NGS 2008 Genealogical Conference Blog

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

2008-05-20T21:10:00.007-05:00

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!!

2008-05-13T05:46:00.002-05:00

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

2008-05-12T07:35:00.005-05:00

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

2008-05-11T09:34:00.000-05:00

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

2008-05-11T09:30:00.001-05:00

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

2008-05-11T09:26:00.001-05:00

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℠

2008-05-10T08:34:00.000-05:00

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.

Speaker Spotlight: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG℠

2008-05-10T08:30:00.002-05:00

Paula is an internationally known popular lecturer, writer, and researcher who works full-time in genealogy. She is a graduate of the National Institute of Genealogical Research held at the U.S. National Archives. She is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists and is a firm believer in continuing education in genealogy. She is comfortable with her audiences and enjoys discussing genealogy with participants. Her seminar presentations have taken her to most states in the U.S. and to Canada. Since 1997 she has been a Course Coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's American Genealogy Records and Resources intermediate course.

She is a columnist for Ancestry Weekly Journal and has written articles for many genealogical publications including, NGS NewsMagazine, NGS Quarterly, NewEnglandAncestors.org, FGS Forum and Ancestry Magazine. She co-authored Your Guide to the Family History Library. Paula has been a national officer of the Association of Professional Genealogists, a board member of the Minnesota Genealogical Society, and an active volunteer for both NGS and FGS.

Her ancestors represent eight different countries. These ancestors, descendants, and the cousins resided in many Midwestern and Western states and in several Canadian provinces. She has also researched her children’s paternal southern ancestors. Her other specialties include the U.S. National Archives, other major repositories, American Indians, problem solving, railroads, and the WPA.

Day Trips from Kansas City

2008-05-10T08:17:00.007-05:00

While you are in the area why not stay an extra day or two and visit some of the other interesting places in close proximity to Kansas City. The links below will give you more information about sites of interest that are easily traveled to within a day.

Aeronautics
Atchison, KS -- Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum - http://www.ameliaearhartmuseum.org/
Kansas City, MO – Airline History Museum -- http://www.airlinehistorymuseum.com/
Topeka, KS – Combat Air Museum -- http://www.combatairmuseum.org/

Black History
Kansas City, MO – Negro Leagues Baseball Museum -- http://www.nlbm.com/
Kansas City, MO – Black Archives of Mid-America -- http://www.blackarchives.org/
Kansas City, MO – American Jazz Museum -- http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com/

Ethnic Destinations
Kansas City, KS – Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center http://www.strawberryhillmuseum.org/html/exhibits.html
Kansas City, KS – Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site -- http://www.kshs.org/places/shawnee/
Kansas City, MO – Black Archives of Mid-America -- http://www.blackarchives.org/
Kansas City, MO – Irish Museum and Cultural Center - http://www.irishmuseum.org/

Harry S. Truman
Independence, MO - Truman Presidential Museum & Library -- http://www.trumanlibrary.org/
Independence, MO – Harry S. Truman Home -- http://harrystruman.areaparks.com/

Jazz
Kansas City, MO – American Jazz Museum -- http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com/

Military
Frontier Military Scenic Byway -- http://ksbyways.org/Pages/Frontier/frontier1.html
Fort Leavenworth, KS -- http://www.kansastravel.org/fortleavenworth.htm
http://garrison.leavenworth.army.mil/sites/about/history.asp
http://usacac.army.mil/CAC/csi/museum.asp
Topeka, KS – Combat Air Museum -- http://www.combatairmuseum.org/
Kansas City, MO - National WWI Memorial Museum -- http://www.libertymemorialmuseum.org/

Frontier and Pioneer Life
Bonner Springs, KS – National Agricultural Hall of Fame -- http://www.aghalloffame.com/
Kansas City, MO - Arabia Steamboat Museum -- http://www.1856.com/
Independence, MO – National Frontier Trails Museum -- http://www.ci.independence.mo.us/NFTM/
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Rail Experience @ Union Station - http://www.unionstation.org/exhibitDetail.cfm?listingID=150
Leavenworth, KS – National Fred Harvey Museum -- http://www.firstcitymuseums.org/1harvey.html
St. Joseph, MO - Pony Express National Museum -- http://www.ponyexpress.org/
Kansas City, KS – Grintner Place State Historic Site -- http://www.kshs.org/places/grinter/index.htm
Lawson, MO – Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site -- http://www.mostateparks.com/wwmill/
Independence, MO - Bingham-Waggoner Estate - http://www.bwestate.org/
Kansas City, MO - Garment District Museum - http://www.visitkc.com/visitor_info/art_basic.cfm?ID=32935
Beatrice, NE – National Homestead Museum - http://www.beatricene.com/homestead/infopage.html
Beatrice, NE – Homestead National Monument of America - http://www.nps.gov/home/
Edgerton, KS – Lanesfield School Historic Site - http://www.jocomuseum.org/lanesfield.htm

