National Genealogical Society Announces Program for the 2016 Family History Conference

ARLINGTON, VA, 20 NOVEMBER 2015—The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce the release of its 2016 Family History Conference program. The program, which includes more than 170 lectures, is now available online at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/program/ and as a sixteen-page registration brochure, which can be downloaded at http://goo.gl/w40zSO.

Nationally known speakers and subject matter experts will address a broad array of topics, including records for Florida and its neighboring states; migration into and out of the region; military records; state and federal records. Other topics will discuss genealogical research on African Americans and women; methodology; analysis and problem solving; and the use of technology, including genetics, mobile devices, and apps useful in genealogical research.

The conference will take place at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 4–7 May 2016.   Registration opens on 1 December 2015 at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/register/.  A number of special events have limited seating, so register on 1 December, or as soon as possible thereafter, if you plan to attend these events.

Up-to-date information about the availability, amenities, and rates for conference hotels can be found at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/attend/accommodations/.

Sign up for the NGS Conference Blog at http://conferenceblog.ngsgenealogy.org so you do not miss conference news or announcements.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia- based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

First New York State Family History Conference on September 20 and 21, 2013

The Central New York Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Announce the First New York State Family History Conference on September 20 and 21, 2013.

NEW YORK, NY, March 19, 2013 -- The Central New York Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society are cosponsoring the first-ever statewide genealogical conference in New York.  The two-day conference will be held on September 20 and 21 at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center Liverpool, just outside Syracuse, New York.  Preconference research activities will be available on September 19.  Attendees will have an opportunity to advance their skills in researching New York families and to build general skills through 20 lectures in two parallel tracks; two luncheons and a dinner, all with riveting speakers; and exhibits by vendors and societies. The Conference Program and exhibitor information may be found on the Conference website, www.NYSFHC.org.

New York State poses numerous challenges for even the most experienced family history researcher.  The New York State Family History Conference will break down research barriers and provide a forum that brings people together to share their research knowledge and problem-solving experiences and to collaborate on key research issues. Future conferences will be scheduled at regular intervals.The early-bird registration fee for the two-day Conference (excluding meals and printed syllabus) is $115 until July 1, after which it will be $140; members of the CNYGS or the NYG&B receive a $25 discount. Purchase tickets in the online store at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.  

Conference speakers include the top names in New York genealogy:  Blaine Bettinger, The Journal of Genetic Genealogy;  Ruth Carr, New York Public Library (retired);  Sachiko Clayton, New York Public Library;  Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG, NYG&B Record; Stefani Evans, CG, National Genealogical Society; James D. Folts, New York State Archives;  Karen Mauer Green, CG, NYG&B Record;  Eric Grundset, Library of the Daughters of the American Revolution;  Terry Koch-Bostic, National Genealogical Society;  Michael Leclerc, Mocavo; Joseph Lieby, Palatines to America German Genealogical Society;  Maira Liriano, New York Public Library;  Kathleen Roe, New York State Archives;  Paula Stuart-Warren, CG; and  D. Joshua Taylor, findmypast.com.

Sponsors of the conference include: findmypast.com, Mocavo, the National Genealogical Society, the New York Public Library, the Office of Cultural Education/New York State Education Department, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

About the CNYGS

The Central New York Genealogical Society was formed in 1961 for the purpose of preserving, publishing and sharing genealogical information and resources.  Towards that end, it has published Tree Talks, a highly respected quarterly which contains abstracts of significant records from upstate New York counties and is fully indexed, annually. The CNYGS holds six meetings yearly, and members engage in record preservation projects to preserve and report information for the future.  Its official website is located at rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nycnygs. 

About the NYG&B

The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society was founded in 1869 and is the largest and only statewide genealogical society in New York State. The NYG&B publishes two quarterlies, The Record and The New York Researcher; offers a robust schedule of educational programs; partners with organizations across the state through the New York Family History School; and maintains a website, www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org, with a growing elibrary of unique research resources, including the full run (since 1870) of The Record, which preserves the histories of New York families.  The NYG&B will soon publish the New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer, the first guide to genealogy resources across the entire state and the first statewide gazetteer since 1872. 

