And the Winner is..............

This year NGS held the first ever Conference Challenge. Click here to read complete details. We had Drew Smith co-host of the Genealogy Guys Podcast, author of Social Networking for Genealogists, FGS director, and president of the Florida Genealogical Society be the judge.

According to Drew, we had several wonderful entries but one entry caught his attention.

Linda Russell .... Congratulations! Thank you for sharing and we hope you enjoy your free registration to the NGS 2012 Family History Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

And the Winner is..............

NGS 2011 Family History Conference - In Pictures

Since Blogger was down for a few days I was not able to post pictures as frequently as I would have liked. I have embedded below a snapshot of the conference week. Thank you Carol Laferty, Scott Stewart, and Trish Hackett Nicola, CG for your wonderful image contributions.

NGS 2011 Family History Conference - In Pictures

AfriGeneas at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference

This video clip was made 13 May 2011 at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference. Bernice Bennett talks about "Tracking the Homestead Records of a Group of American African Americans in Livingston Parish, Louisiana".

Thank you Bernice for sharing!

Courtesy the AfriGeneas channel on YouTube.

AfriGeneas at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference

Conference Program Survey

We value your feedback. Please take a moment and answer the questions below and improve the value of the educational sessions at our annual conference. Visit http://ngs2011.questionpro.com/.  

Conference Program Survey

Monetizing your Genealogy Expertise with a Blog/Website

Friday Room F319 Club North 9:30am - 11am

Do you have a blog or website or want to create one?

Mark Olsen of FamilyLink.com will be teaching you how to make money using your specific Genealogy Expertise.

If you have unique knowledge pertaining to a particular topic/niche such as particualar area, record type,

Language, Church, History, Surname or your own family stories this class is for you.

If you have a blog or website you can make money either as your main income or on the side.  Have you heard of affiliate marketing but don't know where to start?In this question and answer session Mark will show you what he has learned as an affiliate, affiliate manager and professional online marketer.

From a few extra dollars a month to thousands of dollars each month you can monetize your expertise.

Monetizing your Genealogy Expertise with a Blog/Website

Ancestry.com Feedback Sessions

Wed, May 11,  & Friday, May 13,  in meeting room; Ideation

Give Ancestry feedback on some new concepts during NGS.  If you are interested in sharing your discoveries with your family, simplifying how many passwords you have to remember, or helping others get started with genealogy, we would like your input.

Sign up here http://tinyurl.com/3ggmkjq

Ancestry.com Feedback Sessions

Day 4: A Day in Pictures

Color Guard

Marguerite Bishop

Opening Session Entryway

Bagpipes

Buzzy Jackson - Opening Session

Volunteers. We love you!

Opening Session

Connie Trossbach - Day 1 Drawing Winner with Illyce Mac Donald, NGS Membership Director

Photos coutesy Trish Hackett Nicola, CG

Day 4: A Day in Pictures

Archives.com Grant Program

In today’s opening session, NGS platinum sponsor Archives.com announced it will make a special $1,000 dollar grant award to one conference attendee! The Archives.com Grant Program funds important individual and communal initiatives that contribute to the promotion and advancement of family history research and historical preservation.  Archives makes a monthly award from their website, but has decided to go one step further and make a special grant award here in Charleston!

Are you working on or planning a family history project that needs an extra boost to get off the ground? If so, Archives encourages you to apply. Past winners have been both individuals and organizations who have taken on unique and challenging family history projects. Your project could be: restoring damaged photos, digitizing historical material, organizing a community event, or anything in between.

Here’s how it works. If you’re an NGS attendee, stop by Archives.com booths #229 and #231 to pick up an application. You can turn this hard-copy application back in to them during Exhibit Hall hours no later than 11am Saturday, May 14th.  The lucky winner will be announced Saturday afternoon.

The Archives.com  Grant recipient will receive a $1,000 dollar award to fund their project, and a feature on the Archives.com website.  

Thank you to Archives.com for this generous gift! Visit them at booths #229 and #231 to apply and learn more.  

Archives.com Grant Program

Trolley Schedule

The Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Absolutely Charleston have kindly provided trolley services that will from the convention hotels to the convention center. Hours of operation are as listed below.

Wednesday, 11 May   6:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
Thursday, 12 May       7:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.
Friday, 13 May           7:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, 14 May       7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

Each trolley has a capacity of 34 and trip time is anticipated to take between 15-25 minutes depending on traffic and the number of people looking to ride the trolley. Please factor in travel time to the convention center when planning your day.

Trolley Schedule

Day 3: Exhibits Set-up, Attendee Check-In and On-Site Registration Opens

5:00 a.m. wake up call dragged me out of bed and then I had a nice chat with my mom in Germany. My day was off to a wonderful start. I reviewed my schedule for the day over a cup of steaming hot coffee in my room and made a mental note.... need caffeine- a long and exciting day ahead!

7:00 a.m. Registration for the Research Trip to the South Carolina Archives begins in the lobby of the Embassy Suites. Delivered registration materials ... check!
7:45 a.m. Attendees depart for Librarians' Day.
8:00 a.m. Attendee Check-In begins for the BCG Education Fund Workshop in Meeting Room 10-13.
8:15 a.m. Check in with Valley Expo on Exhibit Hall setup. Boy..... they are super efficient and I have enjoyed working with them over the years. Thank you Cynthia Kutz!
10:00 a.m. Exhibitor Registration begins and the exhibit hall begins to take form.
11:00 a.m. Attendee check-in and on-site registration setup complete.
12:00 noon Attendee check-in and on-site registration begins. Registration was smooth. We had 27 on-site registrations today and our attendee check-in volunteers did a wonderful job ... An absolute success....
3:30 p.m. Lunch at the Embassy Suites .... Another meal recommendation Prime Rib Bites. An appetizer selection on the menu featuring prime rib, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and horse radish sauce.... I am sure I will repeat this order before the end of the week.
5:00 p.m. Exhibit setup is complete and we have a beautiful hall waiting for all of you attendees to visit tomorrow.
7:00 p.m. Registration closes and I stagger over to the Embassy Suites to enjoy the last half hour of the Manager's Reception.

