NGS-L Archives

From: "Upfront with NGS" <>
Subject: [NGS] UpFront with NGS-Volume 9, Number 9-1 September 2009
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 15:42:24 -0400
References: <48728D557296F54E9A1DF075C42B6D360718B1@server.ngs.local>

It has been brought to our attention that the e-mail version of UpFront with NGS did not reach many of our subscribers. We are resending this e-mail.

-NGS Staff

UpFront with NGS
The Online Newsletter of the National Genealogical Society
Volume 9, Number 9-1 September 2009

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Today in UpFront

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Articles

-- NGS Launches UpFront Blog
-- New to Blogs? by Pam Sayre, CG, CGL, NGS Education & Publications Director
-- Genealogy News and Issues by Charles S. "Chuck" Mason Jr., CG
-- Act Now: Michigan Library at Risk in September Vote
-- Set Your E-mail Free by Pam Cerutti, Editor

NGS News & Events

-- 2010 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City
-- NGS Magazine Online
-- Free Online Course for NGS Members: Family History Skills
-- Paths to Your Past, A New Book for Beginners
-- Tennessee is Now Available in the Research in the States Series
-- Lectures on CD Available from 2009 NGS Family History Conference
-- 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina

Other News

-- Brian W. Hutchison Scholarship Award Available

Events Around the United States

Family Reunions

About UpFront

- Previous Issues of UpFront with NGS
- How to Submit Items for Publication in UpFront with NGS
- Format Conventions
- How to Subscribe or Unsubscribe
- Disclaimers and Copyright
- NGS Contact Information
- About NGS


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“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.”
- From _The Go-Between_ by Leslie Poles Hartley (1895-1972), published by the New York Review of Books, 1953.

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-- NGS Launches UpFront Blog


The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce the launch of UpFront in blog format. “Blog” is short for “web log,” an Internet communications tool that has been growing rapidly in recent years. This format will extend all the conveniences of a blog to UpFront readers. Here are some of the major advantages:

* More content sooner - You can see the latest articles as soon as they
are available instead of waiting for the next monthly mailing.

* Convenience - You can choose the articles you wish to read and view them
whenever you like. When used with an RSS newsreader, you can gather
articles as they are posted.

* Readability - In addition to a cleaner look with appropriate font variations,
web addresses noted in articles are hot links that you can click on to
immediately view the referenced web page. You will even see illustrations for
some articles!

* Reliability - Some e-mail services block messages that their software deems
as possible spam. There are no spam issues when you read blog articles--
either on the web or in an RSS newsreader.

* Comments - You can share your thoughts with other readers by posting a comment
at the end of any article.



Many UpFront subscribers already read a number of genealogy blogs and can attest to their many benefits. NGS hopes that all our readers will enjoy this upgrade. NGS Education & Publications Director Pam Sayre, CG, CGL, remarked, "Some of us may recall bringing home a new color TV to replace the fuzzy old black and white model. What a difference it made in our viewing pleasure. We at NGS believe that the difference between a plain text e-mailed UpFront with NGS and an interactive, up-to-the-minute, color version with photographs, video clips, and a feedback mechanism will dazzle everyone far beyond that first color TV in the house. NGS continues to move forward into the twenty-first century with the UpFront blog, and it enables us to bring you -- NGS members and the public -- the latest society and genealogy community news, helpful how-to articles, educational tools, and more."


For a limited time, NGS will continue to e-mail the monthly newsletter as it has in the past. This will give readers a chance to try out the new blog format at their leisure. At the same time, NGS will be able to refine the blog's operation and design. Subscribers will be notified in the final e-mail version when the move to the blog is complete. That issue will include a reminder to either bookmark the UpFront blog in your browser (or add it as a "favorite" web page) or add it to your favorite RSS newsreader. In addition, events and reunions will be consolidated in the existing Events and Reunions pages of the NGS website, which will continue to post those items for NGS members. As always, everyone will be able to view those pages. In addition, the UpFront blog will remain free to everyone. You can find it online at http://upfront.ngsgenealogy.org/


NGS appreciates your continued readership and looks forward to welcoming you to this new era of online communication.


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-- New to Blogs? by Pam Sayre, CG, CGL, NGS Education & Publications Director

Don’t be intimidated—come on in to UpFront with NGS. The posts (articles) appear on the right side of the screen, and there may be comments under each one. So visitors can see more of what is available to read on the blog, only the first few lines of an article appear here. To see the rest of a post, click the More link.


Need help finding a topic?

Type a search term in the blank white field at the very top lefthand corner of the screen and click the Search Blog button just to the right of the field. A list of matching posts will display for your reading pleasure.


Looking for something you saw yesterday or a week ago?

Check out the archives in the bottom lefthand corner of the blog. Here you’ll find all previous posts from most recent to earliest, in that order.


Want more information about NGS?

Click any of the links under the NGS tree logo on the left side of the screen to access that section of the NGS website.


Be sure you don’t miss a thing!

Click the Follow Blog button at the top of the UpFront blog screen so you’ll receive notification in your Blogger list of each new article posted to UpFront with NGS if you register with Blogger. To add the UpFront blog to your RSS news feed, just scroll to the bottom of the screen, click the Subscribe to: Posts (Atom) link, and follow the simple instructions.


Want to express an opinion about a post or article?

Since the NGS UpFront blog is monitored to avoid spam or inappropriate content, users must select a profile to post a comment. As soon as the comment is approved, it will be posted.


If you’re new to blogs, you may be unsure about this step, but it’s really very simple. Just click the Comments link at the end of the article, type your comment into the white Post a Comment box, and choose a profile from the Comment as: drop-down menu. Choices are listed below, along with URLs that lead to websites where you can sign up for a free blogger account if you don’t yet have one. You can also post without a blogger account by using either "Name/URL" or "Anonymous."

Google account - https://www.google.com/accounts/

Live Journal - http://www.livejournal.com/

Wordpress - http://wordpress.org/

Typepad - http://www.typepad.com/pro/index-2a.html

AIM - http://dashboard.aim.com/aim

Open ID - http://openid.net/

Name/URL - Enter either your name or your web address (URL).

Anonymous - No name required.

