Springfield 2011 E-zine #10
WELCOME TO THE SPRINGFIELD 2011 E-ZINE
ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW: Sign-up now open
TOPICS FOR TABLE DISCUSSIONS AT SATURDAY LUNCHEON
SPECIAL RATE FOR SPRINGFIELD FALCONS HOCKEY
CONFERENCE OPENING ADDRESS
HOTEL UPDATE
REGISTER NOW FOR NERGC 2011
CONFERENCE BROCHURE WITH FULL PROGRAM
HOW TO REGISTER
SYLLABUS UPDATE
CANCELLATION POLICY
SPOTLIGHT ON SPEAKERS
SPECIAL WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES
YOU CAN STILL ADD MEALS AND WORKSHOPS
A REMINDER ABOUT MEALS AND ADA REQUESTS
CONTINENTAL BREAKFASTS
EXPLORING THE EXHIBIT HALL
ATTENTION EXHIBITORS
FOR EXHIBITORS PLANNING BOOK SIGNINGS
SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNING EVENTS
SOCIETY FAIR
SIGNAGE
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
FOR MORE ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND SPRINGFIELD
LIBRARIANS’ AND TEACHERS’ DAY
EXPLORING NERGC 2011 THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
MISSING A BACK ISSUE OF THE E-ZINE?
WELCOME TO THE SPRINGFIELD 2011 E-ZINE
Welcome to the tenth New England Regional Genealogical Conference 2011 E-zine! Between now and April, we’ll continue to provide updates on the Eleventh New England Regional Genealogical Conference through periodic E-zines like this one. Please share them with your friends and associates—and anyone else you feel may be interested in attending the Conference.
This edition of the E-zine features a special price for hockey games in our host city, the opening of sign-up for the Ancestors Road Show, topics for table discussions at the Saturday luncheon, updates on hotel room availability, notes for exhibitors and a spotlight on a speaker for Librarians’ and Teachers’ Day.
ANCESTORS ROAD SHOW: Sign-up now open
It is time to sign up for the Ancestors Road Show, the opportunity for conference attendees to have a free consultation with a professional genealogist. You can choose one of nearly 40 experienced genealogists to talk with you about your research.
Consider your problem areas; write a brief synopsis of your research question or subject to be addressed, including the what, where, who and when. Then check the list of genealogical specialists and see who might be able to help you on the Ancestors Road Show section of the NERGC Web site (http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/roadshow.html ). Many of our consultants are also speaking at the conference, so you can be sure of their expertise. While still on the Road Show page, click on the picture to register.
Make plans now to take part in this popular conference offering so you don’t miss out.
TOPICS FOR TABLE DISCUSSIONS AT SATURDAY LUNCHEON
Start thinking about what you’d like to talk about over lunch. Members of the Association of Professional Genealogists, New England Chapter, will be at each table at Saturday’s luncheon to guide a focused discussion. Here are some topics you can choose from:
§ People of Color research Marian Pierre-Louis and Cheryll Toney Holley
§ Scots-Irish Research Andrew Pierce
§ German Research Leslie Albrecht Huber
§ Northern New Eng./ Eastern Canada Native American research Sherry Gould
§ Lineage societies (Mayflower, DAR, etc.) Polly FitzGerald Kimmitt, CG
§ Maine research Carol P. McCoy
§ Military research Linda Abrams
§ British research Kathryn Black
§ DNA projects and Surname Projects Pam Stone Eagleson, CG
§ Self-publishing your family history Maureen Taylor
§ Strategies for Jewish Genealogy Meredith Hoffman
§ Irish research Michael Brophy
§ DNA testing and genealogy Shellee Morehead, Ph. D.
§ Polish Research Tim Firkowski
§ New England Gravestones Research Midge Frazel
§ Colonial New England Research September McCarthy
§ Vermont Research Cathi Desmarais
§ New Hampshire Research Diane Florence Gravel CG
You must be registered for the luncheon in order to attend, but seating at each table is first come first served. The topics, along with table numbers, will be available on the NERGC website and Blog prior to the conference and also posted on-site at the conference.