An eventful day and I look forward to tomorrow.

Reminder: The opening session begins at 8:00 a.m. and is in the Performing Arts Center. Till tomorrow!

Day 3: Exhibits Set-up, Attendee Check-In and On-Site Registration Opens

Where to Park

Parking at the North Charleston Convention Center is $5 per day and parking lot E has been assigned to the NGS 2011 Family History Conference.

To get to parking lot E from inside the Convention Center, walk past Exhibit Halls A, B, and C and exit through the doors at the far end of the corridor.

Where to Park

Day 2: It's all about the volunteers

I woke up with a slight headache this morning of  9 May 2011 and wondered if I should even get out of bed! A few alarm snoozes and alerts later, I was finally up and out the door. Had a quick breakfast with the my colleague, Erin and headed over to the convention center....

Meeting room One.....a long day ahead. Bags to be stuffed, signs to be put out, and more!

9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. - Our wonderful volunteers organized by SCGS assisted us in stuffing the bags and having them ready for our attendees to pick up beginning noon tomorrow. I will post the pictures tomorrow morning. A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped us out today. I am not sure what we would do without your help!

Those who can, do.  Those who can do more, volunteer.
-Author Unknown

A gorgeous day outside and we head to Mustard Seed for dinner. I highly recomment the fried green tomatoes with crab cakes.... an appetizer on the menu but definitely a meal I cherish and recommend!

Thank you Sunni, Ruth, Illyce, Susan and Erin for your wonderful company.

Signing off..... More updates tomorrow.

Day 2: It's all about the volunteers

Welcome to the NGS Conference Challenge where you can win a FREE registration for next year’s family history conference!

The rules are simple—go to the location of each of the clues below, take a picture of yourself with the clue or at the clue location, then tweet or e-mail us your photos, which must be sent in a single e-mail.

Two ways to play:
1. TWEET your photos with the #ngs2011hunt hashtag and include what number clue you are on.
2. E-MAIL all your photos in one e-mail to us at ngs2011hunt@ngsgenealogy.org. Put ngs2011hunt in the subject line.

Those who complete each task and submit their photos by Saturday, 14 May, at 10:30 a.m. will be automatically entered to win a free registration for the NGS 2012 Family History Conference!

The most creative and innovative entry will be selected by our esteemed judge. Our prominent judge will be kept hush-hush ..... but will be revealed when the winner is announced.

CLUES:
1. This isn’t your normal playground. Take a picture with an attendee wearing a kilt!
2. A picture of yourself at dinner with a fellow genealogist.
3. Checking out one of our hottest publications or education releases at the NGS booth.
4. Volunteer wearing an ASK ME button.
5. A picture of yourself with an exhibitor whose company name has an "I" or "T" in it.
6. Geeking out a lecture in the GenTech track.
7. A picture of yourself with the largest family tree you can find at the conference.
8. A picture of the person with the most ribbons on their badge (show the ribbons).
9. A picture of yourself with one of the NGS board members.
10. A picture of someone who appeared in one of the NGS videos.

The winner will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, 14 May, at the NGS booth located in the Exhibit Hall booth #201. Winners must be present!

Sorry, NGS staff, exhibitors, and NGS board members are not eligible to win.

Day 1: Destination Charleston

Dulles International airport was more crowded than usual but I braved the check-in and security lines and hurried over to gate A3C for United Airlines flight 5714 to Charleston. An on-time departure, slightly bumpy flight, and an hour later it was touch down .... smooth landing!

Weather... a gorgeous 84 degrees.... definitely more humid than the DC metro area.... but I am not complaining ... yet.

I picked up my checked in bags and called the hotel (Embassy Suites) where I am staying for the week. I was instructed to head out the doors from the Baggage Claim area, walk across to the center lane, and await the complimentary airport shuttle 20 feet in front of the taxi stand. A short wait later I was sitting comfortably in a shuttle headed to the hotel. Be sure to call the hotel you are staying at to check if they offer complimentary airport shuttles. Check-in was smooth, no lines, and my shuttle driver was kind enough to bring my bags up to my room.

Off to dinner I go.... BBQ was the cuisine of choice and the restaurant Jim & Nick's. Nice restaurant and good BBQ, not the best I have ever had but the corn bread brought to the table before the meal was definitely to die for.

A good day now on to conference preparation starting tomorrow. Time to get some shut eye.

Waiting to see y'all soon! 

Day 1: Destination Charleston

Charleston

Here in the dusky quiet of the streets
Lies a forgotten age
Wrapped in the mellow dimness of the past—
Written on yellowed page.
Here are the musty chronicles of years,
Inscribed by the hand
Of those who passed some centuries ago—
Into another land.
Here, in the past—time immemorial—
Brave men have stood apart
Holding the heritage of ages gone
A people of vibrant heart.

by Ellen Chantal Brown, Ashley Hall, class of 1939
Permission to use the poem given by Ashley Hall

Miss Ann Hill, a student from Ashley Hall, will be the a cappella soloist at the Opening Session on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m.