The NGS UpFront blog also uses word verification to avoid automated spam; so after you choose a profile and click Post Comment, you'll have to type a word that appears in an unusual font to verify that you are a human being. Then click Post Comment again, and you'll receive this message: "Your comment will be visible after approval." As soon as a real live NGS staff member approves the comment, it will appear under the article for others to see.

Want to create your own free blog? Learn all about it at Blogger.com or many other free hosting sites on the Internet.

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-- Genealogy News and Issues by Charles S. "Chuck" Mason Jr., CG

At the same time that I was writing my article for August, I also wrote a letter that ended a sixty-five-year-old family disagreement. Although the focus of this article will be about my family, many of you may have a similar situation in your family. The disagreement took place in September 1942 between my grandfather and his older brother, my great uncle. It involved dividing possessions that belonged to the family when their oldest sister died suddenly. She had never married but stayed at home with their parents until they died a few years before she died. Because of their disagreement, my grandfather and his brother never spoke to each other again. Their younger sister acted as an intermediary, along with the attorney who was handling the settlement of the older sister’s estate.

My grandfather claimed that his brother took something that belonged to him and left behind the cream pitcher to the silver tea service that my great grandparents received as a gift for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. My grandfather was willing to give his brother the pitcher when he received his property back. I know this exchange never took place since I now have that cream pitcher.

I did not know that my father's brother was still living when I was growing up. It was not until about six or seven years after my grandfather died that I found out his brother had been alive when my grandfather died and had died two years later.

When I began doing genealogy, I found some information about my great uncle. I questioned some of my mother’s siblings about their uncle, but no one seemed to know much about him. My mother claimed she did not know anything about him. I also talked to a son of my grandfather’s younger sister. He did not know much about his uncle either. However, he did know that his uncle’s son (my mother’s cousin) lived in a town about a mile and a half from where my grandfather lived.

About seven years ago my parents went to the local funeral home to preplan their funerals. The funeral home happened to be in the same town where my mother’s cousin lived. When my mother told the funeral director her maiden name, he asked if she was related to the man who was her cousin, and she curtly replied. "NO!" I asked her, “What do you mean NO? He is your cousin.” She said nothing and just stared directly at me and said nothing. I thought I would hear about it later, but she never said another word.

Part of me wanted to contact this cousin, but I was not sure if he would react like my mother. It was obvious that her father’s hard feelings were passed on to my mother. I had already talked to one of my mother’s cousins on her mother’s side of the family about my grandmother’s family. His reaction had been, “What do you want to know about them for? They're dead.” His wife did give me some information, but she did not know much. Because of his reaction, I hesitated to contact the cousin on my grandfather’s side of the family.

In April, the cousin’s wife died, and shortly after that I was talking to a couple of friends about my mother’s reaction at the funeral home. One of them asked if I had contacted him. That prompted me to finally write to her cousin. I did want to wait a little while after his wife died before making contact; so, I sent my letter in the middle of July. Two days later I came home to a message on my answering machine from the cousin. He did not know much about why his father and my grandfather did not speak, but he did say his father could be a very stubborn person, something that runs in the family. My grandfather could be the same way.

I had a trip planned to New Jersey the first week of August and made arrangements to meet my mother’s cousin. We spent about five and an a half hours together, sharing stories about both our families. The stories were filled with serendipity. My parents met roller-skating, and so did the cousin and his wife. His daughter works at the grocery store where one of my sisters shops. There were a number of other coincidences.

He sent my e-mail address to one of his nephews who has researched the family for twenty years. I learned that this nephew had contacted my grandfather before he died, but my grandfather did not want discuss anything about the family. He had information that I did not have, and I had information that he did not have. As a result of our mutual interest in our family history -- and our willingness to bury this ancient hatchet -- we will be sharing a lot of notes, records, pictures, and other information.

I hope that if you have a similar situation in your family, you will be inspired to contact the family members. The worst thing they can say is that they do not want to discuss the family. On the other hand, you may have new family members in your life and learn more information about your family.


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-- Act Now: Michigan Library at Risk in September Vote

As reported last month, the Library of Michigan is at immediate risk of being torn apart and disseminated among multiple state agencies, never to be reassembled. All genealogists with an interest in preserving this important resource -- regardless of current residence -- are urged to voice their views to the legislators who will decide its future. NGS President Jan Alpert noted, "You don't have to live in Michigan to become involved. If you have ancestors who lived in Michigan you want to help preserve our 180 years of Michigan records in one central repository. Let the Michigan legislature know that you travel to Michigan to do family history research. Tourist dollars are important to the state." The 60-day window from July 13 for the State Legislature to reject this Order is rapidly coming to a close, on September 11. The following is an urgent call to action from Tom Koselka, Corresponding Secretary of the Michigan Genealogical Council, followed by the email addresses of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee:

Wednesday, the Governor issued Executive Directive 5. This was supposed to clarify her Executive Order of July 13 [abolishing the Department of History, Arts, and Libraries (HAL)]. As far as the Genealogical Collection at the Library of Michigan is concerned, this changed NOTHING. The collection is still subject to being transferred and spread out over several different institutions. While re-affirming interlibrary loan, this clarification does not restore interlibrary loan to the Michigan Collection or the Library of Michigan.

On the same day the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism recommended the passage of SB 503-527, a package of bills placing the administration of HAL under the Department of State, rather than spreading it across several state departments – Education, Natural Resources, etc... In addition, there was a Senate Concurrent Resolution 18, to disapprove of the Executive Order 2009-36 dissolving the HAL. Each item in the bill package and the Resolution was approved by a 3 to 1 vote with one absent to be sent to the Senate for a full vote.

Thursday, the full Senate voted on the items described above. The most complete news article we have come across so far is in the Detroit Free Press, which you can read at http://www.freep.com/article/20090827/NEWS15/90827027/1322/Senate-rejects-Granholm-s-plan-to-abolish-history-department. An earlier e-mail list had one vote different. The final tally according the Free Press report and reports from the Associated Press, which has appeared on several newspaper and broadcast websites is 22 yeas, 13 nays, and 2 not voting. Of special note, two Democratic Senators voted with the majority of the Senators to make this possible. For a brief analysis of these bills, visit http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2009-SFA-0503-S.pdf.