Image credit: "Conference Room" by Pixomar at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Classes Form Around Tom Jones’s Mastering Genealogical Proof

The following Press Release came into Olive Tree Genealogy's mailbox  from Jordan Jones of the National Genealogical Society a few days ago: 

Classes Form Around Tom Jones’s Mastering Genealogical Proof

Arlington, VA, 10 June 2013: One of the National Genealogical Society’s educational goals two years ago was to bring an excellent learning tool to the genealogical community that would help expand understanding of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). With the help of Dr. Thomas W. Jones, phd, cg, cgl, fasg, fngs, that NGS goal was realized recently with the publication of Mastering Genealogical Proof. The release of this book has excited and enthused genealogists of all skill levels and as a result classes and courses of study are forming quickly around this excellent text. NGS President Jordan Jones recently spoke to Dr. Jones about this new publication. Jordan shares that conversation and his thoughts:

I had an opportunity to talk to Tom Jones about his book Mastering Genealogical Proof, recently published by the National Genealogical Society.

The book is a culmination of Tom’s years of interest in the topic of genealogical proof.  While he was serving as its president, the Board for Certification of Genealogists published The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (Provo: Ancestry Publishing, 2000). According to Tom, this book was “one of the first places where the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) was articulated and laid out in its five parts.” He continues: “In fact, the Standards Manual was released at the NGS Conference in Providence in 2000, and I did a presentation on the GPS at that conference and have been doing them in one form or another over the years.” Often, in the course of a one-hour lecture, Tom can share an insight into some aspect of the GPS, but the proof standard is a large topic that requires far more than a single hour.

The courses Tom teaches at Boston University and at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy treat the GPS in a broader context, and this book builds on that approach. “It’s the result of my learning from all the teaching I have done, at BU and at the Salt Lake Institute particularly.” Originally, the book was to have been an NGS online course. As he started to develop the content, Tom felt that “the complexity and the length suggested that an online course was not the best way to deliver the content.” The exercises also made the work better suited to being a “textbook to accompany a course, rather than a course itself.” So, the National Genealogical Society worked with Tom to re-conceive the project as a book to support in-class coursework.

And now the courses are coming: Two study groups have formed to study Mastering Genealogical Proof. One study group is hosted by Angela Packer McGhie, a genealogical researcher, lecturer, and instructor. Angela serves as the administrator of the ProGen Study Program and course coordinator. She has set up a “train-the-trainer” model where she is working through the content with a small group of mentors, who will then teach others. The course is being held online via Google Hangouts. For more information, see the “Gen Proof” groups post on her blog, Adventures in Genealogy Education.

Another study group is led by Pat Richley-Erickson, the irrepressible blogger also known as “Dear Myrtle.” This course started with an orientation session on Sunday, with fifteen other panelists. There will be sessions through September, including a graduation ceremony. For more information, see Pat Richley-Erickson’s blog Dear Myrtle or her MGP Study Group schedule.

Of the audience for the Mastering Genealogical Proof, Tom says he hopes it would include “everyone interested in tracing their family history. Most of my teaching experience has been with people that I would say are intermediate and higher in terms of their research experience. I think the greatest interest in the book is among that group, but I really hope people who are just embarking on their family history research will pick this up and get a lot out of it, because it will get them started off on the right foot. It will minimize all the hours of work put into something that a few years down the road they realize is worthless. I don’t think anything in here is too advanced or too complex for a new family historian to digest and benefit from and apply to their own research.” I agree, and hope researchers, those just beginning, and those with more experience, will take a look at Tom’s book, and learn to benefit from the rigor and clarity of the genealogical proof standard. The National Genealogical Society is proud to have helped bring Mastering Genealogical Proof to the community of genealogists. We are heartened to see that the book is generating interest in advanced genealogical study, and that students and teachers are using it to explore and extend their understanding of the GPS.

— Jordan Jones, President, National Genealogical Society

Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones (Arlington, Virginia: National Genealogical Society, 2013). Available at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/mastering_genealogical_proof) or from Amazon Mastering Genealogical Proof

National Genealogical Society Announces 2014 Family History Conference Richmond, Virginia, 7–10 May 2014 Virginia: The First Frontier

ARLINGTON, VA, 29 MAY 2013: The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce the 2014 Family History Conference will be held 7–10 May 2014 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel located in downtown Richmond, Virginia. Conference highlights and contact information for conference hotels can be found in the Announcement Brochure, which can be downloaded at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/galleries/new-gallery/2014_Announcement_Brochure.pdf. The conference theme, Virginia: The First Frontier, will explore the records and history that draw so many back to their roots in the Old Dominion. Lecture topics will also include migration into, within, and out of the region down the Great Wagon Road, over the Appalachian Mountains, and across the south to Texas and beyond.

