Exhibitor Spotlight: Jamestowne Society Kansas-Missouri Company

The purpose of the Jamestowne Society is to honor the early settlers, who have been documented as having lived on Jamestowne Island between 1607 and 1699, either as land owners or as members of the House of Burgesses or as other officials.

The objects of the Kansas-Missouri Company along with all the other Jamestowne Companies are: "To discover and record the names of all living descendants of those early settlers who made great sacrifices to establish our English speaking nation; and to unite these descendants to honor the memory of their settler ancestors, to record their deeds, and to do homage to the birthplace of Virginia and the Nation."

Jane Burrell - Past GovernorJamestowne Society - Kansas-Missouri Company

What is there to do in KC ???

Is there anything else to do in Kansas City? The answer to that question is YES!!!! There is so much else for those of you, who want to spend time doing something other than genealogy. In case you are not familiar with the area here are some ideas that might not come to mind.

· Powell Gardens – a perfect place for those of you who love flowers, trees and other plants
· Nelson – Atkins Art Museum – you should not miss this if you are an art enthusiast
· Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art – new and unique art
· Kansas City Blues and Jazz – for evening entertainment you may want to find a local night spot to listen to some great music. There is an article in Wikipedia that lists some of the favorite spots http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_blues_(music)
· For those bringing children
o Science City – this is a fun place for children and adults
o Kansas City Zoo
o Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun
· History Buffs - the National Agricultural Hall of Fame is in the Kansas City metro area and has interesting things for adults and children or how about a drive 75 miles NE to historic Jamesport, Missouri and visit the Amish. If you don’t have time to drive that far, St. Joseph, Missouri is only 45 miles from Kansas City and has several interesting museums including the Pony Express Stable, the Patee House Museum and the Jesse James home as well as the Robidoux Row Museum.
· Antiquing – if you like to shop for antiques there are many great stores in the area. One of the best places to go is the historic town of Weston. Much of this historic town has been turned in to antique stores. Another great place is the River Market Antique Mall.
· Sports – If you are interested in sporting events you might consider checking schedules for the Kansas City Royals, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Woodlands Racetrack, NASCAR or spend some time at one of Missouri’s lakes for fishing and water sports.
· Theater / Concerts – The Broadway musical Wicked will be playing in Kansas City, MO or check out the schedules at some of the other local theaters including Starlight Theater, Kansas City Repertory Theater, New Theater Restaurant or the Unicorn Theater.

Watch the blog for information about places to eat and shop in Kansas City.

Speaker Spotlight: Edwin F. Bailey, Jr.

Edwin F. Bailey Jr. began his professional career as an elementary teacher in the St. Louis Public Schools. After seven years of teaching, Bailey moved into the higher education arena, first with the University of Missouri-St. Louis where he served for four years as a financial aid administrator, and later with St. Louis Community College where he continued his career in financial aid administration. In 1991, Bailey became Dean for Student Development Services at the Meramec Campus of the College where he served until his retirement in June of 2006.

Bailey’s interest in the Buffalo Soldiers spans over two decades. Since first learning about their legacy, he has been on a continuing quest to engage in research, and to share with others the richness of the African-American presence in U.S. military history. Over the last fifteen years, Bailey has presented for elementary, high school and college classes, church groups, civic and community groups, military organizations and the Missouri History Museum. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Education from Harris Teachers’ College, a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis and Administration from Saint Louis University.

Exhibitor Spotlight: Generation Maps

Be sure to bring your computer file!! Generation Maps, your comprehensive genealogy chart printers, will be printing charts at the NGS conference in Kansas City. No need to process your information any special way, just bring any genealogy data file and tell us how you want your chart to look, and it will be printed while you wait. A chart is a wonderful, easy way to explain to your family members the research that has been accomplished. Generation Maps will also be selling their easy to use kits for beautiful decorative charts and Canvas Giclee fine art photo reproductions. The kits make great gifts and allow the user to work with the design professionals at Generation Maps to make a one of a kind expression of their family. Let Generation Maps help you get your research out where you can see it and surround your family with a sense of their heritage.

NGS 2008 Checklist - Planning for a Great Time at NGS 2008!!