There is also a resolution in the House, introduced by Rep. Rick Jones – who spoke at our rally on August 5. He has several co-sponsors from each party. While this resolution does not carry the force of law, its passage would send the Governor a strong message of disapproval.

Thank you to all who wrote a letter, visited their legislator, sent an e-mail or made a phone call. There is still much to be done. We still need to urge our Representatives to vote in favor of the Senate Concurrent Resolution. We also favor the Senate Bill package that would place all of the parts of HAL under the Secretary of State because they have all worked well together in the nine years HAL has been in existence, especially the Library and Archives, the best example being www.seekingmichigan.org. The vote in the House of Representatives will be much more difficult than the Senate. We still have much work to do!

The following are members of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. Please contact these Senators as well as your own Representatives.

Sen. Jason Allen, Chair -

Sen. Judson S. Gilbert, Vice-Chair -

Sen. Tony Stamas -

Sen. Hansen Clarke, Minority Vice-Chair -

Sen. Tupac A. Hunter -

Please stress in your communication with our Legislators the importance of keeping over 180 years of Michigan history, literature and culture together in one cohesive Library of Michigan collection. If this is permitted to be dissipated, it will never be reassembled. Visitors come from all across the country to research at the Library of Michigan. Make your voice heard NOW. Send your 911 letters, e-mails, or visits to your State Legislators today!

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-- Set Your E-mail Free by Pam Cerutti, Editor

You may have heard about Verizon's sale of its internet services in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont a few months ago. Some readers may even be the victims of the sudden switch of their e-mail addresses from verizon.net to myfairpoint.net. Neither Verizon nor FairPoint notified all customers in time to tell their family, friends, and business contacts of their new e-mail addresses. Many people not only lost all e-mail they had stored on Verizon's servers, but they also lost new messages that were sent to their void Verizon addresses. Furthermore, when FairPoint took over those accounts, their servers were initially overburdened, causing still more lost e-mail messages.

A news article now reports that FairPoint may have faked its readiness to take over the Verizon service areas. The Brattleboro (Vermont) Recorder reports that authorities received an anonymous tip, believed to be from a FairPoint insider. This tip claimed that FairPoint created a computer program "to deceive the audience into believing they were watching a real demonstration" of its readiness. Whether or not this proves true, as the article points out, "FairPoint has been hit with unprecedented numbers of consumer complaints ranging from billing errors and service order delays to long waits on call-in complaint lines since it took over Verizon’s phone networks in the three states Feb. 1." You can read the full story at http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_13196920.

You may wonder why this news appears in UpFront. Every reader uses e-mail, and many have their e-mail accounts with their service providers. That is, if you get billed by Verizon, your e-mail address may end in “verizon.net.” If your internet service bill comes from another provider–say, “Comcast” or “Podunk”–and your e-mail address ends in “comcast.net” or “podunk.com,” your e-mail's fate is tied to that of your service provider. If that company were to either fold or even just sell your service area to another company, what would become of your e-mail? The same problem exists for anyone who ever plans to move out of their current service area.

Consider all the places where you have given your e-mail address as your contact information. Many genealogists place queries on various online lists: surname lists, society lists, DNA studies, and many others. They share their family histories online and supply their e-mail addresses for others to share back with them. These will all need to be changed if the service provider changes–assuming the individual remembers every place he or she posted that e-mail address and is given sufficient time to set up another e-mail account and change each occurrence to the new address.

I sympathize with those who dread changing their e-mail to a new service. It seems like a daunting task if you've had the same e-mail address for a long time. However, it is a relatively easy job, especially when you do so on your own timetable, allowing time to notify contacts in a leisurely fashion. For example, I signed up for Google's e-mail service, called Gmail, a while ago. My incentive was a decision to purchase a bundled service for internet, cable TV, and telephone. Other people might be forced to change due to a move out of their internet service provider's geographic territory, and still others may simply want greater assurance of their e-mail's safety. Although I chose Gmail, this is not the only free and reasonable alternative; Yahoo and Hotmail are the other major services, and you may know of others.

When I first started using Gmail, I still kept my old e-mail account active for a transition period. Gmail allowed me to receive messages addressed to both my new Gmail address and my old e-mail address. I only had to look in my Gmail inbox to see all messages. Gmail would even let me send messages that would appear to be from that old address if I wished, though I never chose that option. Instead, I notified all my contacts of my new gmail.com address and updated all my mailing lists and business notifications. Over the next three months I kept an eye open for incoming e-mails addressed to my old Charter.com account. There weren't many, but I sent a notification of the change to the few with whom I wanted to stay in touch. Once my Gmail inbox stopped getting messages of value addressed to the old account, I painlessly changed service providers. Of course, I didn't have to change service providers to reap the advantages of Gmail; you can use Gmail (or Yahoo or Hotmail or others) even if you are keeping your existing provider. The difference is that your e-mail will no longer be subject to the limitations of that provider -- or its business decisions.

Google's Gmail is excellent. I feel much safer storing all my e-mail online now. Google even handles some very large file attachments; a message can contain up to 25 megabytes, assuming the recipient's e-mail can also handle that size. I was also pleasantly surprised at the speed with which Gmail completes a search for messages from a particular person or including a particular word or phrase. In addition, I get almost no spam since this change! In fact, I cannot recall the last time I saw a questionable message in my inbox. The online Help is thorough and clear although the basics are pretty straightforward without consulting it. Gmail has many other features yon might wish to explore, but they go well beyond the intent of this article.

Genealogists stand to lose a lot more than casual e-mail users, should their service providers go bankrupt, get gobbled up by larger ones, or decide to focus on large metropolitan areas as Verizon has done in the Northeast and may do elsewhere. In truth, the e-mail services I've mentioned might also go out of business at some point; however, they have shown themselves to be more stable, more reliable, and more able to handle huge amounts of data. While there are no guarantees, choosing a free, independent, internet-based e-mail provider might give you a measure of insurance against the pitfalls of abrupt business changes beyond your control or even necessary changes within your control. The time to set your e-mail free is before you must.

