Show Me the Nation's Records -- A Great Success

Can you believe it? NGS 2008 - Show Me the Nation's Records is over already. The conference was a great success with interesting sessions, the latest genealogical products on display at the vendor booths and stimulating speakers at the luncheons and banquet. The Mid-Continent Genealogy Center and Ancestry both hosted wonderful receptions too.

There were approximately 1600 attendees, hundreds of vendor exhibits and sessions covering topics such as researching your German ancestors, using maps in genealogical research, various sessions on military research, an entire day on using DNA in genealogy and a Board for Certification of Genealogists Skillbuilding track that covered citing sources, preparing kinship determinations, making research plans, indexing, writing, abstracting records and applying genealogical standards.

We hope everyone made it home safely and that you are already making plans to attend next year's NGS Conference which will be held in Raleigh, NC. The dates for next year's conference are May 13-16.

Thanks to all who made the 2008 NGS Conference a GREAT SUCCESS!!

Last Blog --- Conference Starts Tomorrow!!

It is finally here -----Hope to see you at the 2008 NGS Conference in Kansas City: Show Me the Nation's Records!!

Have a safe trip.

Have fun.

Learn lots.

Visit with old friends and make new ones!!

Signing off for 2008!

Conference Tip #5: Bring some cash for odds and ends

Carry plenty of $1 bills. It’s customary to tip the baggage handlers at the airport, the taxi or shuttle bus driver, the doorman, and the bellman – and that’s all before you get to your room!

Also remember to bring some smaller currency for purchases at vendor exhibits. They may not be able or willing to use all their extra currency to make change for smaller purchases. If you are planning to do research while in Kansas City you will also want to bring coins and small bills for making photocopies.

If you plan to make purchases make sure to have room in luggage to take it home with you. An extra suitcase or tote bag may come in handy.

Conference Tip #4: Leave itinerary and contact information with family / friends

Prepare an itinerary with contact numbers and major locations where you will be staying to leave with your family or loved ones. They may need to get in touch with you for some reason.

Conference Tip #3: Bring an umbrella and light jacket

This spring in Kansas City has been cool and wet. It would be a good idea to bring a small umbrella. Hopefully you won’t need it, but if you don’t have one, it’s a “sure thing” it will rain.

Also, a lightweight jacket is advisable if you plan to be going out in the evenings.

Conference Attendees to be Welcomed by Special Guest

Harry S. Truman, portrayed by local re-enactor Niel Johnson, will welcome the nation's genealogists at a Wine and Cheese Reception Tuesday evening, May 13, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. Open to the public, the reception is from 5:00-7:00pm and costs $15.00 per person.

"Show Me Missouri Wines" is sponsored by the Missouri State Genealogical Association and precedes the opening of the National Genealogical Society's Conference in the States and Family History Fair at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, May 14-17. Genealogists and family historians from across the nation will gather in Kansas City for four days of lectures, workshops and networking opportunities.
Truman impersonator Niel Johnson is a retired archivist and historian at the Truman Presidential Library & Museum. He began portraying Truman following his retirement in 1993. Johnson has portrayed Truman for service organizations, veterans and school groups. In 1994 he portrayed Truman at a re-enactment of the Democratic convention of 1944 in Chicago and in 1996 he participated at a banquet preceding the christening of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.

For information about attending please contact David Sapp dsapp88@mchsi.com.

Speaker Spotlight: Victor S. Dunn, CG℠

Victor S. “Vic” Dunn, CG, is a full time professional genealogist researching Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland families. Vic specializes in land records and platting and brick-wall problem resolution. He is currently serving as the treasurer of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and is the immediate past vice-president of the Shenandoah Valley Genealogical Society. Vic is a contributor to numerous publications including feature articles in NGS Quarterly plus Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, NGS News Magazine, Northern Virginia Genealogy, and the Virginia Genealogical Society Newsletter.