Miscellaneous
Kansas City, MO - Hallmark Visitor’s Center – http://www.hallmarkvisitorscenter.com/findUs/index.htm
Shawnee, KS - 1950s All Electric House - http://www.jocomuseum.org/electrichouse.htm
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Fire Museum -
http://www.visitkc.com/visitor_info/attraction_basic.cfm?ID=35073
Kansas City, MO - Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City - http://www.umkc.edu/tmm/

Mormon Sites
Independence, MO – Independence Visitors’ Center - http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1812-1-1-1,00.html
Far West, MO - http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1808-1-1-1,00.html
Liberty, MO – Liberty Jail Historic Site
http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1811-1-1-1,00.html
Omaha, NE – Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters - http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,1837-1-1-1,00.html

Native Americans
Kansas City, KS – Shawnee Indian Mission State Historic Site -- http://www.kshs.org/places/shawnee/
Lawrence, KS – Haskell Indian Nations University Cultural Center & Museum -- http://www.haskell.edu/archive/haskell_archive.htm

Wild, Wild West
Multiple – Jesse James sites in Missouri -- http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-JesseJames9.html

Check this out – there’s even more to do in Kansas City!
History/Education - http://www.jchs.org/education/jacomo_bookmark.htm

Conference Tip #2

2008-05-07T21:00:00.002-05:00

Be sure to bring clothes that are comfortable and professional. Don't forget to bring a good pair of walking shoes too. There is often a lot of walking at conferences!

Speaker Spotlight: Traci Wilson-Kleekamp

2008-05-07T20:50:00.002-05:00

Traci Wilson-Kleekamp, Family History Research Consultant, explores the resources available online and in local, state and national historical repositories that help family historians discover more about their African-American heritage. She is currently featured on the Missouri State Archives website African-American Genealogy: Putting Together the Pieces of Your Past: A Five-Part Series with Traci L. Wilson-Kleekamp.

This five-part series provides helpful tips on accessing the best websites, which records are most beneficial, and how to get the most out of original records. Together, “What’s Out There?;” “What’s Your Story?: Finding It on the Web;” “How Do I Find Out More?;” “What Happened During the Wars?;” and “How Do I Put All the Information Together?” teach researchers to use all the pieces they find to gain a better understanding of those who came before them.

Wilson-Kleekamp is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Public Relations. She is the web-mistress of African Americans in MO.

Contact information:

573/441-0043 (home)

573/441-0221 (fax)

and 573/239-0858 (cell) twilsonklee@earthlink.net

Speaker Spotlight: Bruce Buzbee

2008-05-06T22:20:00.001-05:00

Bruce Buzbee is the founder and president of RootsMagic, Inc., and the author of RootsMagic genealogy software. For over 18 years Bruce has been writing genealogy software, having originally written the very popular Family Origins genealogy software. Bruce has taught thousands of users the ins and outs of RootsMagic, from the basics for beginners to advanced topics for the genealogy professional. Bruce is also the webmaster of Family-Reunion.com, the world's most popular family reunion planning site, as well as the author of Family Reunion Organizer software.

Conference Tip #1

2008-05-06T22:13:00.002-05:00

The NGS Conference 2008 is just days away. The conference opens next Wednesday, May 14 and runs through May 17. A conference tip from members of the Heartland Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists will be posted over the next week to give you hints to make your conference experience enjoyable.

Tip #1: If you’re planning to take any electronics (cell phones, laptops, etc) don’t forget to bring your chargers, backup batteries, and other paraphernalia to keep everything going.

Speaker Spotlight: Kenneth W. Heger

2008-05-05T05:48:00.000-05:00

Kenneth W. Heger is the Chief of the Archives I Research Support Branch at the National Archives and Records Administration, where he manages NARA's Family History Program. He has published on a broad range of historical and genealogical topics in state, local and national periodicals. He has also made presentations at the annual conferences of the National Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Society, and is a regular speaker at the National Institute on Genealogical Research. He has a doctorate in history from the University of Maryland.

