Exhibitor Spotlight: Genlighten, Booth 613

Sometimes we describe Genlighten.com as “a marketplace for genealogical research” but it’s more than that. It’s a growing community built on a foundation of friendly, helpful, knowledgeable researchers who earn extra income sharing their expertise.

I’ve see the site from three sides—founder, client, and provider. Two experiences capture the Genlighten spirit for me.

In 2009, I stumbled on The Young Violinist's Favorite No. 1 by A. S. Bowman published in 1891. The fiddle tunes intrigued me. I wanted to know who Bowman was. Luck and perseverance uncovered a lot about this Pennsylvania composer but his death record eluded me.

Then serendipity prompted a New York City death index search. A convincing match caught my eye and I REALLY wanted to see that record. I contacted a Genlighten provider and two days later I was poring over an image of Mr. Bowman’s death certificate. I was a very happy client.

I’ve also experienced Genlighten as a provider. Recently someone asked for help deciphering a critical address hiding under a tape shadow on a digital image. I couldn’t access the original record but experience suggested an alternate resource for finding the information. I was able to help solve a puzzle my client had been working on for two years. Her thanks meant a lot.

Those are two of my Genlighten stories. Stop by our booth and share yours! Then enjoy a piece of chocolate and let us introduce you to the new features of Genlighten 2.0.

Cynthia Richardson
Genlighten Co-founder
cynthia@genlighten.com

Exhibitor Spotlight: Genlighten, Booth 613

Exhibitor Spotlight: Geni.com, Booths 422, 424

We can’t wait to attend the NGS 2012 Conference and we look forward to meeting genealogists from around the country as we all gather in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Geni is solving the puzzle of genealogy by inviting the world to build the definitive online family tree. Starting your tree is fast, free and easy. You can add and invite your family to join to grow your family tree together and share photos, videos and documents with the ones you love. As matching trees are merged into Geni’s World Family Tree, you will connect to over 60 million living users and their ancestors. Collaborate with other genealogists to discover your shared family history together!

Come visit us at booths 422, 424 to learn more about collaborative genealogy and take advantage of our exclusive conference specials:

• Sign up for a free Geni account at the booth and receive a free Geni flash drive
• Get 50% OFF a Geni Pro premium subscription!
• Ask us how your genealogical society or local library can get access to Geni Pro for free with Geni Public Access
• Get free Geni pens and Geni’s famous “Who’s Your Daddy?” T-shirts

See you there!

Exhibitor Spotlight: Geni.com, Booths 422, 424

Social Networking at the Conference

Final preparations are underway for the NGS 2012 Family History Conference, 9-12 May in Cincinnati. Now is a great time to prepare for social networking during the conference.

To get started, "like" NGS and post your conference experiences on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ngsgenealogy. Subscribe or check the NGS Conference Blog at http://www.facebook.com/ngsgenealogyfor daily updates.

Free WiFi sponsored by FamilySearch and NGS will be available for conference attendees in the Duke Energy Convention Center. Access instructions for the network will be in the conference program distributed at check-in. In addition, all conference hotels provide free Internet in the hotel rooms as part of your stay.

A free conference mobile app is available for the conference. The app contains the complete Conference Program; maps of the Duke Energy Convention Center; presenter and exhibitor information; and a Twitter feed. Information on the app is instantly updated throughout the conference.

Before the conference, explore the app–be sure to create a personalized agenda with reminders, make a "to do" list, and check the Duke Energy Convention Center maps. During the conference you can provide feedback and post conference pics.

Twitter provides a great forum to ask questions of other attendees before and during the conference. Send NGS a tweet (@ngsgenealogy) and use the official hashtag #ngs2012 for NGS 2012 Family History Conference tweets. Everyone can follow the chatter on Twitter through the conference app.

Eventbrite is a free tool allowing you to organize a pop up event during the conference and invite anyone. Desire to organize a genealogy breakfast? Want to assemble a surname group? Would you like to suggest an evening get together? Eventbrite will help personalize and organize your conference experience.

Using Foursquare at conferences can be fun. Want to know who’s in the room with you during any given NGS session? Check-in using Foursquare and you’ll be able to see who you might want to meet!

Phones are smart. Before the conference, why not download your family tree and your research files for Cincinnati (“Research in the Cincinnati Area” in the conference flyer).

Feel free to take photographs in the Exhibit Hall, but please refrain from taking photographs during the sessions or capturing, transmitting or redistributing the syllabus or presentation materials. Click on http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/social_media_policy to review the NGS Social Media Policy.

See you in Cincinnati!

Margie Aker

Social Networking at the Conference

Exhibitor Profile: WikiTree, Booth 537

WikiTree.com is a 100% free family tree collaborative website with the mission of creating one worldwide family tree. This is the place to connect and collaborate with both your distant family historian cousins and your modern family members that may not be genealogists.