Genealogy conferences in Richmond, Virginia, are always well attended, so plan to make your reservations early. The five conference hotels will accept reservations beginning 1 June 2013 and the special conference rates apply three days before and after the conference. The hotels offer a variety of amenities and dining options, so choose the one that best fits your needs. The convention and visitors bureau will be providing shuttle buses between the convention center and the Crowne Plaza, Omni, and Holiday Inn Express hotels, which are a few blocks away, while the conference is in session. For more details please see the NGS conference website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/accommodations. Consider arriving early to experience one or more historical tours in and around Richmond provided by Richmond Discoveries’ Tours on Monday afternoon 5 May 2014 and Tuesday morning and afternoon 6 May 2014. Details can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/tours. Tour reservations will be accepted beginning 1 December 2013.

The four-day conference will include more than 150 lectures by nationally known experts on topics including the history, records, repositories, and ethnic and religious groups in Virginia and the neighboring states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The program will also feature broader genealogical categories including military and other federal records, the law as it relates to genealogy, methodology, analysis, and problem solving. There will also be an emphasis on the use of technology (GenTech) in genealogical research including genetics, mobile devices, and apps.

An Exhibit Hall with more than 100 vendors will be free and open to the public from Wednesday through Saturday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, directly across from the Marriott Hotel. Exhibitors will include genealogy database and software providers, booksellers, genealogy societies, providers of genetic testing, and much more.

Sign up for the NGS Conference Blog at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org so you do not miss any of the conference news or announcements. Conference registration opens 1 December 2013.

Founded in 1903, the NationalGenealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

Last Chance Today to Purchase Tickets for Meals and Tours for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference

ARLINGTON, VA, 22 APRIL 2013: Tick tock! Today is your last chance to purchase tickets for meals and tours and to pre-register for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, 8–11 May at the LVH-Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Pre-registration for the conference and ticket sales for meals and tours ends today, 22 April, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

The conference begins in two weeks. You can still purchase tickets for meals, the Museums Tour, and the Hoover Dam Tour. The BCG Education Fund Workshop, Librarian’s Day, and the Night Tour of the Strip and Downtown are sold out.

To be placed on the wait list for the BCG Education Fund Workshop or Librarian’s, e-mail the NGS conference registrar, Courtney Holmes, at cholmes@ngsgenealogy.org.  To register for the conference, visit http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info. For tour information visit Las Vegas Area Tours at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conferences_events/annual_conference/las_vegas_area_tours.

On-site conference registration opens Tuesday, 7 May 2013, 12:00 p.m.−7:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

Add Items to an Existing Registration

Meals and tours cannot be purchased on-site. Ticket sales close today, 22 April 2013.

Meals: log on at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on My Account, select My Events, and then click to Add Sessions.

Tours: log on at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on My Account, and then select Upcoming Events.

National Genealogical Society Presents Research in Washington, DC 3–9 November 2013

National Genealogical Society Presents Research in Washington, DC 3–9 November 2013

ARLINGTON, VA, 27 March 2013: The National Genealogical Society will be presenting a hands-on research trip to Washington, DC, from 3–9 November 2013. Under the guidance of Craig Roberts Scott, cgSM, and Patricia Walls Stamm, cgSM, cglSM, twenty-six researchers will use the genealogical resources at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library, and the Library of Congress (LOC).

The Research Package includes:
    •    Six days of research at three noteworthy Washington, DC, facilities (the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Library)
    •    Online Training and Preparation Assistance for the 2013 Washington, DC, Research Trip
    •    Orientation and dessert get-together on Sunday at the hotel
    •    Research consultations with leaders throughout the trip
    •    Friday evening group meal
    •    Six nights at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn, which includes daily continental breakfast, free Internet in rooms, and parking.
    •    Fees and taxes included

Costs do not include either the transportation to Washington, DC, or within the city, or any other meals other than those shown above. The package price varies depending upon room occupancy and National Genealogical Society membership status. Payment is required in full at the time of registration.

Please see costs of trip

*non-researching spouse receives the benefits of the orientation, daily continental breakfast, and Friday evening group meal.

