Tag Archives: NGS

National Genealogical Society 2024 Virtual Family History Conference

by Charles Hansen


2024 Virtual FOCUS Event will Help Your Organization with Outreach and Engagement


Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates,

The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is hosting our FOCUS pre-conference event for genealogy organizations virtually in 2024, and we welcome your organization’s leaders, volunteers, staff, and members to attend on 16 May.

FOCUS offers learning opportunities that foster collaboration and share successes among societies, libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions. Its goal is to strengthen our genealogy and family history community as we work to support everyone in search of their ancestors’ stories.

This year’s theme is outreach and engagement. FOCUS sessions will offer practical tips and ideas to help your organization reach new people, activate volunteers, and highlight family history as a part of the America250 celebration in 2026. Watch presentations and participate in live Q&A on 16 May, then see sessions you missed at your convenience over a few months. Registrants will have access to FOCUS recordings until 15 August.

Learn More and Register for FOCUS

Learn from Fellow Organizations in Keynote and Breakout Sessions

FOCUS_2024_Keynote_Dr Tonya Matthews_250pxWide_2768487.jpg

FOCUS begins with a keynote presentation at 2:00 p.m. (ET) by International African American Museum (IAAM) President and CEO Tonya M. Matthews, PhD. She will share lessons from the launch of IAAM, one of the country’s newest and most compelling museums. Join us to find inspiration, a renewed sense of mission and purpose, and motivation to expand public outreach, engage volunteers, and grow your community. Matthews is a nonprofit executive leadership veteran with insights that will benefit you and your organization.
FOCUS breakout sessions take place 3:15–6:45 p.m. (ET) on 16 May. The nine available breakout options by genealogy and family history organizations include:

"Fabric of the Past: Teaching Local and Family History Research to School Teachers"—Charity Rouse, Spartanburg County Public Libraries
"Street Genealogy: Family History in a Parking Space Pop-Up"—Shamele Jordon, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
"Using Multimedia Approaches for Public Family History Outreach to Include Diverse and Marginalized Populations"—Marcia Johnson, The National Grigsby Family Society
"Branch Out: How to Partner Societies with State or Local Libraries"—Korina Tueller and Linda Caldwell McCleary, Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records and Arizona Genealogical Advisory Board
"Cemetery Digitization Project: Engaging Volunteers and the Community to Save History"—Lynne Deese, Wake County Genealogy Society
"We Are Three Lakes: Genealogy + History = Community"—Marie Byatt, Three Lakes Genealogical Society
"Creating an Exhibit and Celebration that Captures Hearts and Gets Attention"—Marcia Fraser, Williamson County Public Library
"Growing Membership and Increasing Value with a PBS Affiliate Partnership"—Heather O’Hara, Maryland Genealogical Society
"Densho’s Story: Preserving and Sharing History by Leveraging Technology"—Caitlin Oiye Coon, Densho

Learn more about all the FOCUS sessions online and share the information with other people in your organization.
Organization Member Discount Offer for 2024 FOCUS
The FOCUS registration fee is $50, but NGS organization members with three or more FOCUS registrants can get a $40 registration for each person they sign up (a $10 discount per person). Visit the Organization Member Registration page for discount details and to access the required form.

We look forward to seeing you on 16 May at FOCUS!

Copyright © 2024 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved.
National Genealogical Society · 6400 Arlington Blvd · Suite 660 · Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 · USA

