A Scots-Irish Year

August 30, 2014 by Kirk Leave a comment

A highlight event for many at this year’s Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference 2014 was the Scots-Irish worship conducted by David E. Rencher and Dean J. Hunter.

“Scots-Irish research is not for the faint of heart,” stated Rencher.

The workshop attracted 120 conference attendees and covered, among other relevant topics, Scots-Irish immigration to North America, genealogical collections, Irish civil and religious jurisdictional boundaries, and records of the Presbyterian, Catholic and Church of Ireland religious bodies. Those who attended the two-hour program departed with a bound workshop manual filled with helpful content and resources for additional study.

For those who research Scots-Irish ancestry, 2014 has been quite the year for national conference offerings focused on the Ulster Scots. The National Genealogical Society’s annual conference, held this past May in Richmond, Virginia, offered presentations such as “The Scotch-Irish from Pennsylvania to Virginia and Onward,” and “From Ulster to Virginia and the Carolinas,” as well as other lectures on the subject.

They Came to Texas

August 28, 2014 by Kirk Leave a comment

The Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference 2014 continues in San Antonio, Texas, where hundreds of genealogists and genealogical society leaders have come to the convention center along the River Walk for workshops, presentations, luncheons and reunions with other family history enthusiasts from across the country.

Prominently showcased at this year’s conference is the Federation of Genealogical Societies’ Preserve the Pensions Project, a fundraising effort to help digitize the U.S. War of 1812 pension files located at the National Archives and Records Administration building in Washington, D.C.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies counts among its members more than 500 genealogy and family organizations. A listing of member organizations is available in the FGS Society Hall.

Soon to be “Gone to Texas”

August 25, 2014 by Kirk Leave a comment

It is time to haul out the suitcase and pack for San Antonio, Texas and the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference 2014. The annual gathering of genealogical society leaders and others who share a passion for family history will be held August 27-30 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center next to the famous River Walk. There will be history, food and music, but I am most excited to renew friendships and attend workshops and presentations with other genealogists from across the nation.

The Federation of Genealogical Societies is a wonderful resource and advocate for genealogical societies. Along with the annual conference, FGS supports the work of societies and their leaders with webinars, magazines, newsletters, and other helpful publications along with review of bylaws, newsletters and websites submitted by members. It was an honor in the past to serve on the organization’s Board of Directors. I take every opportunity to promote the good work of FGS and how it serves the interests of the genealogical community.

Maybe I will see you in San Antonio!