International Tribes, Scribes and Vibes Meet in Boston ====================================================== August 30 through September 2, 2006, the Hynes Convention Center will be hosting the largest genealogy conference ever held, celebrating Boston as "The Birthplace of American Genealogy". The New England Historic Genealogical Society, founded in 1845, will be the local host society for the 2006 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference. This landmark conference offers more than 500 lectures, exhibits and events across a spectrum of ethnic and country origins, as well as signifigant historical eras. The Hynes center capacity provides a comfortable multi-block seamless indoor complex with numerous features. Program Outline http://fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm Exhibitors http://fgs.org/2006conf/conf-exhibitors.asp Hynes convention Center http://www.advantageboston.com/HCC Conference Blog http://www.fgsconference.blogspot.com/ Attendees have the advantage of moderate sized lecture audiences with so many choices spread amongst the attendees, as well as the sprawling vendor exhibits, attached Prudential Center and Sheraton shopping and eating complexes, for convenient forays and respites or protection from inclement weather. For those having trouble deciding which lecture to attend across 20 simulataneous tracts there is also the option of downloadable digital recordings for the ones they missed - augmented by the four volume syllabus of supporting material. The program tracks provide choices for both beginners and advanced researchers, including several professional training programs. Opportunities abound for researching numerous tribes and clans of ethnic and country origin along with the latest news in records access advancements and the extraordinary synergy of matching the right researcher or resource for family historians. Advance registration is available online at http://fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006.htm or at the Hynes, beginning on Tuesday August 29, 3PM-7PM and each day through September 2. Transportation, lodging, touring, special conference events, additional meal reservations and other logistical tips are being updated daily at http://www.fgsconference.blogspot.com/ Quick Reference and Planning Sheets http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/gridbrochure.pdf Notable and Infamous Kin, Politics and Connections ================================================== Boston's own George Cheevers, a 6 foot ten Abraham Lincoln reenactor and Greater Boston Civil War Roundtable contributor, will be greeting registrants during the August 29 pre-registration from 3PM-7PM at the Hynes. Lincoln's colonial roots in Hingham, Massachusetts and his campaign visits to Dorchester and other parts of New England are one small example of how the history of each of our families create a fabric of connections over time between the common man and the notable. This 2006 FGS Boston tribute to Lincoln's ties will expand in 2007 when the FGS conference is hosted in Fort Wayne, Indiana - the home of one Lincoln Museum, leading up to the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial commemoration of this pivotal era in US history. Find out more about "New Discoveries in Royal Descent, Presidential, Mayflower, and Notable Kin Genealogy" from Gary Boyd Roberts, "Untapped Resources: Your Ancestors' Political Affiliations" from D. Joshua Taylor, as well as opportunities to learn more about the Civil War resources with Greater Boston Civil War Roundtable president David L Smith and numerous other individual lecture topics. If you are interested in learning more about how to evaluate your family's infamous connections, "Witches, Rakes, and Rogues: Scandals from Boston's Colonial Past" by D. Brenton Simons and many other fine lectures may help you sort out such "family secrets". Seaman and military deserters, Revolutionary War Loyalist "traitors" or even divorces and scandalous newspaper articles, are better understood when you know more about the historical context. International Digitization Projects ====================================== Millions of family history researchers have created a grassroots army of independent scholars fueling the digitization of original source documents and revealing fresh insights into the growth of our nation through it's people. Dr. Allen Weinstein, the Archivist of the US, will speak about the US National Archives digitization plans followed by New England Historic Genealogical Society President and CEO D. Brenton Simons' presentation of the Society's digitization plans http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/07/opening-session-archivist-of-united. html Specific resources and research opportunities will be addressed by delegations from the National Archives of Canada, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland as well as the US. The British Isles, Canadian and Irish research tracks also include experts from many other organizations. New England and New York Regional resources are featured in the tracks sponsored by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the New England Regional Genealogical Conference and the USGenweb project. Readex, a Newsbank Company, will preview the public release of their "America's GenealogyBank" collaboration with the American Antiquarian Society, providing digital images and advanced search techniques for unprecedented access to 17th through the 20th century publications, documents and maps. Pedigrees and Potpourris ======================== Concentrations also include experts in research methodologies and group migration patterns for the US Northeast and the eastern Provinces of Canada. Four centuries of intertwining origins and families has created a multi-dimensional and complex family forest for many researchers. Sandra Devlin, the late award-winning Canadian journalist, wrote many inspirational articles to help readers who felt "hopelessly caught up in the undergrowth" of their family trees. A 1979 excerpt includes Devlin's characteristic imagery and humor: "Perhaps it is fitting that as the Gathering of the Clans was drawing to its conclusion — quite by chance I discovered that some of my roots are steeped in rich Scottish heritage. All the while I thought I had been absorbing by osmosis the distinct romance and zeal of the Scottish appeal — when actually my wee drop of Scottish blood was floating on the top and revealing in the skirl of the bagpipes and the swish of the tartan. If the