National Genealogical Society 2024 Virtual Family History Conference

by Charles Hansen
Registration is Now Open for NGS’s 2024 Virtual Family History Conference and FOCUS NGS Organization Members Can Use Discount Offers
Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates, Registration is open for the National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2024 Family History Conference, Expanding Possibilities, and the preconference FOCUS event for genealogy organizations. Both are virtual and discount offers are available for NGS member organizations. Make plans to sign up people from your organization and share the information outlined below and on the Organization Member Registration page with your leaders, volunteers, and members. Visit the Organization Member Registration Page Family History Conference: Expanding PossibilitiesStarting on 16 May 2024, check out the Expo Hall and attend the SLAM! Idea Showcase. Join your fellow genealogists for two days of online education and live Q&A on 17-18 May. Choose from among fifty lectures, available to watch in the Whova app through 15 August 2024, with topics that include Records: Resources that Solve Problems and Help Determine Relationships Methodology: Planning Cluster Research, Proving Identity, Resolving Conflict, and more Artificial Intelligence: Newest Technology for Genealogy Writing and Analysis DNA: Beyond the Basics to Advanced Tools Ethnic and LGBTQIA+ Research: New Paths and Sources for Research Conference DiscountsNGS member organizations can register up to three leaders, volunteers, or employees to attend the 2024 Family History Conference at the individual membership per person rate ($225 through 31 January 2024) if those people are not individual members of NGS. Organization members must submit the 2024 Family History Conference form to use this offer. Once this form is received, NGS will invoice your organization for each name, up to three people, on the list.FOCUS on Genealogy OrganizationsThe 16 May 2024 FOCUS event features an inspiring keynote, to be announced soon, and nine breakout sessions highlighting examples of how organizations have incorporated public outreach and engagement into processes and programs or made outreach and engagement the purpose of an event. FOCUS sessions will be available in the Whova app through 15 August 2024 and will help you reach the public, motivate volunteers, and grow the genealogy and family history community.FOCUS DiscountsNGS member organizations with three or more people registering for the 2024 FOCUS event can do so at a discounted rate of $40 (a $10 savings) per person. The organization must submit the 2024 FOCUS form to use this offer. Once this form is received, NGS will invoice your organization for each name on the registration list.Expand the Possibilities for You and Your Organization. Register for the Virtual 2024 Family History Conference and FOCUS. Visit the Organization Member Registration Page

Copyright © 2023 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · 6400 Arlington Blvd · Suite 660 · Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 · USA You are receiving this email because you are either a current or recent individual member of NGS, the admin or delegate for an organization member of NGS, the general contact for a member organization, or because you asked NGS to send you information on occasion.

Native American Heritage Month

by Charles Hansen
Native American Heritage Month Resources
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is pleased to honor our country’s Indigenous Peoples as we celebrate Native American Heritage Month. We hope the resources listed below will help with your genealogy and family history research or be useful information to share with others. The Library of Congress is hosting a Native American Heritage Month website with support from National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. US Department of the Interior provides the Trace Indian Ancestry page as a guide that discusses how to begin research if you are tracing American Indian or Alaska Native ancestry. Ancestry has a downloadable PDF available on Researching Your American Indian Ancestors on Ancestry. Cyndi’s List offers links to a number of resources for Native American and First Nations research. YouTube can also be a helpful free resource. Check these videos out to get you started: Tracing Your Native American Family History on Ancestry.com by Nicka Sewell-Smith Genealogy: Finding American Indian Ancestry by Carly Morgan Native American Indian and Indigenous Genealogical Research by Genealogy TV with Judy Nimer Muhn Discovering Native American Ancestry Through DNA by Ugo A. Perego, PhD, from RootsTech 2021 A Conversation with Muscogee Genealogist Rick Fogarty from Mvskoke Media of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Finally, please join us on 8 November 2023 for our next Culture Conversation with filmmaker Alicia Hawkins about her documentary, American Red and Black. Register now at https://bit.ly/NGS CultureConvo8Nov2023.

 Copyright © 2023 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · 6400 Arlington Blvd · Suite 810 · Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 · USA

National Genealogical Society and ConferenceKeeper

by Charles Hansen

National Genealogical Society and ConferenceKeeper

Greetings, EWGS & WSGS,
Karen Lehfeldt here to let you know about one of the announcements shared at the National Genealogical Society Conference and Delegate Council May 31st through June 3rd, 2023. What an exciting time I had in Richmond, Virginia as the Delegate from Eastern Washington Genealogical Society.
The news:
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) and Genealogy ConferenceKeeper.org, Inc. (ConferenceKeeper), announced at the NGS 2023 Family History Conference an agreement to merge before the end of the year.
 
ConferenceKeeper is the most complete, entirely free, online calendar of genealogy conferences and events. With the merger, ConferenceKeeper will continue to support local genealogical societies, libraries, and genealogy-related businesses by providing a wider audience for their programs. The website will offer its calendar of thousands of genealogical education opportunities as a free resource for everyone interested in furthering their knowledge of family history research. ConferenceKeeper will also continue to accept genealogy-related advertising.
 
