Here's What They're Saying About #FGS2015

The FGS 2015 conference is in the books. The joint FGS/RootsTech conference was billed as a one-time special event, and it certainly lived up to that.

With so much happening, it was impossible to get all of the FGS Ambassadors in attendance together at once, but several dropped by the FGS booth Thursday morning.

The FGS Ambassadors have done a great job of documenting the conferences as you can see from the list of links below. FGS thanks all of the FGS Ambassadors who helped promote the 2015 conference before, during, and after the event and looks forward to working with all of them again for FGS 2016.

Ancestry Insider: #RootsTech and #FGS2015 Opening Session; Friday the 13th at #RootsTech #FGS2015; Laura Bush and Daughter Jenna at #RootsTech/#FGS2015; #RootsTech #FGS2015 Keynote: We Are All Cousins;
Brick Wall Genealogist: Gone to Heaven: FGS/RootsTech 2015: Thursday; On Top of the World! FGS/RootsTech 2015: Friday; Tipping My Hat to FGS/RootsTech 2015: Saturday;
Carolina Girl: My First Day at FGS 2015 ~ Learning, Socializing and Having Fun!; FGS/Rootstech 2015 Day 2 ~ The Fun Continues; FGS/Rootstech 2015 Day 3 ~ It Just Keeps Getting Better!; DONNY!!! I Mean–Day 4 FGS/Rootstech 2015;
Donna's Irish Genealogy Resources: RootTech/FGS Roundup
Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter: Today's Report from the RootsTech and FGS Conferences; My Pictures from the RootsTech and FGS Conferences
Empty Branches on the Family Tree: Day 1 – Opening of FGS Conference 2015, Salt Lake City; Day 2 – Thursday Opening of FGS-RootsTech 2015; Day 3 – FGS-RootsTech 2015; Day 4 – Closing Day of FGS-RootsTech 2015; FGS-RootsTech 2015 – New Vendors; FGS RootsTech 2015 – New Vendors Part 2
Family Sleuther: RootsTech + FGS: 2015's Genealogical Extravaganza
familytreegirldotcom: The Aftermath of 2015 RootsTech/FGS, Salt Lake City
From Helen V Smith's Keyboard: Federation of Genealogical Societies: Society Day
Genea-Musings: Ten Takeaways from the FGS/RootsTech 2015 Conference; RootsTech 2015 and FGS 2015 Conference Blog Post Compendium; FGS/RootsTech 2015 Geneablogger After-Party Photos - Post 1; Post 2
Genealogy by Paula: Federation of Genealogical Societies/Rootstech joint conference notes
Genealogy Dragnet: FGS Focus on Societies Day Opening Session; FGS/RootsTech Conference – Day 1; Day 2; Day 3
GeneaSpy: FGS/RootsTech 2015: A Photo Recap; Day 1; Day 2; Day 3 (Part 1); Day 3 (Part 2); Day 3 (Part 3); Day 4 (Part 1)
(going) The Extra Yad: FGS Conference 2015: Day 1, opening session; FGS Conference, Day 1 – social life; FGS/RootsTech Conference 2015, Day 2 (beginning and ending); FGS/RootsTech Conference 2015, Day 3 – my conference in context; FGS/RoosTech Conference 2015, Day 4
Hanging from the Family Tree: FGS 2015 Day 1 – Society Day; FGS 2014 and FGS2015/RootsTech Reflections
Hollingsworth Robbins Family Tree: Sharing My Thoughts About FGS/RootsTech 2015 in Salt Lake City, February 10-15, 2015
In Search of ...?: Tuesday's Tips – FGS/RootsTech Very Strong Together;
No Story Too Small: Stories at FGS/RootsTech, or, Why I'm Not Brandishing a Pitchfork
One Rhode Island Family: A Lesson in Family History at the FGS Conference, 2015
Roots Cellar Sacramento Genealogical Society: Wisdom Wednesday – Mecca Time!; Follow Friday – It's Society Day; Tuesday's Tip – FGS/RootsTech 2015 OVER; Society Saturday – Roots Cellar SGS on Display
The Genealogy Search: And we're off! FGS is off to a great start; FGS Society Day; #FGS2015 End of day three FGS; #2015 FGS/Rootstech and 2016 FGS in Springfield Illinois
The Keough Corner: A Little Late – RootsTech/FGS: My Week In Review
The Turning of Generations: FGS/RootsTech 2015 – What I Learned on Thursday; What I Learned Friday – 2015 FGS/RootsTech; What I Learned Saturday at the FGS/RootsTech Conference
Tonia's Roots: FGS 2015 Session Highlights

Start making plans now to join FGS August 31–September 3, 2016 in Springfield, Illinois for FGS 2016 Time Travel, Centuries of Memories. If you are a speaker, the call for presentations is open until April 10, 2015.