The trip hosts, Craig Roberts Scott, cgSM, and Patricia Walls Stamm, cgSM, cglSM, will be joined by Shirley Langdon Wilcox, cgSM, fngs, and Patricia O’Brien Shawker, cgSM. All are seasoned experts in conducting research in Washington, DC, facilities.

Craig Roberts Scott, cgSM, is a professional genealogist specializing in records in the National Archives, Washington, DC, since 1985. He has written several books and articles that relate to research in the National Archives. He has lectured at National Genealogical Society and the Federation of Genealogical Societies national conferences since 1990. Craig has coordinated and lectured in the military records tracks at Samford University’s Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). He continues to lecture around the country on military records and problem solving. He has served on the Board of the Association of Professional Genealogists for several terms. Craig is also the president and CEO of Heritage Books, Inc.

Patricia Walls Stamm, cgSM, cglSM, serves as the Education Manager of the National Genealogical Society. Pat lectures on a wide variety of topics at many of the National Genealogical Society and the Federation of Genealogical Societies national conferences. She is a graduate of the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) and the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR). Pat is an instructor at Samford University’s Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), St. Louis Community College, and the St. Louis Genealogical Society.

Early Bird Registration for NGS Ends Today!

Early Bird Registration Discount Ends

 2013 Family History Conference

Las Vegas, Nevada, 8–11 May 2013

Building New Bridges

ARLINGTON, VA, 18 March 2013: The NGS 2013 Family History Conference will be held 8–11 May 2013 at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (LVH), Las Vegas, Nevada. The early bird registration discount ends  Tuesday, 19 March 2013. In addition to enjoying a $35 discount, only early birds have the opportunity to order a printed syllabus. (Everyone will receive a syllabus on flash drive.) NGS members get even deeper discounts, so this is a great time to join. 


Space is still available for most breakfasts and luncheons, the NGS Banquet, and Tuesday bus tours. The BCG Education Fund Workshop is sold out. To be placed on the wait list, e-mail the NGS conference registrar, Courtney Holmes, at cholmes@ngsgenealogy.org .


All full-conference registrants will be entered in a drawing to win a seven-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square, courtesy of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. The prize will also include a free spot on one the Ancestor Seekers Salt Lake City research trips. Be sure to attend the opening session to find out if you are the winner. The winner must be present at the opening session to claim the prize.

To register online, visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration and complete the registration form. 

Early Bird Registration Discount Ends Soon For 2013 Family History Conference

Early Bird Registration Discount Ends Soon  2013 Family History Conference

Las Vegas, Nevada, 8–11 May 2013

Building New Bridges

ARLINGTON, VA, 11 March 2013: The NGS 2013 Family History Conference will be held 8–11 May 2013 at the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino (LVH), Las Vegas, Nevada. Register for the conference today! The early bird registration discount ends on Tuesday, 19 March 2013. In addition to enjoying a $35 discount, only early birds have the opportunity to order a printed syllabus. (Everyone will receive a syllabus on flash drive.) NGS members get even deeper discounts, so this is a great time to join. 


Space is still available for all conference social events including the Tuesday bus tours, luncheons, and breakfasts.

The opening session at this year's conference will be held on Wednesday morning, 8 May 2013, at 8:00 a.m. The keynote address will be presented by Marian Smith, Chief, Historical Research Branch, USCIS. Using immigration and naturalization as examples, this presentation will explore the importance of national policy changes to ancestors, their records, and your genealogical research.
All full-conference registrants will be entered in a drawing to win a seven-night stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square, courtesy of the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel. The prize will also include a free spot on one the Ancestor Seekers Salt Lake City research trips. Be sure to attend the opening session to find out if you are the winner. The winner must be present at the opening session to claim the prize.

To register online, visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration and complete the registration form. 

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.  Please visit the NGS Pressroom for further information.

Official Genealogy Bloggers sought for 2013 NGS Conference

Official Genealogy Bloggers sought for 2013 NGS Conference

ARLINGTON, VA, 18 February 2013: The National Genealogical Society (NGS) announces the opening of the Official Blogger registration for the 2013 Family History Conference, 8-11 May, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

NGS welcomes bloggers’ participation at its conference and also wants to welcome them as members of the press to the NGS conference. In recognition of the important media role they play in the field of genealogy, NGS invites bloggers to register at its website to request “Official Blogger – NGS 2013 Family History Conference” designation and use of the NGS logo.

