The Top Ten Reasons for a Genealogical Conference

FGS 2013 Ambassador

FGS 2013 Ambassador

Because I enjoy attending genealogy conferences and consider them worthwhile for learning about and keeping up with the latest methodology in genealogical research, I signed on to be an FGS 2013 Ambassador. So, from time to time, I will blog about the upcoming FGS Conference, to be held in Fort Wayne this coming August.

Today’s topic is Why Genealogy Conferences and I put together a Top Ten List of reasons for having them and reasons for attending.

I would first like to say that if you have never attended a national genealogy conference you should really try to attend one. There are all levels of researchers at any conference, big or small, and many things for everyone to learn and share.

The top ten reasons for a genealogy conference:

1. Hear the best genealogical speakers lecture on a wide variety of genealogical,historical and technical topics.

2. Attend sessions that will expand your level of research. Sessions are available for all research levels and you will always learn something, no matter what research level you are currently at.

3. Visit and shop at the Exhibit Hall, where you can browse and shop for items such as books, tombstone rubbing supplies, Flip Pal mobile scanner, foreign and domestic maps and atlases from all time periods, books, fun genealogical items such as T-shirts, mouse pads, totes, special pens and magnifiers, publishing items and did I mention books? By the way, the Exhibit Hall is free and open to the public. You do not need to be a conference attendee to go through the exhibits.

4. Special workshops for specific interests or specific areas of research.

5. Learn more about using, navigating and searching Internet websites such as FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, Fold3, Google, Google Earth and more.

6. Exposure to new and advanced research techniques.

7. Share information and ideas with other researchers between sessions and at luncheons.

8. Learn about and see genealogy software demonstrations and tech gadgets with the opportunity to ask questions. Talk with representatives of genealogical societies and organizations from around the country, all in the Exhibit Hall.

9. Learn the ability to pay it forward by becoming a volunteer indexer and learn how to index at home through FamilySearch.org.

10. Learn more about and dig deeper into your areas of interest. Or learn about a subject that you know nothing about.

The first national genealogical conference that I ever attended was an FGS Conference–the 2001 FGS Conference in Davenport, Iowa. I will never forget hearing about the terrorist attacks while driving to Davenport on September 11th. Despite the tragic circumstances of that day it was a very good conference and a wonderful learning experience for me. The information I received from that conference helped with my research in many ways.

After that I was hooked on genealogy conferences and as the little girl says on the commercial, “I want MORE!”

 

 

 

2 comments

  1. Hi Karen,

    I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-may-10-2013.html

    Have a great weekend!

    1. Thank you! I am honored and flattered to be on your Fab Finds list today.

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