Sessions at Federation of Genealogical Societies 2011 Conference on Saturday 10th September

Learn how to scan, restore and print a photo like the pros from beginning to end. Fast, but fun. Audience members are encouraged to bring photos from which Eric will choose one to use during this demonstration. Includes scanning and restoration.

The entire city burned in 1871, but many records survived to aid your search for Chicago ancestors. Learn which records survived, and methods of getting around the fire.

Provides an overview of land, tax, and court records with an emphasis on how these records intertwine and genealogical data and clues are included.

U.S. Naturalization--This class will include a comprehensive look at naturalization records from the Colonial era through the 1900s in the United States. It will focus on the information available in different time periods, where and how to locate naturalization records, and Internet sources for naturalization to help you in your search.

Sponsored by FamilySearch

The basic unit of administration throughout most of the British Isles: there is a lot more to it than just baptisms, marriages and burials.

Genealogists use (and rely on) innumerable indexes to many sources, often carelessly and incompletely. This presentation will examine a variety of indexes-large and small, printed and manuscript, on paper, microfilm and online-and suggest strategies for index-using success.

The Mennonites came to America in two "waves" - primarily the 18th century migration from Germany to America and the 19th century migration from Switzerland to the Midwest. Learn how research techniques and repositories in America and in Europe can help you locate your Anabaptist ancestor!

Techniques for organizing your family history using scanners, digital images, digital audio files, digital video clips, word processing, and genealogy database files, will be discussed.

In this two-hour highly interactive workshop, participants will gain a powerful understanding of HOW to tailor their marketing tactics for various types of genealogy consumers.

Sponsored by Association of Professional Genealogists (APG Professional Management Conference Session)

Having a genealogy blog can take your genealogy research to another dimension. Learn how to get started in this easy-to-understand demo!

Natural resources, transportation and technology shaped the settlement of migrating Americans and immigrants in the Midwest. Learn how the pivotal role of Chicago as the Midwest developed, from Cincinnati on the Ohio to the Bonanza farms of Dakota

The laws governing the release of adoption information are unique to each jurisdiction. Learn about the various options and how to begin a search.

Many cemeteries maintain extensive files about the people interred there. This seminar examines the many types of death-related documents and online resources you can use to locate cemeteries. You'll also learn some methodologies to prepare for a successful cemetery investigation.

Learn what maps are available for use in Irish research and what finding aids are available to make sure you are searching in the correct place.

Creating a good research strategy before you delve into a research project will likely save you time and wasted effort in your work. Review essential techniques and methods that can solve difficult research problems without going in circles.

Sponsored by FamilySearch

Since the mid 1800s, American Indians in Midwestern and Plains states are a well documented ethnic group. Learn about the resources, repositories, and the methodology to determine the correct tribe and locate the records that are housed in many locations.

This session will provide a step-by-step guide to write a compelling family history, and if time permits, participation in some sample writing exercises.

Discover the powerful yet easy-to-use software tools for your Macintosh computer that won't break the bank.

Aimed at researchers whose ancestral trails extend to and from Michigan, this session will explore migration patterns into the state and provide an overview of the rich genealogical resources available in print and online.

Learn how to locate court records that are often overlooked, but may be full of vital record information, biographical details, or information that isn't available anywhere else!

Sponsored by FamilySearch

This presentation will provide resources, tips and techniques to make a foreign language "brick wall" a little smaller.

Don't let New York brickwalls stymie your progress. Discover sources and strategies to find ancestors in the Empire State on NewYorkAncestors.org.

Sponsored by New England Historic Genealogical Society

Elements of evaluating the evidence found in sources and documents.

The most difficult part of genealogical research for African Americans is finding their slave ancestor and owner. Learn the importance of understanding slavery in the U.S. Learn how to identify and find the resources that can help recreate this journey.

With so many new sources and methods popping up, it's hard to keep with it all. This lecture is designed to point to ways to stay on top of it all, and to provide the ideas you need to get going!

Using real-life examples and patterns from busy professionals, learn how to make research plans that work for you. Acceptable standards, resources and examples will be emphasized. (Continued at 2:00-3:00)