Charleston

A Garden Report - From your Conference Chair

We are having an exceptional spring in South Carolina. It has been cool and dry. The roses and bottlebrush were the prettiest I can remember, and you will see a few remaining in and around Charleston. Many of the storms you have seen on the news have gone north and missed Charleston. The gardenias are in bloom and the Magnolia's are just about to bloom providing you a perfect welcome to Charleston and the Lowcountry.

A Garden Report - From your Conference Chair

Charleston.... Here we come!

Weather
Coming from the Washington DC metro area, where we went from winter, to spring, to winter, to summer and now back to a warm day with blustering winds..... I cannot wait to get to sunny Charleston. Hope to see y'all there too!

Here is a snap shot of the weather in Charleston next week. Be sure to carry an umbrella to brave those isolated thunderstorms and keep watching http://www.weather.com/ for updates.

Clothing
Dress in layers. Most likely, some areas of lecture rooms, or the exhibit hall, will be cold – other areas will be warm. 

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. You will do lots of walking as well as sitting.

Those going to the banquet, will find there is a wide range of attire; formal dress is not necessary.

Where to eat?
In addition to luncheons, there will be a concession stand in the exhibit hall, and a concession stand in the lobby of the convention center that will be open for breakfast only. Hours of operation are as listed below.

Lobby
Daily 7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.

Exhibit Hall
Wednesday,  9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Beer and Wine Concession
Thursday Night Only
5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Enjoy the Exhibit Hall extended hours on Thursday!

Charleston.... Here we come!

Family History Skills

If you have always wanted to research your family but don't know where to begin, the conference will feature a Family History Skills track for people new to genealogy or others who desire to broaden their research skills. This special twelve-lecture track will instruct you on how to research vital records, census, cemeteries, obituaries, city directories, printed genealogies, and county histories as well as how to organize your research and prepare a timeline.

Full conference registration is available onsite with a discount for National Genealogical Society members.  Single day registrations are also available. Program and registration details can be found at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info.

If you don't have time to attend the full conference, a one-day session, "Genealogy 101," will be offered on Saturday, 14 May 2011, from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. This hands-on workshop will review both printed and electronic sources for family history research and will cover essential record groups, how to determine an immigrant ancestor's origins, and how to uncover the facts behind those family stories. You can register onsite but space is limited so arrive early to secure a spot.
An exhibit area with more than one hundred exhibitors will be open and free to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 11–14 May, and will include the latest in genealogical software, online research providers, and DNA testing services.

Family History Skills

Ancestry.com Feedback Sessions

Wed, May 11,  & Friday, May 13,  in meeting room; Ashley

Give Ancestry feedback on some new concepts during NGS.  If you are interested in sharing your discoveries with your family, simplifying how many passwords you have to remember, or helping others get started with genealogy, we would like your input.

Sign up here http://tinyurl.com/3ggmkjq

Ancestry.com Feedback Sessions

Stay Connected

Stay connected before, during and after the NGS 2011 Family History Conference with Social Media tools dedicated to sharing information and connecting individuals around the conference.

Tools to follow at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference:

NGS Facebook Connect with members and attendees at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference	NGS Conference Blog  Keep the conversation going, check out the NGS Conference blog
Twitter NGS 2011 Conference (#ngs2011)	NGS YouTube

Social Media Policy

NGS does not permit the recording of presentations at the NGS Family History Conference under any circumstances or in any form or media, including but not limited to audio recordings, video recordings, or literal transcripts, except by specific written permission. JAMB, Inc. contracts with NGS to audio record the lectures of speakers who provide their written consent to be recorded. CD's may be purchased at the conference or ordered after the conference for $12 per CD.

NGS does permit and encourage the use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging at the conference as a way to summarize, highlight, excerpt, review, critique, and/or promote the presented materials, syllabus materials, or the conference in general, provided that (1) the material is not shared in full and (2) the author/speaker is referenced and cited appropriately in each case. Please keep in mind that our presenters have invested many hours into the development of this material and copyright laws apply.

Stay Connected

Plan Ahead

Before you leave home, decide which lectures you would like to attend. Click here, to download the daily schedule for the conference, which includes information on whether the session is being taped or not, room location etc.

To view and download syllabus pages for those lectures from the NGS website, http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/2011syllabus. Many speakers will refer to these pages in their lectures. 

Note: Due to the large size of the file, please follow the instructions on the page to download and view the file successfully.

Plan Ahead

Visit the NGS Booth #201

Hot off the Presses!

Research in the States Series

                                            Research in South Carolina

                                            Research in Georgia

Stop by the NGS booth and browse our new publications, novelty items, educational courses, and more!

 

Meet the NGS Quarterly Editors

Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS
Melinde Lutz Sandborn, CG, FASG
Friday, 13 May 2011, 2:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

 

New Educational Offering

The National Genealogical Society proudly announces the release of its newest educational course, Introduction to Civil War Records, developed by renowned military expert Craig R. Scott, CG at the NGS Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

This course is available on CD-ROM as a PDF file for $35.00. Craig will make a personal appearance on Saturday, 14 May, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for questions and autographs.

Daily Raffle at the NGS Booth

Wednesday, 11 May 2011: Free conference registration to the NGS 2012 Family History Conference
Thursday, 12 May 2011: American Genealogy Special Topics Series—Combo CD
Friday, 13 May 2011: Choice of two Research in the States Series publications
Saturday, 14 May 2011: Annual NGS membership

All winners will be announced at 4:45 p.m., except for Saturday when the drawing will be held at 2:00 p.m.

Visit the NGS Booth #201

NGS Booth - New Educational Offering, Introduction to Civil War Records

The National Genealogical Society proudly announces the release of its newest educational course, Introduction to Civil War Records, developed by renowned military expert Craig R. Scott, CG at the NGS Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

Craig R. Scott is a nationally recognized lecturer, educator, and genealogical and historical researcher with more than thirty years experience. He is a member of the Company of Military Historians and specializes in the diverse military records at the National Archives.