To enable collaboration and sharing among both distant and modern family members, WikiTree has an extensive privacy system. Each profile has its own privacy setting. There are six different privacy settings to choose from: everything from completely open, which is appropriate for very distant ancestors, to totally private. Living people can even be “unlisted” so they don’t appear in indexes and search results.

The WikiTree community thrives on our shared mission to create one worldwide tree that connects us all. To make the project work, it is vital that users understand and abide by our 9-point Honor Code that promotes collaboration, respecting privacy, and doing our best to make sure our information is accurate. Read the full Honor Code at http://www.WikiTree.com/Wiki/WikiTree_Honor_Code.

Although WikiTree is free, new members must be invited by a family member or fellow genealogist. If you embrace our mission and agree with the Honor Code please request an invitation in our forum (http://www.wikitree.com/g2g/) or at the WikiTree booth in the exhibit hall at booth 537.

Exhibitor Profile: WikiTree, Booth 537

Exhibitor Spotlight: Life Echoes, Booth 524

Life Echoes is a Family Legacy Book Publishing Service that helps clients create a book of stories from their lives merely by speaking into a digital voice recorder and recording personal family stories and memories. The edited stories, along with the client’s own photos, become a beautiful, heirloom-quality book that will last for generations. We also incorporate genealogical data as desired. We are, so far as we can tell, unique in presenting this service.

“If only I had asked my mother about her life when she was a little girl. I didn’t realize how important those stories would become to me and my family.”

Only YOU can answer these questions:
Where does our family come from?
How did they get here?
Where did they live when they arrived?
What did they do during their lives?
Who are the people in this old photograph?

Life Echoes can help you create a family history—and it should be done while all these memories can still be told and recorded.

President: Louis P. Solomon
Vice President: Leslie Marks
7401 Westlake Terrace, Suite 504
Bethesda, MD 20817
Phone: 240-403-7603
Email: louis@lifeechoes.net
Website: www.lifeechoes.net

Exhibitor Spotlight: Life Echoes, Booth 524

Exhibitor Spotlight: The Virginia Genealogical Society, Booth 635

The Virginia Genealogical Society (http://www.vgs.org) was organized in 1960. Its mission is to promote and foster family history education and research, publish genealogical information, and share accumulated knowledge.

Members of the Virginia Genealogical Society enjoy:
• The Magazine of Virginia Genealogy. Published quarterly; covers primarily Virginia records. Copies of back issues are available.
• The Virginia Genealogical Society Newsletter. Published bi-monthly; winner of the 1996 and 1997 National Genealogical Society Newsletter Competition. Contains feature articles, queries, book reviews, the column "Glad You Asked That…" and announcements. Copies of back issues are available.
• Access to the Members-Only section of the VGS website, with premium articles and information of interest to the Virginia researcher.
• The names of Friends, Patrons, Benefactors, and Life Members published in the Newsletter.
• Discounted conference registration fees.
• 20% discount on Society publications.

The Virginia Genealogical Society has an active publication program and makes awards and grants to deserving individuals and organizations. It also sponsors two conferences annually in the spring and fall that cover Virginia research topics.

Come see VGS at booth 635. Vice President Donald W. Moore, CG, will be there to answer questions.

Exhibitor Spotlight: The Virginia Genealogical Society, Booth 635

Speaker Profile: Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CG, “So, You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin, Now What?” and “A Case Study Using Collaterals"

Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CGsm is a professional genealogist who specializes in German, Midwest and Chicago ancestry. She recently became certified and is looking forward to lecturing in Cincinnati. All of her ancestors were German and she grew up in Quincy, Illinois, a town that has a strong German influence. Currently, Teresa lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. She is married to a Southside Chicago Irishman, whose ancestry she has also traced.

In Cincinnati, she will be presenting two lectures: “So, You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin, Now What?” (T-216) and “Hunting Henry: A Case Study Using Collaterals” (F-342). The first lecture was created because she felt like a lot of focus is typically given to finding that elusive overseas town where our ancestors were born. But often people come to her for help once they’ve found the town. They’re stumped and need help researching in a different country. Many of the tips in this talk can be applied to research in any country.

“Hunting Henry” is a culmination of several years of research related to the family of her second great grandfather. No oral traditions remained in her family about this branch. Come hear how this “brick wall” was disassembled. While this talk will showcase a German immigrant with links to Quincy, Illinois and Cincinnati, her research strategies can be used for ancestors of any ethnicity or locale. Teresa is looking forward to meeting you at the conference.

Speaker Profile: Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CG, “So, You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin, Now What?” and “A Case Study Using Collaterals"

Will You Have Some Time to Volunteer?

