in now to the Members-only Area of the FGS Website and click on "Focus on Societies" in the menu! 

Is your society not a member of FGS? Join FGS to start taking advantage of the suite of tools and services FGS provides its Member Societies!

Don't forget! If you like these topics, you'll love the lineup of our "Focus on Societies" Day at the FGS 2016 National Conference, "Time Travel: Centuries of Memories" this year in Springfield, Illinois, August 31 — September 3, 2016, with plentiful built-in networking opportunities for all society leaders (FGS members or not) followed by three days of excellent genealogy and family history sessions, workshops, luncheons, and special events open to anyone with an inkling of finding more about their family history. Take a look at the program now. Registration opens soon!

Hotel Reservations Open for FGS 2016 Conference

HOTEL RESERVATIONS OPEN FOR FGS 2016 CONFERENCE

Book Your Room Today!

Two Springfield, Illinois hotels are now taking reservations for The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 2016 Conference, “Time Travel: Centuries of Memories,” which will be held August 31 – September 3, 2016 at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

The Wyndham Springfield City Centre (formerly the Hilton Springfield) and The President Abraham Lincoln Springfield (a DoubleTree hotel by Hilton) will offer reduced rates to attendees of the FGS 2016 Conference. Each hotel is conveniently located near the Prairie Capital Convention Center and each hotel will offer a courtesy bus from the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport and Amtrak station.

Left: Wyndham Springfield City Center; Right: President Abraham Lincoln Springfield (a Doubletree Hotel by Hilton)

MAIN CONFERENCE HOTEL

Wyndham Springfield City Centre
700 E Adams St, Springfield, IL 62701
(217) 789-1530

The conference rate is $129/night, available from August 27 to September 6, 2016. Reserve your room by August 6, 2016 to receive the discounted rate. Visit www.fgsconference.org to reserve your room online. NOTE: For the Wyndham, phone reservations will be taken ONLY after January 1, 2016, while online reservations can be made now.

Sold Out! The President Abraham Lincoln Springfield
701 E Adams Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701
(217) 544-8800

The conference rate is $129/night, available from August 30 to September 4, 2016. Reserve your room by August 3, 2016 to receive the discounted rate. Visit www.fgsconference.org to reserve your room online. NOTE: The President Abraham Lincoln Springfield has a connected walkway to the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

Book Your FGS 2016 Conference Hotel Room NOW!

Rooms will be in high demand. Reserve yours now through the FGS conference website at www.fgsconference.org. Registration for the FGS 2016 Conference will open in late January 2016. For additional information about the FGS conference visit www.fgsconference.org.

Latest FORUM Issue Out: Freedmen's Bank Records, genealogy self-education & more!

While temps are dropping in many places before the holiday season begins in earnest, now is the perfect time to delve into this latest issue of FORUM. Stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, this issue is abundant with genealogy advice, how-tos, and tech tips that will leave you thankful you took a little "me time" to gobble it up.

Adding context to your ancestors' stories

"Freedmen's Bureau & Freedmen's Bank Records" can lend context to your ancestors' lives and narrative to their stories. Ted Bainbridge, PhD, takes an in-depth look at these records.

Worry-free goodies

In "Just 37 Words" Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL, explains there are wonderful goodies you can use without worrying about copyright.

Continuing your genealogy education

Shannon Combs-Bennett gives Next Generation ways to continue your genealogy education in "Keeping Up with the Ancestors: Self-Education.

And that's not all. Take a peek inside:

Table of Contents

3 ...... From the Editors

6 ...... President's Message: Capturing the Energy by D. Joshua Taylor

8 ...... Freedman's Bureau & Freedmen's Bank Records by Ted Bainbridge

18 ...... Build a Digital Library with Scribd by Denise Barrett Olson

24 ...... Join Us for the FGS 2016 Conference by Thomas MacEntee

28 ...... Considerations for Conducting a Family History Writing Contest by Jill Morelli

32 ...... FGS Experiences New Frontiers in Genealogical Cruising to Alaska by Deena Coutant

38 ...... How to Index Genealogical Records at Home by Ted Bainbridge, PhD

41 ...... Spotlight on Member Projects, Surname Project, Webinars, 'Human Scanners' & More by Caroline Pointer

45 ...... Ethics and Standards, Just 37 Words by Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL

49 ...... Next Generation, Keeping Up With the Ancestors: Self-Education by Shannon Combs-Bennett

52 ...... Records Preservation and Access, New Records Online, Opened Adoption Records & More by Linda McCleary, MLS

How to access FORUM:

Current FGS Member Societies: Sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, click on FGS FORUM – Latest Issue in the sidebar.) Don't forget to renew your membership in order for your society's leadership to continue to access FORUM and its archives.

Current FGS FORUM subscribers (individuals): sign-in now to start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. (After signing in, scroll down and click on Vol. 27, No. 2, to read.)