Now Craig brings his military expertise to NGS with the Introduction to Civil War Records. In this course, he focuses on current genealogical practices of research.

In this six-chapter course, he will teach you strategies to identify and locate information on an ancestor living at the time of the Civil War. You will learn about numerous records created for, during, and after the war, such as compiled service records, prisoners of war record, pension files and indexes, and post-war records to name a few.

This course is available on CD-ROM as a PDF file for $35.00. Craig will make a personal appearance on Saturday, 14 May, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for questions and autographs.

NGS Booth - New Educational Offering, Introduction to Civil War Records

Ancestry — Focus Group Participation

Do you have a lot to say about Family Tree Maker? Then we want to hear from you. As part of the National Genealogical Society Family History Conference, Family Tree Maker will be holding a focus group at 12:30 p.m, on Thursday, 12 May 2011, to find out what you think about the product. If you are attending the conference—or are in the area—and are interested in being considered as a participant in the discussion, please email us at conferences@ancestry.com and include this information:

• The version of Family Tree Maker you are currently using
• How long you've used Family Tree Maker
• Genealogy skill level: beginning, experienced, expert

We look forward to hearing from you!

Ancestry — Focus Group Participation

26 April 2011 - Pre-Registration Deadline

Countdown to the NGS 2011 Family History Conference - only 15 more days!

There are over 186 lecture sessions at the NGS conference ranging in topic from technology skills; to military records; to ethnic research; to methodology and skillbuilding! Read more.

There will be nearly 90 different exhibitors in this year's exhibit hall -- just about anything you want or need to help you with your genealogical research. Read more.

Location

Charleston, South Carolina has a very interesting history. Did you know that Charleston's cobble stone streets were built built from the ballast (stone weights) of ships? Did you know that the Western Hemisphere's longest cable-stayed bridge, the Arthur J. Ravenel Jr bridge, spans the Charleston Harbor? The bridge connects Charleston and Mount Pleasant. Visit Charleston in May and share your love of family history with over 2,000 other family historians.

Registration

Pre-registration for the NGS 2011 Family History Conference ends 26 April 2011. So be sure you register today! You can also register on-site at the North Charleston Convention Center beginning 10 May 2011. Location details and hours are listed below.

Attendee Check-In and On-Site Registration Hours

The NGS 2011 Family History Conference will be located at the North Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Dr., North Charleston, South Carolina. Even though you have registered for the conference, you are expected to check-in and pick up your conference bag, program and syllabus on CD (Printed syllabus, if pre-ordered before early bird deadline). Please bring you ID to check-in.

Tuesday, 10 May 2011
12:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 11 May 2011
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Thursday, 12 May 2011
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Friday, 13 May 2011
7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Saturday, 14 May 2011
7:00 a.m.–12 p.m.

26 April 2011 - Pre-Registration Deadline

Announcement: National Genealogical Society Banquet Speaker will be Patrick McCawley

We regret to inform you that Stephen B. Bacon, Maj. USAF (Ret), will be unable to deliver the National Genealogical Society Banquet talk Friday, 13 May 2011, due to circumstances beyond his control.  We have been fortunate on such short notice to find Patrick McCawley, who is also an expert on many aspects of the Civil War in South Carolina.

Patrick McCawley, Archival Processing Supervisor at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, will talk about “The Destruction of Records in South Carolina during the Civil War.” His talk will provide an overview of recordkeeping in South Carolina on the eve of the war, a review of military operations during the war, and the effect those operations had on the survival of local and state records. In particular he will discuss the march of General Sherman’s army through the state and the courthouses and records destroyed as a result.

McCawley began his career with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in 1986 as Reference Archivist. His interest in military history led him to become familiar with the department’s military records and, in his twenty-five years with the Archives, has become an expert on its Civil War holdings. His current duties include assessing and accessioning all incoming records from the state or local governments, preparing the records for research use, and maintaining the electronic guide to the archival collection, all within a restricted budget in a recessionary environment. 


McCawley’s interest in history began at an early age, fostered by the Time-Life books his father collected and family trips to Manassas and Antietam battlefields. He graduated from the University of Maryland, where he received a BA in American History in 1984. His focus during his college years was World War II military history with an emphasis on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  McCawley also attended the Applied History graduate program at the University of South Carolina. More recently he has attended the annual Southeastern Archives and Records Conference and has participated in panels for the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators.

In 1991, McCawley wrote a small pamphlet on Confederate records which led to a more complete Guide to Civil War Records: A Guide to Records at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History published in 1994.  In 1997, the department published the Selected Civil War Bibliography, a 44-page list of South Carolina related Civil War books and articles.  In 1999, McCawley co-edited, with Alexia J. Helsley, The Many Faces of Slavery, a reader of selected slave related documents from the department’s collection geared towards use in the classroom. McCawley has also written several  articles for historical journals and several Civil War related entries for the Encyclopedia of South Carolina.  He has also had two “guest appearances” on PBS’s The History Detectives.

Patrick McCawley resides with his family in Chapin, South Carolina.

Announcement: National Genealogical Society Banquet Speaker will be Patrick McCawley

"A Meeting of Souls" - Madeline Carol

Charleston's High Battery has welcomed generations of locals and tourist alike to experience our historic city. To embrace the experience, one only has to imagine the echo's of the souls of previous generations whispering the past is still present. In "A Meeting of Souls", Madeline Carol creates the reality of the past meeting the spirits of the future. Experience the magic of the past colliding with the future and face the Charleston Harbor, our gateway to the world, heighten your senses and let the magic begin. Click here to read more.