Once you get a chance to look at the syllabus and pick your sessions, you might see that you'll have some spare time during the conference. Please consider volunteering! It takes many, many people to keep everything running smoothly during such a large conference, and it's a fun way to get to know other genealogists. Shifts are available at various times from Tuesday to Saturday.

Registration workers, Ask Me hosts, Exhibit door monitors, Syllabus Station attendants and a few Session monitors are still needed. If you would like to volunteer but you're not sure what is involved, email Jean Nathan and she will send you a copy of the Volunteer Manual which explains everything. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, contact Jean at ngsvolunteers@gmail.com.

Will You Have Some Time to Volunteer?

Conference Syllabus is Online

The conference syllabus is now available online for registered attendees to download. The syllabus is an outline of each lecture submitted by the speaker and is often referenced during each session.

You will receive a flash drive at the conference which has the syllabus pre-loaded, but it is often useful to view the syllabus prior to the conference to help you in choosing the sessions you would like to attend. Printed versions of the syllabus will be distributed to those who purchased a copy.

The syllabus can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/2012syllabus. Please log in to the NGS website to access the syllabus and allow up to 10 minutes for the download to complete, as the file is very large.

Conference Syllabus is Online

Discover Your German-Speaking Ancestors at the NGS 2012 Conference

The NGS 2012 Family History Conference will offer many opportunities for those researching German-speaking ancestors to advance their knowledge. Cincinnati was home to a large German immigrant population in the 1800s, clustered in an area called “Over-the-Rhine.” Accordingly, the conference will offer a full track on German research, a luncheon sponsored by Palatines to America, a workshop on reading German typefaces, and other sessions of interest to participants exploring their German-speaking ancestry.

Two of these opportunities require pre-registration, which closes Tuesday, 24 April. They are:

• The Palatines to America luncheon on Thursday, 10 May, featuring Marianne S. Wokeck, Ph.D., speaking on “Framing Genealogy: How Family Research Enriches the Ways in Which We See the World.” Wokeck, a noted historian and author, is an engaging speaker who brings a modern perspective to historical topics. The luncheon’s sponsor, Palatines to America, fosters genealogical research of German-speaking ancestors. Wokek’s talk will explore how combining research on kinship networks can illuminate views of the past and lead to a better understanding of the present.

• A special four-hour workshop on Saturday, 12 May, “The Fraktur Typeface: An Obstacle to German Research That Can be Overcome,” presented by John Humphrey, CG. Humphrey, one of the nation’s leading German research specialists, has written numerous books and is a popular presenter at genealogical institutes and seminars. His workshop will focus on how people with little or no knowledge of the language can learn to read and interpret what they find in German-American newspapers, German language publications, and forms and registers written in the Fraktur typeface.

If you have already registered for the conference, but would like to add the luncheon and/or workshop to your registration, follow these steps:
• Login to the NGS website with your email and password
• Click “My Account”
• Click “My Events”
• Select “Add Sessions”

The German Research track on Thursday, 10 May, will offer five sessions open to all conference attendees:
• “What’s a Palatine Anyway?” by James Beidler at 8:00 am
• “So You’ve Found Your German Town of Origin: Now What?” by Teresa Steinkamp McMillin, CG, at 9:30 am
• “The ‘www’ of German Genealogy” by John Humphrey, CG, at 11:00 am
• “German Marriage Laws and Customs” by Warren Bittner, CG, at 2:30 pm
• “Contrasting German Migrations: 18th vs. 19th Century” by James Beidler at 4:00 pm

In addition, the following sessions promise to be of particular interest for those exploring their German-speaking ancestry:
• “German Language Skills for the Genealogist” by John Humphrey, CG, on Friday at 2:30 pm
• “Success Story: Finding a European Village of Origin” by James Beidler, on Saturday at 4:00 pm

Whatever your level of experience, the NGS 2012 Family History Conference has sessions designed to help you with your German family history research. You won’t want to miss these opportunities!

Submitted by Shelley Bishop
A Sense of Family

Discover Your German-Speaking Ancestors at the NGS 2012 Conference

Exhibitor Spotlight: FamilySearch

Want a chance to win a free Apple iPad? Come see us at the FamilySearch booth at NGS 2012!

FamilySearch is a non-profit genealogy and family history organization dedicated to connecting families across generations. Our free website, FamilySearch.org, contains billions of searchable records from over 100 countries. Stop by the FamilySearch booth to:

• Learn the basics of finding your own ancestors
• Get free access to billions of historical and genealogical records
• Get free personalized research help from onsite genealogy experts
• Share your feedback and questions with the creators of the FamilySearch.org website

We will also be holding free demonstration and mini-classes on the following topics:

• Doing Ohio research
• Use and availability of digital books
• Tips for using FamilySearch for maximum results
• Using the FamilySearch Wiki
• And other classes that will pique your interests

A daily schedule of free classes will be posted at the FamilySearch booth.