NGS recognizes that the genealogical community is gifted with a large number of engaged and talented bloggers who write regularly about the release of new records, upcoming events, research methods, tools, software choices, and other items of interest to the community. The designation of Official Blogger is a way for the National Genealogical Society to give recognition to the daily contributions these bloggers make to keep the field of genealogy current, particularly with news that is not covered in the mainstream media.

Official Bloggers will have a limited license to use an “Official Blogger – NGS 2013 Family History Conference” designation and logo. The NGS Conference blog will link to their blogs. Official bloggers will have access to the Media Center on the exhibit hall floor. For more information on the NGS Social Media Policy, see: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/social_media_policy .

If you write a blog or micro-blog, and would like to be recognized as an “Official Blogger of the NGS 2013 Family History Conference,” please navigate to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/official_blogger to apply and let us know a little bit about you and your blog.

College and University Student Rates for the National Genealogical Society 2013 Family History Conference

College and University Student Rates for the National Genealogical Society 2013 Family History Conference

Las Vegas, Nevada, 8–11 May 2013

Building New Bridges

Arlington, VA, 13 February 2013: The National Genealogical Society announces that effective 13 February 2013 qualifying students may register for discounted rates for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference, Building New Bridges, which will be held 8–11 May 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Student rates for full conference registration with flash-drive syllabus will be $50 (member) and $60 (nonmember), with no price adjustments for late or single-day registrations.

NGS offers the special student price to encourage all interested and qualifying students to see how they might incorporate genealogical methods into their research and how they may, in turn, apply knowledge from their fields to genealogy. These special rates are nearly 75% off regular registration rates.

To qualify, students must submit a letter on college or university letterhead signed by the dean or department chair confirming the student’s current admittance, good standing, and full-time status in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Students who are enrolled in diploma or certificate programs, continuing education programs, lifetime learning programs, or at institutions not regionally accredited do not qualify.

At conference check-in qualifying students must also present a current student identification and a current government-issued photo identification. The student ID must be consistent with the letter confirming student status. Qualifying students will have all rights and privileges of full conference registration.

Qualifying students interested in obtaining the student rate should scan the confirmation letter and e-mail it to the NGS conference registrar Courtney Holmes at cholmes@ngsgenealogy.org or fax it to her attention at 703-525-0052. Students may also bring all qualifying documents (the confirmation letter and both identifications) to the conference and register on-site at the LVH—Las Vegas Hotel & Casino for no additional fee.

Students who wish to purchase a print syllabus or meals or social events must pay full price for these items online before 22 April 2013 after consulting with Courtney. Students cannot obtain the special rate if they register directly through the conference website.

Students may view the searchable program at http://members.ngsgenealogy.org/Conferences/Program2013.cfm and the PDF brochure at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info. The brochure offers information about sessions, tours, pre-conference events, on-site registration, and details for hotel registration at the LVH. The 2013 Student Registration Form can be downloaded from the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/galleries/new-gallery/2013_Student_Registration_Form.pdf.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

The National Genealogical Society Announces Partnership With Fold3

The National Genealogical Society Announces Partnership With Fold3

arlington, va, 5 JUNE 2012: The National Genealogical Society is proud to announce a partnership with Fold3, the premier military history website. NGS has worked with Fold3 to give its society membership an extremely attractive member benefit. Fold3 is offering NGS members its lowest price when they purchase a Fold3 Annual Membership of $39.95, which is a 50% savings off the regular price. In additional to the NGS member savings, Fold3 will donate 30% of the sale back to NGS to further its educational work. 

NGS and Fold3 are announcing this partnership in celebration of the 4^th of July this week.  Fold3 features over 94 million historical records from US institutions including the National Archives. Military records, naturalization records, and city directories are just a few of the different collections found on Fold3. Joining Fold3 and locating an ancestor’s military or naturalization record is a fitting way to honor their legacy.

To take advantage of this member benefit, visit the Special Offer for a Fold3 Annual Membership page in the Members Only section of the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/fold3. Please be sure to log in under the User Login area in the right-hand column of the screen.