To obtain a Gmail account, go to http://www.google.com/ and click on "Gmail" at the top of the page. On the Gmail main page, click on "Create an account" on the right.

To obtain a Yahoo account, go to http://m.www.yahoo.com/ and click on Yahoo! Mail on the left. Below the login fields, locate the words "Don't have a Yahoo! ID?" and click on "Sign Up."

To obtain a Windows Live Hotmail account, go to http://login.live.com/login.srf?wa=wsignin1.0&rpsnv=11&ct=1251821475&rver=5.5.4177.0&wp=MBI&wreply=http:%2F%2Fmail.live.com%2Fdefault.aspx&lc=1033&id=64855&mkt=en-US, locate the words, "Don't have a Windows Live ID?" and click on "Sign up."

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NGS News & Events

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-- 2010 Family History Conference in Salt Lake City

Theme: Follow Your Ancestral Trail

The 2010 NGS Family History Conference will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mark your calendars for 28 April–1 May 2010. Online registration for the 2010 NGS Family History Conference will begin 1 November 2009.

Whether your family helped settle the nation, migrated across the country, stayed in the same place, or recently arrived in America, this conference has much to offer. The family history resources in Salt Lake City, Utah, will provide a depth and breadth to your research. The Family History Library has an extensive collection of international records. A major focus of the conference will be increasing research skills in foreign countries.

Hotel conference reservations are now available at four hotels, including the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, Salt Lake Plaza Hotel, Shilo Inn Suites Hotel, and Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites. Details, including rates and amenities, can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org by clicking on Conferences & Events and then Annual Conference, and finally Accommodations. The Radisson is the main conference hotel and is adjacent to the entrance of the Salt Palace Convention Center where the NGS Conference will be held. Make your hotel reservations early!

Exhibit sales for the 2010 Family History Conference opened 15 July 2009. To make a booth reservation today or view a list of exhibitors who have signed up thus far, visit www.ngsgenealogy.org and click on Conferences & Events.

The conference flyer is available for download at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org by clicking on Conferences & Events and then Annual Conference, and finally For the Media.

Questions? Contact the Conference Manager at .

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-- NGS Magazine Online

Recent issues (2005–current) of NGS Magazine (formerly NGS NewsMagazine) are currently available under the Members Only section of the website. The Apr/May/June 2009 issue is now available. Visit http://www.ngsgenealogy.org for more information.

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-- Free Online Course for NGS Members: Family History Skills

Start your family history quest or brush up on genealogy basics by reviewing our free online course for members of the National Genealogical Society. You may wish to try this shorter course first and then delve into some of the other NGS online courses or the in-depth Home Study Course. More information about NGS courses can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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-- _Paths to Your Past_, A New Book for Beginners

NGS is pleased to offer a new publication for beginning genealogists, _Paths to Your Past_, edited by Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL and NGS Director of Education and Publications, with contributions from Marty Hiatt, CG. The new 57-page, soft-cover book replaces an earlier publication entitled Instructions for Beginners in Genealogy, which was last updated in 2001.

Because the Internet has drastically changed the way we search for our ancestors, the new publication has been rewritten and reorganized to help beginners get started in the search for their ancestors. It tells how to collect information from family, libraries, government agencies at all levels, and the Internet; how to record facts; and how to write citations for sources so that they or anyone else can find them again in the future if need be. You will also find suggestions for learning more about genealogy. The book also includes a glossary for often-used family research terms.

_Paths to Your Past_ would make an excellent addition to your library, teaching tool, or gift for friends or relatives new to genealogy. It is available in print at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org: click on Store, and search for _Paths to Your Past_. Please make sure you are logged on at the NGS website before proceeding to the Store. This will ensure that the member discount is applied to your purchases. The cost, which includes shipping, is $18 for members and $21 for non-members. If you teach family history research courses and would like to purchase multiple copies, a discount is available for purchases of 12 or more copies by contacting . Look for the PDF version in the online store soon!

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-- Tennessee is Now Available in the Research in the States Series

NGS has released the 38-page _Research in Tennessee_, which has been revised and updated by Chuck Sherrill.

The following states are available from the National Genealogical Society Research in the States Series at the NGS website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org:

* _Research in Arkansas_ by Lynda Childers Suffridge, 2008
* _Research in Illinois_ by Diane Renner Walsh, 2007
* _Research in Maryland_ by Patricia O'Brien, 2007
* _Research in Michigan_ by Shirley M. DeBoer, 2008
* _Research in Missouri_ by Pamela Boyer Porter and Ann Carter Fleming, 2007
* _Research in North Carolina_ by Jeffrey L. Haines, 2008,
* _Research in Ohio_ by Diane Vanskiver Gagel, 2008
* _Research in Oregon_ by Connie Miller Lenzen, 2007
* _Research in Pennsylvania_ by Kay Haviland Freilich, 2007
* _Research in Tennessee_ by Chuck Sherrill, 2009
* _Research in Virginia_ by Eric G. Grundset, 2007
* _Research in West Virginia_ by Barbara Vine Little, 2007

Each publication is 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches, slightly larger than our previous Research in the States publications. The average length is 42 pages, but it varies by state. Each publication includes a section on archives, libraries, societies, and other research facilities in the respective state, as well as a discussion of the major family history resources available, such as maps, cemetery records, census, city directories, newspapers, military records, tax records and vital records. In addition, for each state you will find a discussion of which records are available at the local, county, and state level.

These publications are available in print for $14.50 for NGS members and $17.50 for non-members. The price includes shipping. Alternatively, each book can be purchased as a PDF file, an e-book that you can download from the NGS website and then either read on your computer or print. E-books are $8 for NGS members and $10 for non-members. Both the print and PDF versions of the Research in the States series can be found on the NGS website: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on "Store." Please make sure you are logged on at the NGS website before proceeding to the store. This will ensure that the member discount is applied to your purchases.

