The Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This celebration will culminate in a one-day Conference, entitled "Got Ancestors?!" and will take place October 2nd in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This conference is aimed at all genealogists and would-be genealogists. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced genealogist, you will find information about new resources and ingenious ways to tackle brick walls. As stated on the conference's Web page:
From pencils and paper, to computers and the Internet, PROOF is still primary. Can you trust computer sources? Using Genweb, Rootsweb, and many “pay per view” sources, one can do research at home. When is it necessary to search official records? What and where are they? Come to Got Ancestors?! and find the answers to these and a myriad of other questions.The conference includes a long list of presentations:
• How to Select a Genealogical Computer Program – Dick Eastman• 50 Best Michigan Genealogy Books - Carole Callard
• Citing Your Sources with a Computer or on Paper - Peter Bradish
• Native American Research I - Barbara Madison
• Migration from Canada - Joan Abele Griffin
• Digitally Planning Your Research Trip - Michael John Neil
• My Ancestors Who Can’t Get Me in the DAR - Connie Bradish
• The Migration through New York to the West - Shirley DeBoer, CG
• Native American Research II - Barbara Madison
• Dutch Immigrants in Western Michigan: Provincial Origins and Settlement Patterns - Robert P. Swierenga
• Gadgets for Genealogists - Dick Eastman
• Crossing the Pond - Connie Bradish
• Newspapers to the Rescue! - Bobbi Schirado
• Tracking the Generations Using 19th Century Irish Land Valuations - Richard Doherty
• Finding Western Michigan Ancestors in Federal Archives - Peter Bunce
• Pig Blood in the Snow – Court Records can Solve Problems - Michael John Neil
• Taking Pictures of Hard Rocks (gravestones) - Peter Bradish
• How to Use the Library More Effectively - Carole Callard
• Improving Your Genealogy Report Card Using Irish National School Records - Richard Doherty
• Land Records Research; How and Why - Karen Blumenshine
In addition, the Saturday evening banquet will include a talk about "Using the Internet for Genealogical Research (The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)," given by myself.
You can find a complete schedule of the presentations, along with a brief description of each, at http://www.gotancestors.com/conference.htm. You can also find a list of the 13 vendors who will be represented at http://www.gotancestors.com/vendors.htm.
Registrations are now open at $45 per person. The fee will increase to $55 for registrations made after 11 September 2004. For more information, see the conference Web site at http://www.gotancestors.com.
I must say that I am looking forward to this conference. When not speaking, I will be in the New England Historic Genealogical Society's booth, along with Judith Halseth. Will I see you there?
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