Just a little advance planning can make the difference between a just so – so experience and a GREAT experience. The NGS 2008 conference is just 5 months away. Now is the time to spend a little effort to plan a GREAT experience in Kansas City. Use the Checklist provided below to make your plans.

1. Make your Hotel Reservations - Now!!!!!

2. Register for the Conference – Now!!! Early bird discount ends 31 March 2008.

3. Plan your travel – will you fly, drive, take the train -- yes AMTRAK goes to Kansas City! You may be able to find bargains on airfare with early planning.

4. Plan a few extra days for researching in nearby State repositories ---Just to start your planning, the mileage to 10 great repositories is listed below :

• Missouri State Archives – Jefferson City, MO <>
• Missouri State Historical Society – Columbia, MO <>
• Kansas State Historical Society and Archives – Topeka, KS <>
• Nebraska State Historical Society – Lincoln, NE <>
• Iowa - State Historical Society of Iowa – Des Moines, IA <>
• The National Genealogical Society collection is housed in St. Louis at the St. Louis County, Library <>
• Illinois State Archives – Springfield, IL <>
• Oklahoma State Archives - Oklahoma City, OK <>
• Arkansas History Commission – Little Rock, AR <325>
• Minnesota Historical Society – St. Paul, MN <>
• Colorado State Archives – Denver, CO <>

5. Check out tour guides for other things to do – shopping, jazz, great restaurants, history, art, other conventions, visit friends / relatives, resorts, visit Branson and so much more.

6. If you plan to do some research – organize your work and make a list of documents you want to find. Find out when various libraries, courthouses and other repositories are open.

7. Study maps of the area to plan your side trips.

8. Plan your conference wardrobe – be sure to dress comfortably and in layers. The weather can be variable in May so you will want to bring some clothes for both warm and cool days. Bring comfortable shoes.

9. Some other things you might want to bring with you if you are going to be doing any research --- research checklist, magnifying glass, laptop or genealogy forms / charts to record information, maps

10. Bring your camera, batteries, charger, film, etc.

Most important -- Rest before you leave so you are in top shape for four great days at NGS 2008!!

Speaker Spotlight: John Humphrey

John Humphrey is a professional genealogist who is an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker. He has lectured nationally for many years.


Mr. Humphrey's research specialties include eighteenth-century Palatines and Pennsylvania as well as nineteenth-century Germans. He has authored numerous books and articles. Humphrey specializes in German research at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and record repositories in eastern Pennsylvania and southwestern Germany. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Association of Professional Genealogists. In 2001 he lead an NGS research trip to Northern Germany. Currently he is working on records created prior to the Second World War of interest to genealogists in the United States and Germany.


This award winning author has managed several, local and regional conferences. He is president of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society and a past vice president of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. He was manager of the National Genealogical Society Learning Center in Arlington, Virginia and he has appeared on national television and public radio where he discussed various aspects of genealogy.

Pre-conference programs – Something for Everyone

We hope you plan to come early and take advantage of one of the other programs offered the day before the NGS conference starts. There are three programs for your choice.

· Option 1: See some local historical sites in the Kansas City area. This tour is on Tuesday, 13 May 2008. You will visit the Truman Presidential Museum and see his nearby home. From there you will visit the National Frontier Trails Museum. Then after lunch (on your own) you will tour the Arabia Steamboat Museum.

· Option 2: Librarian Day will also take place on Tuesday, 13 May 2008. Open to all librarians and library volunteers. The program will offer ideas for librarians working with limited resources; ideas for providing information for genealogists and online resources available to libraries for genealogy. Lunch will be provided.

· Option 3: If you would like to make use of your time to improve your skills, why not sign up for a day long workshop hosted by the Board of Certification of Genealogists (BCG). Dr. Thomas Jones, CG, CGL, FASG and Barbara Mathews, CG have a great session planned for you. You will work through hands on exercises to practice evaluating evidence and learn proper documentation of genealogical research. Lunch will be provided. For more information check the website at: www.bcgcertification.org/educationfund/index/htm


For your convenience you may register for these events by checking the official NGS 2008 conference website at:
http://www.eshow2000.com/ngs/conf_program.cfm.