Convention for Genealogists
It isn’t often that those of us in the Tulsa area have a chance to attend a nearby, national genealogy conference. We will have the opportunity this September when the Federation of Genealogical Societies National Conference will be held in Little Rock, Arkansas. In a nutshell, here is the conference information, prepared by the FGS National Publicity Chair, Paula Stuart-Warren:
“The Federation of Genealogical Societies invites you to the 2009 FGS Conference for the Nation’s Genealogists. Our 2009 host, the Arkansas Genealogical Society, joins FGS in welcoming you to Little Rock as we celebrate “Passages Through Time.”
Why should you make plans to be there?
• More than 160 educational presentations with well-known speakers from all over the U.S.
• Lectures that appeal to beginning, intermediate and experienced genealogists
• Sessions for officers, board members, and other volunteers in genealogy societies
• Many lectures for professional genealogists
• Lectures about archives, historical societies, and courthouses
• A large exhibit hall with exhibitors and vendors
• Vendors loaded with genealogy and history books, magazines, databases, software, maps, CDs, magazines, journals, and more
• The host hotels, the Peabody and the Doubletree Hotel, are wonderful
• The Statehouse Convention Center is connected to the Peabody Little Rock
• Shopping, historic sites, libraries, and more in the city
• Daily meal functions with exciting speakers and time for networking
• A free Ice Cream Social the day before the conference begins
• Two workshops on the day before the main conference begins
• You save $50.00 off the full registration price if you register by July 1, 2009
To learn more
• Check the FGS Conference Website at <www.FGSConference.org>
• View the continually expanded Conference Blog at <www.FGSConferenceBlog.org>
• Visit the Arkansas Genealogical Society at <www.AGSGenealogy.org>
• See the Statehouse Convention Center layout at <www.littlerockmeetings.com>
• See more about the Peabody Hotel <www.peabodylittlerock.com>
• See more about the DoubleTree Hotel at <www.doubletree.com>
• Check out the Trolley System at <www.cat.org/rrail>
• Check the many topics and speakers at <www.FGSConference.org>
• Prepare for Arkansas tourism at <www.Arkansas.com>
• Plan for visiting Little Rock at <www.LittleRock.com>
• Learn about the great things in the Little Rock River Market District <www.RiverMarket.info>
• Prepare for research at the Arkansas History Commission at <www.ark-ives.org>
• Learn about the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at <www.butlercenter.org>
See you in September!”
I will be presenting two programs at the conference this year — my first national conference speaking engagement. I am looking forward to presenting these two programs:
“How to Be a Power Hitter: Improve Your Online Searching Skills” on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 9:30 to 10:30am,
and
“Oklahoma’s Settlement: Territorial Homestead and Allotment Records” on Friday, Sept. 4, from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Study the conference program for lectures by the Tulsa City-County Library’s Genealogy Librarian, Kathy Huber, MLS, and by professional genealogists who have presented workshops in Tulsa within the last few years: J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA; George K. Schweitzer, Ph.D.; Thomas W. Jones, PhD., CG, CGL, FASG; and Christine Rose, CG, CGL, FASG.
Former Tulsa Genealogical Society July Workshop speakers who will be presenting at the FGS Conference include: Wendy Bebout Elliot, Ph.D., FUGA; Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL (formerly Porter), John Philip Colletta, Ph.D.; Rhonda McClure; Paula Stuart-Warren, CG; Tom Jones, Christine Rose, and George Schweitzer. There will also be presenters who specialize in Arkansas research and other experts in the field. Two of my personal favorites are Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, and Desmond Walls Allen.
Post questions here if you would like some guidance in selecting which lectures to attend. I may be able to help you decide how to get the most out of your conference experience. I also hope to see you there!