by Lisa Cooke | Jan 20, 2020 | 01 What's New, Conferences
The Federation of Genealogists annual conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri on September 2 – 5, 2020. I’ll be there and I hope you will be too. Watch our #FGS2020 page here to learn more about my activities at #FGS2020.
If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to book your hotel reservation. Rooms can fill up very quickly.
Here are all the details from the press release from the folks at the Federation of Genealogical Societies.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE FGS 2020 CONFERENCE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
*1/11/2020** – Austin, TX*.
FGS is pleased to announce that hotel reservations are now open for the 2020 Conference to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Kansas City Marriott Downtown is now taking reservations for the 2020 FGS Family History Conference, “Blazing Trails in the Heart of America” The conference will be held September 2-5, 2020. This hotel is set in the heart of the downtown district and connects via walkway to the Kansas City Convention Center where the conference will be held.
FGS 2020 Conference room rates are available Saturday August 29, 2020 until Tuesday September 8, 2020 (subject to availability). Reservations must be made by August 3, 2020 to secure the conference rate.
Kansas City Marriott Downtown
200 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105
Full details and links for FGS discounted reservations can be found on the FGS website here.
Screen shot of FGS conference website.
Conference hotels fill up quickly, so it is not too early to make reservations. We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City!
About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation and access of records and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions.
FGS helps genealogical societies and family history enthusiasts alike to strengthen and grow through online resources, *FGS FORUM *magazine, and through its annual national conference which provides four days of excellent learning opportunities for both societies and family history enthusiasts.
FGS launched the Preserve the Pensions project in 2010 to raise more than $3 million to digitize and make freely available the pension files from the War of 1812. Fundraising was completed for that project in 2016 and the digitization continues. FGS was also the driving force behind the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors project alongside the National Parks Service.
by Lisa Cooke | Aug 22, 2019 | 01 What's New, Conferences
There’s big news regarding the two leading national genealogical organizations in the United States. I’ve got the press release from the Federation of Genealogical Societies here, as well as comments from FamilySearch.
NGS and FGS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE
August 21, 2019 – Washington, D.C.
In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced today their intent to merge.
The two organizations, both non-profit leaders in the dynamic genealogy industry, will form one consolidated group that will continue to operate as the National Genealogical Society. Both boards approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week, and jointly announced the news at the Opening Session of the FGS Family History Conference in Washington, D.C. this morning.
Leaders of both organizations believe this merger will serve the genealogy community by improving support of both individual members and societies in the pursuit of genealogical excellence.
The organizational structure of NGS will be modified to increase functions that support genealogical societies and family organizations.
NGS Annual Conference
Digitization projects of genealogical importance such as the War of 1812 pensions will continue.
The two organizations will continue to operate independently while all details of the merger are completed, no later than October 1, 2020.
Faye Stallings, President of FGS, said: “We are excited about this opportunity to combine with a premier organization that has been in operation since 1903. This will allow for improved and expanded services to help support societies.”
Ben Spratling, President of the NGS, commented, “We look forward to continuing the strong legacy of FGS as a ‘gathering point’ for family historians and societies all across the nation.”
According to FamiySearch, “this significant, historical move will consolidate these two great, influential organizations in the genealogy industry, into one with greater capacity to serve the genealogy community. You can read more about it in their press release published in concert with the opening session of the FGS Conference today in Washington, D.C.”
David Rencher, FamilySearch CGO, said “this is a significant move forward for both organizations. FGS has wanted to better serve individuals, and NGS has been seeking ways to better serve societies. Combining their efforts is a win/win for all genealogists at the local, state and international levels. FamilySearch is thrilled with the leadership of both organizations coming together to better serve all genealogists and family historians.”
Podcasting at the Genealogy Gems booth at the FGS 2018 conference
About FGS: FGS was founded in 1976 and empowers the genealogical and family history community, especially its societies and organizations, by advocating for the preservation of records and providing resources that enable genealogical organizations to succeed in pursuing their missions.
FGS launched the Preserve the Pensions project in 2010 and raised more than $3 million to digitize and make freely available the pension files from the War of 1812. Fundraising was completed for that project in 2016 and the digitization continues.
FGS was also the driving force behind the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors project alongside the National Parks Service.
by Lisa Cooke | Jul 15, 2017 | 01 What's New, Societies
The FGS Webinar Series on Society Management has just been announced and it’s starting soon. This new free webinar series is focused on the leadership and management of non-profit societies. If you belong to a genealogical society you’ll want to let your leadership know about this opportunity from the The Federation of Genealogical Societies. Read on for more from FGS.
FGS Webinar Series Details
Press Release: July 12, 2017 – Austin, TX.
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announces the launch of their Society Management webinar series, scheduled to begin July 20, 2017. This series of free events will bring a much-needed aspect to the array of learning opportunities currently provided in the genealogical community, focusing solely on the leadership and management of non-profit societies.
The series will begin July 20, 2017 at 7:00pm central with a presentation by Fred Moss discussing The Open Death Records Initiative. The August session will feature David Rencher, CG, presenting on the best practices – and challenges – surrounding The Nominating Committee.
