Making a Genealogy Budget List for 2011

We are pleased to share with you this article by Wevonneda Minis pubished 15 November 2010 in the Charleston Post and Courier.

It talks about budgeting for your 2011 genealogical expenses and includes two items dear to us at NGS – national dues and attending a national conference.  With that in mind remember that early bird registration for the National Genealogical Society 2011 Family History Conference (Charleston) saves you $35 and is now open.  Early bird registration will end 11 March 2011.  Remember that NGS members also receive a $35 discount. What a great way to save as much as $70 as you plan your 2011 genealogy budget!

Read further for a great perspective on what genealogy expenses you might experience in 2011.

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Making a budget, list for 2011

By Wevonneda Minis

wminis@postandcourier.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

It's a good idea to sketch a rough draft of next year's genealogy budget before January rolls around.

Having an idea of what you will need to spend could help your genealogy dollars last throughout 2011. Besides, it's more fun to plan for events such as workshops and conferences when you don't have to double-check the deadline for cancellations and refunds.

So far, my budget includes dues for genealogical associations and research organizations; subscriptions to general and specialty genealogical Internet sites; fees and expenses for workshops and conferences; tuition and expenses for a genealogical institute; the cost of trips to Georgia and South Carolina archives; and a little extra for some new must-have gadgets.

While thinking about my projected expenses, it occurred to me that while there is a tremendous amount of information to help budding genealogists research, there is hardly any information to inform them of what it can cost to be a genealogist.

Of course, factors such as how many generations back a genealogist researches, the kinds of sources being accessed, and how much free stuff is used, means costs can vary quite a bit among individuals.

Genealogists might consider items on the list below when someone offers a gift; when there is occasion to barter a service; or when unexpected funds are received.

Here are some goods and services genealogists use and the basic costs involved:

--Research guides: General, ethnic and specialty (such as courthouse), $20.

--Genealogical society memberships: Local and state, $20; national, $60.

--Online genealogy magazines: Many are free; others, $15.

--Organizing logs, sheets and charts: Internet downloads, free; basic genealogy software, $29.

--Workshops (registration, travel, room and board): State $250; local, under $10.

--Conferences (registration, travel, room and board): National, $175.

--Institutes (registration, travel, room and board): Five days, $1,200.

--Technology: Computer, $400; desk-top scanner, $100; hand-held scanner, $125; and Internet access, $6 a month.

--Access to Internet research sites: FamilySearch.org and USGenWeb, free; commercial $60.

--Digital voice recorders: $59.

--Magnifiers: Pocket with light, $4; hand-held $9; hands-free $18; and dome, $30.

--Digital cameras: $150.

--DNA tests: $125.

--Professional help: Genealogist, $45 per hour, plus expenses.

--Ordered documents: Family History Library film, $7; courthouse copies (10 pages), $25.

--Vital records: Certified birth, death and marriage copies, $15.

NGS Conference

Early bird registration for "Where the Past is Still Present," the National Genealogical Society 2011 Family History Conference in Charleston, is set for Dec. 1-March 11.

NGS members who register to attend all four days of the May 11-14 conference pay $175, nonmembers pay $210 and both receive a CD syllabus.

All attendees who register after the early bird deadline should add $35 for four-day registrations.

Single-day, early bird registrations are $95 through March 11, $100 afterward. A CD syllabus is included.

Attendees who register during the early bird period can order a printed syllabus for an additional $20.

For more information, visit http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/.

Reach Wevonneda Minis at 937-5705 or wminis@postandcourier.com.

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NGS Opens Registration for Thirty-Third Family History Conference

 

NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OPENS REGISTRATION        

FOR THE THIRTY-THIRD

2011 FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE

CHARLESTONSOUTH CAROLINA, 11-14 MAY 2011,

Where the Past is Still Present 



America's fascination with ancestry is increasing because of the recent television series "Faces of America" on PBS and "Who Do You Think You Are" on NBC. The National Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that registration opens today for next year's conference, which will be held at the Charleston Convention Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, 11-14 May 2011. The Society selected Charleston because of its significance in American history. In addition to attending the NGS 2011 Family History Conference, participants will have an opportunity to tour Charleston's historic buildings, churches and homes as well as its many museums and research facilities. The National Genealogical Society anticipates 2,000 genealogists from around the country will attend next year's event. Read more.

