Farewell to the NGS 2012 Family History Conference

Another successful conference is over, and we hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to complete the conference survey, and start making plans for the 2013 Conference in Las Vegas!

Julie Miller, 2012 Conference Chair

Ann Hilke, NGS President, and Kay Freilich, 2012 NGS Fellow

Photos by Scott Stewart

Photos by Jennifer Hershberger

Farewell to the NGS 2012 Family History Conference

2012 Conference Facts and Moments

During the NGS Luncheon on Friday, NGS President Ann Hilke announced the total attendance of the 2012 Conference: 2,156 people!

The reception on Friday night celebrating the 100th anniversary of the NGS Quarterly marked a significant milestone in the history of the National Genealogical Society. Pick up a copy of the commemorative booklet in the NGS booth in the Exhibit Hall.

Representatives of the conference committee and local host societies working on the NGS 2013 Family History Conference in Las Vegas are here this week to observe details as they make plans for another fabulous conference next year. Information about the 2013 conference is available at the Las Vegas Local Host Societies booth, also in the Exhibit Hall.

Indiana Historical Society exhibit in Conference Exhibit Hall

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center exhibit

Josh Taylor and Graeter's Ice Cream

Tyler-Davidson Fountain in Cincinnati's Fountain Square

Photos contributed by Jennifer Hershberger

Barbara Renick and Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens

Photo by Scott Stewart

2012 Conference Facts and Moments

A Night at the Public Library

Over 400 conference attendees took advantage of the extended hours at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County on Thursday night. The first 200 people received 1848 Cincinnati Panorama posters donated by the Friends of the Public Library Shop, and everyone had a chance to see the original Panorama and experiment with the touchscreen display.

Although tables and aisles were crowded, the energy of 400 genealogists researching at once was almost tangible! Many people stayed until 11:30 p.m. and then showed up early for the first session at 8:00 a.m. on Friday. Many thanks to the Library for providing refreshments, tours, and bringing in additional staff to assist researchers. Another large group of attendees visited the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center during extended hours sponsored by FamilySearch.

Photos by Phyllis Hegner, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

A Night at the Public Library

NGSQ Reception and Scanning by Ancestry

The time for the NGS Quarterly 100th Anniversary Reception is 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening.

If you have items you'd like to have scanned, stop by Room 238 to take part in Ancestry's scanning.

NGSQ Reception and Scanning by Ancestry

Day One in Photos

Gathering for the Opening Session

Ann Hilke, NGS President, and Sunda Peters, Ohio Genealogical Society President

Kenny Burck, Local Host Co-Chair, and German musicians leading attendees to Exhibit Hall

Opening of the Exhibit Hall

FamilySearch demo

Photos by Scott Stewart

Day One in Photos

Day One of the Conference!

The Opening Session this morning featured Patricia van Skaik's fascinating presentation about the 1848 Cincinnati Panorama, award winners (to be announced on the NGS blog), door-prize drawings, and announcements of future NGS conference locations:

7-10 May 2014, Richmond, Virginia
13-16 May 2015, St. Charles, Missouri

At the end of the session the Germania Jagdhorn Blaesergruppe, five horn musicians of the Germania Society clad in traditional outfits, played German marches while leading the audience down to the opening of the Exhibit Hall.

There was plenty of time to browse and shop in the Exhibit Hall - loaded with everything a genealogist could want - before the first session started at 11:00 a.m.

The three session time-slots offered thirty opportunities to learn from experts about BCG skillbuilding, methodology and research, working with records, military records, photos, ethnic research, migration, writing, and GenTech.

At the end of the day, over 200 attendees visited the Cincinnati History Museum, had dinner, and heard a presentation about the history of the beautiful Art Deco Union Terminal Railroad Station building that is now home to three museums.

On Thursday, don't forget the free extended hours at both the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. For information and directions, check the information desk in front of Registration, or ask anyone wearing an "Ask Me" button.

1848 photo courtesy of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; other photos contributed by Jennifer Hershberger.

Day One of the Conference!

Pre-Conference Day

Welcome to the NGS 2012 Family History Conference! Hundreds of people checked in today and many participated in the pre-conference events:

Librarian’s Day workshop for librarians who work with family history patrons

Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky bus tour

BCG Education Fund “Editor’s Ink, Writer’s Lead” workshop featuring Thomas W. Jones and Melinde Lutz Byrne (shown in photo, holding a very unusual artifact for a genealogy class: a generalized trilobite fossil). These two experts presented insights about everything from the broad view of genealogical writing as an art to the power of individual words – an inspiring combination for genealogists who want to polish their writing.

Tomorrow registration starts at 7 a.m. and the Opening Session is at 8 a.m. in the Junior Ballroom on the third floor. You’ll experience a new approach to ancestors’ lives through digital images from the world-renowned daguerreotype, the Cincinnati Panorama of 1848, integrated with original documents from the past. Two lucky winners attending the Opening Session will receive a free conference registration for the NGS 2013 Conference in Las Vegas, courtesy of NGS, and a seven-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square, courtesy of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. You must be present to win!

After the Opening Session surprise guests will lead everyone down to the Exhibit Hall for its opening at 9:30 a.m. See pages 34-62 in the conference program for descriptions of the exhibitors.

To keep track of program and event changes, check the bulletin board in the NGS registration area. Some lunch tickets are already posted for sale, so check the board if you missed the deadline and would like to attend one of the conference luncheons.

Photo contributed by Phyllis Garratt.

Pre-Conference Day