truth be known, I am one of the lucky ones who is able to join, by virtue of blood lines, in many ethnic festivities. ... For Oktoberfest, I can don the dirndl or leiderhosen, polka to the wee small hours and stuff myself with weiner snitzel and sauerkraut and feel just wunderbar. I can spread the blarney with the best of my Irish kinsmen and by wearin’ of the green on St. Patrick’s Day can brandish my shillelagh at anyone who would deny me my share of Irish luck, (and temper)! With a stiff upper lip, I can claim the protection of good old St. George, patron saint of England and circle on the calendar Guy Fawkes Day, St. Swithin’s Day and Shrove Tuesday for commemoration." Devlin also proposed a alternate clan gathering where members must prove "uniformity of their heritage has been jumbled by no less than three generations of ancestors who reproduced without a second thought to the resultant conundrum. We will rally about a crazy quilt flag. Our flower will be a hybrid tea rose and our ethnic fare will be hodgepodge stew." The 2006 FGS Conference in Boston promises to fulfill Sandra Devlin's 1979 exhuberant prophesy. Rediscovering Lost Heritage ============================ Each historic era also includes grim revelations about those who suffered and were severed from their families by wars and prejudice. Survivors of the Holocaust and the researchers who help them find their roots and other living relatives, have a particularly poignant task. Marika Barnett of Stow, Massachusetts is a Hungarian child survivor and will introduce Avotaynu's Gary Mokotoff when he presents "How to Document Victims and Locate Survivors of the Holocaust", including a vignette of Evelyne, a Belgian child survivor. Many African American research experts are providing opportunities for interlocking puzzle pieces of heritage that may no longer be lost. Portmouth, New Hampshire's Valerie Cunningham, an award-winning historic preservationist, author and railroad enthusiast will introduce Tony Burroughs' presentation on "Researching Pullman Porters: Railroad Records for African Americans", and Cherry Bamberg's "People of Color at Warwick, RI in 1774". Paul Bunnell, American Revolution Loyalist researcher and author, has identified many Black Loyalist records and is just beginning to track one grandaughter's Mississippi family in 20th century records. Paul Bunnell will introduce Tony Burroughs' presentation "Southern Blacks in New England Records" and listen for clues in such post Civil War records. Irish researchers who believe it is impossibie to ever find their "Mary Kelly" or "Michael Murphy" will find four complete program tracks and an Irish Pavillion in the exhibit hall with an astounding number of resources and experts. Of particular note is the Irish Ordnance Survey release of an online service for access to the 19th century detailed maps of more than 60,000 townlands in Ireland, as well as the Griffith's Valuation workshops where owners and renters of 19th century property can be found and linked to their American descendants. http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/07/irish-pavilion-exhibit-irish-lecture s.html Researchers who are struggling to follow the Family Medical History recommendations made by the US Surgeon General to explore collateral family health histories may be particularly interested in the Massachusetts Genealogical Council sponsored panel discussion "Keeping Public Records Open for Genealogical Research: What Do We Need to Do?" Professional Training, Advanced Methodology, Library and Society Education =========================================================================== Several comprehensive professional development tracks are offered throughout the conference by the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Board for Certification of Genealogists and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. Additional tracks focus on speaking and writing skills, as well as concentrations in researching women and creating youth programs. Various advanced methodology and problem solving topics are available every day. Land platting, Griffith's Valuation of Ireland and Photo Identification workshops provide in depth workshop sessions. Individual researchers may also sign up for a consultation with an expert during the two day Ancestor's Road Show sponsored by the Association of Professional Genealogists.http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/08/do-you-have-research-br ick-wall.html The Librarian's Day track provides tips and resources for librarian's to better serve their family history patrons. http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/08/librarians-day-at-fgsnehgs-conferenc e.html Six tracks address the management and organizational needs of societies and archives, while several others provide topics for online collaborations with the USGenweb project. Fun Stuff for Genealogists =========================== Luncheons, Banquets and special events provide entertaining and educational opportunities to socialize and have the kind of serendipitous discoveries that conference goers rave about when a stranger turns into a long lost cousin. http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/07/already-registered-need-to-add.html GoBoston has provided a special discount for conference attendees who want to take advantage of Boston's famed Duck Tours and more than 60 other local attractions. http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/08/go-boston-card-special-pricing-for-f gs.html The queen bee of more than 500 fun and useful items for genealogists is Indiana's Bev Petersen who's www.funstuffforgenealogists.com booth provides just one of the many conference exhibitor shopping opportunties. http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/conf-exhibitors.asp You don't have to be Irish to join the Irish Ancestral Research Association's Thursday night Genealogy Table Quiz event http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/08/you-dont-have-to-be-irish-to-join.ht ml Actors from the Boston History Collaborative will be presenting vignettes about famous Boston inventions at the FGS banquet http://fgsconference.blogspot.com/2006/07/one-more-conference-highlight-fgs.ht ml You can also help out as a volunteer for the 2006 FGS/NEHGS Conference http://www.fgs.org/2006conf/FGS-2006_volunteer.htm Need additional info? Contact FGS National Publicity Chair Paula Stuart Warren at [log in to unmask] Or check the Conference Blog for more late breaking news http://www.fgsconference.blogspot.com/