NGS plans to add a few new states each year, so check the NGS website periodically for new releases at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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-- Lectures on CD Available from 2009 NGS Family History Conference

CDs of lectures from the 2009 NGS Conference are available for ordering. If you were unable to attend the 2009 conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, in May, you will be pleased to know that more than 100 lectures were recorded and can be purchased on CD for $12 each plus shipping. Lectures are available via a link on the NGS website: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org. Click on "Conferences & Events," then "Annual Conference," then "Lectures on CD-ROM from Previous Conference." This link will take you to the JAMB-INC.com website, the recording company for these conferences. Once you are on the JAMB-Inc. website, click on Genealogy and look for the 2009 NGS Family History Conference or our two previous conferences in Kansas City 2008 and Richmond 2007. The CDs provide you with an opportunity to hear genealogical experts discuss topics that will help you in your family research. Listed on the website is each speaker by last name, as well as the lecture track and title of each talk.

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-- 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina

NGS has selected Charleston, South Carolina, for the 2011 Family History Conference. Lodging will include a combination of hotels and suite hotels adjacent to the North Charleston Convention Center. All the participating hotels will provide free Internet. Save the dates 11-14 May 2011.

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Other News

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-- Brian W. Hutchison Scholarship Award Available

The Alberta Family Histories Society is pleased to announce the availability of the Brian W. Hutchison Genealogical Scholarship of up to $500. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Canadian resident, toward the cost of tuition and books (for the recipient to study the field of genealogy and family history in a recognized education or accreditation/certification program), or the cost of attending a genealogical conference/seminar, or as a cash prize.

The Brian W. Hutchison Scholarship is funded by an endowment to the Alberta Family Histories Society from GEN-FIND Research Associates, Inc., of Nanaimo, British Columbia. The donor wishes to encourage Canadians to pursue formal study of genealogical analysis, research, evaluation, and documentation methodologies and standards, thereby raising the bar for the hobby.

The deadline for applications is December 31 of the current year. The Scholarship will be awarded the following May.

For complete guidelines and an application form, candidates are urged to visit http://www.afhs.ab.ca/scholarship/.


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Events Around the United States

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September 2009

10–11 September 2009
New York, NY - The Education Committee of the NYG&B in partnership with the Holland Society of New York and the New York Public Library, is very pleased to announce a two-day Dutch Research program to be held Thursday and Friday, 10–11 September 2009. Thursday will be a full day of lectures presented by Harry Macy Jr., Dr. Firth Haring Fabend, Christopher Brooks, and Dr. Janny Venema. Friday offers a day of assisted research at the NYPL’s Milstein Division of Genealogy and Local History and/or at the Holland Society library.

The two-day program is available to members of the NYG&B and members of the Holland Society for $150. Non-members $200. Registration for the Thursday lecture program only is $90 members/ $125 non-members. To register, please contact Lauren Maehrlein, , telephone 212-755-8532, ext. 36, or you may register online at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.

11–13 September 2009
Spokane, WA - The Washington State Genealogical Society 2009 Annual Conference, hosted by the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, will be held in Spokane at the world renowned Davenport Hotel. The featured speaker is Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak with 16 additional mini-sessions and events over 2 and a half days. For more details and online registration see: www.ancestry.rootsweb.com/~waewgs. Questions: contact

12 September 2009
St. Louis, MO - The 3rd Annual Discover Your Roots - African American Family History Conference will be held Saturday, 12 September 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. This wonderful all-day conference is geared to help anyone interested in learning about their family history, whether you are just starting or an experienced researcher.

The classes will focus on African American history and research, the best types of records to search, research methodologies, and southern states research. There is no charge to attend and a minimal charge for the syllabus and lunch. For more information or to register, e-mail us at or visit the website at www.discoveryourrootsmo.com.

14 September 2009
Murfreesboro, TN - "2009 Adventures in Learning Genealogy Classes" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society on Mondays starting September 14, 21, 28, and Oct. 5, 2009 from 10:45am to 11:45am. The Instructor, Virginia Gooch Watson, past president of MTGS. Location is First Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, TN. Please register by calling, Judy Stacey at 615-893-1322

18–19 September 2009
Schaumburg, IL - The Polish Genealogical Society of America is pleased to announce their 31st Annual Conference titled “Unraveling the Mysteries” at the Marriott in Schaumburg, Illinois. As always, this year’s conference will present both new topics and interesting speakers. Our speakers this year will be:

* Loretto Szucs, currently Vice President of Publishing at Ancestry.com
* Kahlile Mehr, LDS Head of Slavic & Eastern European records
* Dr. Michael Mikos, Head of Slavic languages at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
* Juliana Szucs Smith, Editor of Ancestry.com newsletters
* Craig Pfannkuche, President of Memory Trail Research, Inc.
* Don Litzer, Assistant Director and Head of Adult Services at T.B. Scott Free Library in Merrill, WI and
Former Reference Librarian at the Allen County Public Library’s Genealogy Center in Fort Wayne, IN
* Cynthia Piech, Board Member and Treasurer of the PGSA.

A few of the many topics that will be covered are Finding Naturalization Records & Ethnic Origins, Hidden Sources for Finding Family Stories, Online Databases of the Polish State Archives, East European Internet Sites for the Family History Researcher, Dealing With the Bad Guys in One’s Family Tree, Doing Family History Research in Cemeteries, Traveling in Poland for the Beginner and The Polish Partition: What It Meant to Our Ancestors and many other topics.

There will also be a Media Room that will offer material of interest to genealogists and the Research Area which will provide personal and individual help. For more information or to download the conference brochure which includes registration information, please visit our website at http://www.PGSA.org.


18–19 September 2009
South St. Paul, MN - Minnesota Genealogical Society (MGS): 2009 North Star Genealogy Conference & Awards Banquet; 18–19 September ($100). Featured speaker: Claire Bettag, Washington, DC, a Certified Genealogist and Lecturer specializing in federal records and Acadian genealogy. Noon Friday, 18 September to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 19 September; 1185 N. Concord Street, South St. Paul. Banquet at South St. Paul Hotel, 701 S. Concord Street (I-494 & Concord St.) 6:00 pm–9:30 pm ($34) with 3rd Annual Awards given to genealogists serving as ambassadors, writers, speakers, and researchers in Minnesota family history. (651) 455-9057 or website: www.mngs-org.


