Where are the records?

From online collections to libraries to major research centers, the records you seek can be found in a variety of places.  The FGS 2017 “Finding Records” track on Saturday, September 2 will give you ideas for finding the records that can unlock the clues to your past.

Libraries: Getting the Most Bang For Your Buck

by Ari Wilkins

Learn how to save money and time by using libraries’ services and collections to the fullest extent.

• Time: 8:00-9:00 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and a member of Dallas Public Library’s genealogy staff. She formerly served on the Texas State Genealogical Society’s executive committee.

Why The Genealogy Center? Collections & Services of a Leading Family History Research Center

by Curt B. Witcher MLS, FUGA, IGSF

This presentation will provide an up-to-date and detailed look at an international family history collection that continues to grow and continues to be more accessible to researchers.

• Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF, is manager of The Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library, founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society, and a former president of NGS and FGS.

Where Would You Go If You Had Five Days in Washington, D.C.?

by Pamela Boyer Sayre CG, CGL, FUGA

This session provides answers about where to get research results in Washington, D.C., and how to stretch available funds for the best use.

• Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate

Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA, is a former NGS director of education and publications. She coordinates/teaches in courses at IGHR, SLIG, and GRIP.

Using All the Features of FamilySearch

by David E. Rencher AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA

Sponsored by FamilySearch

Learn the breadth and depth of the programs and features of the FamilySearch organization and website. The genealogical landscape has changed dramatically in the last decade—learn what FamilySearch has done to adapt.

• Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, is the chief genealogical officer for FamilySearch. He has been a professional genealogist since 1977 and is a past president of FGS.

Researching Manuscript and Special Collections in Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)

by Deborah Abbott PhD

These institutions hold important documents that give a true-to-life picture of the lives of African Americans before, during, and after slavery. The archives and special collections of these colleges/universities hold manuscripts, photographs, personal accounts, Bibles, genealogical information, etc.

• Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate, advanced

Deborah Abbott, PhD, is a genealogist specializing in African American research, genealogy methodology, and manuscript collections. She is an instructor at IGHR and SLIG and a trustee for the Ohio Genealogical Society.

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2017 National Conference, “Building Bridges to the Past,” in Pittsburgh, PA, August 30-September 2, 2017.

Learn How to Build Your Family Tree with DNA

FGS2017 has 9 sessions + 2 workshops to help with that!

Genealogists around the world are using DNA to break down long-standing family history research brick walls.

At the FGS National Conference in Pittsburgh, our genetic genealogy experts will help you learn what you need to know — whether you are just a beginner or want to learn more advanced methods of using DNA test results.

On Thursday and Saturday 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.

If you want a more in-depth experience, then we have two 4-hour workshops that will help you dive deeper into using DNA for your genealogy research. Click here to learn more. 

Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

Advanced Third-Party Tools

Together we will examine some of the advanced tools from GEDmatch, DNAGedcom, and others. We will also examine some of the new third-party tools that have launched in the past year or so.

Gale French

Why oh Y-DNA for Genealogy— Basics of Y-DNA Testing

Sponsored by Family Tree DNA

This class will introduce you to Y-DNA and how it is used in genealogy. Y-DNA testing is the process of getting your Y-chromosome results for comparing with other testers. The Y-DNA test offers males a clear path from you to a known or likely direct paternal ancestor(s). It is great for genealogists wanting to confirm a paternal line. The course will also show how women can use the test by recruiting a father, brother, cousin, or uncle to do the test. Good genealogy is verified by an accurate paper trail; great genealogy is supported by DNA results.

Janice Lovelace, PhD

Getting Started with DNA

Sponsored by MyHeritage

Autosomal, mitochondrial, Y-DNA— what do these terms mean and where do you start? This session focuses on the basics of genetic genealogy as it takes a beginning look at DNA testing for the genealogist.

Diahan Southard

The Combined Power of Y-DNA and Autosomal DNA: A Case Study

Using a case study, learn how Y-DNA and autosomal DNA testing helped one family to better understand their own past and gave them incentive to reach out and connect with others. We will cover methodology and the sociology of this kind of situation and best practices for you and your family as you strive to forge bonds with others in a non-traditional way.

Three Powerful Ways to Find Your Best DNA Matches

Sponsored by MyHeritage

Anyone with an autosomal DNA test likely has a long list of potential relatives. But how do you make the most of those matches? Which matches are worth your time and effort? Learn to use genetic and genealogical clues to filter and sort your matches to make the most progress with your test results.

