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.

Two Conferences, One Location: How will that work?

FGS 2015 and RootsTech 2015 Together

Two Conferences, One Location: How will that work?

Have you heard about the special genealogy event happening in 2015? The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and RootsTech are teaming up to bring you that event in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 11–14 at the Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC).

Salt Lake City already draws genealogists and family historians like no other place on earth. Having two great genealogy conferences at the same time, right down the street from the renowned Family History Library, will only add to that attraction.

This kind of collaboration between two genealogy conferences is new territory for both FGS and RootsTech. Genealogists are excited about the possibilities, but many of you are asking how it will work.

Today we begin answering your questions, but one blog post can’t cover everything. We’ll continue answering your questions about this one-time partnership over the next five months leading up to the conference.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this one big conference? No. It’s two conferences happening at the same time under one roof while sharing some activities, sessions, and space.

Can I attend only one conference? Can I attend both conferences?

Yes and yes. While FGS and RootsTech are two separate conferences, you have the choice of registering for only one or upgrading your registration to have access to everything both conferences have to offer.

How do I register?

Go to www.FGSconference.org. Early bird discount pricing of $139 for a full FGS registration runs through September 12, 2014 when the price increases to $159. Adding on a full RootsTech pass is $39 now and ongoing.

What will be separate?

FGS and RootsTech will each present their own program of sessions.

FGS sessions on Wednesday will motivate and inspire society volunteers. Thursday through Saturday the focus of FGS sessions will be methodology, records, ethnic research, migration and more for honing your personal research skills. The full program and list of speakers is available at www.FGSconference.org.

RootsTech will offer a program of technology-based solutions for the genealogy needs of both individuals and societies. 

What will be shared?

Attendees will have access to these shared sessions and activities whether they registered for only FGS, only RootsTech, or for both conferences.

• General sessions on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning featuring inspirational keynotes, speakers, and presenters.
• An expo hall spanning 120,000 square feet with approximately 240 booth spaces and special vendor presentations.
• Late afternoon or evening activities on Thursday (featuring entertainment on the big stage in SPCC), Friday (extended hours in the expo hall featuring the sights and sounds of different world humanities), and Saturday (featuring the of BYUTV's Studio C and other popular entertainers).
• Two tracks on Saturday - DNA and Technology.

That covers the basics but it’s only the beginning. Stay tuned to this blog and FGS social media for more answers and announcements between now and February 11, 2015. If you have questions, please ask them in comments here or contact FGS through any of our social media channels.

FGS 2015 is going to be a great conference and a unique experience. We hope to see you in Salt Lake City in February.

Recap: Important News Items from FGS 2013

You may have missed some of these news stories coming out of the successful FGS 2013 conference held in Fort Wayne, Indiana last week. Over the next few weeks FGS Voice will provide additional information on many of these items - stay tuned!

• FGS 2014: The next FGS conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas 27-30 August 2014. Make your hotel reservations now! The FGS Conference website and the FGS Conference Blog will be updated with 2014 information in the next few weeks.

• FGS 2015: For 2015, FGS will hold its national conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in tandem with RootsTech. This was a huge announcement and has generated quite a few questions as to logistics and future FGS conferences. Check back at FGS Voice to learn all the details so you can plan your FGS conference activities!

• RootsTech 2014 Discount: RootsTech is offering an exclusive discount for FGS members! Take an additional $20 off the Early Bird Discount price by using code RT14EXCLSV during registration. The discount code expires 9 September 2013, so don't miss out!

• Call for Volunteers: FGS is looking for energetic and committed volunteers willing to donate their time in skills. Look for a listing of specific projects and committees where help is needed.

• Dell Discount: FGS has negotiated a unique member benefit with Dell when purchasing a variety of items including computers, televisions and accessories. Dell is also the new sponsor of the FGS Youth Award.

• Preserve the Pensions: More than $20,000 was raised at the FGS 2013 Conference to help preserve and digitize the War of 1812 pension files. Preserve the Pensions will announce a new matching program for member genealogy societies in the coming weeks.

• FGS Awards: Several awards were given out at the FGS 2013 Conference and a complete list will appear here at FGS Voice soon.

RootsTech 2014: Exclusive Registration Discount

You're invited to attend the fourth annual RootsTech Family History and Technology Conference, February 5-8, 2014, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This global event offers a unique opportunity to discover and share your family stories and connections through technology. Whether you're just beginning your family tree, an avid hobbyist, or an experienced researcher, RootsTech has something for everyone!

