FGS 2012 - Day -1

Yes, this is day -1 because the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2012 Conference doesn't actually start until tomorrow.  But tonight, I was invited to the pre-conference Blogger Dinner sponsored by FamilySearch (I felt so special!)

I found Thomas MacEntee and got my Blogger Beads (sponsored by DearMYRTLE - so thanks, Myrt!)  Dinner was great ... lasagna and steamed veggies with cheesecake for dessert.  I don't know if I enjoyed dinner or the company at my table more ... Thomas, Lisa Alzo, Amy Coffin, Kathy Chastain, speaker George Morgan, and Paul Nauta.  

Paul Nauta of FamilySearch gave a very nice presentation about some of the new things happening at FamilySearch, including Skype groups, Facebook groups, and online chat.  You can learn more about these new features here.

There was also talk about RootsTech 2013.  The conference will be 40% larger than past years.  There will be more classes with more speakers, including a new "Getting Started" track.

Interested in going?  FamilySearch is offering a limited-time early registration discount for RootsTech 2013.  Use promo code blog119 to receive $100 off the regular registration fee of $219.  Hurry!  This offer expires September 1, 2012.   After that, you'll have to wait until later in September to register (and you won't get the awesome discount).

What else is going on at FamilySearch?  Well ... there are two major projects in the works right now - U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Project and Italian Ancestors.  Both projects have exponentially more records than the 1940 U.S. Census and are in dire need of indexing volunteers.  Are you an indexer?  Do you have immigrant ancestors?  Then they need YOU!  (I'm not sure if there is a language requirement for the Italian records, but I'll bet someone at FamilySearch can answer that question)

After a well-deserved adult beverage with some Blogger friends (even a new one, Diane Boumenot!), I retired to my room and finished picking the sessions I would attend Wednesday (which is never going to happen if I don't get to bed pretty soon).  More tomorrow from Birmingham!

Do we share any ancestors?

Please email me at lostancestors [at] gmail [dot] com