Anna Swayne

Making Family Discoveries Using AncestryDNA

Sponsored by Ancestry

Learn about how DNA works, what’s new at AncestryDNA, and how to get the most out of your DNA matches. We’ll provide an overview of AncestryDNA and how it can help validate your research and find new leads. 

Working with your DNA Matches

Sponsored by Ancestry

Do you want to learn more about what you can do with your DNA matches? Get tips and tricks on how DNA matching works and how you can leverage the tools at AncestryDNA to answer your genealogy questions.

Panel Session: Ask the DNA Experts

by Blaine Bettinger PhD, JD, Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL, Diahan Southard

Ask DNA experts your questions about DNA testing for genealogy. Angie Bush, MS, will serve as moderator for this panel featuring Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD, Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, and Diahan Southard. What does the future hold? What ethical and legal issues should be considered when DNA testing? What tests, tools, and tricks do these experts use that may help in your research?

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2017 National Conference, “Building Bridges to the Past,” in Pittsburgh, PA, August 30-September 2, 2017. Register now to get the early-bird price which ends July 1, 2017.

Improve Your Results with 5 Sessions by Ancestry Experts

FGS 2017 Ancestry Track

Today’s spotlight is on #FGS2017 Platinum Sponsor, Ancestry.com. Part of their sponsorship is Saturday’s Ancestry Track, when Ancestry's experts will be on hand to help you improve your family history research results! 

Crista Cowan

Crista Cowan has worked at Ancestry.com since 2004 and is known there as The Barefoot Genealogist. She frequently speaks at genealogy events around the country.

The Difference Between Searchers and Researchers

There is a difference between searching and researching. We need both skills to climb our family tree. Using the Ancestry search engine as an example learn how these powerful tools can help us be good searchers AND good researchers.

• Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Anna Swayne

Anna Swayne has 11 years of experience in DNA genealogy, with 5 of those at AncestryDNA. Her focus is educating on the power of DNA and the story it can unlock.

Working with your DNA Matches

Do you want to learn more about what you can do with your DNA matches? Get tips and tricks on how DNA matching works and how you can leverage the tools at AncestryDNA to answer your genealogy questions.

• Time: 8:00-9:00 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Making Family Discoveries Using AncestryDNA

Learn about how DNA works, what’s new at AncestryDNA, and how to get the most out of your DNA matches. We’ll provide an overview of AncestryDNA and how it can help validate your research and find new leads. 

• Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Juliana Szucs

Juliana Szucs has worked at Ancestry.com for 18+ years. She is a regular blogger on the Ancestry blog and is a social community manager and staff genealogist on the research team.

Getting the Most from Ancestry

Juliana will guide you through the resources and tools available on Ancestry, sharing strategies that will help you find the best route to your ancestors. 

• Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Street Savvy Discovering Your Urban Roots

Feeling overwhelmed with research in the big city? Juliana will share tips that will help you pin down your ancestors in cities—large and small.

• Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2017 National Conference, “Building Bridges to the Past,” in Pittsburgh, PA, August 30-September 2, 2017. Register now to get the early-bird price which ends July 1, 2017.

Do You Need To Break Through Brick Walls?

Check out the Analysis track at #FGS2017

Analyzing records and information is a key skill for genealogists and family historians.  The Analysis track on Friday, September 1 at the FGS 2017 National Conference offers sessions for researchers of all experience levels.

Tony Burroughs, FUGA

Tony Burroughs, FUGA, is founder and CEO of The Center for Black Genealogy. He is an internationally known genealogist who taught genealogy at Chicago State University for 15 years.

Why You Don’t Find Your Ancestors

Genealogy databases have billions of names. But after searching online you often can’t find your ancestors in the databases. However, they still may be there. Why is that? There are many reasons but many of the answers may surprise you.

• Time: 8:00-9:00 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Teri E. Flack MBA, MA, FTxSGS

Teri E. Flack, MA (Public History), MBA, FTxSGS, is a genealogy and historical researcher, consultant, and lecturer. Chair, Texas State Genealogical Society RPAC; VP of administration, FGS; and volunteer archivist, Texas State Archives.

Seeing the Patterns: Organizing and Visualizing the Evidence

We gather lots of information, data, and evidence in our research. Organize and visualize data using timelines, chronologies, charts, and tables to compare, correlate, and analyze evidence; discover gaps and missing information; and uncover new trails for research.