FGS 2015: A Look Back in Pictures

After a successful Focus on Societies Day on Wednesday, FGS and RootsTech kicked off Thursday, February 12 and ran at full speed through Saturday, February 14. This one-time special event was indeed a special event. 

The FGS attendees who picked up their registration packets Tuesday or Wednesday were glad they avoided the Thursday morning lines.

The crowd started gathering early for the Thursday morning keynote session. This is only half of the room.

FGS President D. Joshua Taylor welcomed everyone to FGS 2015: Connect. Explore. Refresh.

Josh was joined onstage by Mary Tedesco and Kenyatta Berry to talk about Preserve the Pensions, the FGS fundraising project that will result in all War of 1812 pension records being digitized and online free forever. The project is at the 50% mark. Donate today.

The FGS booth in the Expo Hall was a busy place ... 

... especially the Society Showcase area with flyers from many FGS member societies.

Start planning today to attend FGS 2016 August 31–September 3 in Springfield, Illinois. We look forward to seeing you there.

FGS 2015 Delegate of the Conference

We are very pleased to announce the FGS 2015 Delegate of the Conference is Tom Hobbs of the Member Society Dade County (MO) Genealogical Society!

Friday FGS 2015 Delegate of the Day

Congratulations to Donna Hartwig from Member Society Peoria County (IL) Genealogical Society for being selected as FGS 2015 Delegate of the Day for Friday, 13 Feb 2015!

FGS 2015: Focus on Societies Day

The FGS 2015 Conference opened Wednesday at the Salt Palace Convention Center with Focus on Societies Day. The opening session "Successfully Embarcing the Future" featured presentations by Deena Coutant, Jen Baldwin, and Curt Witcher.

Part of the crowd attending the Society Day opening session

Deena Coutant

Jen Baldwin

Curt Witcher

FGS presented several awards during this session. Roger Moffat received a Distinguished Service Award for his service to the Western Michigan Genealogical Society. Stay tuned to the Voice Blog over the next few months for features about all award winners.

FGS President Josh Taylor and Roger Moffat 

FGS Delegate Luncheon

FGS Opening Social – Behind the Scenes: Family History & Television

Panelists CeCe Moore, Kenyatta Berry, George E. Ott, and Jennifer Utley along with
moderator Josh Taylor answered questions from the crowd about genealogy television
shows Who Do You Think You Are?, Finding Your Roots, and Genealogy Roadshow.

FGS 2015: Librarians' Day

Librarians' Day, sponsored by ProQuest was held Tuesday, February 10 in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. "Doing More Than Bricks & Mortar" featured presentations by Curt Witcher, MLS, FUGA, IGSF, Audrey Collins, Becky Hill, MLS, and Barbara Becker Meehan, MLS.

William Forsyth, ProQuest Director of Product Management

Photos courtesy of J. Mark Lowe.

FGS 2015: Registration, Conference Badges, and the Salt Palace Convention Center

If you are attending the FGS 2015 conference February 11–14 in Salt Lake City,
you need to know when and where to pick up your registration packet, what your conference badge includes, and how to get around the Salt Palace Convention Center.

All FGS attendees (including those attending both FGS and RootsTech) are encouraged to pick up their registration packet Tuesday, Feb 10 between 2:00 pm and 7:00 p.m. Registration is located near the south entrances of the convention center (see the lower left on this map).

Every attendee will be issued one conference badge, which indicates the type of pass purchased. If you registered for FGS and RootsTech through either website, your badge pass type will be "RootsTech + FGS." If you registered for FGS only, it will be "FGS."

Most FGS sessions will be in section 255 and 355. Find the complete registration schedule and other information about your badge and the conference center on the FGS conference website. These details will help you plan your time and get around during the conference. 

