Discovering Family Treasures

Welcome to the fourth New England Regional Genealogical Conference 2009 E-zine! Between now and April 2009, we’ll be providing updates on the Tenth New England Regional Genealogical Conference through periodic E-zines like this one. Please share them with your friends and associates – and anyone else you feel may be interested in attending the Conference.

ABOUT NERGC 2009

The New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Inc. (NERGC) invites you to join us at our tenth genealogical conference — Discovering Family Treasures -- at the Radisson Hotel Manchester and adjoining Expo Center of New Hampshire, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire. Parking is available for both the convention center attendees and hotel guests at a discounted rate.

NERGC 2009 will help bring together genealogists and family historians from a variety of backgrounds. Whether you are just beginning the search for your family, are already an advanced researcher, or perhaps even a professional genealogist, the NERGC 2009 conference will provide you with an ideal opportunity to advance your knowledge and research skills.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR NERGC 2009

The full Conference Registration Brochure is now available in PDF format on the NERGC Web page, www.NERGC.org.

Print out or bookmark the brochure and start planning your conference experience today. Half the fun of planning for the conference is choosing the programs that you’ll attend. Read the biographies of the conference speakers to gain insight into their experience. Ready your questions for the experts - those presenting programs or those available at the Ancestor Road Show. Early preparation will make this a truly enjoyable experience.

Then, either

Fill out the Registration Form on page 12 of the brochure and mail it with your check to the address at the bottom of the form

Use our new Online Registration service. You'll be guided through five screens to register for the conference. (Please use a separate registration for each person attending the conference. If you have a companion who wishes to join you for meals only, you will be able to order additional meals within your registration.)

If you prefer, you can still obtain and use a traditional printed Conference Registration Brochure. Brochures have been distributed to Participating Societies and to many local libraries, museums, senior centers.

HOTEL INFORMATION FOR NERGC 2009

Located in downtown Manchester, close to entertainment and tax-free shopping the Radisson Hotel Manchester offers warm hospitality and an inviting atmosphere. They are a full-service hotel offering room service, business services, and complimentary airport transportation.

When making reservations online, be sure to enter the group code below to get the special NERGC rate. For making reservations via telephone, please call Radisson Reservations at the above telephone number and indicate to the representative that you are with the New England Regional Genealogical Conference.

The Radisson Hotel Manchester

Telephone: 603-206-4109
Toll Free: 1-800-333-3333
Fax: 603-206-4206
Rate: $127+ single/double/triple/quad
Check-in: after 3:00 P.M.
Check-out: by 11:00 A.M.
Hotel website: www.radisson.com/manchesternh
Group Code: NERGC

A "WALK" THROUGH THE FRENCH-CANADIAN TRACK

Program Co-Chairs Barbara Mathews and Christine Sweet-Hart have an exciting program planned. Some 54 speakers, led by featured speakers James Hansen, FASG; Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG; and Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, will provide 80 lecture sessions devoted to a wide range of topics.

Here’s a “walk” through the Conference showing what the schedule might look like for those with an interest in French Canadian genealogy:

Wed. 10:00-12:00 Accent Your Research – Discover Treasures at the American-Canadian Genealogical Society, $25
Wed. 12:00-2:00 Lunch on your own
Wed. 2:00-4:00 Accent Your Research – Discover Treasures at the American-Canadian Genealogical Society, 25

Thurs. 11:00-12:00 Lunch on your own
Thurs. 12:00-1:15 Opening Session
Thurs. 1:30-2:30 The Mythical Trunk in the Attic – Ed Strickland, sponsored by the Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor
Thurs. 2:45-3:45 Grandma’s Obituary Box: Obituaries and their Role in American Culture and History – Pam Eagleson, sponsored by the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists
Thurs. 4:00-5:00 Your Search in the Bottom Left-Hand Dresser Drawer – Barry Elwell
Thurs. 5:15-7:00 Society Fair
6:00-7:30 Exhibit Hall Opening
Thurs. 7:30-9:00 Special Interest Groups: French-Canadian Research, Patty Locke. Discuss French Canadian culture and history and learn about available resources and some tips to help you find your ancestors. Enjoy some French Canadian music and light refreshments during the informal discussion period.