• Time: 2:00-3:00 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate

Cyndi Ingle

Cyndi Ingle is the creator of Cyndi’s List, an award-winning website that is a categorized index to 335,000+ online resources. A genealogist for 36+ years, she is a past NGS board member.

Remedies for Copy & Paste Genealogy

Family trees and the information they contain are easily copied and republished by others online. This means errors are duplicated many times over. We will discuss solutions for dealing with these issues.

• Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Thomas W. Jones PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS

Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS, is an award-winning author, educator, and researcher focusing on methods for difficult genealogical problems. He wrote Mastering Genealogical Proof and is co-editor of NGS Quarterly.

When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion?

Even thorough research misses relevant sources. What are the options when useful information or DNA test results appear after a researcher establishes a conclusion?

• Time: 5:00-6:00
• Skill level: Intermediate, advanced

Jill Morelli, CG

Jill Morelli, CG, is a professional genealogist who lectures nationally on methodology, record sets, Nordic research (specialty, Sweden), and her Midwestern heritage.

Making Timelines Work for You

Timelines clarify research problems, provide an outline for family history narratives, or compare similar data across years. Learn how to make them work for you.

• Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Chris Staats

Chris Staats is a Cleveland, Ohio-based professional genealogical researcher, presenter, and writer. He has written articles for Family Tree Magazine, APG Quarterly, and other publications.

How Do You Know What You Know? Moving Beyond Your Genealogy Database

Genealogical databases are a great tool to store and maintain our family tree. However, they don’t accurately reflect the most important thing we do as researchers—think, analyze, and explain. Databases are simply a list of sources and conclusions. Learn to document the reasoning that connects those sources and conclusions.

• Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2017 National Conference, “Building Bridges to the Past,” in Pittsburgh, PA, August 30-September 2, 2017. Register now to get the early-bird price which ends July 1, 2017.

Researching African American Genealogy?

Our African American Research Track Can Help!

We are pleased to offer a conference track focused on African American research at the FGS 2017 National Conference. 

On Friday, September 1, speakers will present on a variety of specialized topics designed to help family history researchers trace elusive African American ancestors and break through brick walls.

Deborah Abbott, PhD

Deborah Abbott, PhD, is a genealogist specializing in African American research, genealogy methodology, and manuscript collections. She is an instructor at IGHR and SLIG and a trustee for the Ohio Genealogical Society.

A Methodical Approach to Slave Research: A Case Study

Identifying slave families and their slaveholders can be challenging, but not impossible. Bridging the gap between the slavery era and freedom requires patience and perseverance. This case study begins with the 1940 census and shows how information from all preceding censuses led to documents that revealed the identity of the slaveholder.

• Time: 9:30-10:30 AM
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Wevonneda Minis

Wevonneda Minis lectures on research methodology, finding African American ancestors, South Carolina, and Georgia. She is ISFHWE president and a Gen Proof Study Group mentor.

Enslaved African Americans in White Church Records: An Overlooked Source

Slaves often attended their owners’ churches. Learn to use records of those churches for details about a slave’s parents, owners, attendance, dismissal, sale, and more.

• Time: 8:00-9:00 AM
• Skill level: Intermediate

James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture: Freedmen’s Bureau Labor Contracts: A Closer Look

Researching Freedmen’s Bureau labor contracts can provide more than lists of ancestors’ names. Analyzing them can yield information with evidence to solve genealogical problems.

• Time: 3:30-4:30 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate

Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, is The Legal Genealogist and provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law, history, and genealogy come together.

“Deemed a Runaway”: Black Laws of the North

Slavery’s force was felt far north of the Mason-Dixon Line, and the Black Laws of northern states created valuable records for tracing African American families.

• Time: 2:00-3:00
• Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced

Ari Wilkins

Ari Wilkins is a genealogist and a member of Dallas Public Library’s genealogy staff. She formerly served on the Texas State Genealogical Society’s executive committee.

Black and White Southern Families in Plantation Records

Learn about the abundance of genealogical information that can be found in plantation records and how to research the collection.

• Time: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate, advanced

Apprentice Records in African American Research

Learn how to research and analyze apprentice records for children of color. 

• Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
• Skill level: Intermediate

Register Now!