Follow FGS on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram at FGSgenealogy during the conference to keep up with what's happening and get the news you need to know. 

Come Visit the FGS Booth #1109 in the Expo Hall

Click image for a larger view.

If you are attending FGS 2015 or Rootstech this week, come visit the FGS booth #1109 in the Expo Hall!

• FGS will be in booth #1109. Come talk about how societies can help you with your family history in the all new Society Showcase and get a FREE small gift while supplies last*. 
• Help preserve history. Donate to the Preserve the Pensions in booth #1115 (right next to FGS).
• Sign the Genealogists' Declaration of Rights in booth #1115 (same booth as Preserve the Pensions).
• Purchase FGS session recordings Fleetwood Recordings in booth #1218 (right next to Preserve the Pensions).

*Different LIMITED-SUPPLY FREE gift each day in the FGS booth #1109 after you visit the FGS Society Showcase:

• Thursday - Keep healthy this week & research on with the FGS Hand Sanitizer.
• Friday - Keep that screen clean so you can find your ancestors with the FGS Screen Cloth.
• Saturday - All that stuff you bought in the Expo Hall? Carry it around with our FGS Drawstring Sportpack.

FGS 2015: Behind the Scenes: Family History & Television

Join fellow FGS 2015 conference attendees for the FGS Opening Social, Behind the Scenes: Family History & Television, a night exploring the amazing world of television and family history.

This event, sponsored by FamilySearch, is Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. in Room 355E at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

The program includes screenings of some of the most popular family history programs, followed by an in-depth panel discussion featuring Kenyatta Berry from Genealogy Roadshow and CeCe Moore from Finding Your Roots and Genealogy Roadshow. FGS President and Genealogy Roadshow co-host, D. Joshua Taylor will moderate the discussion.

UPDATE: George E. Ott and Jennifer Utley from Who Do You Think You Are? will also join the panel. 

Light snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be available. Tickets for the event are $10 and may be purchased through the FGS conference registration. 

If you are already registered for the conference you can add this event and luncheons until 10:00 p.m. MST, Monday, February 9. Simply sign in to your FGS conference account and select Add More Items. Online conference registration is also available until that time. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Wednesday, February 4. 

FGS 2015: Getting Around the Salt Palace Convention Center

In just over a week, the FGS and RootsTech 2015 conferences will be underway at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. A few days ago, we outlined the location and hours for onsite registration. Today we're covering your conference badge and where it will take you along with a tour of the venue.

Every attendee will be issued one conference badge, which indicates the type of pass purchased. If you registered for FGS and RootsTech through either website, your badge pass type will be "RootsTech + FGS." If you registered for FGS only, it will be "FGS."

Both passes give you access to the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday General Sessions, all FGS sessions, and the Expo Hall. The RootsTech + FGS pass includes the RootsTech sessions Thursday through Saturday.

Separate tickets for luncheons and events WILL NOT be issued. A list of items you purchased will be attached to your badge. Door monitors at luncheons and events will check your list of add-ons and mark it as you enter.

Salt Palace Convention Center

The map above is available on the FGS conference website, FGS app, and RootsTech app. It will also be included in the Conference Guide provided with your registration packet. Getting familiar with the map will save you time later. 

All FGS attendees will receive a combined Conference Guide at registration. Please note that if you registered only for FGS you will not have access to the RootsTech sessions listed in the guide.   

The general sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Hall D are open to registrants of FGS and RootsTech. That includes FGS registrants who did not purchase the RootsTech add-on.

The FGS Focus on Societies Day Opening Session in Room 355E on Wednesday is open to those with FGS or RootsTech + FGS badges.

Rooms section numbers in the 100s and rooms identified by letters are on the first level of the conference center. Sections in the 200s are on the second level and section 355 is on the third level.

Most FGS sessions will be held in Sections 255 and 355. FGS luncheons will be in 355A and 355B. Check the Conference Guide or either app for specific session room numbers.

Most RootsTech sessions are on the first level. Check the Conference Guide or RootsTech app for specific room numbers.

Breaks between sessions are 30 minutes, but it may take several minutes to get to your next room. If you are changing floors, allow ample time to reach your next session. People movers will be available for those needing assistance but waiting may be necessary depending on demand.

