NGS and FGS Announce Intent to Merge

NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY^®

6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 810

Falls Church, VA 22042-2318

Phone 703-525-0050 or 800-473-0060

NGSgenealogy.org

Press Release

Contact: Kathryn M. Doyle

Phone: 510-388-6477

[email protected]

Embargoed until 9:00 a.m. EDT 21 August 2019

NGS AND FGS ANNOUNCE INTENT TO MERGE

In a historic move, the boards of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the Federation of GenealogicalSocieties (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.”

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Founded in 1903, the NationalGenealogical 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.

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Hotel Reservations Open 15 August 2019 for the 2020 Family History Conference

#NGS2020GEN Hotel Reservations Now Open

Reserve your accommodations starting 15 August 2019 for the National Genealogical Society’s forty-second annual Family History Conference, Echoes of Our Ancestors. 

The conference will be held 20-23 May 2020 at the Salt Palace Convention Center (SPCC), 100 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. It will feature more than 150 genealogy lectures on a wide variety of topics including DNA, ethnic sources, historical migrations, immigration, research techniques, specialized collections at the Family History Library, and more.

NGS offers attendees a choice of several hotels with discounted rates. All are convenient to the convention center. The official conference hotel, the Hilton Salt Lake City Center, is just a short walk from the convention center. The Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown is located adjacent to the convention center, and the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel is only half a block away. The three hotels offer complimentary wireless internet. 

As a rule, conference hotels tend to fill quickly, so we recommend making your reservations early if you intend to register and attend the conference. The hotels are offering the NGS rate three days before and three days after the conference, based on availability, so participants can do research or go sightseeing in the area. Check the hotels’ websites for cancellation rules and for additional amenities. You can find full details and links for discounted, reservations on the NGS conference website.

Set in the beautiful Wasatch mountain range, Salt Lake City is a sophisticated city with a modern convention center and many great choices for hotels, restaurants, and shops. For family historians, it offers some of the best genealogical research resources in the United States. To learn about research facilities in the area, refer to the conference’s Announcement Brochure on the NGS conference website.

The four-day NGS 2020 Family History Conference promises to be a great opportunity for family historians to advance their research, hone their skills, and network with fellow genealogists. Be sure to reserve your hotel accommodations as soon as possible.