How I Spent My Weekend #2

The ISGS Conference, The Way We Were, was held Oct 25 and 26 in a beautiful facility, The Best Western Hotel and Convention Center, in Sandwich, Illinois. My only complaint (you always have to have at least one, right?) was the difficulty I had with phone and internet reception. I had no problems in our room but basically nothing in the conference area. For me, and some of my techie friends, it was like being stranded on a deserted island. However, I remembered back-in-the-day we managed to survive without even owning a cell phone or tablet/pc with internet access and I knew I'd make it through.

The choice of sessions varied from beginning genealogy to using various records to technology helps. Overheard conversations (no, I wasn't eavesdropping so much as standing near by) often mentioned the difficulty in deciding which session to attend. Whatever decisions were made, I'm sure the attendee found value in the lecture.

Even with my volunteer schedule, I was able to sit in on Thomas MacEntee's Evernote for Genealogists (Catch Thomas at Hi-Definition Genealogy), Nancy Loe's Managing Your Digital Environment and Cataloging Family Photographs (You can learn more from her at her blog http://www.sassyjanegenealogy.com), and George Morgan's Alternate Records You May Have Never Considered. I took something new from every one of these talks. Some things I'll put into practice right away, some I'll have to think on for awhile.

Our Friday night dinner talk by George Morgan (you may know him best from his work with FGS or his podcasts with Drew Smith, Genealogy Guys), When Ancestors Demand to be Found, followed his personal journey being led to and by one of his ancestors. It was heartfelt and funny, highlighting events we often call serendipitous.

All in all, I had a great time learning from others, conversing with old friends, and making new ones. Jim and I topped the day off on Saturday by stopping in Yorkville at the Lake View restaurant for a wonder dinner before making our final journey home.

Next year, the ISGS conference will be held in O'Fallon, Illinois in St. Clair county. I know that's a bit of a trek from our neck of the woods but, if you can, plan to go. I know you'll be glad you did!

~ Becky

How I Spent My Weekend #1

Our destination (me and my husband) this weekend was Sandwich, Illinois and the Illinois State Genealogical Society's (ISGS) Conference. We headed out early Friday morning so we could get there in time to help set-up for the 1:00 pm start time. Just imagine the volunteer hours needed to put on a day and a half event for 200+ attendees, not to mention the youth workshops! My kudos to Howard Manthei ,Joan Murray, and all the committee members for the outstanding job they did.

Before any attendees could enjoy the fruits of the committee's labor, the scurry of final touches needed doing. While the vendors prepared their assigned tables, the ISGS registration booth had to be organized and the volunteers for the weekend had to be identified and reminded of their schedules. In the beginning things looked something like this:

There were name tags to be arranged and bags to be stuffed and, as is always the case, everyone wondered if we would be ready on time!

But, at last, we were truly ready to put out the welcome sign:










and open the doors to the anxiously awaiting genealogists!

I hope each attendee found the weekend as enjoyable and educational as I did. In my next post I'll tell you more about my personal experiences.

~ Becky

EGS Donates to War of 1812 Digitization

In memory of Chester A Bowser, the Elgin Genealogical Society (EGS) has donated $250 to the Illinois State Genealogical Society's (ISGS) $10,000 War of 1812 Pension Match Challenge. Our $250 will be matched by ISGS making the donation $500, then Ancestry will match that $500 to make it $1000. What a deal!!

Becky Higgins, EGS treasurer makes presentation to 
Janice Fritsch, ISGS president August 18, 2012

 To learn how you can participate in this worthy project take a look at the ISGS website here. As little as a $5 or $10 dollar donation can make a huge difference.

~ Becky

EGS Awards Scholarship

Chester A. Bowser Scholarship recipient, Madonna Davis Marks, attended the EGS evening meeting on August 16, 2012. Madonna told the attendees about some of her journey researching her own family history and of her goal to contribute to the community after completing her studies in Library Sciences through the University of Illinois Graduate School.