Exclusive Registration Discount

FGS societies and their members can receive an additional discount off the early bird price.

Get a Full Access 4-day pass for just $139 (a total savings of $100!) when you use the discount code RT14EXCLSV during registration. The discount code expires September 9, 2013, so don't miss out!

What will you experience at RootsTech?

RootsTech 2014 will be held in the east wing of the Salt Palace Convention Center with bigger classrooms, larger event space, and easier access throughout the venue! Here are a few things to look forward:

• Classes and Computer Labs - Choose from over 200 classes and computer labs taught by knowledgeable experts and enthusiasts in family history.

• Expo Hall - The RootsTech expo hall is growing - 20% bigger than last year - with over 100 informative vendors and interactive booths.

• Evening Events - Thursday's Opening Social features dessert and entertainment from the a cappella group, Vocal Point. And Friday offers attendees extended hours at the world-famous Family History Library.

Now the largest family history event in North America, RootsTech is the perfect conference for anyone interested in connecting generations - past, present, and future!

Learn more and register at rootstech.org.

RootsTech 2014 Pass Options

Federation of Genealogical Societies Announces 2015 Conference

FGS and RootsTech Events To Be Held In Tandem

February 12-14, 2015 in Salt Lake City

22 August 2013 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced today that its 2015 National Conference will be held February 12-14, 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah in conjunction with RootsTech, hosted by FamilySearch. RootsTech is held each February in Salt Lake City and helps thousands of attendees from around the world discover and share family connections, stories, and history.

With the Salt Palace Convention Center as the common venue, both FamilySearch and FGS are committed to producing a one-of-a-kind genealogy event addressing the educational needs of the family history, technology and genealogical society communities. As the logistics of this sizeable event are still being worked out, both FGS and FamilySearch will work together to share resources and provide cost benefits for all parties, including attendees and exhibitors. Attendees can expect to see familiar elements of previous FGS and RootsTech events including keynote presentations, a Society Showcase and Expo Hall.

Registration for both events will begin in August 2014, six months prior to the February 2015 dates. FGS will also hold a smaller national event for its members in late 2015, with details to be announced at a later date.

FGS President D. Joshua Taylor states, “FamilySearch has been a valued partner and sponsor for FGS during its past conferences. It only makes sense for both organizations to work together and produce what will be the most talked about genealogy events of 2015.” Taylor added that such an event brings the best of RootsTech and FGS conferences together under one roof and will offer genealogists and family historians a wide array of activities and educational opportunities.

Two Days Left to Save on RootsTech Registration

RootsTech has a booth in the FGS 2012 Exhibit Hall and has an offer that includes those not at the conference! Don't miss out on this exclusive $100 savings offer for the upcoming RootsTech conference! This special Insider Early Registration promotion ends this Sunday, September 2nd and will be the lowest price available to the public for a full conference RootsTech pass.

Simply go to RootsTech.org/Insider to register and enter promo code FGS119.

RootsTech is a fast-growing conference with a unique emphasis on helping individuals learn and use the latest technology to get started or accelerate their efforts to find, organize, preserve, and share their family’s connections and history. The 2013 conference will be held March 21-23 in Salt Lake City, UT.

In it’s third year, RootsTech 2013 will offer many new, exciting resources for genealogists and family historians of all skill levels. Join the thousands of attendees and experience:

• More Classes, More Speakers – great new sessions and more hands-on workshops to attend
• 40% Bigger Expo Hall – exciting new exhibitors with great products and services for you to discover
• New! Getting Started Track – all the basics and lots of help for beginners to jump start their family research
• Developer Day – consolidated track specifically designed for technology developers

For a limited time, before registration officially opens to the public, members and friends of FGS can receive $100 off the full 3-day conference pass price (regular price is $219, exclusive Insider price is only $119). Exclusive Insider Early Registration is available only from August 29 to September 2, 2012.

Full conference schedules can be viewed during the registration process.

RootsTech 2013 - Call for Presentations

March 21-23, 2013 | Salt Lake City, Utah

[Editor's note: The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a proud sponsor of RootsTech!]

The world of genealogy is changing at an ever-increasing rate through the development of new technologies. Millions of people are passionate about discovering their roots. They share an interest in learning about the latest technologies and methods to help them in this pursuit. The third annual RootsTech Conference brings together thought leaders and consumers who want to share and experience the latest trends in genealogy and technology. Building on the success and growth of previous years, RootsTech 2013 will reach thousands of participants on site and around the world. RootsTech includes engaging, interactive sessions that promote learning and the free exchange of ideas on improving the way genealogy is done. Genealogists and technologists attending this conference share a stance that is progressive and forward thinking. They are interested in the application of technology to simplify and improve the family history experience.