Exhibitor Spotlight: Wolf's Head Books, Inc.

2008-05-02T21:07:00.001-05:00

About Us: "A real class act with some vintage treasures and books covering most subject areas. The books are nicely displayed, attractively priced..." Quote from - The Used Book Lovers Guide to the South Atlantic States, p.58.

Specialties:
Wolf's Head Books, Inc., ABAA is a General Antiquarian Bookseller with an emphasis on the following:
• Americana
• Military
• Juvenile Series
• Signed fiction
• Floridiana
• Genealogy
• Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas
• Clair Bee
• Hendrik Willem Van Loon (for all "Loony" collectors)
• Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

Books & Ephemera in most other fields:
• Appraisals
• Book Search
• Collection Development

Corporate History:
As happens to so many people who eventually become booksellers, we began collecting books and then buying so many more that our house began to lean! It was so much fun being book wholesalers that we decided to open our store.

Barbara left her teaching career to become a fulltime bookseller. Our first location was in the basement of the water department building right next to the post office in downtown Morgantown, WV. We opened our doors in 1980, knowing of course, that in a few months we would have the whole two floors when the water company moved. Harvey continued to teach at WVU.

We always knew that we wanted to live near a warm water ocean, and while on vacation to Florida we found the perfect location and building in St. Augustine. One month later Barbara had up-and-moved here and in October 1988 our second store opened. Harvey continued to profess at WVU. It was pretty rough having two stores 850 miles apart, so in 1992 we sold the Morgantown store.

Harvey retired early from WVU in 1995 and we now devote our time to the St. Augustine store, walking the beach and swimming in the ocean when the water temperature reaches eighty degrees. Like we said, we wanted a warm water ocean!

Our principle staff person is Michael Theeke, a native of Adrian, Michigan. In fact, he was an early supporter of our dream, as he help paint the store and organize books just before we opened in Morgantown, WV. The hour before we had our grand opening, he handed us a sign for the wall after the book titled: "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash". Mike's special knowledge areas are Russia and Eastern European history. However, after seven years as our assistant, he's pretty well-versed in most of the subjects we carry.

We really love being booksellers in St. Augustine, as we've made some wonderful book-friends in the area. In addition, lots of tourists take their annual vacations in St. Augustine. And not to be left out are the book friends we've made over the internet who someday we'd like to meet in person.

Affiliations:
• ABAA: Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America.
• ILAB: International League of Antiquarian Booksellers
• FABA: Florida Antiquarian Booksellers Association.
• ADASTA: Antique Dealers of St. Augustine.
• UACC: Universal Autograph Collectors Club.
• ACDA: Antiques and Collectables Dealer Association.

Wolf's Head Books, Inc. is owned & operated by Dr. Barbara Nailler and Dr. Harvey J. Wolf.

Harvey Wolf has been a book collector since his teens. Two years of his early adulthood were spent at West Point. For many years he was a physicist in the aerospace industry; then started second and third careers as a professor of Public Administration, and antiquarian bookseller.

As a young girl, Barbara E. Nailler got hooked on books by her grandmother, Bernice Furbush, who started her reading Gene Stratton-Porter and Mrs. E.D.E.N. Southworth. Barbara was a junior high school teacher in Michigan and Professor of Educational Psychology in West Virginia prior to becoming an antiquarian bookseller.

Hours
11am - 7pm, Monday - Friday
11am - 5pm, Saturday
12.30pm - 5pm, Sunday

Other hours by appointment or chance. Find us here.

Wolf's Head Books, Inc. ABAA
67-B San Marco Ave.
St. Augustine, FL 32084
(904) 824-9357
(904) 824-2212 (fax)
Fax: (904) 824-2212
www.wolfsheadbooks.com

Speaker Spotlight: Lyle Gibson

2008-05-02T20:54:00.006-05:00

Career:

History Professor; Metropolitan Community College—Penn Valley
Adjunct Professor for the Social Science department at Kansas City Kansas Community College, 1998-present

Education:

Master’s Degree in History from the University of Missouri Kansas City, 1999
Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, 1996

Affiliations:>

National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
Midwest Afro American Genealogical Interest Coalition
Eye of Ra—African Fraternity & Sorority
Kansas Institute for African American and Native American Family History
Co-Advisor for the Black Student Association; MCC-Penn Valley
Co-Advisor for the Advocates of Better Government; MCC-Penn Valley

Military:

