Tag Archives: NGS

National Genealogical Society Healthy Aging and the Role of the Family History Community

by Charles Hansen

AgingSymp_3074101.jpg Join NGS, Vivid-Pix, and FamilySearch for a Spcial Symposium on Healthy Aging Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month and the Future of Healthy Aging Dear Friend, In recognition of Mental Health Month, the National Genealogical Society, Vivid-Pix, and FamilySearch invite you to attend the Symposium on Healthy Aging and the Role of the Family History Community, on 22 May 22, 2025 from 1:00 PM–5:00 PM ET with online access via Zoom.* The symposium tackles increasing challenges facing Americans as they age: social isolation, dementia, and mental health.
Register Now
“Family history activities are a pathway to good mental health and combat social isolation. The research, analysis, and writings associated with family history stimulate brain activity; storytelling, photos, and mementos bring back happy memories and intergenerational connection,” said Dr. Charlotte Yeh, Founder, Yeh Innovation, Past Chief Medical Officer, AARP. 
“We’ve witnessed firsthand how photo reminiscence therapy (pRT) can reduce social isolation, improve medication compliance, and enhance connection and cognitive performance with older adults. That’s why we’re dedicated to expanding its availability and making this therapy affordable to all who need it, as well as supporting others’ work to help our community,” said Rick Voight, CEO, Vivid-Pix.
Important topics include:
Understanding the health and cognitive issues facing an aging American population.
How aging, isolation, and loneliness affect cognition – and how to assist those impacted.
How the family history community can help our communities and the aging population.
Activities that individuals and organizations, such as genealogy societies, libraries, archives, and museums (SLAMs), are conducting to support healthy aging.
Panelists include leaders in aging health, genealogy, and technology:

Charity Rouse, NGS Delegate Council secretary and Spartanburg County Public Libraries
Crista Cowan, Ancestry
Curt Witcher, Director, Special Collections & Manager, Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library David Rencher, NGS president and Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch  
Debbie Gurtler, Assistant Director, FamilySearch Library
Dr. Charlotte Yeh, Founder, Yeh Innovation & past Chief Medical Officer, AARP 
Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, International African American Museum (IAAM)
Ed Donakey, NGS board member and Deputy Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch
Ellen Goodwin, Co-Founder, Artifcts
Jake Rankin, Owner, Talem Home Care, Certified Senior Advisor 
John Dougan, NGS board member and Missouri State Archivist  
Matt Menashes, NGS executive director
Matt Weismantel, NGS Delegate Council chair
Rick Voight, CEO, Vivid-Pix Sheri Rose, CEO, Thrive Center 
Theda Heiserman, Director of Training & Education, CERTUS Institute 
Uniquely suited to support activities that promote healthy aging and the family NGS, FamilySearch, and genealogy societies, libraries, archives, museums and companies help thousands of people daily with family history research. “The family history community  . . . helps people learn about their past through research, writing, and storytelling. These activities improve mental health and build strong relationships,” said David Rencher, NGS president and Chief Genealogical Officer, FamilySearch. “We think our community is well-positioned to improve long-term outcomes for an aging population.” “We’ve found that when helping people trace their roots, it can be transformative for a person’s mental health and perspective,” said Dr. Shelley Murphy of the Center for Family History at International African American Museum. “The people who come to programs at the museum come away with new energy, stronger connections to their past, and a newfound passion for family history research.”Plan to join us online. Registration is free.
Register Now
* An authenticated (paid or free) Zoom account is required to register. Copyright © 2025 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · PO Box 128 · Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0128 · USA

National Genealogical Society Conference Deadlines

by Charles Hansen
NGS Conference Deadlines and OrgConnects! Video to Share with Your Organization
Dear Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates,
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2025 Family History Conference is less than a month away. I’m excited to see you or others from your organization in Louisville, Kentucky, or online through the new virtual access option.
A few conference-related deadlines are coming up that your organization will want to share with anyone planning to attend in person:
This Friday, 2 May, is the last day for NGS member organizations to request the conference registration discount benefit for people who are not individual members of NGS. Please read through the information and use the form linked on the Organization Registration page.
Friday, 2 May, is also the hotel deadline to make reservations in the discounted room block with NGS at the Galt House. Visit the Hotel Information page to get the code and booking link.
Monday, 12 May, is the final day to RSVP for the 23 May Delegate Council meeting. Organization member delegates are invited to RSVP for a light breakfast and meeting. If the delegate can’t attend and someone else from your organization can be there as a substitute, please have them RSVP instead. For those coming to Louisville, join us for FOCUS 2025: A Pathway to the Future for Genealogy and Family History Organizations, a special pre-conference event with the Filson Historical Society on 23 May, and the SLAM! Idea Showcase Dinner on 25 May. Also, I would love to meet in person and discuss any needs or feedback from your organization. Email me to set up a time to chat.
OrgConnects! Video on Taxes and Finances
The recording of the 10 April 2025 OrgConnects! event on Finance and Taxes for Organizations: Challenges and Solutions is available on YouTube. NGS Treasurer Doug Klein, CPA, provided an overview of tax exemption, sales tax issues, budgets, financial statements, avoiding scams, finding help, and more. Check out the OrgConnects! playlist for previous videos and share these event recordings with your organization.
Time to Meet or Ask Questions
Do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about the conference and organization events, and please email me to set up a time to meet if you will be in Louisville (and if you won’t be at the conference, you can always meet with me via Zoom). Thank You, KateSmith_Signature_150pxWide_2623651.jpg Kate Smith
Organizations and Communities Manager
Copyright © 2025 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · PO Box 128 · Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0128 · USA