"A Meeting of Souls" - Madeline Carol

The Variety Store

It’s not what you think. It’s a lot more!

The Variety Store is one of the best restaurants in Charleston for breakfast, lunch or dinner and anything in between. They also cater parties and outings of all kinds, as much or as little as you want.

The Variety Store has been a family run business for three generations of “Altines.” The Variety Store was started by the first Mike Altine at the Charleston City Marina as a place you could purchase snacks, soft drinks, fishing gear, etc. Over the years it was expanded into a full restaurant but it has remained a variety store selling some groceries (bread and milk), newspapers, magazines, and providing use of a washing machine and dryer for marina residents.

The best thing about the Variety Store is the food! I highly recommend the club sandwich or she-crab soup for lunch and the fresh fish of the day for dinner.  Breakfast is up to you. I like them all!

Marguerite Bishop
Local Host Chair

[The Variety Store is located at the Charleston Marina on the Ashley River and is one of the sponsors of the South Carolina Genealogical Society’s Wednesday evening Wine and Cheese and Museum Tour event at the NGS Conference.]

The Variety Store

Affordable Sustenance in Downtown Charleston

Let me add a few thoughts to Jan Alpert’s Charleston restaurant perspective.  As a local, living in the Charleston Historic District, I surely agree with her that lunch is a great, economical alternative to the prices (and crowds) of evening fine dining.  And while Charleston has its share of James Beard award winners and Iron Chef competitors, if you aren’t a ‘foodie’ and just want tasty, affordable sustenance, there are other places to go.  None of these need reservations.

Whether you are looking for lunch or dinner, my first suggestion is to head up King Street (north of Market).  On the 4 blocks between Wentworth and Calhoun you’ll find an abundance of budget--friendly casual dining choices.  This area is one of Charleston’s primary shopping streets, but it also adjoins the College of Charleston campus.  You can have barbecue at Jim N Nick’s, burgers at any number of places, a great appetizer sampler at the King Street Grille (sports bar), chicken at the Kickin’ Chicken, pizza at Mellow Mushroom or Pop’s New York Pizza, Mediterranean at Sermet’s (they also offer smaller portion alternatives on their dinner menu) and several Mexican choices.  And if you venture off King Street by ½ block in either direction, you’ll find some other choices including Chopsticks House (Chinese on Society Street) and the ever-popular lunch spot, Jack’s Café (a limited menu, extremely affordable basic lunch only choice on George Street).

If it’s upscale casual you seek, try Caviar and Bananas on George Street (½ block west of King).  They have made to order upscale sandwiches (e.g. duck confit), sushi, and lots of wonderful prepared foods for takeout or very limited dine in seating.

Now, let’s talk desserts.  Bread pudding, my husband’s favorite is available at many places. He likes the version at Poogan’s Porch on Queen Street.  If you want ice cream, try Haagen Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s in the Market area or Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream Shoppe on King Street.  There are also several new frozen yogurt places on King.  If you’re looking for pies and cakes, you’ll love Kaminsky’s on North Market.

And when you want an afternoon iced tea or other social beverage, try the rooftop at Market Pavilion hotel (Market and East Bay) for a great view, the Mills House Hotel courtyard (Queen and Meeting) or the very casual Blind Tiger Pub (on Broad Street between Church and State) where you walk through the bar to an enclosed courtyard out back.

There’s no shortage of places to drink, dine or socialize.  Charleston’s social past is still present.  Enjoy!

Pat Kruger
Charleston, South Carolina

Affordable Sustenance in Downtown Charleston

Speaker Spotlight: Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL

An article in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported on a fire at the Military Personal Records Center in July 1973. On prophetic line said that the fire “created an administrative nightmare which may torment the U.S. Military establishment for years to come.”

Beginning in 2005, the Archival Division of the Military Personal Records Center, St. Louis began opening the military files to the public. Now they receive approximately 5,000 requests per day.

For years, rumors were circulated about the fire, records found, and files destroyed. What records are in St. Louis? Ever wondered what records were burned? How they preserve the remaining files? What you might find in a file? What determines if the file was archival or a regular restricted file?  

On Saturday at 4:00 p.m., the genealogical community will hear about the fire, the resulting aftermath, and the records one can obtain in a lecture by Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL, a local St. Louis researcher, who uses the St. Louis NARA Military Personal Records Center.

Speaker Spotlight: Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL

One person’s perspective on Charleston restaurants

I’ve visited Charleston many times and each trip usually includes several meals.  At the upcoming NGS 2011 Family History Conference, the Hospitality Booth, across from Attendee Check-In, will have copies of the 2011 Official Visitors Guide for Charleston (Guide).  The Guide is almost 200 pages and includes “what to see” and “where to dine.” My preference is to have lunch in Charleston because the servings are smaller, the prices are lower, and the quality is the same. If you are in Charleston over the weekend, several of the restaurants mentioned below have a brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

One of my favorite restaurants for Lowcountry cuisine, including fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits, is Magnolia’s, 185 East Bay St., Charleston, 843-577-7771, http://www.magnolias-blossom-cypress.com/.

Poogan’s Porch, 72 Queen St., Charleston, 843-577-2337, http://www.poogansporch.com/, is another choice for southern hospitality and Lowcountry fare in the historic area.

Virginia’s on King, 412 King St., Charleston, 843-735-8500, http://www.virginiasonking.com/, has great barbeque sliders, pimento cheese sandwiches, and cornbread.

If you want to eat seafood on the water, the choice is Fleet Landing, 186 Concord St., Charleston, 843-722-8100, http://www.fleetlanding.net/.

