Last week when I was writing the Wassebec (Genealogical Society) newsletter, I checked the MGS (Maine Genealogical Society) website for changes and updates and found it the same as usual. Today I checked it for news of the spring workshop, and found a whole new MGS website. Many thanks to MGS vice president and webmaster, Brian Bouchard. The beautiful new website is very easy to navigate and very clean and crisp. Well done Brian!
The new website links to the annual MGS spring workshop information and registration. This spring’s topic is the U. S. Federal Censuses, from introduction to analysis and specific researching tips, presented by MGS President, Helen A. Shaw, CG. Saturday, April 13 at the Augusta Civic Center, Ms. Shaw will guide you through an in-depth look guaranteed to help you make the best use of these amazing research tools. The new MGS web address is http://maineroots.org/
Also in April, (the 17th–21st) The New England Regional Genealogical Coalition (NERGC) Conference will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Manchester, N.H. This is a major event held every 18 months, this year it’s titled “Woven in History – The Fabric of New England”. Once again NERGC will be presenting vendors; a free 20-minute professional consultation called the Ancestor’s Road Show; a one day event for librarians and teachers; a Tech Day; and the general conference which looks to be really fabulous. They are also starting a new event called “Poster Sessions” which are 20-minute overviews of various topics. Other offerings include: new research methodologies and strategies, including technology and techniques; proving or disproving family lore; immigration and emigration patterns; new uses of sources (such as religious, civil, cemetery, military, and newspapers); “They came to work: work ethics, culture, language, patronymic legacy”; New England repositories; Successful research trip planning; and family history writing and publishing. There are many renowned speakers and it will be well worth attending. The extensive program, speakers list, registration forms and other information is available online at: http://www.nergc.org/Conference-Home-Page.html
Of course, whether you plan to attend a conference or not, you are welcome to e-mail questions to me at any time. Hope you get a chance to take advantage of the opportunities headed your way this spring.
Editor’s note: Columnist Nina Brawn of Dover-Foxcroft is a longtime genealogy researcher, speaker and teacher. Reader e-mails are welcome at ninabrawn@gmail.com. Her semimonthly column is sponsored by the Aroostook County Genealogical Society which meets the fourth Monday of the month except in July and December at Cary Medical Center’s Chan Education Center at 6:30 p.m. Guests are always welcome. FMI contact Edwin “J” Bullard at 492-5501.