18-20 September 2009
Ottawa, Ontario - “Celebrate Your Anglo-Celtic Roots” at the 15th Annual Family History Conference of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa, in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Something for everyone – Special focus on Scotland. Over a dozen international, national, and local experts, including: Charlotte Gray, LL.D., biographical historian and Member of the Order of Canada; Duncan Macniven, Registrar General for Scotland; Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD., author and forensic genealogist (USA). Pre-conference educational events. Free access to experienced genealogy researchers and databases. A marketplace of genealogy related products and services. Members and non-members welcome. Program and registration details at: www.bifhsgo.ca.

19 September 2009
Williamstown, MA - Life in the Past Lane VI - The Friends of the National Archives and Records Administration, Northeast Region, Pittsfield, MA, will hold its annual full-day genealogy conference on Saturday, September 19, 2009. The event will be held at the Williams Inn in Williamstown, Massachusetts (http://www.williamsinn.com). As they become available, details and registration forms will be posted at http://www.narafriends-pittsfield.org under Calendar of Events. For additional information call 413-236-3600.

19 September 2009
Nashville, TN - "Genealogy Comes Alive-The Story of Bonny Kate Sherrill Sevier" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society at 1:00pm. The speaker is novelist, Mark Strength. Location is the Brentwood Public Library, 1/2 mile east of I-65, Exit 71. At intersection of Concord Rd. and Knox Valley Drive. Enter library's parking lot off Knox Valley Drive, turn right. Refreshments served.

25–26 September 2009
Helena, MT - The 20th Montana State Genealogical Society Conference will be held in Helena, Montana, at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel. Jana Sloan Broglin, cg, will be the featured speaker offering four topics over the two days. This year's theme is Growing Genealogy. For further information contact V. Valentine, .

25–26 September 2009
Springfield, MO - The Ozarks Genealogical Society will hold its 29th Annual Conference September 25-26 at University Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Mo. Thomas W. Jones, noted genealogical researcher, author, editor, and educator is the featured speaker. His lectures will focus on Internet research, deducing ancestors' identities, tracing common surnames, and solving problems with original sources. Jones' research has encompassed records of every state east of the Mississippi, as well as Iowa, Missouri, Texas, France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland. His lectures are known to benefit genealogists of all levels of experience.

The conference begins Friday evening, September 25 and continues throughout the day on Saturday, September 26. The following mini-sessions will be presented on Saturday morning: "Start with What You Know," "Family Search Online," "Dressed for the Photographer," and "Searching with GenSmarts." A vendor showcase will also be available.

The Ozarks Genealogical Society, Inc. (OGS) was formally organized in September 1969 by a group of individuals brought together by their common interest in researching family history. It was chartered in 1979 as a not-for-profit organization in the State of Missouri. The goals of the society are to encourage the research and preservation of family history, foster solid genealogical research practices, and preserve records of historical and genealogical interest.

The conference is open to the public. Registration information and additional conference details are available online at http://ozarksgs.org/. Those needing a registration form may call (417)
885-9009.

26 September 2009
Tampa, FL - Elizabeth Shown Mills will present an all-day seminar for the Florida
Genealogical Society. Topics include:

- The Elusive Ancestor: There's No Such Thing as "Too Poor to Trace"
- Sources & Citations Simplified: From Memorabilia to Digital Data to DNA
- The Identity Crisis: Right Name, Wrong Man? Wrong Name, Right Man?
- OK, I Got the Neighbors--Now What Do I DO with Them?!

For registration information, see fgstampa.org

30 September 2009
Nashville, TN - "Using Family Tree Maker -New Version 9" is offered by the Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society from 10:30am to 2:00pm ( Brown Bag Lunch). The Speaker is Bob Dennison, former board member of MTGS and chairman of the MTGS Bible Project. Location is FiftyForward Knowles Senior Citizen Center, 174 Rains Ave., Nashville, TN (near the Fairgrounds). Please register by calling 615-743-3400. There is a $3.00 visitor fee for non-members of FiftyForward Centers.


October 2009

2–3 October 2009
Neenah, WI - The Wisconsin State Genealogical Society's 2009 Fall Seminar, "Research: Do More and Do It Better," will be held on Saturday, 3 October 2009, at the Best Western Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center in Neenah. Our host society is the Winnebagoland Genealogical Society. The featured speaker will be Michael John Neill, and the event will be preceded by a special pre-conference workshop on Friday, 2 October, with lectures given by Lori B. Bessler of the Wisconsin Historical Society and David McDonald, cg.

See http://www.wsgs.org for more information and registration forms or e-mail .

10 October 2009
Winchester, VA - The Virginia Genealogical Society and Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society present "Oh Shenandoah! Migration and Settlements Across the Valley" on 10 October 2009 at the Conference Center, Winchester Medical Center, 1840 Amherst Street, Winchester, VA. The conference features lectures on Virginia Research, Colonial Migrations in and out of the Shenandoah Valley, and using Google Earth for genealogical research presented by four well-known speakers: Dorothy Boyd-Bragg, PhD, Victor S. Dunn, CG, Rick Sayre, CG, and Pamela K. Sayre, CG, CGL. Vendors of books, software, forms and other items of interest to researchers will be available all day.

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites at the rate of $70 per night. To reserve a room, call (540) 667-7050 and mention VGS Conference, prior to 25 September 2009. The conference and boxed lunch for VGS & SVGS Members is $30; for non members $40. After 21 Sept 2009, please add $10.00. Mail your check payable to: Virginia Genealogical Society, Fall Conference 2009, 1900 Byrd Ave., Suite 104, Richmond, VA 23230-3033. For more information and a conference brochure, visit http://www.vgs.org.

12-17 October 2009
Columbus, OH - German Heritage Week is the week of October 12-17 with programs daily at the Columbus Metropolitan Library (no pre-registration or fees), and culminates with the Annual Fall Seminar of the Ohio Chapter Palatines to America at the Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center on Saturday, 17 October 2009. Featured speakers John T. Humphrey, CG, and Ann Miller Scott, MSLS with the following topics:

- Published Sources for German Ancestors
- Moravians in the 18th Century
- Update on the PalAm Library Collection
- German-American Newspapers

More information on these events and registration online for the Annual Fall Seminar: http://www.oh-palam.org/

16-17 October 2009
Lake Charles, LA - The second Branching Out in Genealogy seminar will be held Friday and Saturday, October 16 – 17, 2009. The seminar is cosponsored by the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library, (a branch of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library), Libraries Southwest, the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society, Inc, and Friends of the Calcasieu Parish Public Library.