The Expo Hall is open to attendees of both conferences. It is also open to the public free of charge but a badge, available at the registration desk, is required to enter that area.

Expo Hall Hours:
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WiFi will be available in the classroom areas and hallways throughout the convention center but not in the Expo Hall.

If you haven't registered yet, it's not too late. The deadline for online registration and adding luncheons and the Wednesday night social event is Monday, February 9 at 10:00 p.m. MST. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, February 4.

FGS 2015: Onsite Registration Location and Hours

The Salt Palace Convention Center will be home to the FGS and RootsTech 2015 conferences February 11–14 in Salt Lake City. This special event offers a few unique situations that haven't been seen at previous FGS conferences starting with registration.

The registration area for both FGS and RootsTech attendees will be near the south entrance of the convention center (lower left on the map above) but the hours differ on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Registration Hours:

Tuesday, February 10:
For FGS and Innovator Summit Attendees
2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 11:
For FGS and Innovator Summit Attendees
7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

For All Attendees
5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 12 through Saturday, February 14:
For All Attendees
7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

FGS attendees are encouraged to pick up their registration packet on Tuesday. This is especially important for those planning to attend the Wednesday Focus on Societies Day Opening Session at 8:00 a.m. That session will be held in 355E, which is on the third level in the opposite end of the convention center from the registration area.

If you must wait until Wednesday morning to get your packet, allow ample time to get to the session. People movers will be available for those needing assistance but waiting may be necessary depending on demand.

Check back Monday, February 2, for details about badges and the conference center set-up.

You still have time to register for FGS 2015 or add luncheons and the Wednesday night FGS event. The deadline for online registration is 10:00 p.m. MST, Monday, February 9. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, February 4.

FGS 2015 Conference Syllabus is Available!

The FGS 2015 conference starts February 11, but registrants can download the syllabus today. 

If you've registered for the conference through the FGS website, log in to your account on FGSconference.org and click on the Download Syllabus button to access the syllabus.

If you added FGS through RootsTech and already created an FGS account, you can log in now to access the syllabus.

If you added FGS through RootsTech and have not yet created an FGS account, follow the instructions you will receive in the next few days to create your account. Those instructions will include a special link you must use.

The syllabus contains material for each lecture and an index to speakers, topics, and daily sessions.

Having the syllabus in advance gives you the opportunity to:

• use it to help you decide which sessions to attend,
• load it to your device(s) of choice to carry with you at the conference, and
• print any copies you'll want in hand during sessions.

If you need to print syllabus pages during the conference, visit the Cyber Cafe in the Expo Hall during their open hours Thursday through Saturday.

A printed version of the syllabus is also available for purchase in advance of the conference through your FGS account. The deadline for orders is today, January 26. CD copies of the syllabus are no longer provided at registration.

The conference early registration discount price of $159 ends at midnight MST, January 26. Register now. 

FGS 2015: What Did You Do When You Were A Kid? or Strategies for Gathering Family Stories

Have you ever realized the stories told about all the trouble you caused as a kid may become a foundation or strategy for gathering family stories. When stories are shared there is more productive storytelling, so building the story to share is an important part of getting a story back from listeners.

This FGS conference luncheon on Friday, February 13, sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) will be presented by J.Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA. Come prepared to hear some stories, and listen for keys to open future doors to your families stories.

"I’m not sure how I got the Hook into genealogy – cemeteries, Courthouse research or the great story," Lowe said, "but I know that all genealogists love finding great stories about their family."

J. Mark Lowe is a full-time professional researcher and educator, teaching at SLIG, IGHR, or at your local society. Mark also researches for clients including Who Do You Think You Are?, African American Lives, or the Biography Channel’s UneXplained.

Purchase a luncheon ticket by logging in to your FGS account on the conference website and selecting Add More Items. 

The BCG is an independent organization not affiliated with, or part of, any group. It is a certifying body not a membership society and a nationally and internationally recognized organization.

The BCG booth provides materials that are helpful for success in the certification process and actual portfolios for public viewing. The website contains skill-building articles, exercises, and a free download of The BCG Application Guide. BCG is the author of the book Genealogy Standards which is meant for all practitioners and not just those seeking certification.

The Board's mission is to foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners; and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard.

If you haven't registered for the conference yet, don't forget the early registration deadline has been extended to Monday, January 26.