Another tourists’ favorite is Hyman’s Seafood, 215 Meeting St., Charleston, 843-723-6000, http://www.hymanseafood.com/.  They don’t take reservations and there is usually a line at peak meal times. The specialty is crispy flounder which fills your plate and the sides are served in separate dishes. When you think you’re done you turn the flounder over and eat the other side. My husband always orders something else because he knows he’s getting about half of my flounder.

If you are a vegetarian, I would recommend the Hominy Grill, 207 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, 843-937-0930, http://www.hominygrill.com/, which has a vegetable plate entre in addition to its other southern fare.  The Hominy Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

If you are looking for an upscale restaurant and an outstanding dinner you will remember, my choices are Anson’s, Fig, and McCrady’s which are only open for dinner: Anson’s, 12 Anson St., Charleston, 843-577-0551, http://www.ansonrestaurant.com/; Fig, 232 Meeting St., 843-805-5900, http://www.eatatfig.com/; and McCrady’s, 2 Unity Alley, Charleston, 843-577-0025, http://www.mccradysrestaurant.com/.

There are many great restaurants to choose from and I have only listed those in which I have personally dined in the last couple of years.  If you have others you would like to recommend to conference attendees, send you recommendations to conference@ngsgenealogy.org for posting on the blog or simply post back under the comments section at the end of this post.

Jan Alpert
Conference Chair

 

One person’s perspective on Charleston restaurants

Speaker Spotlight: Don Rightmyer

Don Rightmyer, editor, Kentucky Ancestors (quarterly genealogical publication of the Kentucky Historical Society, Frankfort, Kentucky), writer, and lecturer.  Following a 24-year U.S. Air Force career, Don worked as a reference librarian for eight years before taking over Kentucky Ancestors.  He has spoken on a variety of genealogical, Civil War, and Kentucky historical topics at national, regional, and local levels.    

Migration Routes into Kentucky

Traveling to the trans-Appalachian region of colonial Virginia in the late 1700s?  Over 200,000 people made that trip in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.  The two primary routes were down the Ohio River or through the Cumberland Gap by way of the Wilderness Trail.  Don Rightmyer will describe what the experience was like for ancestors who made that trip and began a new life “on the western waters.” 

 

Speaker Spotlight: Don Rightmyer

Surname Catalog - Network at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference

We are pleased to announce a new feature for conference attendees this year.  Follow this link http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/surname_search to a Surname Catalog where you can list surnames you are researching as well as information about the years you have researched each name. You can also show the migration pattern for each surname using a list of state and country abbreviations. The instructions for submitting surname listings are on the “Surname Catalog Entry” page.  Since this feature is only available to conference attendees, you must log in to submit surnames.

If everyone who is interested in participating can list their surnames by 20 April 2011, then conference attendees will have time to search the list to see if another conference attendee is researching the same surname. The Surname Catalog provides an e-mail link so you can make contact with the person who listed each surname. NGS is providing this service so conference attendees can exchange information and hopefully meet a new cousin at the conference.

You can only enter surname listings until 4 May 2011. We will keep the surname catalog available to search through the conference. If there is sufficient interest, NGS may expand the Surname Catalog to all NGS members later this summer. We would appreciate your feedback as to the ease of using the catalog as well as any successful connections made.

If you have difficulty accessing the page, contact gkher@ngsgenealogy.org.  If you have any feedback on the Surname Catalog, contact conference@ngsgenealogy.org.

Surname Catalog - Network at the NGS 2011 Family History Conference

Ancestry Day

Are you getting the most out of your Ancestry.com subscription? Need ideas to help you grow and organize your family tree? If so, don’t miss Ancestry Day on Saturday, 14 May 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Exhibit Hall C of the North Charleston Convention Center.

Register Today

Schedule

The following is the schedule of this fun and exciting day:

8:00 a.m. Ancestry Day check-in opens
9:00 a.m. NGS Exhibit Hall Opens
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Getting the most of Ancestry.com search             
11:00 a.m. –  noon Overlooked Secrets in Census Records
Noon – 2:30 p.m.  Lunch
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Searching Your African-American Roots on Ancestry.com
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Getting the Most from Family Tree Maker

How to Register

Click here to register today.

Ancestry Day

Speaker Spotlight - Claire Bettag, CG, CGL

Claire Bettag, CG, CGL, lecturer, writer, and editor, has served as trustee for BCG, APG, and NGS; director of NIGR; and co-editor of the NGSQ.

BOUNTY-LAND RECORDS AT NARA

Looking for an ancestor who might have had bounty land? You might learn something in this presentation, as bounty-land research can be puzzling, sometimes involving multiple search paths to various records. Researchers working in the bounty-land records of the National Archives (NARA)—whether on site or online—frequently fail to consult all available records. At least two NARA record groups are involved: Record Group 15 for the bounty-land applications, and Record Group 49 for the surrendered bounty-land warrants. In general, the applications are more valuable for genealogical purposes, but researchers should always consult both, as some surrendered warrant files can provide a great deal of information. Various indexes to both applications and surrendered warrants are available. Some indexes, however, are incomplete. Especially for applications, unproductive index searches must be complemented by searches in unindexed record series at the National Archives. This discussion will guide researchers to all available records, and will look at many examples along the way.

RESEARCH REPORTS
If you’re like most researchers, you love the excitement of the chase, the search, the quest. You are not so excited by the prospect of writing a report about that quest. While this discussion can promise no “easy way out” and no way to avoid writing reports, it will present the essential elements for written reports—whether written for clients, for friends and relatives, or for your own files. There may be no way to make writing a research report fun for everyone, but perhaps developing a template and reporting habits can make the task less onerous.

