Discovering Family Treasures

Welcome to the fifth 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. For breaking Conference news, check out the Conference Blog.

REGISTER NOW FOR NERGC 2009

The tenth New England Regional Genealogical Conference -- Discovering Family Treasures -- is still five months away, but Conference Tri-Chair Melinde Sanborn reports that genealogists and family historians from a variety of backgrounds are beginning to register for the conference, its meals, and its workshops at a great rate, and librarians and teachers are signing up for the special Librarians/Teachers Day.

A reminder that to qualify for the "Early Bird" Full Conference rate of $110, your registration must be received or postmarked by February 28, 2009. After that, the price goes up to $135. Don’t delay! Register today!

The Conference Registration Brochure is now available in PDF format on the NERGC Web page, www.NERGC.org. Print out or bookmark the brochure and plan your conference 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

Take advantage of 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.

RESERVE YOUR NERGC 2009 HOTEL ROOM ASAP!

Our Conference hotel, The Radisson Hotel Manchester is now more than ¾ full, and it’s only November. Don’t be disappointed by missing out on the camaraderie and atmosphere of being with your fellow genealogists at the Conference hotel as many NERGC attendees were in Hartford in 2007 and Portland in 2005. Make your hotel reservation now!

When making reservations online, be sure to enter the group code below to get the special NERGC rate. If making reservations via telephone, please call Radisson Reservations at the telephone number below 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 AFRICAN-AMERICAN 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 African-American genealogy:

Thurs. 11:00-12:00 Lunch on your own
Thurs. 12:00-1:15 Opening Session
Thurs. 1:30-2:30 Early African-American Communities in New England – Marian Pierre-Louis
Thurs. 2:45-3:45 The Great Migration: Goin’ to the Promise Land – Chicago – Eric Smith
Thurs. 4:00-5:00 Your Search in the Bottom Left-Hand Dresser Drawer – Barry Elwell
Thurs. 5:15-7:00 Society Fair
Thurs. 6:00-7:30 Exhibit Hall Opening
Thurs. 7:30-9:00 Special Interest Groups

Fri. 8:30-9:30 Poor, Black, and Landless in New England – Marian Pierre-Louis
Fri. 10:00-11:00Reverse Genealogy: Finding the Living – Megan Smolenyak
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 Finding Ancestors in the Guion Miller Roll of Eastern Cherokee – Charles Martin
Fri. 3:15-4:15 Researching Genealogy Across the Color Line – Eric Smith
Fri. 4:45-5:45 CHOICE: Black, White, and In-Between: Racial Classification in the Federal Census – Helen Shaw OR Discovering my Black Loyalist and Multicultural Canadian Ancestry – Leona Martin
Fri. 7:00-whenever, Banquet, “Win Some, Lose Some” -- James Hansen

Sat. 8:30-9:30 CHOICE: Trace Your Roots with DNA – Megan Smolenyak OR What’s New at Footnote.com – Beau Sharbrough
Sat. 10:00-11:00 Why Not Knowing History Can Derail your Research: The Florence Virginia Jenkins Story – Lucie Lewis
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 Planning Your Genealogical Treasure Trip Without Spending Too Much! – Ralph Wadleigh, sponsored by the Falmouth Genealogical Society
Sat. 4:45-5:45 The Black Family During the Reconstruction Period, 1865-1877 – Eric Smith
Sat. 7:00-whenever, Banquet “Mini-Film Festival” -- Megan Smolenyak

Sun. 8:00 – 10:30 New Beginnings Reception and Closing Ceremony: A reception to thank all of our registrants and speakers for another fantastic conference. Done “Olympics Closing Ceremony” style, so that everyone can mingle and celebrate new-found friendships.

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

ENJOY A SPECIAL HOSTED LUNCHEON

The small, informal hosted luncheons, a popular feature of NERGC 2005 in Portland are back! On Friday, you can enjoy Caesar Salad, Caribbean Chicken, and Apple Strudel while chatting with Thomas W. Jones, James Hansen, Meldon Wolfgang, or Daniel Lynch. Or, on Saturday the same menu is available with Megan Smolenyak, Colleen Fitzpatrick, D. Joshua Taylor, or Marcia Melnyk as your host.

Regular luncheons -- Garden Fresh Salad, Caribbean Chicken, and Chocolate Mousse on Friday and Caesar Salad, London Broil, and Boston Crème Pie on Saturday -- are also available.

See the “Social Activities” section of your Conference Registration Form to reserve your spot at one of these lunches.

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.

Attendees of Librarians and Teachers Day may attend the remainder of the full conference for an additional $75.00. See page 12 of the registration brochure.

FIRST TIME AT A CONFERENCE?