National Genealogical Society member organizations will benefit from increased visibility for their events and a special advertising rate on ConferenceKeeper. Check out the websites https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ and https://conferencekeeper.org/ for more information about upcoming events and genealogy information.
 

NGS 2023 Conference Richmond Virginia

by Charles Hansen


Save the Dates: 31 May – 3 June
NGS 2023 Family History Conference
Richmond, Virginia

Dear Charles,
Mark your calendars for the National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2023 Family History Conference, 31 May – 3 June, in Richmond, Virginia. The theme is Virginia: Deep Roots of a Nation.

Thanks to the more than 885 NGS members who answered our conference survey, the NGS Family History Conference promises to deliver the programming you’re looking for in 2023.

Pre-Conference Events and Official Opening: Wednesday, 31 May

Local Tours
Delegate Council Meeting
New Focus Program for Societies, Libraries, and Archives, including a luncheon and “Shout Out”
SLAM! Idea Showcase Reception
Official Start of Conference with Expo Hall Opening

Conference Program: 1 June – 3 June (Thursday through Saturday)
The program will include

BCG Skill Building
Virginia Track
Methodology
Latest DNA Tools
African American Research
Native Peoples Research
Jewish records, and more.

Special Bonus
The Library of Virginia has confirmed that it will extend its research hours from
9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday,1 June, and from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
on Saturday for its Archives Research Room. You may also want to visit Richmond’s other outstanding genealogical research facilities. Take advantage of NGS’s discounted hotel rates three days before and three days after the conference to research your Virginia ancestors.

Program/Registration/Hotels
The 2023 Family History Conference program will be available online approximately two weeks before we open conference registration. Check your email or the NGS Conference website for announcements about the program and registration. We will open hotel registrations at three downtown hotels—Richmond Marriott, Hilton, and Omni—after conference registration opens.

See You in Richmond!


Copyright © 2022 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved.
National Genealogical Society · 6400 Arlington Blvd · Suite 810 · Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 · USA

NGS Registration Extended

by Charles Hansen
NGS Extends Deadline for Online Registration
for the
NGS 2022 Family History Conference Register Now
Dear ,

This year is proving to be a year of transition and for some a time of lingering uncertainty. Therefore, in response to requests from our members, the National Genealogical Society has extended its deadline to register online for its NGS 2022 Family History Conference.

Online registration for both the In-Person conference in Sacramento, California, and Online at Home will now close at 7:59 p.m. (ET) on 13 May 2022. However, we are only able to offer you a complete refund—no questions asked, minus a $50 service fee—until 1 May 2022.

It is also possible to register in person, on site at the conference, in the SAFE Conference Center in Sacramento, starting Tuesday 24 May through Saturday, 28 May. You may purchase admittance to the conference on a daily basis, or for the full conference.

More than 80 genealogists will present lectures at this year’s in-person conference. Participants will have the chance to meet and attend lectures by fantastic speakers such as Jay Fonkert, LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, Thomas W. Jones, Michael Lacopo, Janice Lovelace, Angela McGhie, Jill Morelli, Steve Morse, Nancy Peters, David Rencher, Judy Russell, Rick Sayre, Josh Taylor, Ari Wilkins, and others. We’re excited to have Stanford University professor Dr. Gordon H. Chang as our keynote speaker presenting his talk on The Chinese Who Built America’s Transcontinental Railroad. Dr. Gordon H. Chang Don’t miss this great opportunity to be back together again and network face-to-face with fellow family historians; share ideas and discuss your research; attend fascinating, educational lectures; and discover new products and services for genealogists in the Expo Hall. Check out the following links for up-to-date information about conference hotels, Visit Sacramento discounts, and COVID-19 policies and other rules. Also, be sure to sign up for the NGS conference blog to receive conference news and announcements. Online registration for the In-Person Conference as well as the Online at Home Conference ends at 7:59 p.m. (ET) on 13 May 2022. Register Now
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society inspires, connects, and leads the family history community by fostering collaboration and best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research. We enable people, cultures, and organizations to discover the past and create a lasting legacy. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Copyright © 2022 National Genealogical Society, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because of your interest in family history or genealogy and/or a prior relationship with the National Genealogical Society or Federation of Genealogical Societies. If your organization is on this list in error, please unsubscribe if you would no longer like to receive email from us.