Join us for the FGS 2017 National Conference, “Building Bridges to the Past,” in Pittsburgh, PA, August 30-September 2, 2017. Register now to get the early-bird price which ends July 1, 2017.

7 Ways to Make the Most of the FGS 2017 Exhibit Hall

A highlight of every FGS conference is the Exhibit Hall - a place to explore the latest software, books, and gadgets for genealogists, a place to interact with the latest technology, and a place to learn about genealogical organizations.

Finding enough time to fully explore the exhibit hall during FGS conferences is often difficult, but we are making that easier at FGS 2017. Here are 7 ways to make the most of the FGS 2017 Exhibit Hall.

1. Exhibit Hall Grand Opening

As always, we'll have the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening on Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. (immediately following the Keynote Address). Get your first look at the latest software, books, maps, databases, and gadgets on the market for genealogists and family historians, as well as information about genealogical organizations.

2. Exhibit Hall Lunch: Eat, Explore, Shop

On Friday, the two-hour lunch break will be devoted to the exhibit hall with a catered boxed lunch served. A ticket for this special lunch is included with each full conference registration. Tickets will also be available as an add-on purchase for Friday-only attendees.

Sponsored by Ancestry.com

(Please note that other luncheons will not be held on Friday.)

3. Exhibit Hall Passports

All attendees (including one-day registrants) will receive an Exhibit Hall Passport with their registration materials. Get your Passport stamped at the booths you visit during the conference and turn it in at the FGS booth for an opportunity to win prizes. Passports with a minimum of 20 stamps will be eligible to win a variety of prizes. Passports that are 100% covered will also be eligible for the Grand Prize Package. Details about prizes will be announced closer to the conference.

4. Vendor Bucks are back!

Introduced at the FGS 2016 conference in Springfield, Illinois, Vendor Bucks were highly popular with conference attendees and exhibitors alike. We are delighted to announce that Vendor Bucks are back for FGS 2017! Each full conference registrant will receive $10 in Vendor Bucks in their registration material to spend at the vendor booth of their choice.

5. Exhibit Hall Live

Join FGS and our exhibitors from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday for a 90-minute exhibit hall gala featuring door prizes, special activities, shopping, and networking with vendors and societies. This will be a great time to spend your Vendor Bucks and finish up your Exhibit Hall Passport, if you haven’t done so by Saturday morning.

6. Society Showcase

If you've attended an FGS conference in the past, you've seen Society Showcase - a section of the Exhibit Hall dedicated to FGS member societies. It's been a focal point of FGS conference exhibit halls for many years. FGS 2017 attendees can look forward to learning about the rich variety of genealogical, historical, and family societies that *may* unlock the clues to their own family history mysteries!

7. Exhibit Hall Learning Center

Free, 30-minute presentations will be given on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the conference in the Exhibit Hall Learning Center. These sessions will be presented by exhibitors and society representatives and are open to conference attendees and the public. Details about these sessions will be available by mid-June, so stay tuned!

If you are an exhibitor and would like to sign up for a time slot, please use the Submit Exhibit Hall Learning Center Presentation form.

Exhibit Hall Hours

• Thursday, August 31: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• Friday, September 1: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
• Saturday, September 2: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Exposure to new ideas, technologies, and organizations can recharge your family history pursuits. Don’t miss this year’s exciting FGS Exhibit Hall full of fun activities!

Food, Friends, & Genealogy

Where can you find food, friends, and genealogy all in one place?  At FGS conference luncheons, of course!

Whether you are attending the conference alone or with friends, you’ll have built-in lunch companions who share your interest in genealogy. Plus, each luncheon features a guest speaker so you can pack even more genealogy learning into your day.

The luncheons at FGS 2017 will be in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which makes them easy and convenient lunch choices during the conference. 

This year’s conference offers one luncheon on Wednesday, four on Thursday, and four on Saturday. (The FGS 2017 conference committee has something special planned for Friday. Stay tuned for details about the Exhibit Hall Lunch in a future post.)

Each luncheon is sponsored; however, you do not need to be a member of the sponsoring organization to attend.

Wednesday

Federation of Genealogical Societies Luncheon

Focus on Societies, by FGS Leadership

Join FGS leadership and lend your voice to a discussion of the various ways the Federation serves its member community, along with a look at new benefits on the horizon and those your society would most like to see. 

Time will also be reserved for “Society Shout-Out,” offering you the opportunity to share successes from your society from the past year. This session also includes the FGS Annual Business Meeting and other important activities for society leaders and FGS delegates.