FamilySearch believes that learning about our ancestors will help us better understand who we are and how we are connected to our past. Connecting to our ancestors helps create a bond that links the past to the present, creating a legacy for each of us to pass to our posterity. Come visit our booth to learn about our free public resources for discovering your family roots. And while you are there, get your Fun Pass stamped for a chance to win an Apple iPad. The drawing will be held on Saturday, 12 May, at 1 pm.

Exhibitor Spotlight: FamilySearch

Luncheons during the NGS 2012 Conference

Participating organizations will sponsor several luncheons during the Conference. Make your reservation by the deadline, 24 April, at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration. Tickets for the social events will not be sold onsite since the caterer must have a final count three weeks in advance. The fee for all luncheons is $29. Menus are included in the conference brochure. Requests for vegetarian meals (the only alternative) must also be made by 24 April.

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Association of Professional Genealogists, featuring Curt B. Witcher, “The Expectations of 21st Century Genealogists”

Federation of Genealogical Societies, featuring David Rencher, “Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the Old Southwest”

National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association, featuring Rev. David McDonald, “Oh, the Places You'll Go and the People You'll Meet”

Thursday, 10 May 2012

Board for Certification of Genealogists, featuring Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, “Lunch with Mrs. Davis”

International Society for British Genealogy and Family History, featuring J.H. Fonkert, “The Bubble and Squeak Genealogy: Making the Most of Your Leftovers”

Palatines to America, featuring Marianne S. Wokeck, “Framing Genealogy: How Family Research Enriches the Ways in Which We See the World”

Friday, 11 May 2012

National Genealogical Society, featuring Dan Hurley, “From Goetta to Guacamole: The Immigrant Impact on Cincinnati”

Saturday, 12 May 2012

Boston University Center for Professional Education, featuring Melinde Lutz Byrne, “Unsolved Forensic Genealogy”

FamilySearch, featuring Kip Sperry, “Discover Your Ohio Ancestors Online”

New England Historic Genealogical Society, featuring Christopher C. Child, “Western Massachusetts Families in 1790”

Luncheons during the NGS 2012 Conference

Pre-registration Closing Soon – Tuesday, 24 April 2012, is the Deadline

Pre-registration for the NGS 2012 Family History Conference ends Tuesday, 24 April 2012. Registration numbers are great but there is still plenty of room for you.

The cost is just $210 (member) or $245 (non-member) for full registration, or $100 for a single day registration. The conference includes four exciting days of over 170 lecture sessions, luncheons, workshops, and more than 100 different exhibitors. You don't want to miss this conference, so register today at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration.

Tuesday, 24 April, will also be the last day to buy tickets for luncheons. Tickets will not be sold onsite at the conference.

Registration will be available onsite at the Duke Energy Convention Center, Fifth and Elm Streets entrance, beginning Tuesday, 8 May 2012. Hours are listed below.

To learn more, visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info.

Onsite Registration Hours

Tuesday, 8 May 2012
12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 9 May 2012
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Thursday, 10 May 2012
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Friday, 11 May 2012
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Saturday, 12 May 2012
7:00 a.m.–12 p.m.

Pre-registration Closing Soon – Tuesday, 24 April 2012, is the Deadline

Ask an Expert Deadline is 24 April

Don't forget to request an Ask an Expert appointment before the 24 April deadline! The Great Lakes Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists is sponsoring this event. Conference attendees can sign up for a FREE 20 minute consultation with a professional genealogist. Our volunteers have experience in a wide variety of locations and record types.

Take advantage of this opportunity to get help from experts! Appointments are still available. You must be registered for the conference to obtain an appointment. For a schedule and to request an appointment, please visit http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ask_an_expert.

Ask an Expert Deadline is 24 April

NGS 2012 Family History Conference Has Gone Mobile!

The NGS 2012 Family History Conference now has an app and it's completely free! Improve your conference experience by taking the schedule, maps, Twitter, and more with you on your phone or other mobile device.

The app is available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, and web-enabled devices.

The NGS Conference App is easy-to-use with these convenient features:

Schedule

• Stay updated on the latest conference news with News Flash
• Browse schedule by day, level, and tracks
• Search by keywords, topics, and name
• View session details
• Create a personalized schedule
• Search the speaker list

Exhibitors

• Get exhibitor details and location
• Make a to-do list for the Exhibit Hall

Maps

• Locate an exhibitor
• Locate meeting rooms
• Locate hotels and parking

Connect

• Follow the chatter and tweet your thoughts
• Follow the NGS conference blog through News Flash
• Download your photos during the conference to Photos from NGS2012
• Fill out surveys for the conference and individual sessions through News Flash

To download the app, go to the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/maximize_your_experience.

