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.)

#FGS2018 Conference App Is Available

Keep the FGS 2018 program, speakers, and exhibitors right at your fingertips with the conference app.

Download the Guidebook App on your iOS or Android mobile device or you can even access it on your desktop or laptop!

Step 1: Download the Guidebook App

Go to the App Store, Google Play, or Amazon App store and look for the Guidebook app. You can also go to https://guidebook.com/getit/ and have the download link sent right to your phone.

NOTE: If you're using your computer or a device other than an iPhone, Android, or Blackberry 10+ device, go to https://guidebook.com/guide/133849/ to view the FGS 2018 conference app.

Also, if you used the conference guide from the FGS 2017 conference in Pittsburgh, the Guidebook app might already be on your phone! We're using the same platform this year.

Step 2: Download the FGS 2018 Guide

After you've downloaded Guidebook, open the app and then:

• Tap "Find Guides" and enter FGS 2018. You'll see the FGS 2018 Conference guide at the top of the list. 
• Tap the Download button.

Step 3: Open and Explore the FGS 2018 Guide

Once you've downloaded the FGS 2018 Guide, tap to open it. When it's open, tap the icon of 3 horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner.

Then you'll see the menu with announcements, information, program, speakers, etc. Tap on any of those and explore!

NOTE: When there is a number next to "Announcements from FGS," that means that there is an announcement that you have not yet read. 

You can find additional help on using the guide at: https://support.guidebook.com/hc/en-us/articles/202891364-Using-the-Guidebook-App-for-end-users- 

Speed DNAting at FGS 2018: A Hip Haplogroup Happening

You're invited to Speed DNAting at FGS 2018! It's not speed dating — it's speed DNAting!

Join us on Friday, August 24 for an evening of fun and learning all centered around DNA and genetic genealogy. There will be fun, food, drinks, and prizes —including a chance for a consultation with a genetic genealogy expert!

You could win a consultation with Blaine Bettinger, Angie Bush, Shannon Combs-Bennett, Crista Cowan, Daniel Horowitz, Judy Russell, Diahan Southard, or Sara Allen.

Party-goers... er, we mean, attendees...  can take part in trivia contests, win prizes for finding a match in their haplogroup, play DNA bingo, and have fun with a scavenger hunt. What can you win? How do DNA kits sound?

Event sponsor Living DNA will also be providing some cool swag for each Speed DNAting attendee!

Did we mention drinks? We'll be serving DNA-themed cocktails: Y-Adam, 22-X, and 7 Daughters of Eve. (There will be both cocktail and "mocktail" versions.)

Tickets are just $30 (and include one drink coupon). Click here to sign up for FGS 2018 and be sure to include Speed DNAting! (If you've already registered for the conference, you can add it on to your registration.)

You don't want to miss this! This isn't a lecture — it's an event!

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.