Fri. 8:30-9:30 Discovering Family Treasures in Quebec: What You Need to Know– Sylvie Tremblay, sponsored by American Canadian Genealogical Society
Fri. 10:00-11:00 Beginning Acadian Research – Jessica Hacken
Fri. 11:00-12:00 Unopposed Exhibitor Time
Fri. 12:00-1:30 Lunch on your own or through NERGC
Fri. 1:45-2:45 French-Canadian/Native American Connections – Patty Vigeant Locke, sponsored by the American French Genealogical Society
Fri. 3:15-4:15 How to Tell if Your French-Canadian Ancestors Include Acadians – George Findlen
Fri. 4:45-5:45 Wandering (Canadian) Frenchmen: Tracing the Voyageurs Back to Canada – James Hansen
Fri. 7:00-whenever, Banquet, “Win Some, Lose Some”

Sat. 8:30-9:30 What’s New at Footnote.com – Beau Sharbrough
Sat. 10:00-11:00 They Served: March and Sail Away with Your Ancestor in Federal Documents – Connie Reik
Sat. 11:00-12:00 Unopposed Exhibitor Time
Sat. 12:00-1:30 Lunch on your own or through NERGC
Sat. 1:45-2:45 It Took A Village – Jane Johnson
Sat. 3:15-4:15 More than Scraps and Paste: Scrapbooks and Family History – Maureen Taylor
Sat. 4:45-5:45 Gresses des Notaires: Researching in Quebec’s Notarial Records – Michael Leclerc
Sat. 7:00-whenever, Banquet, “Mini-Film Festival”

We’ll bring you additional “walks” in future E-zines.

LIBRARIANS AND TEACHERS DAY

NERGC 2009 is pleased to offer a special program for librarians and teachers. The event will be held on Thursday, 23 April 2009, at the Radisson Hotel Manchester. Attendees will hear several excellent speakers who will help to enhance their knowledge of genealogical resources and applications. All librarians and teachers who work with family history patrons or genealogy-related research materials will benefit from this special event. The cost is $35.00 per person and includes lunch compliments of ProQuest.

WHAT TREASURES ARE YOU "NUTS" ABOUT?

One of the Hospitality co-chairs is “nuts” about collecting business cards, so she's sure to sneak away from the Conference for some time on Commercial Street and in the Millyard. What are you “nuts” about? Whatever it is, the area around the Conference facilities offers plenty of “treasures” for NERGC attendees and guests.

Many will especially enjoy the offerings that can be found in the historic Amoskeag Millyard District, which is located [fairly] near the conference, from Elm Street to the area between Commercial Street and the beautiful Merrimack River (as well as on the other side of the river). For those who're in need of fresh air, exercise, a drive, or even just a break from the conference can venture over to this area that was once home to the Amoskeag Mills. Once considered the greatest mill complex in all of North America, the buildings in this district now house some artists colonies, restaurants, breweries, museums, technology companies, and a branch of the University of New Hampshire.

The Manchester Historical Association Millyard Museum is housed in Mill #3 at the corner of Commercial & Pleasant Streets. It will be open to the public with paid admission from 10-4, Wed-Sat. (The fee is also good for their Research Center Library on Amherst St. off Elm.) Also in Mill #3 on the fourth floor is the SEE Science Center, an interactive learning center for science, math and technology open daily, 10-4.

For a real treasure, don't miss going to Arms Park and the Riverwalk, a very scenic viewing area along this side of the Merrimack. Farther beyond there, those that are interested could visit the Amoskeag Fishways Learning & Visitors Center. Or turn back and travel in the other direction and you'll come to the Merchants Auto Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats minor league baseball team. They have home games scheduled evenings at the time of the Conference.

Information for these and many other places will be available on the Hospitality table. If you're “nuts” about planning in advance, check out:

www.manchesterhistoric.org
www.nhfishercats.com
www.amoskeagfishways.org

And to discover more about our host city, check out

www.manchestercvb.com
www.manchester-chamber.org
www.gmdeg.com
www.newhampshire.com
or do a GOOGLE search.

ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW

Over 36 professional genealogists will be participating in the 2009 ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW. In the E-zine 2 we spotlighted NERGC’s 2009 three featured speakers who will be spending an hour at the ROAD SHOW. In the next few E-zines we will spotlight some of the other consultants and their areas of expertise. As you consider areas of your research where you might need some help think about participating in the ROAD SHOW and talking with one of many volunteer professional genealogists. A list of all consultants will be posted by January on the Ancestors Road Show section of the conference website.