EGS President, Judy VanDusen and Scholarship Chair, Lee Ellsworth, were pleased to award Madonna with a check to further her education.

Judy VanDusen, Madonna Marks, Lee Ellsworth

EGS Announces 2012 Scholarship Recipients

For Immediate Release – August 15, 2012

                                         

Elgin (IL) Genealogical Society

P.0. Box 1418, Elgin, Illinois 60121-1418

Elgin Genealogical Society (EGS) announces the 2012 Chester A. Bowser scholarship recipients

Two $1000 scholarships provided this year

August 15, 2012 – Elgin, IL.  From the many excellent scholarship applications received this year, EGS proudly awards 2012 Chester A. Bower scholarships to Madonna Davis Marks and Jesse Nasta.

Madonna is currently seeking a Master’s Degree in Library Science with an emphasis on Special and Historical Collections at the University of Illinois. She believes “this career demands someone with not just desire but a passion for saving and preserving the pieces that make up a life.”

Jesse is a PhD candidate at Northtwestern University in the Department of History. His fields of specialization are United States, Early Republic to Reconstruction; African American and legal history; comparative slavery and emancipation. This scholarship will assist in the completion of his dissertation research in which he “analyzes hundreds of previously unexamined court cases, initiated by African Americans in local courts in St. Louis and throughout Illinois”. EGS believes his dissertation will be extremely valuable to many Illinois genealogist.

In honor of late member and benefactor, Chester A. Bowser,  Elgin Genealogical Society (EGS) provides scholarship funds to deserving graduate students in studies related to genealogy and grants to local organizations for projects to benefit the genealogical community.

 “The EGS is pleased to have been able to award over 25 grants and scholarships since the program’s inception in 1991,” declares Judy VanDusen, EGS president.

 About EGS- 

Since it began in 1972, the Elgin Genealogical Society, a not-for- profit education organization has worked towards

·         bringing together persons who are researching family history,

·         informing people of the value of and need for preserving family and local history,

·         providing information, methods, and practice of family research,

·         fostering idea sharing

·         seeking, preserving and making available materials concerning past and present families,

·         encouraging officials to preserve public records and genealogical collections and make them accessible to interested persons.

Follow EGS on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elgin-IL-Genealogical-Society/), on our blog (http://www.elgings.blogspot.com/) and at our website (http://www.elginroots.com).

Contact: Becky Higgins

Phone: 630 373-4824

Email: bhiggins9@gmail.com

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1940 Census Indexing Party Invitation

You're all invited to a fun and informative time! It's an opportunity to get involved in the great project of indexing the 1940 census while enjoying the camaraderie of others. Indexing is often a singular activity but with this activity we can all work together in the same room at the same time. Woot!!Woot!!

The Gail Borden Public Library is graciously allowing us to use the computer class room and load the indexing software onto their computers for our parties. If you have been putting off indexing because you're not sure you'll understand how to use the software, now's you're chance. We'll be discussing how to use the software and the idiosyncrasies of the 1940 census project. If you're already indexing, be sure to join the party as well!! We can all help each other.

To facilitate, it would be great if everyone set up a familysearch account prior to the parties; however, if you want to wait until the day, that's fine too. The accounts are free and easy to establish; just go to familysearch.org, look in the upper right corner and click on sign in, choose Create A New Account and follow the instruction.

If you have a laptop, you're more than welcome to bring it along!

When: Friday, Jun 15, 2012 from 9:30-11:30 am and/or Wednesday June 20, 2012 from 7:00-8:30
Where: GBPL computer class room

Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog: IL State Genealogy Society’s Fall Conference scheduled for Oct. 19, 20 in Rockford

Illinois State Genealogical Society Blog: IL State Genealogy Society’s Fall Conference scheduled for Oct. 19, 20 in Rockford:

Sounds like a great line-up of speakers and so close to home, too. Be sure to register soon!!

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