Thursday

Association of Professional Genealogists Luncheon

Professional Ethics: Yes, No, Maybe, and Maybe Not? by Judy G. Russell JD, CG, CGL

Genealogists deal with sensitive issues all the time: how to handle family secrets, what to say about living people, crediting the work of others. 

National Genealogical Society Luncheon

Paths to Our Past, by Jan Alpert FNGS

Learn how NGS can help you discover and explore the paths to your past. 

International Society for British Genealogy and Family History Luncheon

Iklamore? What Did You Say? by David McDonald DMin, CG

We are divided only by a common language.

FamilySearch Luncheon

FamilySearch Historical Records: An Inside Look at Acquiring, Preserving & Sharing Records, by Stephen J. Valentine

An inside look at recent breakthroughs in how FamilySearch acquires, preserves, and shares records.

Saturday

New England Historic Genealogical Society Luncheon

Treasures from the NEHGS Art Collection, by David Allen Lambert

NEHGS has an important collection of art that tells the story of America. From the humble—family land deeds —to the exceptional—a wingback chair from the Hancock Mansion—it’s all here. Eight floors of art bring history to life at the Society’s Newbury Street headquarters.

Board for Certification of Genealogists Luncheon

Back to the Future with a Self-Driving Car: Genealogy in 2117, by Harold Henderson CG

Nobody knows the future but anyone can take a guess. Robot genealogists? Multimedia scholarly journals? A “right to be forgotten”? Cursive writing as a conspiratorial code? One thing for sure, people will still want to know about the past, and how we ever managed.

Genealogical Speakers Guild/International Society of Family History Writers and Editors Luncheon

Passion and Profession: Ten Lessons I’ve Learned as a Genealogist, by Lisa A. Alzo MFA

Our ancestors can inspire us in surprising ways. One genealogist shares how exploring her roots resulted in an unexpected career and the ten lessons she learned along the way.

New York Genealogical & Biographical Society Luncheon

Does New York Research Require “Mull & Pondering?” A Southern Perspective, by J. Mark Lowe CG, FUGA

With records extending before 1650, what does a southern researcher think about the wonderful stories from the state of New York and colonies preceding? Does he even know where to begin?

Luncheon Registration

Tickets for Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday luncheons are $32 each and require advance purchase. You can purchase luncheons when registering for the FGS 2017 conference. If you have already registered for the conference and received a confirmation email, then you can use this form to add luncheons to your schedule.

Don’t Miss Out On Special Events at FGS 2017

The social aspect is one of the most fun parts of an FGS National Conference – a chance to connect with friends, both old and new. This year’s conference offers two special events with ample time for networking and socializing.

Gateway Clipper Dinner Cruise

Wednesday Evening – 6:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

Sponsored and hosted by Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society

Join the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society on board the Gateway Clipper Princess for a dinner cruise along Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

The Princess is a traditional paddle wheel style riverboat with floor to ceiling windows giving passengers a great view of the beautiful Pittsburgh skyline and the magnificent architecture of its many bridges. A delicious buffet dinner will be served as we cruise the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers.

For your convenience, the Gateway Clipper Princess will pick up at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Boarding will begin at 6:00 p.m. and we will depart the dock at 6:30 p.m. The cruise will end by 9:30 p.m. with everyone returned to the dock at the convention center.

Secure your seat on the Gateway Clipper Dinner Cruise when you register for the FGS 2017 conference.

If you have already registered for the conference and received a confirmation email, then you can use this form to add the dinner cruise to your schedule.

Tickets: $45 (Space is limited. Cash bar available.)

Pittsburgh Pirates vs Cincinnati Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in town during the conference with games vs the Cincinnati Reds on Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2. FGS is partnering with the Pirates to offer discounted tickets to conference attendees!

Stay after the game on Friday for a spectacular Zambelli Fireworks show.

On Saturday, pick up your free Pirates t-shirt if you are one of the first 20,000 fans.

Available tickets will be in a block so other conference attendees may be in the general area but to ensure seating together, purchase tickets as one order.

You are on your own for purchasing tickets and transportation to and from PNC Park.

