Celebrating 40 Years of FGS!

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

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

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

Gala prizes have been contributed from:

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

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

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

FGSCruise2015: Cabin-Booking Contests

FGS is sponsoring its first ever floating genealogical conference with the FGS 2015 Alaskan Cruise, August 28 to September 4, 2015.  The cruise will offer the perfect combination of sightseeing and excursions, coupled with genealogical education during sea days by four of the most respected genealogical speakers:

FGS is running two contests for all cruise attendees who have (or will) book their cabins by May 1.

Contest 1
All attendees who have booked their cabins by May 1 will be included in a drawing for a free conference registration (a $195 value).  The drawing will take place on May 1, the day conference registration is scheduled to open.

Contest 2
Twelve cruise-goers will win private consultations with the conference speakers to be scheduled during the cruise.  The sooner you book your cabin, the more chances you have to win!  The first two lucky winners are Denise O. and Selden G.  Winners will be contacted in the summer with more details about scheduling the consultations.

FGS has a block of cabins with the best rates guaranteed through May 1. Reserve your cabin by contacting Susan Smith at Cruises Inc. 

The FGS 2015 Alaskan Cruise will offer a full genealogy conference during sea days that does not encroach on time to enjoy mainland excursions.  Register for the cruise at https://www.fgsconference.org/cruise.

FGS 2015 Conference Publicity Contest

Would your society like to win a free registration to the FGS 2016
Conference? Of course it would.

All you have to do is help publicize the FGS 2015 Conference, submit an entry each time a promotion is published, and cross your fingers that your society is the lucky winner of the random drawing from those entries.

The FGS 2015 Conference will be held February 11–14, 2015, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The contest starts now.

Only FGS member societies are eligible to enter. If your society is not currently an FGS member, it's easy to join. Just visit the FGS website.

Publicize the FGS 2015 conference through your society newsletters, websites, blogs, and other publications. The winning society will receive an individual four-day registration for the FGS 2016 Conference in Springfield, Illinois. That registration may be used by the society's delegate to 2016, given away as a prize at a society event, or awarded in whatever way the society chooses.

It's easy to participate. At the FGS 2015 Media Center, societies can find resources to use in their newsletters and publications, as well as their websites and blogs, including logos, ads, and articles. These items can also be obtained by sending a request to conferences@fgs.org.

Contest Details

• FGS member societies should submit the convenient FGS 2015 Conference Publicity Contest Entry form for each qualifying article about or advertisement for the 2015 FGS conference that appears in the society's electronic and print publications. 
• All contest entries must be submitted by 12:00 am CST on January 25, 2015 to be eligible for the drawing. 
• One winner will be drawn from all eligible entries on February 11, 2015 at the FGS Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, during the Focus on Societies Day Luncheon. 
• The winning society will be announced at the luncheon and on the FGS Voice Blog. FGS will also contacted the society directly. 

Genealogy Road Trip Contest!

Have you ever wanted to take a research trip to one of the top genealogical libraries in the United States and find out more about your ancestors? Are you all packed and ready to hit the road?

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is holding a contest to raise awareness about its Preserve the Pensions project to preserve and digitize War of 1812 pension files at the National Archives. To participate, simply complete the entry form below and add your name to our email list and then wait for your name to be selected for one of several prizes!

Prizes! Prizes! Prizes!

We’re undertaking a big project here trying to digitize 7.2 million pages of War of 1812 pension files and we believe in thinking BIG! This thinking carries over to our contest prizes which include:

• Choice of a Genealogy Research Travel Package: Choose from one of the following research trips:

• Salt Lake City Genealogy Research Package: A 7-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, a $200 meal gift card, and a $50 Family History Library photocopy card. Total value = $1,100.
• Fort Wayne Genealogy Research Package: A 7-night stay at the Fort Wayne Hilton Hotel, a $200 meal gift card and a $50 Allen County Public Library photocopy card. Total value = $1,100.

• Flip-Pal® mobile scanner: A genealogists’ best friend: mobile scanner for all your family photos and genealogy documents. Total value = $150.
• findmypast.com 1-Year Membership: A one year membership to findmypast.com. Total value = $100.
• And more! Prizes from Just a Joy, The Heirloom Registry, Maia’s Books, RootsMagic and more!

The total value of all the prizes for this contest is over $2,800!

Contest Format and Rules

We’ll begin drawing for prizes on Monday, May 20, 2013 and draw prizes each day leading up to Friday, May 24, 2013, when we’ll select the winner of the Genealogy Research Travel Package!  All winners will be notified by email.

In order to qualify for the contest, you must be a resident of the United States, over age 18 and provide your email address so we can contact you if you are a winner. After the contest, we’ll send you the latest information about the Preserve the Pensions project and you can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time. Full contest rules can be found here.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

The Preserve the Pensions project relies upon the generosity of individual donors, the hard work and skills of volunteers and the huge support from our sponsors! For the Genealogy Road Trip Contest, prizes have been provided by the following:

• Allen County Public Library
• FamilySearch
• Family Tree DNA
• findmypast.com
• Flip-Pal® mobile scanner
• Hilton Hotels
• Just a Joy
• Maia’s Books
• Moorshead Publishing
• RootsMagic
• Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
• The Heirloom Registry

Please take a minute to visit their websites and thank them for their participation!

Donate to Preserve the Pensions and Win a War of 1812 Quilt

Besides entering the contest, consider making a donation to the Preserve the Pensions project today. Not only will you help preserve and digitize War of 1812 pension files, but you’ll also be entered into a drawing to win a stunning War of 1812 commemorative quilt! Click here for more information and then look for the drawing in late August 2013.

Here’s How to Enter the Genealogy Road Trip Contest

Only one entry per email address and visit our Facebook page here to enter today. Please spread the word about our contest on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media. And also visit the Preserve the Pensions website to learn more about this community effort to preserve an essential part of American history.