Will NERGC Manchester be the first large genealogical conference you’ve attended? Don’t be concerned. Tom Howard will hold a “First Timers” session on Thursday night from 7:00-7:30 p.m. He’ll have many helpful suggestions for getting the most out of the Conference -- and making sure you want to come back for the next one!

ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW

Does your research need a jump start? Are you just beginning and don’t know where to start? Do you need help reading and analyzing an old document? Having someone with experience and expertise analyze your work might provide you with a new perspective, new direction, or new ideas for advancing your research or solving a problem. In E-zine 2 we spotlighted NERGC’s 2009 three featured speakers, who will each be spending an hour providing one-on-one research advice at the ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW. In E-zine 4, we spotlighted 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!

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Are you looking for a way to link up with a group of people who have similar research interests to share ideas and solutions with? Wouldn’t it be even better to have a group leader to lead the discussion and provide some expertise? If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, then Special Interest Groups - informal mini-gatherings on a wide range of subjects - might be just the thing for you. These groups are held on the first night of the Conference — Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. They provide a unique opportunity to ask questions and share ideas in a format not available anywhere else.

If you are interested in hosting a Special Interest Group on Thursday evening please contact Leslie Huber.

These are the Special Interest Groups, their hosts, and a brief description, where available, that have been organized so far:

Scandinavian Research hosted by Kay Sheldon

Do you have Swedish or other Scandinavians in your family? Come join the groups as we discuss our common problems and maybe have some solutions.

DNA Research by Colleen Fitzpatrick

Having trouble spelling DNA? You are not alone! Whatever your level of experience, this session will give you new insight into the exciting world of genetic genealogy. Come spend the evening with Colleen Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. (author of Forsenic Genealogy and DNA & Genealogy) asking questions and brainstorming on creative ways to squeeze genealogy out of DNA.

Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Database hosted by Cherry Bamberg

Learn how to unlock the information on 425,000 early gravestone inscriptions in Rhode Island. Computer demonstration, background, and opportunity to search for your own ancestors.

French Canadian Research by Patty Locke

Come discuss French Canadian genealogy. We will discuss available resources and go over some tips to help you find your ancestors. We will also discuss French Canadian culture and history. Enjoy some French Canadian music during our discussion period. Some light refreshments will be served.

Italian Research hosted by Marcia Iannizzi Melnyk

Do you have Italian ancestors? Italian genealogical research has exploded in the last 15 years. The resources available to today's family historian will amaze you. Bring along your research, problem ancestors, and questions about Italian records and hopefully we will be able to give you new avenues and sources to further your family tree in Italy and the US.

Becoming a Professional Genealogist by Elisa Scalise Powell

Be sure to check the Conference web site www.nergc.org often for updates to this list.

EXHIBIT HALL UPDATE

The list of exhibitors continues to grow and has been posted to the NERGC web page along with a floor plan of the Exhibit Hall. As you can see, there will be many exhibitors you’ll 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 have a wealth of knowledge in their specialized areas.

We still have great spots left, so if you know of anyone that might be interested in exhibiting at the conference please let them know. To reserve a booth, contact David Mishkin or Tom Wilber for an information package.

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

SOCIETY FAIR NEWS

Twenty organizations have already reserved space in the 2009 Society Fair. BUT, it's not too late for your family association, genealogical or historical society to join in the fun. Your group will have the opportunity to meet lots of likeminded folks who are potential members. This is especially true for groups based in northern MA, NH, VT or southern ME. Don't miss out on this great chance to spread the word about your organization. The Fair opens at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, April 23, 2009 and runs for two hours just as the Exhibit Hall opens. There will be lots of people on site. It's free and fun. To reserve a table and get further information, email Ralph Wadleigh.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

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 working the Hospitality Table to collecting meal tickets. Volunteer requests will be honored on a first come first serve basis, so sign up now. For each hour volunteered you will receive a raffle ticket for daily raffles. If you register for the conference and volunteer by December 5 you will receive double raffle tickets (don’t worry if you already signed up to volunteer as long as you register by the deadline you will receive the double raffle tickets). If you are bringing a spouse or friend along for the ride, please ask if they will help out as well they don’t have to be registered for the Conference to volunteer for non-session volunteer opportunities. If you are registered by December 5 and bring a non-registered volunteer, they receive triple raffle tickets.

Volunteer Chair Christine Bard.

SYLLABUS ADVERTISING DEADLINE IS JANUARY 3

Each of the 800 anticipated Conference attendees will receive a copy of the syllabus. This is a great way to get information about genealogical organizations, products, and services directly into the hands of people who will take advantage of it! The deadline for submitting advertising is January 3, 2009, but don’t delay – space is selling fast. For a rate schedule, details about payment, and instructions for preparing your camera-ready advertisement, contact Advertising Chair Jan Burkhardt.

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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© 2008 New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Inc.

Hartford 2007 ~ Portland 2005 ~ Society Information ~ NERGC Volunteer Award ~ Bylaws