NGS 2012 Family History Conference Has Gone Mobile!

Time is Running Out! Register as an Official Blogger for 2012 NGS Conference

Registration as an Official Blogger for the NGS 2012 Family History Conference will close on Tuesday, 24 April. If you write a blog or micro-blog, and would like to be recognized as an “Official Blogger of the NGS 2012 Family History Conference,” please fill out the form here to let us know a little bit about you and your blog.

Registration closes in one week so time is running out! To read more about the Official Blogger program, click here.

Time is Running Out! Register as an Official Blogger for 2012 NGS Conference

1940 U.S. Census Indexing at the Conference

FamilySearch will be hosting the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project booth in the exhibit hall during the conference. If you have not volunteered to index yet, come to the booth and there will be people to help you get signed up and started. If you are a volunteer already, stop by and index a batch.

Index 2 batches at the 1940 booth and get a free T-shirt!*
*While supplies last

Volunteer appreciation social
Join FamilySearch for a volunteer appreciation social to celebrate the great progress and volunteer effort of the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project on Friday, 10 May, at 12:15 p.m. at the 1940 Community Project booth. Everyone is welcome!

The 1940 U.S. Federal Census was a snapshot of the population of the United States taken in April 1940. As these records are made searchable, a clear historical picture begins to emerge of life in 1940. This picture includes 132 million people, 20 million of whom are still alive today. Many who were in the prime of their lives in 1940 are often referred to as “The Greatest Generation.” This generation includes those who struggled through the Great Depression before being sent off to defend the United States and its allies in World War II.

Archives, FamilySearch, FindMyPast, National Archives and Records Administration, and ProQuest have joined forces with genealogy societies from across the United States to coordinate a large, online volunteer effort to make the 1940 Census available as a free searchable records collection. As indexing produces a searchable collection of census records, an image of the United States in 1940 comes into focus. This snapshot gives us a glimpse into the life of everyone who was counted in the census and ensures they will be known to future generations. Our collective effort to index these records creates a gift and legacy we are passing along to those who want to discover their ancestors today—and for those who will in the future.

1940 U.S. Census Indexing at the Conference

Speaker Spotlight: Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG; Sessions F-322 and S-454

I am excited to be presenting two programs at the 2012 NGS conference. I’ve been doing genealogy for about 35 years; I have an academic background in folklore (PhD, 2008) and speech communication, with an emphasis in interpersonal communication and rhetoric (MA, 1990). These fields are the basis for both of my presentations, as they rely heavily on the oral history arena.

“The Two Sides of Interviewing” (4 pm, Saturday, #S454) looks at the basics of interviewing, but goes on to consider both sides of the process – the interviewee and the interviewer. Also covered are some different approaches and tools to help make it a positive experience. I also discuss alternatives to the standard interview and more. Recommended audience: beginner to intermediate researchers.

“Shaking the Myth” (11 am, Friday, F322) deals with family legends and proving or disproving them. I introduce a method of breaking a story down into its individual parts, then assessing each of the parts for analysis. Recommended audience: intermediate to advanced. Be prepared to be involved.

I serve the genealogy community as the Director of the Corona, California Family History Center; President of both the Corona Genealogical Society and the Southern California Chapter of APG; Board Member of APG; Secretary of the Genealogical Speakers Guild; and frequent volunteer at NARA, Pacific Region (Riverside County, California). I am a columnist for GenWeekly and my writing also appears in Family Chronicle, Crossroads, APG Quarterly, etc. My blog is here and more on my presentations and other activities is at www.circlemending.org.

Speaker Spotlight: Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG; Sessions F-322 and S-454

Free WiFi at NGS 2012 Family History Conference

NGS is pleased to announce that there will be free WiFi for conference attendees in the Duke Energy Center Convention Center for the upcoming conference, 9–12 May 2012. The WiFi is co-sponsored by FamilySearch and NGS. Instructions for how to access the free network will be in the conference program distributed at check-in.

Additional Free Internet in Cincinnati

All conference hotels provide free access to the internet in the hotel rooms as part of your stay.

The Expresso Café, located near the 5th and Elm Street entrance in the Convention Center, has free WiFi for their customers.

If you are doing some sightseeing around town, there are numerous hot spots. For a list of places, check here.

