Summit of Excellence Speakers at NGS Conference

The NGS Family History Conference is fast approaching, and guess who is speaking? Several presenters from UGA's Summit of Excellence also appear at NGS Live, NGS On-Demand, and as part of the NGS Focus on Societies.

Crista Cowan

AncestryDNA: Putting Your DNA Results to Work to Further Your Research (NGS Live: 20 May, 11:05 am ET)

What's New at Ancestry (Bonus-Sponsored Session, available June 15

Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL

Besieged by Baxters: A Case Study for a Common Name (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Rare Revolutionary Bounty Land Scrip Act Applications (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

The Hunt for Maryland Vital Records (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA

Strategies for Resolving Conflicting Evidence (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Homestead Records: A GOldmine for Genealogy (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Research Maryland Deeds Online Using MDLandRec.net and Plats.net (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Anne Merrell

Digital Marketing for the Modern Society (NGS Focus on Societies: 21 May, 4:00 pm ET)

Cheri Hudson Passey

Ancestors in Southern Claims Commission Records (NGS Live: 20 May, 12:15 pm ET)

Online Meetings: Helping Your Society Move Into a Virtual World (NGS Focus on Societies: 21 May, 4:00 pm ET)

Mary Kircher Roddy

Flying Under the Radar: Discovering Charles Olin's Alias (NGS Live: 20 May, 3:45 pm ET)

Really? Proving and Refuting Family Lore (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

Wilde Beasts, Sabbath Breakers, and Incorrigible Roughes: Early Virginia Laws (NGS Live: 20 May, 2:30 pm ET)

May I Please Have Your Permission? Using the Work of Others (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

"To protect people who provide DNA samples": The Ethics of DNA Testing (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

The Common Law: From Mr. Justice Blackstone to Mr. Justice Tucker (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

Using Maps of the Mid-Atlantic Region to Further Your Genealogical Research (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Finding Military Records in Published Sources (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Research in Washington, DC (NGS On-Demand, available June 15)

Congratulations to all of these speakers, and thank you for continuing to support genealogy education!

Please visit our schedule page here to see these speaker's upcoming presentations at the UGA Summit of Excellence. Registration for the Summit of Excellence is open here.

You can also still register to attend NGS Family History Conference here.

 

Spotlight: Crossroads for Kids

 Interview with Elise Godfrey, UGA Board Member and Editor of Crossroads for Kids

 

Q: Why is there a Crossroads for Kids section in UGA's Crossroads journal?

A: While family history and genealogy research are frequently relegated to older generations, at UGA we understand the joy that can be found in identifying and exploring our family connections and that this can be found at any age! We also recognize that our children will be the ones to carry on the research of our family lines and that inviting them to engage with their family history while in their youth encourages them to continue that tradition. We hope the activities, practices, and stories in Crossroads for Kids will foster a familiarity and love for family history that will continue throughout their lives.

 

Q: What age range is Crossroads for Kids designed for?

A: The various activities in Crossroads for Kids are geared towards kids and teens age 3-14, but most of them can be adapted to any age!

 

Q: What types of activities are in Crossroads for Kids?

A: All our activities are meant to educate and inspire an interest in genealogy and family history work! Some activities, like word searches and crossword puzzles, are meant to familiarize children with helpful family history ideas and terminology. Others give children a look into the methodology of family history research and various ways to navigate the branches of our family trees, referencing topics like finding evidence, using record groups, DNA, etc.

 

Q: How are UGA members benefiting from Crossroads for Kids?

A: Trying to share the nuances and our love of family history can be daunting, particularly when trying to share with children. Crossroads for Kids is designed to deliver easy, actionable, and fun family history ideas and activities to UGA members to share with the children in their lives. Many members use them as quality time activities with their children and grandchildren. Some members use the activities for family reunions or family nights. Regardless of the individual circumstances, members are excited to have quick, accessible ways to introduce the youth in their lives to family history work!  

 

Q: When does Crossroads journal come out?

A: Crossroads is a quarterly journal, with an issue published every Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

 

Q: Where can I find each month's Crossroads for Kids? Where can I access past editions?

A: Crossroads for Kids is a regular section of Crossroads journal. Current UGA members receive a printed Crossroads journal by mail each quarter. (Student memberships receive a digital edition only.) Current and past issues of Crossroads are available digitally on our website,  ugagenealogy.org.

 

Elise Godfrey currently serves as a UGA Board Member and editor of Crossroads for Kids. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English and Family History. Her areas of professional research primarily focus on New England and Dutch genealogy. As a descendent of avid genealogists herself, Elise is passionate about sharing the joy of family history and genealogy with younger generations. She lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and three children.

Celebrate UGA's 50th Anniversary at the Summit of Excellence

The Summit of Excellence, UGA's annual virtual conference, will look different this year, and for good reason. In September 2021, the Utah Genealogical Association is set to turn 50 and this year's conference is aimed at celebrating all those years of providing premier genealogical education. As we engage in this event, participants should look forward to a number of new and exciting event features.

Getting Started Day

UGA will host a free single-track day on September 15. The opening day, called our "Getting Started Day" will feature a full day of renowned speakers addressing topics for the introductory genealogist. Topics will include gathering family information, introductions to record types, beginning research methods, locality surveys, and tools for online research.

Multiple Tracks and Distinguished Speakers

Attendees to the 2021 Summit will enjoy a full conference experience of 57 presentations on a wide range of topics given over the four-day event from September 15-18, 2021. Featured tracks each day will help participants find topics of interest to them.

Thursday, September 16th - Methodology, General Records, and Focus Areas (Irish, Scottish, British, Italian)

Friday, September 17th - DNA, Legal Records, Professional Topics, and Focus Areas (Eastern European, Jewish, German, Nordic)

Saturday, September 18th - Technology, Military Records, and Focus Areas (Canadian, Native American, African American, and Hispanic)

Presenters at the conference will be some of genealogy's best speakers, including; Crista Cowan, Angela Packer McGhie, Rev. David McDonald, Judy G. Russell, Richard G. Sayre, LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, Rebecca Koford, Peggy Clemens Lauritzen, Kelvin L. Meyers, Gena Philibert-Ortega, Paul Woodbury, and many more. To see the full conference schedule please click here.

Recordings

One of the great advantages of hosting a virtual conference is the ability to still attend sessions you miss, all thanks to the digital recordings. Attendees will have access to session recordings until December 31, 2021 to continue to learn and watch as frequently as desired. 

Keynote and Commemorative Event

The conference also features an engaging keynote about the past and future of genealogy, "Looking Back in the Future," given by D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, former board member and historian of the Utah Genealogical Association and current president of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.

The final event of the conference will commemorate 50 years of the Utah Genealogical Association, with opportunities to celebrate our shared memories, experiences, and paths in garnering premier genealogical education.