Summaries submitted by J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA, and the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG).

FGS 2015 Early Registration Discount Extended!

The early registration discount for the FGS 2015 Conference has been extended to midnight MST, Monday, January 26. 

That means you have three extra days to take advantage of the low registration price of $159. This discount will save you $30 on the regular online registration or $80 on the onsite registration price! 

The FGS conference is coming up February 11–14 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Wednesday, February 11 features sessions for society leaders and members designed to give you new ideas and inspiration for helping your favorite society grow and prosper. Sessions on Thursday, February 12 through Saturday, February 14 focus on genealogy and family history researchers. Learning about records, methods, and best practices will help you solve those tough research problems.

Visit the FGS 2015 Conference website for details about sessions, speakers, luncheons, special events, and more. 

Register by Monday to take advantage of this low price. 

If you are already registered, you still have time to add luncheons and the Wednesday night opening event. Simply log in to your FGS account to add more items. 

Tan Le to Open FGS and RootsTech 2015

Technologist and entrepreneur Tan Le will be the opening keynote speaker for FGS and RootsTech 2015 on Thursday, February 12. She will share her personal heroic immigrant story as she fled Vietnam with her mother and sister at a very young age.

The Vietnamese refugee was named Young Australian of the Year and recognized by Fast Company as one of the most influential women in technology and by Forbes as one of the 50 names you need to know. “I consider it a privilege any time I can share my experiences with others who have personal trials but desire to rise above them as my mother and grandmother inspired me to do,” Le said of her opportunity to speak at the conference.


 

Don't forget that the early registration discount for FGS 2015 ends on Friday, January, 23. If you are already registered, you still have time to add on luncheons and the Wednesday night social event. Log in and select "ADD MORE ITEMS." 

FGS 2015: Holly Golightly Was a Nice Jewish Girl: Our Ancestors Reinvented

Ever wonder if there was more to your family history than meets the eye? Poor immigrants not only shed their old world clothing and names, but reinvented their personalities. Hear the magical tale of two foster-home beauties who became teenage muses to Truman Capote, the Roaring Twenties rags-to-riches saga of their Ziegfeld Follies mother, and how innovative genealogical methodology solved the mystery of the “real” Holly Golightly 56 years after her creation.

This FGS conference luncheon on Friday, February 13, sponsored by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), will be presented by Pamela Weisberger. 

Pamela Weisberger is the 1^st vice-president of the Jewish Genealogical Society

of Los Angeles, president of Gesher Galicia, and co-chair of the 2010 IAJGS Conference. A professional genealogist, writer, and international lecturer, she specializes in Eastern European archival and historical newspaper research and created the Galician Archival Records Project.

The NYG&B is a membership organization, welcoming people who are curious about researching New York family history. The NYG&B focuses on three areas: publications, educational programming, and online resources (extensive eLibrary and Research Aids). Their two quarterly journals, the NYG&B Record and the New York Researcher, are benefits of membership. Recently, the Society published its authoritative, landmark new guide to New York research, the New York Family Research Guide and Gazetteer.

Purchase a luncheon ticket by logging in to your FGS account on the conference website and selecting Add More Items. If you haven't registered for the conference yet, don't forget the early registration deadline is Friday, January 23.

Summaries submitted by Pamela Weisberger and New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

FGS 2015: A Look at the Conference App

The FGS 2015 Conference in Salt Lake City starts in less than a month. February 11 to be exact. If you haven't registered yet, you still have time to save money. The early registration discount ends January 23.

Once you are registered, download the FGS app to have everything about the conference available at your fingertips. The FGS app is a mobile version of both FGS.org and FGSconference.org  available for iOS and Android devices.

The conference functions are accessible from the FGS 2015 Conference logo. 

Log in to your FGS account on the conference website to Plan Your Sessions. The sessions you select will then display under MY SCHEDULE in the app after you log in on the app. 

Select MAPS when you need to know where you are or where you are going. A map of the Salt Palace Convention Center is already loaded. A map of the Expo Hall is coming soon. 

View the full FGS program by day and time under SESSIONS. Room assignments will be added to the app as soon as they are available. View the RootsTech program through their app and website. 

Register before the early discount deadline on January 23.

*Screenshots made from an Android tablet.