Free WiFi at NGS 2012 Family History Conference

Exhibitor Spotlight: New England Historic Genealogical Society

Please stop by the NEHGS booth, located at #521, 523, 620, 622. We have several exciting lecture topics that we are thrilled to share with you! Ryan John Woods will teach you the nuts and bolts about cloud storage and backup on Friday at 11 am. On Saturday, be sure to drop by David Lambert’s lecture, “Westward Migration From New England,” at 8 am. For even more information on westward migration, join NEHGS for its Saturday luncheon at 12:15 pm and listen to Christopher Child’s talk on Western Massachusetts families in 1790, an update on the NEHGS project to document heads of families in the 1790 census, many of whom later migrated westward.

Founded in 1845, New England Historic Genealogical Society is one of the country's leading national resources for family history research. We help family historians of all levels expand their knowledge, skill, and understanding of their family and its place in history. The NEHGS eight-story research center, located at 99-101 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts, houses millions of books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, microfilms, documents, records, and other artifacts that date back more than four centuries. NEHGS staff includes some of the leading expert genealogists in the country, specializing in early American, Irish, English, Italian, Scottish, Atlantic and French Canadian, African American, Native American, and Jewish genealogy. Our award-winning website provides access to more than 135 million searchable names in 3,000 collections.

Special Announcements: Genealogist's Handbook for New England Research, 5th Edition, Now Available!

Conference Special: a Membership Discount of $10 off.

Exhibitor Spotlight: New England Historic Genealogical Society

An Evening at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

On Thursday evening, 10 May, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., FamilySearch and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are hosting an exclusive private evening at the museum, free for all NGS conference attendees.

The Freedom Center is located in downtown Cincinnati on the banks of the historic Ohio River. It tells the story of runaway slaves, crossing over the Ohio River on their journey to freedom. Anti-slavery men and women of all backgrounds created a secret network of escape routes that came to be called the Underground Railroad. The museum houses many unique and inspiring exhibits which tell the story of this Underground Railroad and share some of the harrowing experiences of slaves who sacrificed so much to gain their freedom.

Don’t miss the opportunity to join your NGS friends in experiencing how the quest for freedom has changed our country and is still alive today.

Transportation

Three choices of transportation to the Freedom Center are available:

Shuttle—Catch the TANK/South Bank Shuttle (local shuttle system) at Fountain Square, two blocks from the Hyatt hotel. Cost is $1 per person. The shuttle drops you off in front of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Walk—Walking to the Freedom Center takes only 10-15 minutes.

Taxi—A taxi ride from the Hyatt to the Freedom Center costs about $5.

Click here for more information on the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

For NGS conference details, visit www.ngsgenealogy.org/conference_info.

An Evening at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Daily Raffle at the NGS Booth

Visit the NGS Booth (231) each day in the exhibit hall and enter to win one of the below giveaways. All winners will be announced at 4:45 p.m. daily, except for Saturday when the drawing will be held at 2:00 p.m.

- Wednesday, 9 May – Free conference registration to NGS 2013 in Las Vegas

- Thursday, 10 May – Choice of one Research in the States book

- Friday, 11 May – Free one-year individual membership with NGS

- Saturday, 12 May – Choice of an American Genealogy Special Topics Series course on CD

Daily Raffle at the NGS Booth

Demonstration Area in the Exhibit Hall

In addition to the over 170 lectures this year at the conference, there will be two demonstration areas offering more than fifty additional learning opportunities. The demo stages will be located in the exhibit hall and will feature twenty-minute exhibitor presentations on their products and/or services. Demonstrations will start every thirty minutes and the area will include a large screen and comfortable seating.

Demo Area Schedule (listing participating companies, scheduled times, and presentation topics):

Wednesday - Stage A

12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
JewishGen.org
Intro to JewishGen

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Family Chartmasters
Family History Charts on the Go

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Mocavo
Getting the Most Out of Mocavo

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
ResearchTies
ResearchTies

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
AncestorSync (Real-Time Collaboration)
AncestorSync: Now You Can Easily Keep All of Your Online and Desktop Databases in Sync

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
JustaJoy.com Family Heirloom Exchange
Is It Possible to Find Your Great-Grandfather's Civil War Sword?

3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
MyHeritage
The Ultimate Genealogy Super Search Engine

Wednesday - Stage B

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Memory Medallion, Inc.
Family History at the Tombstone

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Flip-Pal™ mobile scanner
Wireless Communication with My Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Group National Publishing, LLC
Presentation is Everything

3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
JustaJoy.com Family Heirloom Exchange
Antique Hunting in the Family Tree

Thursday - Stage A

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Fold3
Using Fold3

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
WikiTree
Using WikiTree to Collaborate with Your Non-Genealogist Family Members

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
FamilySearch
Become a Part of History! Help Index the 1940 US Census

11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage App

12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
JewishGen.org
Intro to JewishGen

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Pentandra Research Solutions, Inc.
A Geungle Expedition