Unique tracks will be offered that address the specific needs of genealogists and technologists, with an emphasis on how they can more effectively work together. We invite proposals that address technology challenges and solutions that have the potential to improve family history and genealogical research. Additional consideration will be given to proposals that provide hands-on or interactive experiences, with presenters giving step-by-step approaches and live demonstrations for using technology for genealogy, including tips and helps for using software, hardware, standards, APIs, plug-ins, etc. Since RootsTech is designed as an interactive conference, traditional lectures depending entirely on text-based slides are discouraged.

Possible sessions for genealogists include:

• Solutions for saving, accessing and sharing data
• Publishing and sharing family history online
• Tools for online collaboration and community projects
• Using popular applications for family history
• Reaching and engaging new genealogists through technology
• Online sites and services for getting started

Possible sessions for developers include:

• GPS and geo-mapping ancestral locations
• Applications for mobile devices
• Social applications
• Standards and APIs
• Records imaging and tree visualization
• Gamification of family history experiences
• Cloud-based solutions for saving, accessing, and sharing data

Submissions are due by June 15, 2012, with an extended deadline of October 15, 2012 for limited, late-breaking technology research submissions.

Types of Sessions

1. Presentations: Classroom settings that engage participants.
2. Panels or Discussions: Formal panels of experts discussing specific topics, led by a facilitator.
3. Hands-on Workshops: Labs where attendees have hands-on experience in a specific task or objective.
4. Unconferencing: Informal, participant-led discussion groups.

Submission Information

Proposals will be accepted online at rootstech.org from May 9, 2012 through June 15, 2012. Syllabus materials will be due from participating presenters on October 1, 2012 (other than late-breaking proposals).

Presenters participating in the RootsTech Conference will receive a complimentary conference registration and a syllabus. There is no monetary compensation for presenters at this conference. Out-of-state speakers selected to present three or more lectures will also receive hotel accommodations.

RootsTech Resources for Genealogical Societies

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

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mysociety/2012/02/11/rootstech-resources-for-genealogical-societies

Saturday, February 11, 2012
2-3pm Eastern US
1-2pm Central US
12-1pm Mountain US
11am-12pm Pacific US

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

This week’s episode hosted by Thomas MacEntee is entitled RootsTech Resources for Genealogical Societies. Our guests will include: J. Paul Hawthorne, President of The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego; Tina Lyons, Vice President of the Indiana Genealogical Society; and Tony Hanson, webmaster and leader of the Technology Special Interest Group for the Dallas Genealogical Society. In addition, we’ll be featuring FGS member society, Nebraska State Genealogical Society, in our weekly Society Spotlight feature.

Guests

J. Paul Hawthorne

Paul always had a curiosity for his family ancestors from an early age. Asking questions from his grandparents and taking notes since 6th. grade, he eventually began going to the public library's to do more research. He started corresponding on genealogy message lists in the late 1990's and found many new cousins across the U.S. He has had a public tree online with Ancestry.com since 2001 and now has over 2,500 people with sources. He recently became President of The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego which focuses on computer software and practices combined with genealogy.

Links:

• The Computer Genealogy Society of San Diego
  http://www.cgssd.org

Tina Lyons

Tina Lyons is the current Vice President of the Indiana Genealogical Society. She lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana and researches at the Allen County Public Library frequently. Tina writes about her ancestors and genealogy adventures on her blog GenWishList.

Links:

• Indiana Genealogical Society
  http://www.indgensoc.org

• GenWishList
  http://genwishlist.blogspot.com

Tony Hanson

Tony Hanson has been a Genealogist since 1999. He is active in the Dallas Genealogical Society where he serves as the group’s webmaster and as the leader of the Technology Special Interest Group. He received the groups ‘Volunteer of the Year’ award in 2010, and their web site won the Texas State Genealogical Society Website Design award in 2011. He has worked in a variety of technical roles for AT&T for the past 29 years.

Links:

• Dallas Genealogical Society
  http://www.dallasgenealogy.org

• Family Search Genealogical Society Webmaster Wiki
  https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Genealogical_Society_Webmasters_-_Rootstech_2012_Unconference

Society Spotlight

This week's Society Spotlight features the Nebraska State Genealogical Society.