SPECIAL RATE FOR SPRINGFIELD FALCONS HOCKEY
Not planning to attend a banquet on Friday or Saturday? Is someone traveling with you a hockey fan? The Springfield Falcons are offering a special rate of $10 (regular price $17) for NERGC attendees. There are two great games to choose from:
FRI., APRIL 8 7:30 PM
Springfield Falcons vs. Albany Devils
SAT., APRIL 9 7:00 PM
Springfield Falcons vs. Providence Bruins
Games are played at the MASSMUTUAL CENTER
(walking distance from the conference hotels)
Tickets are just $10 PER PERSON for either game.
MUST BE ORDERED NO LATER THAN 2:00 PM
THURSDAY, APRIL 7, FOR THE FRIDAY GAME
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, FOR THE SATURDAY GAME
Call Bill Bullock today
413-739-3344, ext. 120
mention NERGC to get the discount
CONFERENCE OPENING ADDRESS
The New England Regional Genealogical Consortium is please to present D. Joshua Taylor as the speaker at the Conference opening session Thursday, 7 April, at 10 a.m. Josh will be presenting "Family History in Primetime: Genealogy's Next Generation." Genealogy is quickly becoming one of America's most popular hobbies as millions discover the excitement in tracing their ancestry. Take a look into the past, present and future of genealogy as we explore the dynamic changes and shifts in the world of family history over the past 150 years. Josh is the Director of Education and Programs at the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston. He is the author of numerous articles and was a featured expert in the series premiere of NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?"
HOTEL UPDATE
If hotel bookings are an indicator, then NERGC is going to be a great success! Combined hotel bookings for the Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place www.sheraton.com/springfieldma and the Marriott Springfield www.marriott.com/bdlma, have already far exceeded room reservation totals for the 2009 and 2007 conferences. Both hotels are virtually sold out. As of this writing, the Sheraton still has a few rooms left for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights but is completely sold out on Friday night. The Marriott has a few more rooms available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights but is completely sold out on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservation cut-off at both the Sheraton and Marriott is March 14; after that any rooms remaining in the NERGC block will be released to the general public and reservations will be accepted on the basis of room and rate availability.
The Hilton Garden Inn, 800 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA (413) 886-8000, near the Basketball Hall of Fame is in the same price range as our hotels and may have some rooms available for the nights of our conference.
The Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau provides links to a number of accommodation options at http://www.valleyvisitor.com/accommodations.html and to transportation options at http://www.valleyvisitor.com/transportation.html.
REGISTER NOW FOR NERGC 2011
The eleventh New England Regional Genealogical Conference – Exploring New Paths to Your Roots—is now less than six weeks away. Registration Chair Mary Choppa reports that over 660 genealogists and family historians from a variety of backgrounds have already registered for the conference, its meals, and its workshops, and librarians and teachers are signing up for the special Librarians’ and Teachers’ Day.
CONFERENCE BROCHURE WITH FULL PROGRAM
The registration brochure is available in PDF format at http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/program.html. It contains the full conference program, plus information on available luncheons and banquets, research trips, and special events. Print out or bookmark the brochure and plan your conference experience. Printed brochures have been distributed to Participating Societies and to many local libraries, museums and senior centers.
There are two ways to register for Exploring New Paths to Your Roots:
1. Take advantage of our Online Registration service at
(Link also available on the conference home page www.NERGC.org .) This method requires payment by credit card.
OR
2. If you prefer, you can still mail in your registration. Print the registration from the brochure at http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/program.html or use a paper copy of the brochure. Fill out the registration form on page 16 and mail it with your check to the address at the bottom of the form.
Besides the general conference registration, you need to fill out separate areas for any workshops, luncheons, and banquets you want to attend. You will also be asked to indicate which lectures you expect to attend. (Your lecture choice is not binding and does not guarantee a seat, but we want to get an idea of space needs for each lecture.)