Our mailing address is:
National Genealogical Society6400 Arlington Blvd Ste 810Falls Church, VA 22042-2325

NGS 2022 Conference

by Charles Hansen
CGS_SealColor300-400x200.jpg NGS 2022 Logo.jpg The California Research Series: A golden genealogical opportunity at the NGS Conference in Sacramento
If you are beginning to prepare for the NGS 2022 Family History Conference in Sacramento, 24-28 May, you will be happy to know that you can register now for two new additions to the California Research Series, presented by the California Genealogical Society (CGS):
Untold Stories from the California Historical Society’s Collections (April 26, 4-5:30 p.m., PDT) Genealogical Resources at the National Archives at San Francisco (May 3, 3-4 p.m. PDT)
The online series is free. It is designed to aid conference attendees in researching their California ancestors by introducing them to genealogical repositories in Sacramento and San Francisco. 
The following presentations of the California Research Series have been recorded and are now available online (free). Center for Sacramento History Government Publications at California State Library Historical Resources at California State Library  Sutro Library – Genealogical Treasures The California Archives Special Collections at the Sacramento Public Library
The series will be available for viewing until the end of May on the CGS YouTube Channel 
Note: The deadline to register for both the In-Person conference and Online at Home has been extended to 13 May. Hotel reservations are currently available but filling up fast. On-site registration in Sacramento begins Monday, 23 May, 3-8 p.m.
Questions? Send an email to: ngs2022@californiaancestors.org
Quick Links: NGS Conference Brochure NGS Conference Registration NGS Conference Blog NGS on CGS website Hotel Reservations NGS Registrar Visit Sacramento Sign up to Volunteer at the Conference California Genealogical Society 2201 Broadway LL2 Oakland, CA 94612 510-663-1358 californiaancestors.org National Genealogical Society 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 810 Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 703-525-0050 ngsgenealogy.org Please feel free to forward this email to members of your organization and your newsletter editor!
California Genealogical Society | 2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland, CA 94612

NGS Extends Deadline for Online Registration

by Charles Hansen
Online Registration Extended View this Email in Your Browser
NGS Extends Deadline for Online Registration
for the
NGS 2022 Family History Conference Register Now
Dear ,

This year is proving to be a year of transition and for some a time of lingering uncertainty. Therefore, in response to requests from our members, the National Genealogical Society has extended its deadline to register online for its NGS 2022 Family History Conference.

Online registration for both the In-Person conference in Sacramento, California, and Online at Home will now close at 7:59 p.m. (ET) on 13 May 2022. However, we are only able to offer you a complete refund—no questions asked, minus a $50 service fee—until 1 May 2022.

It is also possible to register in person, on site at the conference, in the SAFE Conference Center in Sacramento, starting Tuesday 24 May through Saturday, 28 May. You may purchase admittance to the conference on a daily basis, or for the full conference.

More than 80 genealogists will present lectures at this year’s in-person conference. Participants will have the chance to meet and attend lectures by fantastic speakers such as Jay Fonkert, LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, Thomas W. Jones, Michael Lacopo, Janice Lovelace, Angela McGhie, Jill Morelli, Steve Morse, Nancy Peters, David Rencher, Judy Russell, Rick Sayre, Josh Taylor, Ari Wilkins, and others. We’re excited to have Stanford University professor Dr. Gordon H. Chang as our keynote speaker presenting his talk on The Chinese Who Built America’s Transcontinental Railroad. Dr. Gordon H. Chang Don’t miss this great opportunity to be back together again and network face-to-face with fellow family historians; share ideas and discuss your research; attend fascinating, educational lectures; and discover new products and services for genealogists in the Expo Hall. Check out the following links for up-to-date information about conference hotels, Visit Sacramento discounts, and COVID-19 policies and other rules. Also, be sure to sign up for the NGS conference blog to receive conference news and announcements. Online registration for the In-Person Conference as well as the Online at Home Conference ends at 7:59 p.m. (ET) on 13 May 2022. Register Now
Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society inspires, connects, and leads the family history community by fostering collaboration and best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research. We enable people, cultures, and organizations to discover the past and create a lasting legacy. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian.