• Organized: 1977

• Membership Information: Individual $20.00 Family (Husband & Wife) $23.00 Sustaining (for the Philanthropist) $30.00 Institution $17.00 Foreign (non-U.S. residents) $25.00

• Member: Benefits Surname & Lineage Files (Members are encouraged to file pedigree charts and surname cards. Members may request one free search of the surname file.) Microfilm Rental (Members may rent microfilm from the Society's collection.) Book Rental (Members may rent books and publications from the NSGS Library Collection) Nebraska Ancestree (quarterly) The New Brass Key (quarterly newsletter).

• Periodical: Nebraska Ancestree. Published quarterly. Accepts advertising. Contains source materials; abstracts; free queries for members, etc. Some past issues are currently online. (see our webpage). The New Brass Key. Published quarterly. Published quarterly as an insert to the Nebraska Ancestree. It contains genealogical hints, aids, news, information on publications and NSGS acquistions.

• Services: Specialty - Microfilm Rental: Holdings include Nebraska Federal Census, newspaper and marriage microfilm, etc.; Certificate - First Family - settled in Nebraska by 1867 Pioneer Family - settled in Nebr. in 1868-1879 Century Family - settled in Nebr. 100 years prior to application date

Links

• Nebraska State Genealogical Society
  http://www.nesgs.org

Join Us Each Saturday Afternoon at FGS Radio

Tune in to FGS Radio – My Society each week to learn more about genealogy societies and join in a discussion of the issues impacting the genealogical community.

Experience FGS Society Central LIVE During RootsTech

Discuss Genealogy Society Issues with Genealogy Leaders at the FGS Booth

January 30, 2012– Austin, TX: The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces a new feature at during RootsTech this year: FGS Society Central LIVE!

Stop by the FGS booth in the Expo Hall starting Thursday, February 2, 2012 and spend time with a variety of FGS board members who are leaders in the genealogy community. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss issues ranging from technology to attracting new society members.

FGS Society Central LIVE sessions are not “formal” lectures but casual conversations with subject matter experts. Show up at the FGS booth with your questions and get advice that you can take back home to your genealogy society.

The FGS Society Central LIVE schedule includes these sessions:

• Going Green: Convincing Your Society to Go Digital with Randy Whited
  Thursday February 2, 2012, 9:45 a.m. − 10:45 a.m.

• Tech Initiatives to Jump Start Your Society with Thomas MacEntee
  Friday February 3, 2012, 10:00 a.m. − 11:00 a.m.

• Volunteers for Your Society's Tech Projects: Finding, Keeping, and Motivating with Paula Stuart-Warren
  Friday February 3, 2012, 2:00 p.m. − 3:00 p.m.

• Youth, Technology, and Your Society with D. Joshua Taylor
  Friday, February 3, 2012, 3:00 p.m. − 4:00 p.m.

• Why Your Society Needs a Computer Interest Group with Drew Smith
  Saturday, February 4, 2012, 10:00 a.m. − 11:00 a.m.

• War of 1812 Preserve the Pensions Project with Curt B. Witcher
  (please stop by the FGS Booth for info on the exact date and time)

Even if you don’t have time to attend a session, please take a minute to stop by the FGS booth in the Expo Hall and say hello during RootsTech!

RootsTech 2012 Issues Call for Papers

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a proud sponsor of RootsTech 2012.  

Call for Presentations RootsTech 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Dates/Venue: February 2-4, 2012, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City
Call Opens: May 25, 2011
Call Closes: June 30, 2011
Notification: August 27, 2011

The inaugural RootsTech Conference in 2011 was a huge success. Over 3000 attendees filled the presentation venues to learn about technologies and applications that could impact the many emerging facets of family history-related consumer markets worldwide. The Community Zone bustled with technology vendors and demonstrations and the Internet buzzed with blogs, tweets, chat, and articles for a month following the close of the conference. We expect RootsTech 2012 to continue to exceed expectations.

Consider being part of the RootsTech 2012 excitement as a presenter! Please look into the list of suggested topics below as a guideline for what we're seeking (you are certainly welcome to suggest additional topics). RootsTech 2012 presentations will be 40-50 minutes.

Submit your presentation proposal(s) online at RootsTech 2012 Call for Presentations.

Please forward this email to colleagues, business partners, friends, or anyone else you think might be interested in presenting at RootsTech 2012.

About RootsTech

The RootsTech conference is designed to bring technologists together with genealogists to learn from each other and find solutions to the challenges faced in family history research today. The conference's activities and offerings are focused on content that will help genealogists and family historians discover exciting new research tools while enabling technology creators to learn the latest development techniques from industry leaders and pioneers.