SYLLABUS UPDATE
Those registering for the conference by the Early Bird deadline (February 15) had the option of receiving either a printed copy of the syllabus or the syllabus on CD-Rom. The printed syllabus is no longer available. Those registering now will receive the CD version. All registrants will have online access to the syllabus one week prior to the Conference.
DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE?
If you don’t have time for the entire Conference, single day registrations are available at $90 per day. See our online brochure (www.NERGC.org ) or our online registration site https://www.regonline.com/nergc_2011_exploring_new_paths_to_your_roots .
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations postmarked before Friday 25 March 2011 are subject to a $15.00 processing fee. No refunds are available after 25 March 2011. Those registering through our online registration service, RegOnline, have an option to purchase cancellation insurance. Please note that this cancellation insurance covers things like unforeseen medical emergencies or a death in the family and does not cover NERGC’s $15 cancellation fee. Sorry, the cancellation insurance option is not available for mail registrations paid by check. Your payment must be paid online with a credit card to take advantage of the cancellation protection. Details are available at the RegOnline site. Please read the fine print before selecting this option.
SPOTLIGHT ON SPEAKERS
Want to know more about NERGC’s speakers? There’s an updated listing of speakers (with biographies) in the pdf version of the Registration Brochure linked from http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/index.html. There's also a list of the speakers at http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/speakers.html
Also, see the NERGC Blog, http://nergc2011.blogspot.com/ for interviews with Colleen Fitzpatrick, D. Joshua Taylor, Pamela Boyer Sayre, John Philip Colletta, Eileen O’Duill, Maureen Taylor and Leslie Albrecht Huber.
SPECIAL WEDNESDAY ACTIVITIES
The research trip to the Berkshire Athenaeum is full, but you can still visit National Archives and Records Administration, Pittsfield, with us on Wednesday, 6 April. Transportation departs Springfield at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 6:00 p.m. The $30 cost covers transportation to and from Pittsfield; eat on your own.
W-102 Silvio O. Conte National Records Center. The Pittsfield branch of the National Archives features microfilms of 1790-1930 census records, passenger arrival lists, military draft, military service, and pension and bounty land application files, Freedmen's Bureau records and other records related to African-American Families, Final Cards of the Five Civilized Tribes as well as indexes to the Eastern Cherokee Applications, and more.
YOU CAN STILL ADD MEALS AND WORKSHOPS
Even if you've already registered for the conference, it's not too late to add meals and workshops. If you registered online, you can access your account and add items. If you registered by paper, you can send a copy of that registration, mark on it PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED, and indicate what you're adding.
If you’re registered for the conference but have a spouse or friend who’s not registered and who just wants to join you for meals, you can add the additional meals to your account by indicating two units for identical meals, or, say, one fish and one chicken meal if your tastes diverge. That can be done either online or by paper.
Questions or problems? Send an email to mchoppa@myfairpoint.net explaining what you would like to add to your registration. Don’t miss out on something you want to do—sign up for the meals before they sell out.
A REMINDER ABOUT MEALS AND ADA REQUESTS
Although NERGC will make every effort to accommodate those registering after 1 April 2011, meal choices and availability are not guaranteed.
Registrants with special meal requirements and/or special needs as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act must detail those requirements in writing to NERGC by 25 March 2011.
CONTINENTAL BREAKFASTS
Start your day with a Continental Breakfast, served at the Sheraton Friday and Saturday mornings from 6:30 – 9:00 a.m. and sponsored by the American Canadian Genealogical Society. The menu includes assorted chilled juices; freshly baked assorted bagels, muffins, and Danish pastries; flavored cream cheese; fruit preserves and butter; sliced fresh fruit; Starbucks freshly brewed regular & decaffeinated coffees, and a selection of tea. Register for either or both breakfasts by using the paper registration form or our Online Registration service.
