Wholly Genes Software sponsors an annual genealogy cruise. I have been on these cruises and can report that they are excellent events, drawing 400 or more genealogists. Last year's cruise drew genealogists from the U.S., Canada, England, and Australia. The cruises are very similar to many genealogy conferences, only with better food, better accommodations, better scenery, and very interesting daytrips.
While Wholly Genes Software produces The Master Genealogist (TMG) software for Windows, the cruises are aimed at all genealogists. As you can see from the list below, you do not need to be a TMG user in order to enjoy this cruise, nor even a computer owner.
This week Wholly Genes Software announced the full list of presentations. No less than ten expert genealogical speakers from the U.S., England, and Ireland will be making presentations while at sea. In addition, there will be other presentations aimed specifically at users of The Master Genealogist software. This year's cruise is expected to be the largest family history conference on the seas.
Presentations will include:
- "Records of Irish Emigration to North America" by John Grenham, Ireland's foremost genealogist.
- "Irish Census Substitutes" by John Grenham.
- "Barking up the wrong tree" by John Titford, LHG FSG, prominent British genealogist and popular author.
- "Heraldic detective work from scratch: unlocking the mysteries posed by British and American bookplates" by John Titford, LHG FSG.
- "Internet Resources for Your British Research" by Sandra Hewlett, CG, professional researcher and councilor for the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
- "Tracing the Origins of Early 18th Century Palatine & Other Emigrants" by Hank Jones, FASG, actor, author, professional genealogist, and popular speaker.
- "Family Tradition: How to Separate Fact From Fiction in Genealogical Research" by Hank Jones, FASG.
- "Reverse Genealogy: Techniques for Finding Your Lost Loved Ones" by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, professional genealogist and popular author.
- "Cases That Made My Brain Hurt" by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak.
- "Photographing Old or Delicate Documents and Photographs" by Dick Eastman, technology expert and editor of Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter.
- "Conservation: Keeping Up with Technology" by Dick Eastman.
- "Enumerating the U.S. Census Online" by Cyndi Howells of Cyndislist.com, an expert at online resources.
- "Advanced Googling for Grandma" by Cyndi Howells.
Plus these bonus lectures for novice researchers....
- "Family Records" by Tony Burroughs, FUGA, popular genealogical author, teacher, and lecturer.
- "Unearth Your Family History: Cemeteries and Out-of-the-Way Places to Search For Your Family" by Marsha Rising, CG, CGL, FUGA, FASG, President of the American Society of Genealogists.
- "Bringing 'em Back to Life" by Robert Charles Anderson, FASG, Director of the Great Migration Study Project.
In addition, there will be a variety of software presentations (to be announced) by expert TMG users like Bob Velke, Lee Hoffman, John Cardinal, and the Wholly Genes Technical Support staff.
A limited number of private consultations ("one-on-ones") and hosted breakfasts will also be available with the speakers. This is a great chance to meet and pick the brains of some of the most prominent professional genealogists and technology experts in the world.
Tickets are still available, but previous cruises filled up well in advance of the sailing date. I suspect this year's event will be the same.
For more information about the 3rd Annual Genealogy Conference and Cruise (or for help finding a roommate if you are traveling alone), please visit http://www.WhollyGenes.com/cruise.htm.