National Genealogical Society Focus 2025

by Charles Hansen
FOCUS 2025: A Pathway to the Future for Genealogy and Family History Organizations
Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates, Join fellow organizations, the National Genealogical Society, and the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, Kentucky, on 23 May 2025 for a unique experience designed to help your organization thrive. FOCUS offers time to discover new ideas, engage with other participants, and learn about planning strategically for the future. Register for FOCUS and be part of building the community of genealogy and family history organizations. The Filson is excited to welcome you, share expertise, and encourage collaboration and inspiring discussions. Enjoy making connections throughout the afternoon and takeaway practical steps to support and grow your organization.  Learn More and Register for FOCUS The FOCUS program this year includes:  Welcome Luncheon—While having lunch, get an introduction to the Filson and FOCUS 2025 and its relevance to outreach and engagement with an eye toward America250 in 2026. We’ll then split up into smaller groups to rotate through the three main sessions that follow. Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tour—A special tour of archive and museum collections storage space will provide insight into the challenges and innovative solutions to an organization’s preservation needs. While exploring facilities, discuss how to create an incredible visitor experience and prepare someone for on-site research. Development and Growth—For long-term sustainability, organizations must be able to reach new people, engage members/patrons, and secure needed resources. Get tips on fundraising, including major gifts and grant writing, ideas on attracting and retaining members, and how to set your organization up for success and growth. Relationships and Structure—Organization leaders must think and plan strategically to nurture the relationships that improve their operations. Learn about managing volunteers, developing leaders, building partnerships, and creating an organizational structure and vision that encourages meaningful involvement and a bright future. Everyone is invited to participate in FOCUS! Registration is $150 for NGS individual members and $175 for non-members which covers lunch, sessions, and transportation from the Galt House Hotel to the Filson and back. Sign up through the NGS Family History Conference website (conference registration is not required to attend this pre-conference event). Learn More and Register for FOCUS
Copyright © 2025 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · PO Box 128 · Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0128 · USA

National Genealogical Society OrgConnects! Town Hall Conversation

by Charles Hansen
Be a Part of the OrgConnects! Conversation on 30 January 2025
Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates, Start 2025 by joining the National Genealogical Society (NGS) for our next OrgConnects! event to participate in a town hall conversation about your membership and building our organization community on Thursday, 30 January 2025, at 8:00 p.m. (ET). Register for OrgConnects! via Zoom* and share the event information with people in your organization.Every NGS member society, library, archive, museum, and institution is welcome to have leaders, members, staff, and volunteers sign up for this one-hour Zoom* event. This session will be most beneficial for officers, board members, decision-makers, and others in leadership roles within your organization and offers time to: Get the latest updates on benefits and resources Learn about the administrator and delegate roles and their importance Meet NGS leaders and staff involved in supporting organizations Ask questions related to organization membership Connect with fellow organization leaders Discuss how we can all work together to strengthen our community We look forward to seeing you and your organization at this event! Register for OrgConnects! on 30 January *PLEASE NOTE: NGS Zoom events require attendees to have an authenticated Zoom account. Each attendee must sign up for this session using their existing Zoom account (and the email address used with Zoom) or create a free Basic Zoom account at zoom.us/pricing.
Copyright © 2025 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · PO Box 128 · Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0128 · USA

NGS 2025 Family History Conference

by Charles Hansen
Registration is Now Open for the NGS 2025 Family History Conference

Discount Information for Organization Members

Dear NGS Organization Members, Administrators, and Delegates,
 
Registration is open for the National Genealogical Society (NGS) 2025 Family History Conference, Tales & Trails, in Louisville, Kentucky, 23-26 May, at the Galt House Hotel. More than one thousand genealogists and related organizations are expected to attend to connect with family history researchers while enhancing knowledge and skills.
 
Check out the conference website to learn more about our in-depth program covering a wide range of interests, exceptional speakers, fascinating events and tours, and more. Start preparing your entry for the 2025 SLAM! Idea Showcase and encourage people from your organization to participate in FOCUS on 23 May 2025.
 
Register for the conference by 31 January to get the early bird $50 discount!
 


Visit the Conference Website and Register Now


Visit the Conference Website

Conference Registration Discount Offer for Organization Members
NGS member organizations can register up to three leaders, volunteers, or employees to attend the NGS 2025 Family History Conference at the individual membership rate if those people are not members of NGS. To use this offer, organizations must submit the 2025 Family History Conference Organization Request Form by Friday, 25 April 2025.
 
Once the form is received, NGS will create the registration in our system for each individual (up to three people) listed on the submitted form. Each person will be emailed an invoice and can pay their registration with the discounted rate by phone or online by logging in to their account.
 
The discount offer is only valid at the time of the initial registration, and refunds will not be authorized for existing paid registrations. Please make sure your organization submits the necessary form to receive the discounted rate per person and communicates the process to your leaders, volunteers, or staff to avoid potential confusion.
 
For complete details and the link to the form, please visit the Organization Registration page on the conference website.
 
Get Organization Registration Details
 
Copyright © 2024 National Genealogical Society (NGS), all rights reserved. National Genealogical Society · PO Box 128 · Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 · USA

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