EXPLORING THE EXHIBIT HALL
Our exhibitors are offering products and services to help in your research, document your findings, and help preserve your treasures. We also have many genealogical and historical societies exhibiting, so no matter where your family is from in New England, there will be representatives of societies who can help you in your research.
The Exhibit Hall will be open from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening, 7 April, and there will be "unopposed" exhibitor times throughout the conference between lectures and meals for everyone to browse.
Ø Don’t miss visiting Legacy Family Tree’s booths (52 - 53). Legacy will be raffling a Netbook computer in the Exhibit Hall on Saturday. There will be a special Door Prize ticket for you in your registration packet. Details/rules will also be in your registration packet.
ATTENTION EXHIBITORS
Exhibitor set-up in the Exhibit Hall (Sheraton Ballroom) is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7.
Exhibitor breakdown runs from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. Please don’t begin breaking down your exhibit prior to 4:00.
Also a reminder that NERGC’s Exhibitors that are selling items must obtain and pay for all required licenses, permits, and sales taxes. This includes both for-profit and non-profit corporations. Please be sure that you have registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to be in compliance with sales tax guidelines.
FOR EXHIBITORS PLANNING BOOK SIGNINGS
Exhibitors who are having a book signing in your booth, please contact Marian Pierre-Louis at marianpl@fieldstonehistoricresearch.com . Marian with be coordinating all the book signings for NERGC 2011 and will take care of arrangements for signage, publicity, etc. Please contact her as soon as possible to make arrangements. SATURDAY & SUNDAY MORNING EVENTS
There are many reasons to stick with NERGC throughout Saturday and into Sunday morning. Here are some of them:
• At 3:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, in the Exhibit Hall, Legacy Family Tree will announce the winner of the Netbook computer drawing.
• You won’t want to miss the Connecticut Society of Genealogists’ Banquet Saturday evening with John Philip Colletta speaking on “Hacks and Hookers and Putting Up Pickles: Snares of Yesteryear’s English.”
• On Sunday morning, before heading out to explore more new paths, join other conference attendees and speakers – and some of Dr. Seuss’ friends – in enjoying photo highlights of the conference and celebrating new-found friendships over tea, coffee, juice, pastry, and fruit as our thank you for attending NERGC 2011.
Staying for these “conference finishers” allows you to begin your return home in the daylight hours, having completed the full conference program.
SOCIETY FAIR
Where's the place to be on Thursday, 7 April at 5:15 p.m.? That's easy. It's the NERGC Society Fair at the Springfield Sheraton Hotel Grand Ballroom Foyer. Twenty-one genealogical, historical and family societies will be ready to greet one and all. It promises to be a gala event, with lots of interesting people, publications and membership possibilities. There will be refreshments (cash bar) and you'll be able to enter the Exhibit Hall when its doors open at 6:00 p.m. If you have an interest in any of the following surnames you may meet a cousin, because these family associations will be exhibiting: Sampson, Welles, Towne, Doolittle, Rose, Monroe, Avery, Parke, Locke and Foote. See you there!! SIGNAGE
The Signage Committee has been studying the layout of the conference and will be providing tons of signage to guide attendees to venues in the two separate hotels. The signs will need to be put in place at the beginning of each day and between lectures and will take only a few moments of your time during the conference hours. Help us to keep the conference on track. If you are able to help in changing signs, please send your name to Volunteer Chair Christine Bard at: bardc@comcast.net. This volunteer opportunity is guaranteed to be one of the most rewarding.
Thank you in advance! Jay Sage, Daphnah Sage, and Rob Locke, Signage Chairs.
