We have arrived! We are in downtown Cincinnati across from the Duke Energy Convention Center, the location of the 2012 NGS Conference. The convention center is a very nice, large facility.
This is the 4th NGS Conference Miriam and I have attended. We attended Milwaukee 2003, Pittsburgh 2004 and Nashville 2005. We have also attended a few FGS Conferences in between.
I got to see the Exhibit Hall this afternoon when I help set up the BCG booth, #431. There was a lot of activity in the Exhibit Hall and I can’t wait to look around tomorrow.
Also helping set up the BCG booth were Teresa McMillin, CG, Debbie Mieszala, CG, and Elissa Powell, CG. Elissa is the co-director of GRIP [www.gripitt.org] and she mentioned that their July courses are nearly sold out. Only a few openings are available.
Elissa, Debbie & Teresa at BCG Booth.
This evening I attended a media/blogger dinner hosted by FamilySearch. We had a nice buffet dinner that was a German/Cincinnati chili/Montgomery Ribs/Italian mix. Each of us received a “tech-trap” gift. It was fun talking with bloggers that I see frequently at conferences–Shelly, Amy, Ruth, Tina, and with bloggers that I met tonight–Karen, Julia, Pam and Lisa.
Representatives from FamilySearch talked about their many on-line projects, but mainly they talked about the 1940 US Census indexing project. They reported that 30% 0f the indexing is complete in only 37 days. If this indexing trend continues the 1940 census index may be complete by July.
This is all thanks to the thousands of indexing volunteers. They have found that people often think of indexing as a way to leave a legacy or as a way to give something back. It is also a way for people to get a glimpse of “The Greatest Generation.”
I enjoy indexing the 1940 census and I encourage others to also give back by indexing. You can learn how to index and get started by visiting The 1940 Census Community Project [https://the1940census.com].
I believe I am prepared for the conference, which starts tomorrow. I have made copies of the speaker handouts from the syllabus, I have the Guidebook app on my cell phone, we have free WiFi in the hotels and in the conference center. It looks to be a great conference.
I’ll be at the BCG booth from 9:15-10:45 tomorrow. Stop by and say hello and learn about becoming a Board Certified Genealogist.
After that I plan to attend the session “Researching Your War of 1812 Ancestor” by Craig Scott, CG. I hope to get some research tips to help with my US Daughters of 1812 lineage application for Nicholas Headington. I always learn something from Craig.
After that that, who knows? I might skip an afternoon session to browse the exhibits and shop and learn.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s report…
