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

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

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

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

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

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

Conference Checklist

Happy New Year!

Are you just as excited and looking forward to attending the conference in Charleston, South Carolina from 11-14 May 2011 as we are?

We just want to drop a friendly note to remind all of you to -

• Make your hotel reservations
• Make your travel arrangements
• Register for the NGS 2011 Family History Conference
• Watch the NGS Conferences - What to Expect video
• Take a moment to review the FAQs, pre-conference and special events.
• Subscribe to the conference blog and stay current with conference updates, tips , and information about local research resources

Hotel

Our main conference hotel is the Embassy Suites that is connected to the North Charleston Convention Center via a walkway. In addition to the Embassy Suites, NGS has negotiated room blocks with six other hotels. Complete information is available at
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/Accommodations. The conference hotels are filling up quickly and the Embassy Suites is now sold out!

Travel

Charleston International Airport is located approximately 13 miles northwest of downtown Charleston. Charleston International Airport is centrally located in the Charleston metropolitan area in North Charleston.

Currently, the Charleston International Airport is served by Continental, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, United Express, American Eagle, and beginning March 13, 2011 Southwest Airlines. For more information click here.

Need driving directions to the North Charleston Convention Center?Click here to view a map of the area and enter current location to view driving directions.

Conference Blog

Visit http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/ and use the Subscribe via e-mail box on the left menu bar to receive e-mails as soon as a posting is made.

Don’t miss out on these wonderful postings that will improve your conference experience.

Stay tuned. We will be posting more information on Charleston, the area research resources, must see locations, and more and look forward to seeing you all in Charleston, South Carolina!

Conference Checklist

NGS Opens Registration for the Thirty-Third Family History Conference, Charleston, South Carolina, 11-14 May 2011

Where the Past is Still Present

(1 December, 2010) -- America's fascination with ancestry is increasing because of the recent television series "Faces of America" on PBS and "Who Do You Think You Are" on NBC. The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that registration opens today for next year's conference, which will be held at the Charleston Area Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, SC 29418, 11-14 May 2011. The Society selected Charleston because of its significance in American history. In addition to attending the NGS 2011 Family History Conference, participants will have an opportunity to tour Charleston's historic buildings, churches and homes as well as its many museums and research facilities. The National Genealogical Society anticipates 2,000 genealogists from around the country will attend next year's event. Read more.

April 2011 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War at nearby Ft. Sumter, so the four day family history conference will feature talks on both Revolutionary War and Civil War records.  More than seventy-five nationally recognized speakers will provide over one hundred and eighty lectures on a wide variety of topics including research in South Carolina and the surrounding states, migration patterns, religious records, research methodology, and problem solving. The conference program will also include lectures about researching various ethnic groups including Germans, Cherokee, African Americans, Huguenots, Irish, Scots, and Scots-Irish.

Special Saturday workshops include an all day beginner's workshop, "Genealogy 101: Getting Started with Family History" and a "Kids' Kamp" for children and young adults ages eight through sixteen.

An exhibit area with more than one hundred exhibitors will be open and free to the public Wednesday through Saturday including the latest in genealogical software, online research providers and DNA testing services.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.  Please visit the NGS Pressroom for further information.

. . . . . . .

For press information:

Jan Alpert

jalpert@ngsgenealogy.org

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/

843-837-2177

NGS Opens Registration for the Thirty-Third Family History Conference, Charleston, South Carolina, 11-14 May 2011

Getting There

The NGS 2011 Family History Conference will be held in Charleston, South Carolina from 11-14 May 2011. We hope you will join us there!

In this posting you will find information on how to get to the venue by air and by road. Hope you have already made your hotel reservations and stay tuned to the blog for more information about the conference program and other activities.

By Air

Charleston International Airport is located approximately 13 miles northwest of downtown Charleston. Charleston International Airport is centrally located in the Charleston metropolitan area in North Charleston. The airport is situated adjacent to Charleston Air Force Base and uses the airfield facilities at the Air Force Base jointly with the USAF.

Currently, the Charleston International Airport is served by Continental, Delta, Northwest, US Airways, United Express, American Eagle, and beginning March 13, 2011 Southwest Airlines.  Over 120 flights with approximately 5,000 inbound and 5,000 outbound seats come through the terminal each day. The majority of planes serving our area are regional jets seating 75-100 people, which enables the Charleston area to offer more direct flights from a wider selection of cities.

Charleston offers non-stop & direct flight service from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Manchester, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Newark, Norfolk, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC.  Southwest will have direct service from Nashville, Houston, Baltimore and Denver.

Nancy Mettes of Damar Travel, the official conference travel agent, will work with you to provide an economical travel plan. Tell Nancy you want to make your reservation for the NGS Family History Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, and be sure to mention if you are a senior citizen. Contact: 800-999-6101 or nancy.mettes@damartravel.com.

By Car

View Larger Map

Getting There

Accommodations for NGS 2011 in Charleston

Hope you have started making hotel reservations for the NGS 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston to be held 11-14 May. Our headquarters hotel is the Embassy Suites, that is adjacent to the North Charleston Convention Center. Their sales manager called me yesterday to let us know that the room block for NGS at the Embassy Suites is now sold out! We are nine months out from the conference and we thank you all in advance for planning to attend.

For those who have not made their reservations yet, do not worry! The National Genealogical Society has set up room blocks at five more hotels all within 1.2 miles of the convention center. A free trolley will run between the hotels and the convention center, Wednesday through Saturday. For more information on the conference hotels, click here.

To give you a better idea of where the hotels are located relative to the Nother Charleston Convention Center which will be home to the 2011 NGS Family History Conference, I have embedded a google map below with all six hotels identified by blue markers.


View 2011 Charleston Conference Hotels in a larger map

Accommodations for NGS 2011 in Charleston