A Reception and After Hours Research will be held for registered participants on Friday, October 16, 2009 from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library, 411 Pujo Street in Lake Charles. During this time participants may research in the library’s collection or visit and become acquainted with other participants.

On Saturday, October 17, activities will begin in the Contraband Room of the Lake Charles Civic Center at 8:30 am with coffee, a get-acquainted session, and registration at the door for those who did not pre-register. Featured speaker will be Carolyn Earle Billingsley, Ph. D. Her topics for the seminar are Communities of Kinship: A New Theory for Genealogy; The Reality of Researching Your Indian Ancestors; Melungeons and Other Mixed Race Groups; and History Lost – History Found. John Sellers will serve as emcee.

A registration fee of $25 per person includes the Reception and After Hours Research, seminar talks, access to vendors’ displays, a box lunch, coffee and light refreshments on Saturday. For more information or a brochure, contact the Southwest Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Library at 411 Pujo Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601-4254, phone 337-721-7110, or e-mail .

17 October 2009
Monterey, CA - Monterey County Genealogy Society's annual Heritage Harvest family history workshop will be held 17 October 2009, Monterey, California. Karen Clifford, AG, a nationally known speaker and college instructor, will present "Electronic Resources for Solving Difficult Research Problems," "Understanding Migration," "Land Records from Colonial Times to the Present" and "British Basics." Lunch and syllabus included in registration fee. Free parking adjacent to Monterey Peninsula College Library/Technology Center. Register early for this full day event as space is limited.

Contact Junel Davidsen at for more details. Additional details will be posted on our website at www.mocogenso.org.

17 October 2009
Louisville, Kentucky - 8:30 - 4:00. The Louisville Genealogical Society's annual Family History Seminar and Book Fair will feature George G. Morgan as presenter of four lectures: Bring 'em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestral Profile; State-Land States & Federal-Land States: Researching U.S. Land Records; The U.S. Naturalization Process and Documents: 1790-1954; and Using the HeritageQuest Databases. One-on-One Free Consultations with an expert genealogist will be offered. The Vendor Hall will include exhibits and information from local libraries, archives and other organizations. Eight (8) One-Hour Free Classes will be held throughout the day. For location, a printable registration form, and more information visit the society's website: www.rootsweb.com/~kylgs

17 October 2009
Montgomery, AL - The Alabama Genealogical Society's Fall Seminar "CSI: Collecting, Selecting, Identifying Your Ancestors" will be held on Saturday, 17 October 2009, at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama. J.Mark Lowe, professional genealogist, author, and lecturer, will be the speaker. Mr. Lowe will cover Researching on the Internet, Land Barons or Dirt Farmers, and Finding Your Landless Ancestors. See http://www.algensoc.org/main/seminars.html for registration form and more information or e-mail .

24 October 2009
Bowie, MD - The Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society's (MAGS) annual Spring Seminar will be held on Saturday, October 24th, at the Comfort Inn and Conference Center in Bowie, Maryland. The seminar begins with registration and vendors at 8:30 a.m. and presentations from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The guest speakers will be Thomas Jones, Ph.D. and Gary Ruppert, MD.

Dr. Jones is co-editor of National Genealogical Society Quarterly, board member of Association of Professional Genealogists, and a former trustee and past-president of Board for Certification of Genealogists. With over forty years of research and teaching experience, he frequently lectures, teaches, and writes about genealogical research methodology, His interests include “blocked” lineages and genealogical problem solving.

Registration is $45 for MAGS members and $50 for non-members. Lunch is included. Registration forms may be obtained by e-mailing or by calling Diane Kuster at 252-373-1684. For program details/ registration flyer and vendor registratation information, visit http://www.magsgen.com/fallmeeting.html

24 October 2009
Pittsburgh, PA - Come to "Discover Your Roots, Discover Yourself: The Search for Lost Treasures," the North Hills Genealogists Fall Conference. In honor of Family History Month, the North Hills Genealogists [of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania] are hosting this conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, 24 October 2009 at Christ Episcopal Church, 5910 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. A great program features speakers Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, of Minnesota, and Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG, of Maryland. Lecture topics include church records, NUCMC and manuscript collections, tracing poor ancestors and immigrant families, writing the family history, and research in Washington, DC, from home. The conference will give attendees a unique opportunity to interact with these knowledgeable and personable speakers and provide a forum for attendees to get their questions answered. A continental breakfast, hot lunch, and door prizes are included in the registration fee of $50. An early bird discount of $45 is available until September 15. North Hills Genealogists members receive a $10 discount below these fees; become a 2009-2010 member for $15. Parking is free at the conference.

More information and a registration form may be found at http://www.northhillsgenealogists.org.
Credit card payment is accepted through the web site or mail to North Hills Genealogists, P.O. Box 304, Ingomar, PA 15127.

29-31 October 2009
Ft. Wayne, IN - The International Black Genealogy Summit takes place at Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. See details at http://www.blackgenealogysummit.com/


November 2009

4–6 November 2009
Albany, NY - The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society is sponsoring a three-day research trip to the New York State Archives and Library in Albany. Registrants will be provided with three days of assisted research at the Library and Archives, plus social events. The program fee, including the banquet, reception, and all other arrangements, is $110 for members, $150 for non-members. A special room rate has been arranged at the Crowne Plaza of $99 per night, single or double. Please call the hotel directly at 518-462-6611 and mention that you are attending the NYG&B program to get this rate. To register, please contact Lauren Maehrlein, , telephone 212-755-8532, ext. 36, or register online at www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org.