U.S. Air Force 1986-1990
Texas—Strategic Air Command (SAC)
Greece—NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Awards/Recognitions:

Selected as one of the influential faculty members of the Metropolitan Community Colleges—Penn Valley, 2006
Inducted into the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution—first African American in the Kansas Delaware Crossing Chapter
Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers; 2006, 2005 and 2002
Academy for Leadership and Development; 2002 & 2003
Fulbright Hays GPA Scholar; 1999, Senegal, West Africa
Minority Master’s Fellowship; 1997 & 1998 University of Missouri Kansas City

Publications: Recent

We Are the American People: Our Nation’s History Through Its Documents (2005) used as a text at the Metropolitan Community Colleges
Black Tie White Tie: Chronicle of an American Family 1739-1940 (2003; Revised Edition 2006) used as a text at the Metropolitan Community Colleges-Penn Valley

Travel:

Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad Participant Summer 1999
Senegal, West Africa (Mauritania) 1999
Greece; Crete; Zachintos; Patras; Achaia; Athens; Olympia; Delphi 1988-1990

Interests:

History
Genealogy
Travel
Music
Family time

Exhibitor Spotlight: Fun Stuff For Genealogists, Inc.

2008-05-01T20:44:00.001-05:00

Fun Stuff for Genealogists, Inc. began ten years ago by Bev Petersen, a genealogist, of Mishawaka, Indiana in 1998 selling charts out of the back of her car and the rest was history. Realizing there were a lot of genealogists out there who needed (and wanted!) her items, she started selling at genealogy seminars and on the internet at her site http://www.FunStuffForGenealogists.com . Today, Bev has hundreds of fun and useful items including T-shirts, embroidered shirts and bags, mugs, bumper stickers, jewelry, pedigree charts, magnifiers, the new "Tag-Alongs" and the famous "Cite Your Sources", clip-art, maps, scrapbooking items, rubber stamps, counted cross stitch and quilt patterns and books and a lot of smaller novelty items. Bev refers to her booth as the candy at the check out counter!

Visit Bev's Fun Stuff for Genealogists, Inc. web site to get your list ready for the show or order on her secured web site today!

Exhibitor Spotlight: Samford Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research

2008-04-30T20:25:00.003-05:00

The Samford Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) provides an educational forum for the discovery, critical evaluation, and use of genealogical sources and methodology through a week of intensive study. Students may choose one of the ten or more courses that range from a course for beginners to courses on specialized topics.

The objectives of the Institute are:

To teach the fundamentals of genealogical research and methodology.
To teach research skills using a variety of resources and facilities.
To provide broad and in-depth historical and genealogical subject content.
To teach the evaluation of resources, proficiency in bibliographic citation, and critical analysis of documentation.
To provide instruction for those wishing to pursue careers in genealogy and related disciplines.

The institute is academically and professionally oriented and is cosponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. The faculty is composed of outstanding, nationally prominent, genealogy educators. The institute regularly enrolls over 200 students from around the country.

Projected dates for the institute are: June 8-13, 2008; June 14-19, 2009; June 13-18, 2010; and June 12-17, 2011.

For more information, please visit our web site:

http://www.samford.edu/schools/ighr/

Speaker Spotlight: Barbara Renick

2008-04-30T20:19:00.002-05:00

Barbara is a nationally known genealogy lecturer. She frequently lectures at the national conferences of such organizations as the National Genealogical Society, Brigham Young University, and the Federation of Genealogical Societies. She currently serves on staff and teaches at the Regional Family History Center in Orange, California. Barbara writes for several genealogy publications, including the NGS NewsMagazine, and co-authored the book The Internet for Genealogists: A Beginner’s Guide (now out of publication). Her most recent book titled Genealogy 101: How to Trace Your Family’s History and Heritage was sponsored by the National Genealogical Society for their 100th Anniversary. She is also well known for the 'Z' Links page at her ZRoots.com Web site which is a favorite tool for many of her students. Barbara also has authored several instructional videos on how to trace your family tree on-line.

Mrs. Barbara Ann Renick nee Zuknick was born in Maryland to a German immigrant father and a Tennessee hillbilly mother. She grew up on a small farm surrounded by the forks of the Patuxent River. Even as a child, she was interested in stories about what life was like when her parents and grandparents were children. Barbara had her first exposure to computers during high school while studying at Southern Illinois University on a summer scholarship from the National Science Foundation.