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
HistoryGeo.com
HistoryGeo.com - Making Family Connections with Historical Maps

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
National Genealogical Society
Learning from Home

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Grandparent Gift Book
Inside Grandparent Gift Book

3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Stories To Tell
Family History Books: Edit, Design and Publish

Thursday - Stage B

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Memory Medallion, Inc.
Family History at the Tombstone

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Group National Publishing, LLC
Presentation is Everything

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Lifetime Lookback, LLC
Remembrance in the Digital World

11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Family Chartmasters
Family History Charts on the Go

12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Life Echoes
Your Story is Their History

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
Mocavo
Getting the Most Out of Mocavo

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
RootsMagic
What's New in RootsMagic 5

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
RumbleSoft, Inc.
Introduction to GenDetective

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Flip-Pal™ mobile scanner
How do I Scan Large Originals with Flip-Pal Mobile Scanner?

3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
PublishNext
How to Publish Your Family History

Friday - Stage A

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
FamilySearch
Become a Part of History! Help Index the 1940 US Census

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Grandparent Gift Book
Inside Grandparent Gift Book

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Fold3
Searching Fold3

11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
Heritage Productions
Expand Your Knowledge with Online Classes

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Lisa Louise Cooke, Genealogy Gems
3 Cool Tools to PowerBoost Your Newspaper Research from the Brand-New Book, How to Find Your Family History in Newspapers

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Heritage Productions
Education for the Professional Genealogist

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Stories To Tell
Plan and Organize a Family History Book

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Genlighten.com
Build an Online Research Presence with Genlighten 2.0

3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
Pentandra Research Solutions, Inc.
A Geungle Expedition

Friday - Stage B

9:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
PublishNext
Producing High Quality Photos and Documents in Books

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
RumbleSoft, Inc
Introduction to GenDetective

11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
ShipIndex.org
ShipIndex.org: A Tool for Easy Vessel Research

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
HistoryGeo.com
HistoryGeo.com - Making Family Connections with Historical Maps

2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Lifetime Lookback, LLC
The Art of Digital Remembrance

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
Legacy Stories
Document Your Dash

Saturday - Stage A

10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
E-Z Photo Scan
Discovering the Magic in Preserving Your Family Photos & Treasured Documents

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
WikiTree
Using WikiTree to Collaborate with Your Non-Genealogist Family Members

11:00 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
Family Chartmasters
6 Basic Principles for Sharing Your Family History with Your Family

11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
National Institute for Genealogical Studies
Expand Your Knowledge from the Comfort of Your Home with Online Classes

12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m.
Genlighten.com
Find Friendly Helpful Researchers with Genlighten 2.0

1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
National Genealogical Society
A Sneak Peak – The Next Generation of Learning from Home

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
National Institute for Genealogical Studies
Education for the Professional Genealogist

Saturday - Stage B

10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.
Legacy Stories
Your Own Ancestor Website

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Lisa Louise Cooke, Genealogy Gems
3 Search Techniques You Should Be Using from the Book, The Genealogist's Google Toolbox

Demonstration Area in the Exhibit Hall

NGS Luncheon and More Prizes!

Have you ever heard of goetta? Are you interested in immigration? Either way, come hear Dan Hurley, a Cincinnati television host, producer and historian, present “From Goetta to Guacamole: The Immigrant Impact on Cincinnati,” on Friday, 11 May.

Cincinnatians think the history of immigration in their community reflects the broader patterns of the American experience. That's a problem, both for Cincinnatians and outsiders who try to fit our square peg into the round hole of American history. It is also a challenge going forward, both for those trying to move the economy into the Knowledge Age and for those trying to welcome the newcomer.

There will be plenty of food and a chance to visit with fellow genealogists. Another benefit to attending is a chance to win the prizes listed below, to be given away at the luncheon. Winners must have an NGS Luncheon ticket to claim a prize.

- One of five Ancestry.com memberships

- A six-day research retreat with six complimentary room nights, sponsored by Ancestor Seekers and the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel

- One of five JustaJoy.com annual memberships

The deadline to register for luncheons is 24 April. That’s also the deadline for conference preregistration. After that date you may only register onsite at the conference. Meals cannot be purchased onsite at the conference.

NGS Luncheon and More Prizes!

Speaker Spotlight: Robert Raymond, Session W-150, “Using Excel to Create Timelines”

This session demonstrates how to create several different timelines in Excel. Some are powerful and some are simple. There are those with strong utility and those with beautiful aesthetics. One type provides powerful correlation capability. Another clearly communicates where events sit in the passage of time.

Robert Raymond is a deputy to FamilySearch Chief Genealogical Officer, David Rencher, and a member of the National Genealogical Society’s Board of Directors. Robert works to increase the genealogical soundness of FamilySearch products. He also helps set the record collection acquisition and publication strategy.