Each month thereafter will feature a new and interesting topic, ranging from recruitment and volunteer management to technology, publications, and working with your local tourism board. Registration will be necessary, and regular updates will be shared via the FGS Voice blog, FGS Voice Newsletter, and social media. Webinars will occur every 3rd Thursday of the month.
Registration for the July program can be found here.
Speakers interested in presenting topics should contact Jen Baldwin, Education Chair, at education@fgs.org.
More Support for Genealogical Societies
Finding affordable quality programming is probably one of the biggest challenges genealogy societies face.
Genealogy Gems for Societies is an annual premium subscription service just for genealogical societies and groups* (such as libraries). This is a cost-effective way for your group to provide quality family history video presentations by internationally-renowned speaker Lisa Louise Cooke at your regular meetings.
With a society subscription, your group may show video recordings of Lisa’s most popular classes! This applies to group presentations for a single location, one video per event–but with more than a dozen 50-60 minute videos, several more 25-30 minute videos and a growing number of quick video tips (4-15 minutes), you’ll have plenty of video classes to show all year long! Click here to see a full list of videos available to societies. (Videos are not for individual use by society members.)
In addition, society subscribers receive:
- Permission to republish articles from our extensive article archive in your society newsletter (your editor will LOVE this feature!)
- 10% discount for your society on live seminars by Lisa Louise Cooke
- 10% discount code for your society members to use in the Genealogy Gems Store (details will be sent to your society membership email address after purchase)
- BONUS: exclusive digital PDF ebook of a collection of Lisa’s most popular articles from Family Tree Magazine! Share this in the members-only section of your group’s website (or if you don’t have a members-only section, your Programming Director may keep it and enjoy).
All of this costs only $199.00 a year—about the cost of one typical webinar! Click here for more details and ordering information.
Please support your local genealogical society or group by sharing this post with them by email or social media. Thank you! You’re a Gem.
by | Dec 7, 2015 | Societies, Volunteer
Congratulations to these genealogy volunteers, who have been elected as board members for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. If your own society could use a boost, keep reading!
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) recently elected volunteer board members who will start a new term on January 1, 2016. FGS is an organization that links the genealogical community by helping societies and researchers strengthen and grow through online resources, FGS FORUM magazine, and its annual national 4-day conference.
FGS President D. Joshua Taylor says, “I am looking forward to welcoming these old and new faces to the FGS Leadership team. FGS would not be able to fulfill its mission without its terrific volunteers who give so much of their time and energy to the organization.” The lineup of new and re-elected FGS officers and directors is:
- Ed Donakey (Utah) — Vice-President of Development
- Janice A. Fritisch (Illinois) — Director
- Caroline M. Pointer (Texas) — Vice-President of Membership
- Shellee A. Moorehead (Rhode Island) — Treasurer
- Richard L. Cassell (Washington) — Director
- Mark Olsen (Utah) — Director
- Cari A. Taplin (Texas) — Director
FGS recently partnered with us here at Genealogy Gems to share our new Genealogy Gems for Societies memberships. Genealogy Gems for Societies provides societies with top-quality, affordable programming, and newsletter content. For a full year, member societies receive a license to show any or all of Lisa’s Premium videos at their society meetings. They have permission to reprint content from more than 1000 articles from our website in their newsletters, too!
Genealogy Gems for Societies gives society volunteers much-needed support to help them attract and retain members. Other benefits apply, too–and FGS member societies get a discount! Click here to learn more about Genealogy Gems for Societies.
by Lisa Cooke | Jan 20, 2015 | 01 What's New, Conferences, RootsTech, Travel
Back by popular demand! After fabulous response last year, Genealogy Gems will once again be sponsoring “Outside the Box Sessions,” a series of FREE mini-presentations at Booths 1240 & 1242 at RootsTech 2015.
Our popular sessions help you think outside the box (and have fun and get free swag while you’re at it). Lisa’s sessions will include:
- Tech Tips for Newspaper Research (Thursday at 12:00);
- How to Use Google Earth for Genealogy (Thursday at 4:00);
- Google for Genealogy: What’s NEW! (Friday at 11:30 and Saturday at 2:00);
- Google Strategies for Common Surnames (Friday at 12:00);
- Win Prizes! Google Earth Genealogy Game Show (Friday from 5:30-6:30-perfect “Happy Hour!” activity);
- iPad Tips and Tricks (Saturday at 10:00);
- Evernote Tips and Tricks (Saturday at 12:30).
FREE EBOOK: Attend any session and receive our free ebook of handouts for all sessions!
Click here for the full schedule and the Grand Prize entry form (which also gets you the FREE Outside the Box e-book with all session handouts). Drop this entry by Booth #1242 and say hello!
Lisa will also be signing copies of her brand new book The Genealogist’s Google Toolbox Second Edition!
We are again partnering with The Photo Detective Maureen Taylor and Janet Hovorka (author of Zap the Grandma Gap), and Family Tree Magazine.
Here’s a look at the fun we had at NGS last year:
By the way, our RootsTech partner Family ChartMasters is celebrating the release of its NEW pocket guide, The Chart Chick Insider’s Guide to Salt Lake City: Everything A Genealogist Needs to Know Outside the Library. Click here to get a FREE pdf travel guide to Salt Lake City and, if you like, order the book for only $9.95 (pre-order for pickup at RootsTech and pay no shipping, or add on $5 to have it sent to you).