April 2011 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War at nearby Ft. Sumter, so the four day family history conference will feature talks on both Revolutionary War and Civil War records.  More than seventy-five nationally recognized speakers will provide over one hundred and eighty lectures on a wide variety of topics including research in South Carolina and the surrounding states, migration patterns, religious records, research methodology, and problem solving. The conference program will also include lectures about researching various ethnic groups including Germans, Cherokee, African Americans, Huguenots, Irish, Scots, and Scots-Irish.

Special Saturday workshops include an all day beginner's workshop, "Genealogy 101: Getting Started with Family History" and a "Kids' Kamp" for children and young adults ages eight through sixteen. 

An exhibit area with more than one hundred exhibitors will be open and free to the public Wednesday through Saturday including the latest in genealogical software, online research providers and DNA testing services.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records.  The Arlington, VA-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.  Please visit the NGS Pressroom for further information.

. . . . . . .



For press information:

Jan Alpert



jalpert@ngsgenealogy.org

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/

843-837-2177

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Discovery Channel Series Seeking Heirlooms

Discovery Channel series looking for people who have objects or heirlooms that might have historical significance

Have you uncovered something unique in your attic or backyard? Do you have a family heirloom with an amazing story? 

We are producing a new television series about people who believe they have objects of historical, cultural or scientific importance – an item that is possibly linked to an historic person, place or event. Our hosts, both professors at major universities, hope to help participants and viewers learn about these items and find out if the story behind them is real, as well as ways to preserve artifacts and history. We are looking for people who have not yet taken these objects for authentication or appraisal. 

We are filming across the United States. Our next two episodes will be filmed in Louisiana in mid December and Florida in January.

*Please note: we are not interested in featuring individuals who have obtained artifacts illegally or those who have been involved in the intentional looting or destruction of archaeological sites. We are not interested in featuring individuals whose sole purpose is monetary gain. 

Please email us at archaeologyshow@yahoo.com

Thank you very much. We look forward to hearing from you! 

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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NARA - A Charter For Change

Back in late October, The Archivist of the United States (AOTUS) Blog discussed the plans for transforming the agency (the National Archives) to become a more open, transparent, participatory, and collaborative agency.

A task force was charged to draft a plan for the agency’s transformation.  The final report, A Charter for Change, is now available for the public to view.

The report identifies six guiding principles that will be the pillars of how NARA intends to do business in the future:

• One NARA: work as one NARA and not just as component parts.
• Out in Front: Embrace the primacy of electronic information in all facets of our work and position NARA to lead accordingly.
• An Agency of Leaders: Foster a culture of leadership, not just as a position but as the way we all conduct our work.
• A Great Place

  to Work: Transform NARA into a great place to work that trusts and empowers all of our people, the agency’s most vital resource.
• A Customer-Focused Organization: Create structures and processes to allow our staff to more effectively meet the needs of our customers.
• An Open NARA: Open our organizational boundaries to learn from others

Comments on the plan are welcome and may be left at the AOTUS blog.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Thanksgiving Traditions

As Kimberly Powell states in her post Top 5 Family Thanksgiving Traditions, “Traditions are a big part of the Thanksgiving holiday, and every American family has their own way of celebrating. From stuff the turkey to taking in a football game …”

Such traditions are part of our heritage.  Many of what have become your family’s traditions probably reflect traditional practices that you and/or a spouse grew up with or new traditions created for your new family.

I can tell you that on Thanksgiving my family always has turkey with stuffing (no giblets), mashed potatoes, rolls, cranberry sauce (served from a can and in slices) 5 cup salad, a vegetable, and pumpkin pie with cool whip topping just like I always had growing up.  After living in the south for many years we added sweet potatoes prepared with brown sugar, marshmallow crème, and spices as a requirement. 