The NGS-Fold3 partnership allows Fold3, one of the best online resources for historical documents, to support and contribute to NGS’s mission, which includes helping to serve and grow the genealogical community through education.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

NGS Research Trips to Salt Lake City

National Genealogical Society Announces Two

Research Trips to Salt Lake City, Utah

Join the National Genealogical Society for a weeklong guided research trip to the world renowned Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Researchers can choose to attend 21–28 October 2012 or 6–13 January 2013. NGS offers a substantial discount with early bird pricing if you register for the 21–28 October trip by 15 July and register for the 6–13 January trip by 15 October.

The hosts for the October 2012 trip are Sandra MacLean Clunies, cgsm, and Shirley Wilcox, cgsm, and the January 2013 hosts are Marie Varrelman Melchiori, cgsm, cgLsm,  and Shirley Wilcox, cgsm. These experts, all certified genealogists, are available to the attendees all week long to help them focus their research work and to take the utmost advantage of the Family History Library resources.

The library’s noteworthy records include deeds, wills, military, tax, and vital records from the United States, Canada, and around the world. Researchers will have access to numerous commercial computer databases, more than two million rolls of microfilm located on five floors, hundreds of thousands of microfiche, an immense collection of genealogical books, and outstanding area maps.

The land package includes:

• Seven nights at the adjacent Salt Lake Plaza Hotel

• Six full days of research at the Family History Library and guidance from NGS Experts

• Sunday evening orientation and social

• Monday evening group lecture

• Wednesday evening pizza party

• Saturday evening group meal

• Shuttle van provided between airport and hotel

Airfare, meals (other than those shown above), and all personal expenses are not included in the package price. Each trip is limited to 30 attendees.

Registration costs vary depending on date of registration, room occupancy, and National Genealogical Society membership status. Registration fees are as follows:

Early Bird Registration Fees	Member	Non-Member
Double/Shared Room On or before 15 July (for 21–28 October 2012) 16 July and after (for 21–28 October 2012) On or before 15 October (for 6–13 January 2013) 16 October and after (for 6–13 January 2013)	$675 $925 $675 $925	$1,050 $1,300 $1,050 $1,300
Single Room On or before 15 July (for 21–28 October 2012) 16 July and after (for 21–28 October 2012) On or before 15 October (for 6–13 January 2013) 16 October and after (for 6–13 January 2013)	$950 $1,175 $950 $1,175	$1,300 $1,550 $1,300 $1,550

For more information, visit the NGS research trip web page

National Genealogical Society Announces 2012 Awards

The following press release was sent to Olive Tree Genealogy. There are some terrific awards given to some amazing genealogists!

Arlington, VA, 12 JUNE 2012: The National Genealogical Society presented its annual awards at the 2012 Family History Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, 9–12 May 2012. Each year, these awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to NGS programs or have performed outstanding work in the field of genealogy, history, biography, or heraldry.

Kay Haviland Freilich, cg^sm, cgl^sm, was named a Fellow of the National Genealogical Society for her outstanding volunteer work on the Society’s behalf. Kay is a respected teacher, editor, author, and lecturer. She also serves on the editorial staff of the NGS Magazine, has contributed to many NGS conference committees, and was program chair for the Valley Forge family history conference in 1997.

The President’s Citation was presented to Melinde Lutz Byrne, cg^sm, fasg, in recognition of her assistance with NGS’ video series, Voices of Genealogy; her ongoing work with the NGS Quarterly’s centennial celebration; and her work as an NGSQ co-editor.

The Family History Writing Contest award is presented to an individual who submits a scholarly article with a compiled family history of at least three generations using a broad variety of research resources. The 2012 contest attracted such a high caliber of entries that the judges chose two recipients: F. Warren Bitner, cg^sm, for “Without Land, Occupation, Rights, or Marriage Privilege: the Buettner Family from Germany to America,” and Michael Hait, cg^sm, for “In the Shadow of Rebellions.” These articles will be published in upcoming editions of the NGSQ.

The Filby Award for Genealogical Librarianship is awarded to a librarian with at least five years’ experience whose primary focus is genealogy and local history and who is employed in a public, academic, or special library. This year’s award, and a $1,000 prize underwritten by ProQuest, went to Debbi Lyon of the Blasco Memorial Library in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Filby Award is named for the late P. William Filby, former director of the Maryland Historical Society and author of many core genealogical reference tools that genealogists have relied on for decades. Since 2006, the award has been sponsored by ProQuest. In addition to their sponsorship of the prize, ProQuest also acts as underwriting sponsor and key partner for our pre-conference librarians’ day program.

