09 February 2023

February MemberConnects: Why the USCIS Fee Increases Matter

 

Join NGS for our next MemberConnects! event with Rich Venezia, Marian Smith, and Renée Carl speaking about the proposed fee increases from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
 
 

USCIS is the successor agency to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and has operated a genealogy program since 2008. Venezia, Smith, and Carl formed Records Not Revenue to support improvements to the program and advocate for better access, transparency, and efficiency from the USCIS Genealogy Program.
 
"The USCIS records are vital to the ability of all NGS members to tell the full story of their families, and for our professional genealogist members to serve their clients," said Matt Menashes, NGS executive director. "I look forward to hearing from Rich, Marian, and Renée about why this issue is so important."
 
"The USCIS Genealogy Program is a big part of our ability to tell the full story of 20th Century immigration to the United States," said Rich Venezia. "It's hard to tell that story, however, since it now takes up to two years to access the agency’s records–if they are even found. We must fix the program and encourage USCIS to transfer the records to the National Archives."
 
The panel will share background on the fee increase, what the implications are for genealogists, and how you can add your voice to the public record. The panel will also take questions from the audience. Following the Q&A, members can connect and share what's on their minds until 9:30 p.m. (ET).
 
Take advantage of this critical and informative Zoom event. Join NGS for MemberConnects! on Wednesday, 22 February 2023, at 8:00 p.m. (ET).


 




06 February 2023

Celebrating Black History Month

 


Celebrating Black History Month

Join the National Genealogical Society (NGS) in honoring Black History Month. The video resources and events listed below may be of interest and helpful to those researching Black ancestry:
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No Longer Forgotten is a free, virtual conference that will be held on 11 February 2023. The keynote speaker is Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, a member of NGS. All are welcome to participate via Zoom. Registration and the full program are on the event's page.
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You also are invited to attend "Finding Black History in Our Family Tree" on 19 February 2023 with Andre Kearns, member of the NGS Board of Directors and chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. This event is offered in person in Atlanta, Georgia, or via Zoom. Visit the website to learn more and register for the workshop.