Speaker Spotlight - Claire Bettag, CG, CGL

Speaker Spotlight: Julie Miller, CG

Julie is a Kentucky native and has lived in Mississippi, South Dakota, Indiana, Arizona, Texas and has resided in Colorado for the past 19 years. She has been involved in genealogy since she started researching her own family in 1976.

Julie has been active in genealogy society management for over 11 years in various local and national societies. She is NGS Vice President, NGS 2010 and 2012 conference chair, and has been a volunteer at the National Archives, Rocky Mountain Region for 15 years.

Lectures that Julie will be presenting:

W146, Wednesday, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
"Search for Ancestors in Passenger Arrival Records"
This lecture starts with a short review of the passenger arrival records that are available and what information is found in those records. The majority of the lecture covers difficult problems that may be encountered when reaching passenger lists and the importance of dissecting the records and analyzing the information in order to reveal all of their potential worth. This session is for you if you have some experience in passenger arrival list research.
 
T223, Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
"When Grandpa Comes Marching Home Again"
Civil War pension files are filled with genealogical information but are often large and intimidating. This lecture begins with a review of the documents usually included in a Civil War pension file. It then discusses how to make sense of the file by organizing, extracting and analyzing the documents and information. This lecture is for you if you have acquired a pension file (or any large file of documents) and want some ideas about how to find the hidden treasures contained within these files.

F326, Friday, 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
"Catholic Church Research in the Southeast"
Catholic Church records can provide information about our ancestors for periods when civil vital records do not exist. These records are well-known for their reliability and value to genealogical researchers. This lecture discusses the different types of Catholic Church records available, what you can expect to find in the records, and how to locate the records with a special emphasis on the locating records in the Southeast United States. No prior knowledge of Catholic Church records is needed to attend this session.

S404. Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Kids' Kamp
This program is for children between the ages of eight and sixteen. The Kamp features a variety of age-appropriate activities that help children gain an appreciation of and a connection to their ancestry. Included in the Kamp are activities focusing on the requirements for the Boy Scout Genealogy Merit Badge and the Girl Scout My Heritage Badge. This  is a fun and unique opportunity to get your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and scout troops interested in their family history.

Speaker Spotlight: Julie Miller, CG

Expand your reach and build your reputation

FREE Presentation Recording Service by FamilySearch

Do you teach a family history class in your society, family history center, or at local conferences? FamilySearch is offering a FREE presentation recording service in conjunction with the NGS conference in Charleston May 9-14. At no cost to you, FamilySearch will record your class and provide you a digital copy, plus post the recording online. All recordings will be done with audio and video included.

Benefits of recording your class:

• Reach hundreds of people online through familysearch.org
• Build your teaching reputation
• Receive a copy of the recording to post on your website
• Share your unique genealogical expertise

Possible family history teaching topics:

• Research in a state or county – especially in SC, NC, GA or FL
• Research tools specific to a state or county
• Record types or collections
• Technology resources

Reserve your recording session today at: tinyurl.com/familysearchonlinelessons

Expand your reach and build your reputation

Speaker Spotlight: Tom Magnuson

W164 - Ground Transportation and Routes in Early Colonial Carolina on Wednesday, 11 May 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

The Trading Path Association (TPA) has studied muscle powered transportation physics to understand what was possible in land transportation when our ancestors moved about the interior of the continent quite out of sight of government.  Those studies culminated in current projects for the mapping of our common past by mapping our roads, trails and paths.  In fact TPA research uncovered the fact that there are numerous visible traces of Native American foot paths, early colonial horse trails, and 17th and 18th century wagon roads.  The TPA also learned that, until the middle of the 19th century, very few people lived more than a few feet from their main source of information, their road.  With these discoveries the TPA set out on a project to map and protect the landscapes of our common past because those remnants point to the archaeological evidence that will tell us who was where, when, and what they were doing. 

This talk will describe basic pre-modern transportation physics and some of the growing number of internet tools available for coming to grips with how our forbearers got from hither to yon.

Thomas R. Magnuson is Trading Path Association founder and co-founder of the Historic Mapping Congress, which studies muscle-powered transportation and labors for the protection of
colonial landscapes.

Speaker Spotlight: Tom Magnuson

Tips for First Time Conference Attendees

Program highlights

• The conference has a number of tracks or lecture themes. When you register, we ask you to indicate the lectures you plan to attend so we can anticipate the audience size for each lecture, but you can change your selection and attend any lecture in any track.
• If you are new to genealogy, we recommend the Family History Skills Track, which covers the basic records you need to research your family. Experienced speakers will tell you how to analyze each type of record while providing many examples from their research.
• If you have been researching for a while, you might enjoy the methodology lectures in which you will learn how to hone your research skills to help break through your brick walls.
• If you have been researching for some time and want to improve your genealogical skills, then the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) Skillbuilding Track may be your preference.
• You are free to move from track to track throughout the day and conference.  However, as a courtesy to the speaker, please do not leave a lecture once it has begun.
• Some lectures will be well attended. The largest lecture rooms will hold 500 people. Some of the specialty lectures will be in smaller rooms with limited space. If there is a lecture you really want to hear, we recommend you find your seat twenty minutes before the lecture begins.
• Many of the lectures will be recorded and available for purchase for $12 each at the conference and after the conference through a link on the NGS website.  If there are two or more lectures you want to hear at the same time, check the program. Lectures not being recorded will have a pen in the lecture square indicating you need to take notes.
• Each lecture has a number assigned: Wednesday lectures begin with a W, Thursday with a T, Friday with a F, and Saturday with an S. The lectures on Wednesday begin with 101, on Thursday with 201, on Friday with 301, and on Saturday with 401. Understanding the numbering system will help you find lectures in the Syllabus and order recorded lectures on CD ROM.