Tom Jones Speaking at NGS 2022 Family History Conference

by Charles Hansen
Tom Jones Speaking at NGS 2022 Family History Conference View in your browser
How NGS Conferences Shaped
Tom Jones as a Genealogist Dear , Tom Jones has helped so many of us become better genealogists. He has pushed us on how to think, research, evaluate, and write to create a meaningful and accurate family history. Tom has graced NGS with his support for decades, and he recently shared with us how our conferences helped shape him as a genealogist and a scholar.
 
“In thinking back on the earliest NGS conferences I attended,” Jones said, “I realized how much growth and enjoyment I got out of them. I have been attending NGS conferences since 1990. Without them, I would not be the genealogist I am today—not even close.
 
“In the lecture sessions, I learned how to implement genealogical research methods and reasoning, about which previously I had no clue … and which helped me advance my knowledge of my ancestors.
 
“At NGS conferences, I learned about genealogical credentials and decided to pursue certification. And I regularly renew, which keeps me engaged in current practices in our field.
 
“I also learned about other genealogical societies at the national and state level and in counties where my ancestors lived. I joined several of them. It’s so important to learn from them too about the locale and variety of records that might exist for your ancestors.
 
“From NGS conference sponsors and exhibitors and their websites, I discovered countless genealogical products and publications and purchased many that increased my knowledge of genealogical sources and methods. And they helped me find records for my exact family! I still look forward to learning what’s new from the many companies that support genealogy.
 
“Maybe what I think about most fondly, as I book my hotel, prepare lectures, and get excited about arriving at the NGS conference, is the people. Over the decades, between sessions and at meals, I have interacted with people who shared my genealogical interests, answered my questions, and encouraged my activities.”
 
If you are still deciding about coming to the NGS Conference in Sacramento in May, we will be there to welcome you and will continue to make it the wonderful, lifelong learning experience Tom Jones gives us so much credit for.
 
California here we come! Register Now. Early Bird Rates End 18 March. Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, FASG, FUGA, FNGS
Jones is an award-winning genealogical author and researcher who began pursuing his family history in 1963. He co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly for sixteen years. He teaches at genealogy conferences, seminars, and workshops locally, nationally, and internationally. Besides numerous articles in peer-reviewed genealogy journals, he wrote the textbooks Mastering Genealogical Documentation and Mastering Genealogical Proof and chapters for Advanced Genetic Genealogy and Professional Genealogy.
  Tom will be speaking In-Person in Sacramento on 25 May and Online at Home on 27 May


Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society inspires, connects, and leads the family history community by fostering collaboration and best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research. We enable people, cultures, and organizations to discover the past and create a lasting legacy. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian.

NGS looking for Volunteers

by Charles Hansen
NGS 2022 Logo.jpg Greetings, Genealogy Enthusiasts!
It feels like the New Year began just a few weeks ago – and yet, it’s March already! And, the NGS 2022 Family History Conference in Sacramento 24-28 May is only three months away!
As the “Local Host” for the Conference, the California Genealogical Society (CGS) hopes you have had a chance to peruse the Conference Brochure and select the lectures, events, and tours that interest you. Remember – the discounted “Early Bird Deadline” is March 18!
One of the duties of the Local Host is to provide Volunteers with a variety of jobs during the Conference, such as: stuffing attendee tote bags, room monitors, helping with check-in, volunteer room hosts, floaters, and vendor support (in the Expo Hall).
Think about volunteering for an hour or more while you are at the Conference. Not only will it help make the Conference successful, but it is a great way to meet fellow genealogy enthusiasts from all over the country.
Signing up is easy: Go to Invitation to Volunteer. When you click on this link it will take you to SignUp instructions to volunteer. It is easy to do and easy to make changes if needed. Please sign up for several spots – we have lots to fill. You don’t necessarily need to be a registered attendee. Think about spending a day volunteering to help us make the conference successful!
Questions? Send an email to ngs2022@californiaancestors.org CGS is looking forward to seeing you at the Conference!   Conference Quick Links: NGS 2022 Family History Conference NGS on CGS website Conference Hotel Reservations NGS 2022 Conference Blog California Genealogical Society 2201 Broadway LL2 Oakland, CA 94612 510-663-1358 californiaancestors.org National Genealogical Society 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 810 Falls Church, VA 22042-2318 703-525-0050 ngsgenealogy.org Please feel free to forward this email to members of your organization and your newsletter editor!
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