Purchase Baseball Tickets

FGS 2017: Focus on Societies Day

FGS national conferences kick off with a day devoted to genealogical societies. Focus on Societies Day features tracks geared to society leaders, society members, and those interested in learning more about societies. Attendees will learn:

• innovative ways to manage and grow societies
• how to adapt changing technology to meet society needs
• about becoming more involved with societies

Focus on Societies Day at FGS 2017 begins with “Creating, Packaging, and Sharing Your Society to Non-Genealogists.” In this opening session, D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, focuses on ways to package genealogical societies for non-genealogical partners, including local media, donors, charitable organizations, and politicians.

The rest of the day features 35 sessions in seven tracks. A few of those are highlighted below, but you can find the complete program on the FGS 2017 Conference website.

Members & Volunteers

How to Find Volunteers and Keep Them!
by Cari A. Taplin, CG

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any society. This lecture gives societies tips and ideas for ways to locate volunteers, motivate them, and keep them engaged.

Putting the Customer Back in Customer Service—Strategies for 21st Century Organizations
by Curt B. Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF

This presentation will explore how a focus on good customer service will bring organizations in the genealogy space more members, and move them from surviving to thriving.

Programs & Events

Dynamic Programming for Societies
by Teri E. Flack, MA, MBA, FTxSGS

Educational programs are central to the mission of genealogical societies. Learn innovative and creative ways to develop dynamic education programs that can revitalize your society.

DNA and Your Genealogical Society

by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

DNA is here to stay, and your members are asking about it. It is a unique opportunity to attract new members with much-needed educational programming, yet many genealogical societies are ignoring the valuable opportunity. Let’s review what other genealogical societies are doing to educate members and explore ways you can engage your members.

Projects

Digitizing on a Dime: Digitization Basics for Individuals and Small Genealogical Societies
by Kristin Britanik

This presentation demonstrates the basics of digitization for your collection of historic photographs and documents. Learn best practices for creating and keeping digital files with limited resources.

Creating a County Record Guide

by Tina Lyons

Put your society’s knowledge into a printed or online guide to help members and nonmembers find records in your area.

Reaching Out

Your Society Is on Social Media. Now What?
by Amy Johnson Crow, MLIS, CG

Do you feel like your society isn’t getting all it can from social media? Is your Facebook page lonely? Learn what one society did to increase their performance and reach more people.

Outdated Outreach: Breathing New Life into our Outreach Approach
by Cheri Daniels, MSLS

The challenge of attracting and engaging an ever-changing audience and/or member base has increased over the years and our previous methods can miss the mark. Learn new approaches that engages various groups and connects them through content-based programming.

Society Boards

Plain Spoken: Updating and Simplifying Your Society Bylaws
by Randy Whited

Do the bylaws of your organization guide or hamper its actions? Are they hard to interpret or perhaps ignored altogether? Let’s tackle how to clean up ambiguous language, make use of other guiding documents, and get our bylaws working for us.

Grant Writing Success for Societies
by Tina Beaird, MLS

Grant writing can be a daunting task for small societies and museums. Learn how to find grant opportunities online, define various types of grants, and decode a typical application process. Tina will share strategies on raising your application to the top of the pile and winning that grant!

Websites

Building Your Society’s Digital Library
by Jen Baldwin

Societies are increasingly creating and maintaining digital collections. Learn about best practices, overcoming financial obstacles, choosing your nonprofit or for-profit partners, and the necessary technology to achieving digital success. Sponsored by Findmypast.

Calling All Members: Your Society’s Website Needs Help
by Cyndi Ingle

A society’s website should be as diverse as its offerings and its membership. Is it time for you to give it a critical look and help overhaul your site? What can you do to help?

Discussion Groups

Delegate 101

by FGS Board Members

Join FGS leadership to discuss your role as a society delegate and how to get the most out of your society’s FGS membership.

Publications
by FGS Board Members

Do you have problems finding content for newsletters or journals? Are you considering moving from print to digital? Discuss issues your society has with publications.

In addition to programming that will help you with the challenges of managing a modern society, Focus on Societies Day will allow you to connect with other society leaders and members.

Register today for FGS 2017 in Pittsburgh.

FGS 2017 Tracks: Learning Opportunities for Researchers and Societies

The annual FGS National Conference offers a unique experience for those interested in genealogy with one day dedicated to genealogical societies followed by three days of tracks dedicated to individual researchers of all skill levels – beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

The 2017 conference, scheduled for August 30-September 2, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will be no exception. Focus on Societies Day features tracks devoted to helping society leaders and members best the challenges of managing a modern society.