ROAD SHOW VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

George Findlen, CG specializes in the blended Acadian/French-Canadian families of Eastern Quebec, the Maritime Provinces and New England. He is familiar with the French Canadian language, has published several articles and will be giving two lectures during the conference.

Diane Gravel, CG focuses on New Hampshire research. She is co-editor of New Hampshire Families in 1790, vice-president of the New Hampshire Society of Genealogists, and president of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She will be lecturing on New Hampshire research.

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG will be available to answer questions concerning Pennsylvania research, Italian-Americans, genealogical computing, methodology, and land records. She is the Professional Genealogy course coordinator at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, author of numerous articles and co-editor of cemetery recording books.

EXHIBIT HALL UPDATE

Tom Wilber and I would like to introduce you to our current list of exhibitors. As you can see, there will be many exhibitors you will want to visit. Please plan to spend some time in the Exhibit Hall. Not only is it fun and interesting to see what's available, many exhibitors are a wealth of knowledge in their specialized areas. We still have a few great spots left, so if you know of anyone that might be interested in exhibiting at the conference please let them know.

New England Historic Genealogical Society
Godfrey Memorial Library
Jonathan Sheppard Books
American French Genealogical Society
Photo Detective
Just Black & White
Massachusetts Genealogical Council
NHSOG
New England Chapter of APG
American-Canadian Genealogical Society
Board for Certification of Genealogists
Paul J. Bunnell
The Gravestone Girls
Rhode Island Genealogical Society
Maine Genealogical Society
Connecticut Professional Genealogists Council
Genealogical Society of Vermont
Connecticut Society of Genealogists, Inc
Polish Genealogical Society of CT & the NE
Descendants of the Founders of Ancient Windsor
Friends of National Archives, Pittsfield
Connecticut Ancestry Society, Inc.
Creative Memories
Heritage Makers
Historic Deerfield, Inc

To reserve a booth, contact David Mishkin, photos@maine.com, or Tom Wilber, twilber140@msn.com, for an information package.

See you in Manchester,
David Mishkin, Exhibitor Co-Chair

COME TO THE FAIR

Come ye to the fair - the Society Fair!! If you are a member or officer of a genealogical society, historical society, or family association, and you would like to get some FREE notice for your group, you should consider joining about 20 other like organizations at the NERGC 2009 Society Fair. This is especially true for groups within 100 miles of Manchester, NH. Your group will have a table, signage and exposure to all the attendees at the 2009 NERGC conference in a social situation just prior to the opening of the trade show. Exact hours are 5 -7PM, Thursday April 23, 2009. This is a great opportunity to find new members and spread the news about your organization. Organizations exhibiting in the trade show are not eligible for the Fair. For more information or to reserve your table, contact Ralph Wadleigh at whplar@comcast.net.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

VOLUNTEERS are a NERGC Family Treasure – please sign up for one or more hours volunteering during the conference. We will need help in many different areas each day of the conference, from helping at the registration table to handing out evals after each session. Assignments will be honored on a first come first serve basis so sign up now I will e-mail a list of choices. You don’t have to be attending to volunteer, so if you are bring a spouse or friend along for the ride please ask if they will help out as well. For each hour volunteered, you will receive a raffle ticket for daily raffles. SPECIFIC VOLUNTEER Need - Looking for a A/V volunteer with general knowledge of computers, LCD projectors, and general A/V is recommended. Please e-mail Volunteer Chair Christine Bard at bardc@comcast.net with your contact info.

A REMINDER ABOUT SYLLABUS ADVERTISING

A copy of the syllabus, which will be given to each of the 800 expected attendees, is a great way to get your information directly into the hands of people who are most likely to take advantage of it! The deadline for submitting advertising is January 3, 2009, but don’t delay – space will be selling fast. For a rate schedule, details about payment, and instructions for preparing your camera-ready advertisement, contact Advertising Chair Jan Burkhardt, misskoko@aol.com

CONFERENCE BLOG

Keep up to date with breaking news about the many special events and conference activities that are planned. Find out more information about the lectures, speakers, exhibitors, hotel, research facilities, and the City of Manchester. Check out the Blog at www.nergc2009.blogspot.com to get the most out of the conference.

ABOUT THIS E-ZINE
This E-zine is sent to you at your request or because of your involvement in NERGC 2007. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for items to appear in future issues. Please send them to Richard Roberts, at Rroberts1861@Charter.net.

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