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Have you taken a look at the Special Interest Groups that have recently been added? If not, check out http://www.nergc.org/NERGC2011/specialinterestgroups.html to see if anything strikes your fancy. Then, to help us plan space for each group, please access your online registration account and add the Special Interest Group of your choice. If you don't see a group you are interested in, it's too late to volunteer to host one yourself. If you're interested in being the facilitator for a topic not already covered, contact Leslie Huber at lahuber@understandingyourancestors.com.
volunteers NEEDED
We still need volunteers for small jobs so we have full coverage during the conference. Our most important needs are as follows:
1) Session Door Monitor for certain sessions - choose sessions you are already attending (close door at beginning, hand out evaluations)
2) Session Host/Introduction for certain sessions - choose sessions you are already attending (start the session on time, read introduction from prepared script)
3) Audio Visual need volunteers with a general knowledge of computers, LCD projectors, and general A/V is recommended (help troubleshoot AV problems)
4) Signage -need volunteers with some computer expertise as well as runners to help change signs during session for the next session, etc.
For each hour volunteered you will receive a raffle ticket for daily raffles. If you are bringing a spouse or friend along for the ride please ask if they will help out as well. They don't have to be registered for the conference to volunteer for non-session volunteer opportunities. If you are a member of a Participating Society, your hours will count toward your Society’s requirement of 20 hours, so report your membership, too.
of volunteer opportunities.
For information on “what to do, and where” during your non-conference hours, visit the web site of the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, http://www.valleyvisitor.com/. ; Their web site has a myriad of things to consider, including opportunities for exploration by those who are in Greater Springfield with you but not attending the conference.
LIBRARIANS’ AND TEACHERS’ DAY
Attending NERGC’s Librarians’ and Teachers' Day can provide librarians, teachers, and collection curators with tools for better serving patrons, students, and visitors no matter what level of genealogical skills you possess. Come learn how to broaden your library's patron base, excite your students, and showcase parts of your local history collection that may not have seen the light of day for decades.
Spotlight on LTD Speakers: Elizabeth G. Shapiro, Executive Director, Sharon (Connecticut) Historical Society; Interim Director, Connecticut League of History Organizations
Liz brings a unique combination of coaching skills, humor, and nonprofit expertise to a topic whose title is almost an oxymoron: Kids & Collections: Making Meaningful Connections.
Kids and collections--isn’t that a recipe for disaster? Sharon Historical Society and other museums in Connecticut have found that using objects and documents to connect kids to a tangible past creates the “ah-ha” moments that children remember for a lifetime. Museum educational programs includes using the SHS Web site (www.sharonhist.org) and both in-class and on-site visits. Ms. Shapiro will demonstrate that making collections accessible to parents, teachers, and students not only supports school curricular goals but also makes a museum’s collection a true community treasure rather than simply the preserve of the antiques aficionado.
EXPLORING NERGC 2011 THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
In addition to the NERGC website (www.nergc.org) you can now follow NERGC on the NERGC 2011 blog, Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook
Any Facebook member can join the NERGC Facebook group. It is located at http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=183089100494. In fact, people have already started posting to let other people know they will be attending NERGC. Join and see which of your friends are attending and get to know other genealogists.
NERGC 2011 Blog
The NERGC 2011 Blog is up and running with new content every day. Check out information on the speakers, exhibitors, sponsoring societies and much, much more. It’s a fun way to prepare for the conference and you can ask questions and leave comments too. Find the blog at http://nergc2011.blogspot.com.
Twitter
Is Twitter your preferred form of communication? NERGC 2011 is there too! Chat with NERGC and other attendees too. It’s a great way to keep up with the latest while on the go. If you have Twitter on your smart phone you’ll never miss any updates. Find NERGC at http://twitter.com/NERGC.
See you on the Web!
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ABOUT THIS E-ZINE
This E-zine is sent to you at your request or because of your involvement in past NERGC conferences. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for items to appear in future issues. Please send them to Nora Galvin at auntlizzie@snet.net and put the word e-zine in the subject line.
This E-zine is sent to you at your request or because of your involvement in past NERGC conferences. We welcome your thoughts and suggestions for items to appear in future issues. Please send them to Nora Galvin at auntlizzie@snet.net and put the word e-zine in the subject line.
Please feel free to share this newsletter with others. Permission to email, copy, and print it in part or whole is granted.
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© 2011 New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Inc.
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