What I did on my summer conference vacation!

I always see the FGS Conference as the end of the season. Now I am looking forward to the beginning of the genealogical organization meeting season; followed by the holidays, and then onto a new year of research, networking, and conferences. 

This year's FGS Conference brought a lot of new experiences for me. Of course, the best was my daughter's first conference. Our biggest fear is that our research  will land in the dumpster after our funerals. In order to prevent this we do out best to instill a love of family research in our children. Fortunately my daughter caught the genealogy bug - but not because of my family. Instead her husband's family got her attention. And what an interesting family it  is. But then she became interested in my mother's crazy family. So I think she is here to stay in the world of genealogy.

I learned more about DNA and how to evaluate the results. I wasn't surprised to find out that DNA won't tell you anything if you have not done your homework. I always say that you need to know how to do "old school genealogical research". It is the foundation of all family research. I feel fortunate that I began my genealogy life in the days before the internet. I had no other option and I learned patience. 

I appreciate the internet and DNA but I really think we need to stress the importance of visiting your local library, repositories, and historical societies. There is nothing that compares to seeing the actual record books that were created when your ancestors were born, married, or died.

The other thing that I learned is somewhere along the way I got older. I finally gave in and bought a walker. Oh, how I dreaded being the only person there with one of these things. To my surprise, I was not alone and it is actually rather convenient. You can sit down anywhere you want to. I might even rent a scooter next time! lol

FGS Conference 2018 - Friday!

My daughter's most favorite thing about her first conference -- The Exhibit Hall. (We've all been there.) Her least favorite thing -- finding a parking place in downtown Fort Wayne. Of course!!

We worked on getting our passports stamped in the exhibit hall. We are about half way there. Didn't realize there are that many booths in the exhibit hall.

We stopped for an event at ancestry.com titled "Stump the Genealogist." Excellent! It was a fun way to pick up some tips about using ancestry.

We have one day left and I am sure we will crowd many things into the time left. May not have time for research but we will definitely make a stop at the Allen County Library.

Of course I made a few "resolutions". I will finally join the DAR, join the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and look into the Mayflower Society. But the most important and the one I keep putting off -- prove to the remaining  Ohio lineage societies. This now has added motivation. My family might be going to the OGS conference in the Cincinnati area and this is where my ancestors who will be honored are from. 

The DNA track at this conference was very informative. I can now approach my results with new confidence. I pushed myself a bit with an advanced session about DNA but that is not a bad thing. I did learn some information that will start to make sense in the future.  

On The Road Again

For the first time in about 4 years I am in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the FGS conference. Along with thousands of other family researchers. The last time I was here DNA was a brand new genealogy tool and nobody understood it. We still aren't clear about how to incorporate it into our genealogy research but now we have experts who can explain this new concept.

I was very impressed with the speakers I listened to today. I definitely learned a lot. I verified what I always suspected -- that DNA doesn't work without a solid base of basic genealogy research. In other words it will not give you a list of your ancestors. Also, your success  will depend on how large your data base is. One thing that stood out at all the sessions was the importance of DNA for finding birth parents. Complicated, yet doable.

As for the exhibit hall, there is so much going on. For free!! Mini workshops. Raffles. Door prizes. Special pricing on DNA kits. There are a lot of unique and new booths along with the large well-known web sites. 

Of course the Allen County Library needs no introduction. I have always thought that conference hotel pricing should exist for a week after the conference so everyone has a chance to research at the library.

But the big thing for me this year is (drum roll, please) my daughter will be attending her first genealogy conference tomorrow. The torch is passed! It will be fun and I imagine eye-opening to witness someone visiting  their very first ever conference. I take the whole event for granted after years of conference. It will be interesting to just sit back and watch.