In college, Barbara had a four-year scholarship in electrical engineering with an eye toward designing computers. She earnestly began to trace her family tree shortly after her marriage in 1970 when she changed her college major to nursing. Over the next few years, she took a beginning genealogy class three times before she felt she had begun to grasp the intricate methods involved in researching her family tree through Germany, Polish Russia and the hills of Tennessee. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a B.S. in Nursing in 1974.

From 1974 to 1979, Barbara attended many genealogical conferences, took more genealogy classes, and avidly pursued her ancestry. During this era B.C. (Before Children and personal Computers), Barbara took many research trips and attended family reunions in Maryland, Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. When the “Roots” phenomenon hit (thanks to Alex Haley), she was called upon to teach others what she had studied and learned.

From 1979 to 1983, Barbara had and adopted four special needs children. This curtailed her genealogical trips for a few years. However, in 1983 she purchased her first personal computer and began converting her paper genealogy filing system. Shortly thereafter, she was asked to train and supervise a crew of data entry workers for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her small crew did data entry for the International Genealogical Index and the Ancestral File. She did this for ten years.

In 1985, she began working as a beta tester for a computer training company. Today, she is frequently asked to alpha and beta test software programs and Internet sites. From 1987 to 1999, she trained family history and genealogy consultants for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the areas of Brea, Placentia, and Yorba Linda, California. During those years, she published a free newsletter on current developments in the field of genealogy as an adjunct to her training of these family history consultants. Upon request, her newsletter was sent to others across the country filling similar positions. She began teaching Personal Ancestral File courses in 1985 and today is known in the U.S. for her many published articles about this free genealogy software program.

Contact Information:
Barbara Ann Renick,

311 Copa De Oro Drive,
Brea, CA 92823-7018
phone (714) 524-0364
cell phone (714) 273-0364
e-mail Barb@ZRoots.com
additional e-mail address barbz@earthlink.net
Barbara’s Web site is at: www.zroots.com/

Research Day at Mid-Continent Public Library's Genealogy Branch

2008-04-29T19:39:00.002-05:00

Good news for researchers during the NGS 2008 Conference. Monday, May 12, will be a Research Day at Mid-Continent Public Library's Genealogy Branch. We will be open from 9am to 11pm for your research pleasure. Buses will be running continually throughout the day from the Hyatt Crown Center, beginning at 9 am. The last bus will run from the library at 11 pm, arriving at the Hyatt about 11:30 pm. Delicatessen lunches will be available for purchase (expect to pay between $5 and $10). Just let us know when you arrive if you would like lunch or dinner and we will let you know your options. If you want lunch, please let us know by 10am.

The library will also be open late for research on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 11:00 pm. Buses will run from the Hyatt Crown Center to the library from 4:30 pm - 11:30 pm.

On Wednesday evening there will be a special reception at the new Midwest Genealogy Center for those who have preregistered for the event. Buses will run from 4:30-8:00 pm making three stops - the Hyatt, the Midwest Genealogy Center, and the current library location. Come and be the first to see our new facility! We regret that we will not be open for research in our new location, but all of our materials will be available to you in the current location.

Contact information:
Janice Schultz
Genealogy Librarian
e-mail: jschultz@mcpl.lib.mo.us
Mid-Continent Public Library, Genealogy Branch
317 W. 24 Highway
Independence MO 64050
http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us
Phone: (816) 252-7228;
Fax: (816) 254-7114

Genealogy Branch closing for move May 19-26. Reopening May 27, 2008.

Exhibitor Spotlight: The Gregath Publishing Company

2008-04-22T05:29:00.002-05:00

Since 1970, The Gregath Publishing Company has had a two-fold goal: First, to provide quality service and products at affordable rates; Second, to assist each client in every way possible to ensure his or her book is a success. We have been involved in genealogical research, writing and teaching for over 50 years. We have enjoyed our affiliation with the original publishing and commercial printing industry for over 30 of those years. Four generations of our family have been active in the Gregath Publishing Company.

We are not a huge, automated clearinghouse where every book is just a job number. Every author is valued for his or her individuality and vision. With two generations of our family currently working in the business, we put a lot of family in the books we publish.

Our base of operations, was the first office to begin in-house production, has continued to grow in scope, equipment and size, while maintaining its one to one family business philosophy. The Eastern Division (Cullman, Alabama) formally closed January 26, 2001, making the Mid-West Division the only current Gregath Publishing Company office.

The Gregath Publishing Company deals primarily in printing and publishing, in the fields of genealogy and history. This includes books (original and reprint hardbound, softbound, electronic, etc.), monthly and quarterly publications, newsletters as well as more standard magazine formats. We require each employee to be knowledgeable in genealogy and history, as well as printing and reprint and original publishing, to insure the correctness and quality of the product and the satisfaction of our clients.

As a full service printer/publisher, the Gregath Publishing Company offers a wide variety of services and products to our clients. Many of these are included in our web site. We like to remind the public that there are numerous grades and colors of paper, inks, and cover materials available to them, from simple black and white to the more exotic combinations. Many of our staff is available as exhibitors, speakers or to consult on projects face-to-face. Additionally, the company offers hosted research travel packages, monthly online free magazine, as well as hosting an annual genealogy event to assist the genealogist. We look forward to serving you in every way that we can. We are anxious to help you in every way, to complete a successful project.

The Gregath Publishing Company

Printer, Publisher and Bookseller

918-542-4148

Speaker Spotlight: Kimberlee Ried

2008-04-21T22:32:00.001-05:00

Kimberlee Ried is an Archives & Education Specialist for the Central Plains Region; she has been with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) since 2003. She works in all aspects of the Regional Archives program including education, outreach, and development, as well as, answering reference inquiries. She is active in the local Federal Executive Board as a co-chair for the Federal Information Council and has served as coordinator for the region's Combined Federal Campaign program. Prior to joining NARA she was a Youth Services librarian at an urban public library. She holds a BA in History and Anthropology from the University of Missouri and a MA in Library Science from Emporia State University. Through her professional association activities Ms. Ried was selected to serve on the National Council on Social Studies-Archives Committee and is president-elect of the Missouri Library Association.

Additionally, within her extensive community volunteer work she is an active member of the Junior League of Kansas City, MO; volunteers for the Children's Center for Visually Impaired; the Kansas City Ballet; Truman Medical Center; Jackson County CASA; and maintains boardmanships on the following: Historic Kansas City Foundation; Heritage League and Wonderscope Children's Museum. She was born and raised in Kansas City and has canine children, Gracie and Wallis

Contact information:

Kimberlee N. Ried,

Archives & Education Specialist National Archives & Records Administration

Central Plains Region

2312 E. Bannister Road

Kansas City, MO 64131

Phone: 816.268.8072

www.archives.gov/central-plains

www.linkedin.com/pub/4/431/315

Kansas City has many great shopping areas!!

2008-04-20T17:12:00.003-05:00

If you like to shop Kansas City won't disappoint you. For details about the areas listed below be sure to visit the websites indicated for each shopping area. Most also have a great selection of fine restaurants too.

The Crown Center -This is the most conveniently located shopping area for conference attendees. It is connected via an enclosed walkway to both the Hyatt Regency Crown Center and the Westin Crown Center. It is of interest to note that Crown Center surrounds the worldwide headquarters of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Map.
Country Club Plaza - Another very popular shopping area. It was established in 1922. It is comprised of a 15 blocks with more that 150 shops and dozens of restaurants. Map
Legends at Village West in Kansas City, Kansas - across the river is a new shopping area with more than 90 shops. Map
Zona Rosa - this area is on the north side of Kansas City - Click here for driving directions.

These are just a few of the popular shopping areas in Kansas City.

Exhibitor Spotlight: St. Louis Genealogical Society

2008-04-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

The St. Louis Genealogical Society is a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization with more than 2,000 members in almost every state and several foreign countries. Begun in 1967, it is now the largest local genealogical society in the United States, renowned for its excellence in programs, resources, classes, and membership services. More than 20,000 books of the StLGS collection are housed in the Special Collections Department at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters.

Speaker Spotlight: Mary Clement Douglass

2008-04-13T13:41:00.008-05:00

Mary Clement Douglass, Certified Genealogist, is owner of Historical Matters - Historical and Genealogical Research in Kansas. She is a researcher, teacher, author, architectural historian, and curator. She is past chair of the Salina Heritage Commission, former Architectural Historian for the City of Salina, and author of Historic Resources Survey, Part II Salina, KS 1984-85. She is a former board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Genealogical Speakers Guild, and the Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies.

Mary lectures nationally on genealogical methodology. Mary revised the "Kansas" chapter in Ancestry's Red Book, Third Edition, 2004. Her article, "Genealogical Research in Kansas," was published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, June 2004. Her articles have appeared in Ancestry, Everton's Genealogical Helper, and Family Chronicle magazines.