Robert is a popular speaker and writer. His blog (authored pseudonymically) has won many awards and recognitions and is consistently ranked among the top ten genealogical blogs. He is the author of an acclaimed family history website where he has published hundreds of digitized genealogical records and personal histories, written numerous articles, and created several maps. Before FamilySearch, Robert worked at Ancestry.com and before that was vice president of an award-winning technology company.

Robert is a genealogy technologist with more than 40 years experience in genealogy and 30 years in technology. Robert holds over a dozen technology patents and earned a master’s degree in electrical (computer) engineering from Brigham Young University where he was honored as a Kimball Scholar. He is a volunteer at a FamilySearch Center where he can be found in the trenches every Wednesday night.

Speaker Spotlight: Robert Raymond, Session W-150, “Using Excel to Create Timelines”

Opening Session and Two Prizes!

You won't want to miss the Opening Session, "Genealogy Buried in a Photograph," in the Junior Ballroom at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 9 May. Patricia Moseley Van Skaik, manager of the genealogy collection at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, will explore one of its most valuable artifacts. Created in 1848 on eight daguerreotype plates, the Cincinnati Panorama of two miles along the Ohio River is the oldest comprehensive photograph of an American city. When combined with the George Eastman House’s digital microscope, this world treasure reveals a slice of life previously invisible to the naked eye and a treasure trove for genealogists. Experience a new approach to ancestors' lives through digital images integrated with original documents from the past.

By attending the Opening Session, you’ll have a chance to win two fabulous prizes:

1. A seven-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square, courtesy of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, which is located right next door to the Family History Library. The prize will include a free spot on one of the Ancestor Seekers Salt Lake City research trips.

2. One free conference registration for the NGS 2013 Conference in Las Vegas, courtesy of NGS

All full-conference registrants have been entered into the drawing. Winners must be present at the opening session to claim the prizes.

Take some time during your stay in Cincinnati to see the original daguerreotype plates on permanent display at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. On Thursday, 10 May, the Library will be open late exclusively for Conference participants, from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. (details here). For more information on the Panorama, visit http://1848.cincinnatilibrary.org.

Opening Session and Two Prizes!

NGS Conference Volunteers Needed

The Volunteer Committee for the 2012 NGS Conference in Cincinnati still needs many volunteers. Registration workers, Ask Me hosts, Exhibit door monitors, Syllabus Station attendants and a few Session monitors are still needed. If you would like to volunteer but you're not sure what is involved, email Jean Nathan and she will send you a copy of the Volunteer Manual which explains everything. If you have questions or wish to volunteer, contact Jean at ngsvolunteers@gmail.com.

NGS Conference Volunteers Needed

Barely a Month to Go, and Conference Events are Filling Up!

There’s still time to sign up for the Cincinnati Museum Center tour and dinner on 9 May, Wednesday evening. The event had sold out, but 20 spaces have been added. There are also 20 seats left for the Tuesday afternoon bus tour of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. For more information, search the conference blog.

Four conference workshops are full: "The Mechanics of Compiling Your Family History," with Michael Leclerc, "Understanding Court Records," with J. Mark Lowe, CG, “Photo Detecting 101,” with Maureen Taylor, and the BCG Education Fund Workshop, “Editor’s Ink, Writer’s Lead.” Email Veronica at vtran@ngsgenealogy.org to be placed on the wait-list. One conference workshop still has space available: “The Fraktur Type: An Obstacle to German Research That Can Be Overcome,” with John Humphrey, CG.

Two workshops that don’t require conference registration are also available:

Genealogy 201, Working with Records, Saturday, 12 May, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon

Have you completed some genealogical research? Are you ready to continue your genealogical education? Register for Genealogy 201 and learn techniques and tips to maximize the information gathered from your sources, whether they are paper, microfilm, or digital. Instructors Ann Carter Fleming, CG, CGL, FNGS, and Kay Haviland Freilich, CG, CGL, will also address ways to evaluate and organize the information you have and to plan your next research steps. This workshop is designed for those with some research experience. The registration fee is $25, which includes a comprehensive handout. After the session, you may enjoy browsing in the Exhibit Hall.

Youth Kamp, Saturday, 12 May, 8:30 a.m.—12:00 noon

This is a great opportunity to involve your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews in family history. The Kamp will feature a variety of age-appropriate activities for kids ages 8 to 16 and includes a session that focuses on scouting’s genealogical badges. The event is free; registration is required. Space is limited, so register early! Click here for more information.

To register online, visit this page. If you have already registered, log into your NGS account and add the events to your registration.

Barely a Month to Go, and Conference Events are Filling Up!