TECHNOLOGY ENLIGHTENS MINDS
(Please be aware this post was written in 2003 and published at that time in the Houston Chronicle (Houston, Texas) newspaper. Some of the news in this post, therefore, may not be current. Current and future posts on this blog may revisit and update news on this and other posts on this blog. If you have questions and/or suggestions, please send Mic a note using the comment page -Don’t forget to use the orange “subscribe” button to receive new posts-Thanks, Mic)
A lot has changed in family history research over the past few years. Much of that change can be attributed to the Internet and related artificial intelligence technology. While there is not necessarily more information available today that information is made more readily available by the Internet and Technology.
Several consumer surveys indicate there are more people living today that are interested in their family’s history than there ever were people throughout history who actively researched their family -combined.
Researchers new to family history are usually self taught and usually limited in their genealogical and historical research knowledge and abilities. They consider themselves successful due to their collecting thousands of names in their databases.
These new researchers often end up getting confused and overwhelmed by the shear volume of information they collect and their inability to distinguish which of the many same named persons belong in their own family line.
These same researchers when they attend their first national genealogical conference humorously complain that their mind turns to mush due to the overabundance and wealth of newly learned information. They quickly discover they have been working in a vacuum of limited knowledge and research skills. They discover others just like themselves who have made the exact same mistakes who become their friend and mentors.
Once a researcher has attended one of the nationally recognized conferences they feel enlightened by the new knowledge and sense the urge to learn even more. Many become conference junkies and are likely to attend a second and third conference and yearn to conduct research professionally.
Each Spring and Summer brings forth several important major genealogical conferences throughout the country. Often held in historic and/or picturesque locations, these conferences conveniently coincide with vacations and great weather.
Following is some information about some of the nationally recognized conferences and how to learn more about them.
NGS IN PITTSBURGH
Sponsored by NGS, The National Genealogical Society Conference in the States will be held Wednesday May 28 through Saturday May 31 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information visit the NGS website at http://ngsgenealogy.org/
IGHR IN BIRMINGHAM
The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research is held each year at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. This year’s Institute offers nine different tracks of study and will be held from Sunday June 8 through Friday June 13. For more information visit the IGHR website at http://www.samford.edu/schools/ighr/ighr.html
E-GEN CONFERENCE ONLINE
This virtual online conference is unique and is being offered for the first time this year. Using streaming media and other Internet technologies participants will be able to listen to presenters, visit virtual booths, participate in round table discussions, attend social events and download handouts.
NIGR IN WASHINGTON
The National Institute of Genealogical Research is held each year at the National Archives in Washington , DC. Classes are small and fill very quickly due to limited space. This year’s class is being held from Sunday July 13 through Saturday July 19. For more information visit the NIGH website at
FGS IN ORLANDO
Held in different cities each year the FGS Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference is being held from Wednesday September 3 through Saturday September 6 in Orlando, Florida. For more information visit their website at http://www.fgs.org/ .
