Are you ready for #RootsTech 2020!

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Well now that RootsTech London has come to a successful finish it is time to start planning for RootsTech 2020 in Salt Lake City. This is the 10th anniversary of RootsTech. The theme is “Discover the story of you.”

I remember going to Salt Lake City in April 2010 for the NGS conference and found another conference being held a few days before so signed up at the door. It was called “Conference on Computerized Family History and Genealogy – Strengthening Ties That Bind Families Together Forever.” I still have the syllabus!

As I was leaving that conference on the last day I told the organizers this was a fantastic conference and I would love to see it again. Now I am not sure this was the first RootsTech. Someone who knows better might be able to enlighten me.

My first trip to RootsTech was in 2015. This was the year that RootsTech and FGS had conferences going on at the same time in Salt Lake City.

In 2016 I was a member of the Not At RootsTech group and we had a great time with the live streaming and chatting on Twitter. I made friends on Twitter that I have met in person and it has been fantastic. The Not At RootsTech crowd are just as spontaneous and excited as the RootsTech crowd.

The last few years I have had the honour to be a RootsTech Ambassador. This has provided me with a different view point of the conference. It has also allowed me to make many new friends that I meet at other conferences and chat to occasionally online. These are friends from around the globe not just North America. It used to be I had to write to pen pals to get friends around the world now I attend a conference and chat on social media.

If you have never been to RootsTech then 2020 could be the year to attend. Here are 10 Reasons to Attend RootsTech 2020.

RootsTech passes would be a great Christmas present for your family history enthusiast. You can register here.

In the last four years I have only missed one RootsTech in person and I am going again in 2020. I really hope to see a lot of you there. Who’s with me!

© 2019 Passionate Genealogist

FGS and NGS to Merge

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FGS and NGS have announced that they are going to merge. I received the following press release via FamilySearch. They stated that: ” David Rencher, FamilySearch CGO, said this is a significant move forward for both organizations. FGS has wanted to better serve individuals, and NGS has been seeking ways to better serve societies. Combining their efforts is a win/win for all genealogists at the local, state and international levels. FamilySearch is thrilled with the leadership of both organizations coming together to better serve all genealogists and family historians. “

What do you think of the merger? How do you think this will change the world of family history and genealogy conferences?

Press Release

NGS AND FGS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE

(21 August 2019)–In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) announced today their intent to merge. The two organizations, both non- profit leaders in the dynamic genealogy industry, will form one consolidated group that will continue to operate as the National Genealogical Society. Both boards approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this week, and jointly announced the news at the Opening Session of the FGS Family History Conference in Washington, D.C., this morning.

Leaders of both organizations believe this merger will serve the genealogy community by improving support of both individual members and societies in the pursuit of genealogical excellence.

The organizational structure of NGS will be modified to increase functions that support genealogical societies and family organizations. Digitization projects of genealogical importance such as the War of 1812 pensions will continue. The two organizations will continue to operate independently while all details of the merger are completed, no later than October 1, 2020.

Faye Stallings, President of FGS, said: “We are excited about this opportunity to combine with a premier organization that has been in operation since 1903. This will allow for improved and expanded services to help support societies.” Ben Spratling, President of NGS, commented, “We look forward to continuing the strong legacy of FGS as a ‘gathering point’ for family historians and societies all across the nation.”

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Falls Church, Virginia, based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists.