NGS, SLIG, FGS... Oh My!

It has been a week since NGS ended and it sounds like it was very successful. I kept up to date with many of the bloggers who were there blogging about the sessions they attended, products they saw in the vendor hall, and the lastest news being released at the conference. There was a Kentucky session I wish I could have sat in on, since I have ancestors who made a pit stop there for a generation or two in their migration westward. Well, if you missed this year's NGS conference the 2013 conference will be in Las Vegas. NGS is already advertising it, and you can book your hotel now. Should be fun, after all it's Vegas Baby (sorry couldn't help myself).

If you are looking for something a little more focused on a single subject you might want to consider SLIG which runs January 14-18 2013. Registration opens up on June 2. There are a lot of wonderful courses to chose from and they go quick. There are also evening sessions and the benefit of the fabulous Family History Library to research in.

The next major conference to round out our current season is the FGS conference, taking place August 29-September 1, 2012 in Birmingham, Alabama. Early registration ends July 1st, so if you want to go you need to decide soon for a good discount. I'm still trying to figure out if I'm going to this one or not. It's a two hour drive away from me, so it is very convenient. However, due to other circumstances at that time I would need to figure out childcare. Which means I may not be able to go. The timing of both the NGS and FGS conferences are just not good for me this year. Oh well.... there's always 2013 and Vegas Baby!!! (he he he)

Are You Going To NGS?

I'm not. My preschooler is graduating this week and I wouldn't miss it for the world. He keeps counting down the days until he can wear his "handsome suit" and his "handsome shoes." It's the kind of excitement that I hope doesn't involve an emotional overload meltdown come graduation day.

Now as much as I'm looking forward to watching my little guy graduate, I'm also a little sad about not going to NGS. There are some lectures I would love to hear, people to see, and of course the vendor hall is always a treat. Being able to "talk shop" endlessly with people over lunch or dinner, without fear of them getting bored is nice too. Let's face it, our spouses, friends, and families can only listen to us talk genealogy so much if at all. Going to conferences is also a great networking opportunity.

So other than hanging out with preschoolers, what else will I be doing? Well, I have IGHR at Samford to get ready for. I'm taking Advanced Methodology taught by Elizabeth Shown Mills this year. I've already done the required pre-reading assignment, but there are a few more things I would like to do to prepare.

Firstly, I've been wanting to flag my Evidence Explained book. There was a girl in my class at IGHR last year who had done that and it inspired me. I feel like I'm always looking in the index for the same 20 types of records. If I flag the book I won't have to do this all the time.

Secondly, Elizabeth Shown Mills has a website, Historic Pathways, that contains many of her articles. I want to read a few of those. The next best thing to not hearing her speak in person, right? ESM also recently launched the Evidence Explained website. I've briefly checked this site out, but would like to give it more attention.

Overall, I'd say it is going to be a busy week. For those that are not attending NGS what are you doing this week to keep up to date? If you are going to NGS and you are a blogger I expect a full report. I want details of what lectures you heard, breaking news, the gadgets in the vendor hall, where NGS will be held in 2014 ( yes 2014, 2013 is in Vegas), who you saw, and any good food you had. I'm living vicariously through you. It's a big responsibility, I know. I have confidence in you.