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

Not already a subscriber? You can subscribe today to FGS FORUM and start reading immediately or download it to read on your desktop or mobile device. No need to be a member of a genealogical society.

Genealogical Societies: If you are not a member society 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. Read more about how else FGS empowers Member Society Leaders to manage successful societies.

2016 FGS National ​C​onference Call for ​P​resentations

Deadline for Submissions is 10 April 2015

We are very excited to announce our Call for Presentation Proposals for the FGS 2016 Conference, “Time Travel: Centuries of Memories,” to be held in Springfield, Illinois, Aug 31 – Sept 3, 2016. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are within walking distance of the Prairie Capital Convention Center, the conference venue. The conference will be held in cooperation with the Illinois State Genealogical Society as local host. The deadline for submission of presentation proposals is Friday, 10 April 2015.

“Time Travel: Centuries of Memories,” recognizes the vast array of people and resources whose paths into the United States brought them to, and through, the Midwest. Topics related to methodology and research skills are always welcomed, in addition to content-specific areas, such as:

• Military: War of 1812, American Civil War, Indian Wars, World War I, World War II, European and Napoleonic Wars.
• Migration: Europe to North America; naturalization records; passenger lists; ports of entry; to and through the Midwest; the Great Migration (northward from the sharecropping South); migration trails and routes (Mormon, Oregon, Santa Fe); refugee resettlement; modern economic migrants. 
• Ethnic Origins: The Baltic Basin (including Poland, Scandinavia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Denmark, Germany); Central Europe (including Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic/Bohemia, Hungary); Romance Europe (including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Papal States); the Mediterranean/Adriatic Basin (including Turkey, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Cypress, Armenia); Latin American research. 
• Great Britain and the former British Empire
  ​:​
   (England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India)
  ​;​
   the British diaspora; records (civil and ecclesiastical); churches (Anglican, Quaker, Catholic, dissenter, non-conformist, Presbyterians); military records; city directories; trade directories; guilds; poll books; valuations and tax records. 
• Occupations & Work: Farmers, carpenters, brewers/distillers, boatmen, firefighters/police, railroaders, canal builders, laborers and factory hands; women in the workforce; unions, guilds and apprenticeships; coal miners; slaughterhouse workers; doctors, midwives and pharmacists; clerks and lawyers; pressmen and printers; trade directories; smugglers, bootleggers and other illicit trades. 
• Religions, Adherents and Records: Jewish, Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant traditions and records; religious colonization’s and refugee movements; Pogrom and Holocaust survivors and research; the Underground Railroad; Mormon/LDS; utopian communities; peace churches, pacifists and conscientious objectors; convents, monasteries and cloistered communities.
• Regional research: Research repositories in the Midwest; research in Illinois and nearby states—Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio; archival collections; college and university research collections; migration destinations from Illinois: the Great Plains, Texas, Oklahoma, and California; migration to Illinois from feeder states of the east and south. 
• Genetics & DNA: the basics of DNA research; autosomal studies and advanced analysis; testing procedures; ethical considerations; adoptions; forensic and expert work; case studies. 
• Skills, Abilities & General Knowledge: Beginning research techniques; evidence analysis; online resources and tools; wikis; collaboration techniques and etiquette; terminology; comparative analysis; units of measure, trade and currency; time, calendars and dates; writing a family history; publishing – print vs eBook; creating websites, blogs and vlogs; earning genealogical credentials. 
• Society Management: Use of technology by and for societies; adaptation to change; internal and external communication; meeting changing member needs and member engagement; education projects and events; society leadership; team building; implementing large projects.

The program committee specifically seeks new and dynamic proposals that will provide exceptional learning experiences for conference attendees. Proposals for workshops and sponsored talks are encouraged.

Multiple proposals (more than four) are welcome and encouraged, as most chosen to speak will be engaged for more than one presentation. There is no limit on the number of proposals a speaker may submit.

Submission Requirements

Speaker submissions and deadlines for the FGS 2016 Conference reflect the implementation of an online submission system. Interested parties must submit all presentation proposals using the online portal, which will open 20 February 2015. The Call for Presentation

​ Proposals

 is now open and will close on Friday, 10 April 2015.

This deadline is for all proposal submissions including sponsored presentations.

Compensation

Selected speakers receive an honorarium, travel compensation, and conference registration as well as per diem and hotel nights based on the number of presentations given. (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 at www.fgs.org/conferences/speakerpolicy.php.

Sponsored Presentations

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

Additional Information

Invitations will be issued in October 2015. Syllabus format guidelines will be sent to speakers at that time. The deadline for acceptance and submission of signed speaker contracts is 1 November 2015.

Camera-ready handouts are required for each presentation or workshop presentation and will be compiled in a syllabus distributed to conference participants. The deadline for submissions of syllabus materials is Wednesday, 13 April 2016.

​For more information, please visit: ​

 https://www.fgsconference.org/proposals/