Exhibit hall

• As you enter the exhibit hall you will see the National Genealogical Society booth. Stop by and see our publications, including the Research in the States series, and talk to our staff about education courses. Many conference attendees collect conference pins. The Charleston pin includes a picture by local artist Madeline Carol.
• There will be over one hundred vendors in the exhibit hall. Ancestry.com and FamilySearch will have large booths with computers available to search for your ancestors. There will also be several booksellers and a number of vendors selling family history software. If you have not yet purchased family history software, the exhibit hall offers a great opportunity to compare the features and benefits of each alternative.
• The largest genealogy societies and professional organizations will also have booths.  You will have an opportunity to visit with the officers and staff, view their publications, and ask questions.
• If you make too many purchases to fit everything in your suitcase, UPS will be available in the exhibit hall on Saturday to handle any shipments home.
• Bring return address labels to use when signing up for drawings in the Exhibit Hall. Social events.
• There will be three luncheons each day sponsored by a major genealogical society or organization. Each luncheon includes a speaker. The speaker, title of the talk, and menu are listed in the registration brochure, which is available as a PDF online at http://tinyurl.com/yjhnx89.
• Luncheons provide networking opportunities for you to meet other genealogists. If you prefer to browse the exhibit hall instead, a food concession will be open each day through the lunch hour. The Embassy Suites will also have a daily luncheon buffet for $13.25 plus tax.
• The South Carolina Genealogical Society is our local host. On Wednesday night they will host a wine and cheese reception at the Charleston Visitor’s Center followed by a tour of the Charleston Museum. Details can be found in the registration brochure at http://tinyurl.com/yjhnx89. Register soon because only a few tickets are still available.
• Also on Wednesday night the South Carolina Genealogical Society will host a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Carolina. This is your chance to see the beautiful Charleston skyline from the water and enjoy the scenic views along the Ashley River. The cost is $70, which includes bus transportation.
• On Thursday night the South Carolina Genealogical Society will host a southern barbeque at the Charleston Rifle Club. Entertainment will include Irish Dancers. The cost is $35, which includes bus transportation.
• Check the registration brochure for more details and departure times and locations. You may register for these events through 26 April 2011 or until they are sold out.

Conference syllabus

We ask each speaker to submit a four-page summary of the highlights of their lecture. We print these summaries in a syllabus. The syllabus is available to all paid conference registrants on CD. About two weeks before the conference, we will make the syllabus available for your review on the conference website. You will be sent an e-mail letting you know when it is available. This early release provides you with an opportunity to print the summaries for the lectures you plan to attend. We will also have syllabus print stations at the conference, but you will be limited to printing 20 pages at a time. When you check in you will receive the CD, and the printed syllabus if you ordered one for $20 before the early bird cut-off, 11 March 2011. 

Networking at the Conference

• Be sure to take business cards or a small pad of paper so you can exchange contact information with people you meet at the conference.
• You may also want to bring your family history database on a flash drive so you can share your gedcom file with any cousins you meet. It is also always good to have a recent back up.

When you arrive at the conference

• If you pre-registered for the conference, you will pick up the conference materials at a booth in the lobby of the convention center labeled “Attendee Check-In.” The booth will be open from  noon until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, and will open at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning. You will need to show personal identification. Before you leave the booth area, check to make sure you have all the tickets for events you purchased when you registered.
• Your name tag provides you with access to all the lectures and the two general sessions. Be sure to wear your name tag at all times. You will need a ticket to the paid social events. The last day to purchase tickets for the social events is 26 April 2011. However, we recommend you purchase tickets as soon as possible, as space is limited and the events are filling up quickly.
• You will receive a tote bag with your program and other conference materials. Put your name on your program in case you lose it. We only print enough copies for each attendee to receive one. The tote bag will help you carry your program materials as well as purchases you make in the exhibit hall.

What to pack

• Business casual clothes are proper attire for most of the conference. If you have registered for the NGS Banquet, business attire or a cocktail dress is appropriate. You will notice the speakers all wear business attire.
• Convention centers can be cold, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket to wear during the day.
• Comfortable shoes are a must.
• South Carolina is warm and beautiful in May. However, you may need a sweater or jacket if you go out for the evening, especially if you are taking the dinner cruise on Wednesday night. 
• A shower is possible any day during the week, so you may want to pack a small umbrella.

Where to research

• Review the “Places to Research in Charleston” on the conference blog. Check this area from time to time as more information is being added. 

Sightseeing and dining

• Historic downtown Charleston is twelve miles away. If you are staying at the Embassy Suites you can take a shuttle downtown for $10 each way, or find a friend and share a cab.
• Charleston has wonderful restaurants. Most require reservations, especially on the weekend.
• Charleston barbeque may be prepared with a local yellow sauce or the  traditional red sauce, so when you see it on a menu you should ask how the barbeque was prepared. 
• “The Hospitality Booth” across from “Attendee Check-In” will have a comprehensive visitors guide available.

Airport and parking

• The Charleston Airport is less than five miles from the convention center and hotels.
• All of the conference hotels have a shuttle that will pick you up at the airport. Have their phone number handy and call them as soon as you have your luggage.
• If you leave your hotel in North Charleston ninety minutes before your flight departs Charleston, you should have plenty of time to make your flight.
• If you are driving to the conference, parking at the convention center  is only $5 per day.  Parking is free at all of the seven conference hotels. A trolley will run Wednesday through Friday from the six conference hotels  to the convention center. The Embassy Suites is connected to the convention center by a covered walkway. The trolley schedule is posted on the NGS conference blog.

Tips for First Time Conference Attendees