Since my mother was born in the UK, we’ve also been known to have Christmas Crackers at Thanksgiving, though more often at Christmas and New Years Eve festivities.

I grew up watching the Macy’s day parade and we have continued to do that, though now afterwards we watch The National Dog Show after my children fell in love with it many years ago.

Some families have traditions of sharing Thanksgiving with parents, siblings, etc.  We’ve always lived far enough away from family to not make that practical, although it is a beloved tradition for many.

What are your Thanksgiving traditions?  Are they the traditions of your parents or your grandparents? Maybe you have traditions with deeper historic roots.  We would love to hear about your Thanksgiving traditions and whether they are family traditions or new traditions.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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NARA Program -- Lincoln and Haiti: Colonization and Haitian Recognition During the Civil War

Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater
Lincoln and Haiti: Colonization and Haitian Recognition During the Civil War
As the Civil War continued, lawmakers, abolitionists, and colonizationists debated Federal support for colonization and the relocation of a significant portion of the slave population from the United States to the Caribbean. A panel will discuss Lincoln’s interest in colonization and emancipation, and how the Haiti colonization project influenced the decision to extend U.S. diplomatic recognition to Haiti in 1862. Moderated by Jeffrey R. Kerr-Ritchie, Howard University, panelists include Franklin Knight, John Hopkins University; James D. Lockett, Stillman College; Phillip Magness, American University; and Debra Newman Ham, Morgan State University. This program is presented in partnership with NARA’s Office of Regional Records Services and the Johns Hopkins Center for Africana Studies.

A full list of NARA I events is found at http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events/ and includes upcoming programs and exhibit highlights.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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UpFront with NGS -- What we let you know about!

To help us help you, we want to let you know what kinds of information NGS posts via this Upfront with NGS blog. This way, if you haven’t been sending us material that meets the requirements for what we do post, we hope you will start doing so.  Additionally, if you have been asking us to post notices and have been wondering why they haven’t been showing up, now you know why not.

1. Any NGS news – new courses, new videos, new publications, new events, etc.

2. Conference announcements, call for papers, etc., for subscribing organizations.  This means that your organization must have an active NGS membership if it wants us to post items about its upcoming events.  Membership will be verified before such notices are published.  If your organization is a member, please send requests to be published to upfront@ngsgenealogy.org and put NGS Member in the header. All general press releases will be ignored unless they fall under categories 3 and 4 below.  The blog editor receives too many such notices to try and determine which notices are from NGS members.

If your organization is not yet an NGS member, consider an “Organizational Subscription.”

Did you know that NGS members and subscribing organizations can also have event listings posted to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/event_calendar?  Follow the guidelines on that page to start having your events listed.

3. Posts about pending legislation at the state or federal level that would impact access to and preservation of records used by genealogists.

4. Announcements from NARA and state archives and libraries.

5. General news of interest to the genealogy community as identified by the blog editor.  If you have a news item you would like to suggest, please drop a note to upfront@ngsgenealogy.org.

I hope this gives you a better sense of the types of material that are posted at Upfront with NGS.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com.

Suddie Bill Mumford

Though we are excited to bring you news of the 1^st RootsTech conference, we are saddened to share with you the news that Bill Mumford, known as "Suddie" to his many friends, passed away in Calgary, Alberta, and so will not be able to attend a conference whose topics would have been close to his heart.

As reported in Dick Eastman’s column “Bill was best known for many years for producing Mumford's Genealogical Software Report Card, a side-by-side comparison of all the leading and some not-so-leading genealogy programs of the time ... His exhaustive detective work helped many people decide which genealogy program they wanted use. Software developers also used his "Report Card" to help find the deficiencies of their own programs when compared to the competition … Because of Mumford's Genealogical Software Report Card, we all enjoy better software today. Bill Mumford also was the project leader of the GenTech GEDCOM Testbook Project and was a director of GenTech … He was a contributing editor for the National Genealogical Society Newsmagazine, a former vice chair of the Alberta Family Histories Society, and a past chair of The Alberta Family Histories Society Computer Group.”

You can also read an online obituary.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Follow NGS via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future Upfront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com.