If you aren’t a member or leader of a genealogical society, then join us for the genealogy program, which features world-famous speakers covering topics from basic to advanced methodology, ethnic specialties, local history, and family history trends.

The FGS 2017 Conference kicks off on Wednesday, August 30 with Focus on Societies Day and offers seven tracks designed to help society leaders better manage and grow genealogical societies of all sizes and levels.

Focus on Societies Day Tracks:

• Members & Volunteers
• Programs & Events
• Projects
• Reaching Out
• Society Boards
• Websites
• Discussion Groups

The genealogy program runs Thursday, August 31, through Saturday, September 2. With 16 tracks designed for individual researchers of all experience levels from novice to expert, you are sure to discover new ways to help you solve your genealogy research problems.

Genealogy Tracks:

• Methodology
• Records
• Land & Taxes
• Immigrant/Ethnic
• DNA
• Military
• Regional
• Analysis
• Skills
• African American
• Religion
• Understanding Ancestor’s Lives
• Finding Records
• Occupations
• In the Field
• Ancestry

 The full program, including topics, descriptions, and speakers, is available on the FGS 2017 Conference website. You can also download the conference registration brochure in pdf format.

We will take a closer look at individual tracks over the next few months leading up to the conference in August. In the meantime, take a look at the program and start thinking about the skills you want to improve and the areas you want to learn more about!

Get practical, hands-on experience at workshops

Conference workshops allow attendees to get hands-on experience in specific topics. The FGS 2017 National Conference in Pittsburgh offers four two-hour workshops that cover:

• caring for keepsakes
• research planning
• storytelling
• transcribing and analyzing

All workshops require pre-registration to attend.

Caring for Keepsakes

by Denise May Levenick MA

Bring your questions to this hands-on preservation workshop to learn how to archive family Bibles, photo albums and scrapbooks, quilts, documents, and memorabilia. Explore best practices for digitizing photos, documents, and awkward artifacts. Learn how to construct simple archival containers to hold books and fragile documents.

“Caring for Keepsakes” will be held Thursday, August 31, 2017, from 2:00-4:00. Tickets are $25. Skill level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced.

Denise May Levenick, MA (English Literature), is a writer, researcher, and instructor specializing in archiving and sharing personal and family artifacts. She is the creator of the award-winning blog, The Family Curator.

What Next? Hands-on Research Planning

by Paula Stuart-Warren CG, FMGS, FUGA

Analysis of information, recognition of detail gaps, and the creation of research goals form the basis for excellence in our quest. Success improves with careful planning, small group discussion, and proven techniques to develop step-by-step research plans. This hands-on workshop involves a variety of records and geographic areas.

“What Next? Hands-on Research Planning” will be held Thursday, August 31, 2017, from 2:00-4:00. Tickets are $25. Skill level: Intermediate.

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA, works internationally in genealogical and historical research, lecturing, and consulting. She is a course coordinator for SLIG and GRIP and former board member of APG and FGS.

Preserve Your Roots Through Storytelling: James Leech’s 1763 Passport Unlocks Leech Family Migration Story

by Mary Jane Kuffner Hirt, PhD

This workshop will cover the process and application of storytelling to family history research and working through an exercise that will allow the participants to begin working on the creation of their own stories. Bring results of prior research with you.

“Preserve our Roots Through Storytelling” will be held on Saturday, September 2 from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. It is sponsored by the Ulster Historical Foundation. Tickets are $25. Skill level: Beginner, intermediate.

Mary Jane Kuffner Hirt, PhD, recently retired as professor of political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She developed and taught a university-wide, upper-level synthesis course, Climbing Your Family Tree.

Getting the Most Out of Your Research

by David McDonald, DMin, CG

How does a researcher find the gems buried in a document and use the information to advance their research efforts? A workshop-style session to analyze handwritten documents, develop research plans, and analyze the material contained therein.

“Getting the Most Out of Your Research” will be held on Saturday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Tickets are $25. Skill level: Intermediate.

David McDonald, DMin, CG, is a trustee and past president of BCG. He has presented at multiple national conferences since 2005. Particular interests: migration, religions and their records, US Midwest, British Isles, and Germanic research.

Workshop Registration

Advance registration is required for all workshops. You can register for workshops when registering for the FGS 2017 conference.

If you have already registered for the conference and received a confirmation email, then you can use this form to add registration for any workshop to your schedule.

Workshop seating is limited so register early!