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 | Apr 26, 2014 | 01 What's New, Conferences
You know how it is – you head to a big conference, and you end up running for one 1 hour session to the next. Wouldn’t it be nice to sit for just a 1/2 hour, take in some really usable tips, and still have time to stretch and walk the exhibit hall and really see the displays?
It’s easy to get stuck in the “genealogy” box (both in our research strategies and our conferences), so this year we’re going to shake things up.
At the National Genealogical Society (NGS) conference 2014 you will have a chance to get outside of that box, and enjoy 30 minute sessions on the topics you’ve told me you want most at my booth in the exhibit hall.
I’m excited to announce that I’ve teamed up with The Photo Detective Maureen Taylor, and the Chart Chick Janet Hovorka to offer “Outside the Box Sessions!”
As presenters we don’t get to have the final say on which of our presentations is selected for the main conference, so it’s really exciting to have this unique way of offering the topics you ask us for. It’s a smaller intimate setting, and the sessions will be packed with tips you can start using right away. Participants can sign up to receive a free ebook of all the sessions handouts, we’ll have great prizes, and we will even have some treats to nibble on. I am really excited about this, and I think you’ll find it refreshing, fun and informative.
I’ll be holding four sessions – one each day of the conference:
- Ancestral Time Travel with Google Earth
- Evernote Quick Tips for Genealogists
- Tablet Tips and Tricks for Genealogists
- Google Search Strategies
And, my dear friends Maureen and Janet will join me and present some of their most popular topics too! All in all, you’ll have eleven ½ hour sessions to choose from to reinvigorate your genealogy research.
If you want to get outside the box, come hang out with us, get the ebook, nibble on some treats and break away from the crowd!
Outside the Box Session Schedule:
by Lisa Cooke | Jun 4, 2013 | 01 What's New, Conferences
Mark your calendars: The National Genealogical Society (U.S) has announced that next year’s Family History Conference will be at the Greater Richmond Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Richmond, Virginia from May 7 -10.
The theme for the 2014 conference is “Virginia: The First Frontier,” so you can expect to see plenty of “Old Dominion” records and history. But conference planners promise more than 150 lectures that will include “migration into, within, and out of the region down the Great Wagon Road, over the Appalachian Mountains, and across the south to Texas and beyond.” Plan to learn about the “history, records, repositories, and ethnic and religious groups in Virginia and the neighboring states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The program will also feature broader genealogical categories including military and other federal records, the law as it relates to genealogy, methodology, analysis, and problem solving. There will also be an emphasis on the use of technology (GenTech) in genealogical research including genetics, mobile devices, and apps.”
If you plan to go, get your hotel reservation in early–reservations are already being accepted, though actual conference registration doesn’t open until December 1. Check out hotel information and sign up for the NGS Conference Blog so you can keep up-to-date on news and announcements.