The Shirley Langdon Wilcox Award for Exemplary Volunteerism was awarded to Charles “Chuck” S. Mason Jr., cg^sm, a longtime dedicated volunteer at the NGS office in Arlington, Virginia. Named in honor of a past society president and continuing dedicated servant of NGS, this award highlights the sort of selfless, dedicated, and reliable service that is necessary in any genealogical society, whatever its size or place.

The Distinguished Service Awards were presented to the following three individuals: Patricia R. Baars for her longstanding and dedicated service as a grader for the NGS Home Study Course. Graders play a vital role in the success and utility of our NGS American Genealogy: Home Study Course. Mr. Clair Crawford and Dr. Thomas Shawker for their six-year effort to make the AMA Deceased Physician Research Service a success.

The Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Sharon McKinnis. Since December 2010, Sharon has been scanning the Member Ancestor Charts (MACs). Sharon is extremely dedicated, coming to the NGS office twice weekly and working five hours a day on this project. After the charts are scanned, they are uploaded to the NGS website for use by NGS members. Since Sharon began volunteering, more than 17,000 new charts have become available on the NGS website.

The NGS Award of Merit was awarded to Marvin Wilhite, for his exceptional volunteer effort and dedicated service to patrons at the Marshall [Missouri] Public Library’s Genealogy Room.

 

The NGS Genealogy Hall of Fame honors individuals who, during their lifetime, made significant contributions to genealogy and set the high standards by which we work today. This year, Josephine Cosette Mayou Stillman Frost (1864-1942) was elected to the NGS Genealogy Hall of Fame. During the first four decades of the twentieth century, she was one of the most important contributors to New York genealogy. Frost was nominated by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

The Milton Rubincam Youth Awards are intended to encourage and recognize youth as the next generation of family historians. The Senior Rubincam Award recipient was Nathan Thomas Wheeler of Georgia; the Junior Rubincam Award recipient was Oliver Patterson of California.

The NGSQ Award for Excellence, for an outstanding article published in the NGSQ in the previous calendar year, was presented to Teri D. Tilman, cg^sm, of New Orleans, for the article “Using Indirect Evidence and Linguistic Analysis to Trace Polin Ries of New Orleans.”

The award of a scholarship for NGS’s advanced studies course, American Genealogy: The Home Study Course, is intended to encourage those pursuing a career in genealogy and who have demonstrated serious interest in genealogy. This year’s recipient was Susan Griffis of Indiana.

The Award for Excellence: Genealogy and Family History Book is presented for a family genealogy or family history book that serves to foster scholarship and/or otherwise advances or promotes excellence in genealogy. This year’s recipients were Christopher Child and Scott Steward of the New England Historic Genealogical Society for The Descendants of Judge John Lowell of Newburyport, Massachusetts.

The Award for Excellence: Genealogical Methods and Sources is presented for a book or article that discusses genealogical methods and sources. This year’s recipient was Paul K. Graham, cg^sm, for Georgia Land Lottery Research, published by the Georgia Genealogical Society.

The NGS Newsletter Competition recognizes the hard work, long hours, and creativity that editors devote to their newsletters. This year’s categories and winners are:

Major Genealogical or Historical Society Newsletter

Winner: Ohio Genealogy News, Ohio Genealogical Society

Honorable Mention: Wisconsin State Genealogical Society Newsletter, Wisconsin State Genealogical Society

County or Local Genealogical or Historical Society Newsletter

Winner: PastFinder, Silicon Valley Computer Genealogy Group

Honorable Mention: The Missouri Patriot, Missouri Society—Sons of the Revolution 1776

Family Association Newsletter

Winner: The Timen Stiddem Society Newsletter, The Timen Stiddem Society

Honorable Mention: Our Endicott Heritage Trail, Endecott-Endicott Family Association

The Award of Honor was presented to the Ohio Genealogical Society and the Hamilton County Chapter of OGS for their dedication and sustained service in support of the NGS Family History Conference in Cincinnati in May, and to Kenny Burck, Local Host Chair. Certificates of Appreciation were given to seven individuals for their volunteer service to help make the conference a success. NGS would like to recognize the tireless work of the following volunteers, both in the months leading up to and during the conference: Deb Cyprych, Barbara Gargiulo, Jean Nathan, Sandy St. Martin, Liz Stratton, Patricia Moseley Van Skaik, and Jean Woll.