6–7 November 2009
San Antonio, TX - The Texas State Genealogical Society will present its 49th Annual Conference, "Genealogy with a Mission," in San Antonio, 6–7 November 2009 at the Colonnade Omni Hotel. The 2-day event will be co-hosted by the San Antonio Genealogical & Historical Society in celebration of their 50th year. Friday Sessions will feature Texas cultural genealogy sessions, Partner Society sessions, mini round table discussions and Lone Star APG Roadshow. Author David Bowles will speak at the Awards Banquet Friday evening. Featured Speaker Saturday will be Craig R. Scott, CG, whose topics will be Researching Colonial Wars, Colonial Land Records, Researching Your Mexican War Ancestor, and Treasury Records-Follow the Money.

Opportunities for research in San Antonio include the downtown public library, the DRT library on the Alamo grounds and the 16,000-volume San Antonio Genealogical and Historical Society Library.

For more information visit the TSGS web site at www.rootsweb.com/~txsgs or the SAG&HS site at www.rootsweb.com/~txsaghs2. Registration questions will be answered at or 903/539-5572.


21 November 2009
Nashville, TN - Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society and TN Historical Society 23rd Annual Seminar - - All day Seminar: AM Program "Is Ancestry.com Worth It?" presenter, Charles Sherrill, an experienced Genealogist, Archivist, and Director of the Brentwood Public Library. PM Program "Circuit Riders in Middle Tennessee" presenter, Mark Lowe, certified genealogist, captivating speaker. Meeting begins: 8:15 a.m. registration; 9:00 a.m. seminar begins; lunch at noon; 4:00 p.m. closing. Location is the Brentwood Public Library, off I-65, Exit 71. Please register with Brenta Davis, 300 Wheatfield Circle, Brentwood, TN 37221 or . Cost: $40 members, $45 non-members, deduct $5.00 if you are not having the lunch. DEADLINE REGISTRATION: Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.


April 2010

22–24 April 2010
Toledo, OH - The annual Ohio Genealogical Society conference, "Guiding Your Way Through the Past," will be held 22–24 April 2010 at the SeaGate Convention Centre in Toledo, Ohio. The event will feature national, state, and local speakers, workshops, and exhibits. Registration will begin fall 2009. For additional details and registration, visit the OGS web site at www.ogs.org or e-mail or phone (419)756-7294.

24 April 2010
Santa Rosa, CA - The Sonoma County Genealogical Society will hold a day-long seminar, 24 April 2010 in Santa Rosa, California, featuring Hank Jones, and Anthony Hoskins. For details see: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cascgs/Jones.htm

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To add your event to this calendar, please send an announcement to .

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Family Reunions

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29–30 August 2009
HARLOW - The Sgt. William HARLOW Family Association Annual Reunion will be held 29–30 August 2009 in Kingston and Plymouth, Massachusetts. On Saturday, 29 August from 2:00pm–4:00pm we will hold our annual business meeting at the Beal House 222 Main St. Kingston, Massachusetts. At 6:00pm the HARLOW cousins will gather for an evening meal at the Beal House followed by a lively fund-raising auction. On Sunday, 30 August we meet at our ancestral home, "Harlow Old Fort House" at 119 Sandwich St. Plymouth, MA for a church service at 10am followed by a group picture at 11:30am and a picnic lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs) at noon. We then have an afternoon program which includes a short business meeting, results of our silent auction, and ending with this year's guest speaker, Patrick Browne, Executive Director Duxbury Rural Historical Society. In case of inclement weather, we will move all of the Sunday's festivities to the Beal House in Kingston, Massachusetts.

For more information please visit http://www.harlowfamily.com/current_events.htm or e-mail Winfield Harlow at .

19-20 September
PHILLIPS-KNAPP - Summer is here, which means it is time to start thinking reunion. This year the Phillips-Knapp reunion falls the weekend of September 19-20. On Saturday the 19th we will have our traditional picnic at the park in Haverstraw, NY. For Sunday we have exciting new plans.

Research over the winter has revealed that Daniel, Eli and Gilbert Phillips were indeed born at Phillips Manor as some of us were told by our grandmothers. Eli gives this information in an affidavit he filed with his Revolutionary pension application. There is no evidence that they were part of the Phillips Family of the Manor, but could be shirt-tail relatives. They most likely lived northeast of the Manor, in a town now called Phillipsburg. We will continue to research this matter.

Our plans for reunion Sunday are to visit both the Phillips Manor Hall and the Phillips Farm, both of which are just across the river in Westchester County. We will eat lunch in a nearby restaurant, and get private tours of both locations. In addition, we will try to find a speaker who can tell us more about the Manor family and other Phillips families in the area. It should be both fun and educational. Try to arrange to join us!

For more info, visit the Phillips-Knapp website at http://phillipsknapp.tribalpages.com/ or contact Barbara de Mare at .

25-27 September 2009
TOWNE - The TOWNE Family Association, Inc. (TFA) is a not-for-profit educational genealogical organization founded in 1980. Members are the descendants of William and Joanna (Blessing) Towne who came to America from Great Yarmouth, England and settled in Salem, MA about 1635. The couple had eight children, and TFA includes descendants of both the male and female lines. The annual Towne Family Association Meeting will be held September 25-27, 2009 at the Best Western Wynwood Hotel and Suites, 580 US Hwy 1 Bypass, Portsmouth, NH 03801. (Tel) 603-436-7600. Hotel reservations must be made directly with the hotel.

For more information on the meeting, contact: Rev. Dr. Barry Cass, 20 Springfield Rd., Somers, CT 06071 or go to the Towne Family Association Website http://www.townefolk.com.

To register for the meeting, contact: Wilber Purvis, 2214 SW Spence St., Troutdale, OR 97060-3119 .

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To add your family reunion to this calendar, please send an announcement to

Planning your own family reunion? Read the popular book in the NGS Guide Series by Sandra McLean Clunies, CG: "A Family Affair." Visit the NGS Bookstore online at www.ngsgenealogy.org.

Family reunion planners can find lots of reunion planning info and can request a free copy of Reunions magazine at www.reunionsmag.com.

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About UpFront

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- About NGS

The National Genealogical Society is the indispensable resource for genealogists seeking excellence in publications, education offerings, research materials, and peer interaction with others that share the common bond of interest in the field of genealogy.

To learn more about the goals, publications, conferences, services, and member benefits of the National Genealogical Society, visit the NGS Web site: http://www.NGSgenealogy.org

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