Space planning for the conference

Certain speakers and topics are in great demand at NGS conferences. We try to plan so that all attendees are able to attend their chosen lectures. However, there have been a few times in the past that the rooms could not hold all the attendees wishing to attend a particular lecture.

In an effort to avoid this happening in Las Vegas, there will be a large lecture room that accommodates more than 700 participants. This room will have a stage and large screen so that the speakers and their presentations are visible from all seats.

We are also asking you, the conference attendees, to help us plan with greater accuracy by letting us know the sessions you intend to attend. The confirmation e-mail you received after registering for the conference will guide you to Space Planning. There you may indicate the sessions you plan to attend. Your responses will help us to determine appropriate room sizes for the lectures. Please read the note in red at the top of the page for additional information about lecture rooms.

The Session Selection web page is a tool which will help us improve your conference experience. Session Selection is for planning purposes only. You do not have to attend the sessions you select if you change your mind. In addition, selecting a session does not constitute registration for, or guarantee, a seat in any regular session.

The Session Selection web page is for regular sessions that are included with registration. It does not apply to meals and other social events that require separate fees. Seats are guaranteed in all events when a separate fee was paid.

If every attendee will take a few minutes to mark their selections, NGS can more accurately predict audience sizes, determine room assignments, and improve the conference experience for all.

Space planning for the conference

Speaker Profile-Henry Z. "Hank" Jones, FASG

Fasten your seat belts: prepare for a rollicking good time at Hank Jones’s luncheon talk “Can You Be A Dancing Chicken at 3 O’Clock OR Why I Gave Up Showbiz to Climb the Family Tree” at the International Society of Family History Writers/Genealogical Speakers Guild Saturday luncheon.

Wearing his genealogical hat, you’ll hear about some of the uncanny and strange experiences tracing 18th century Palatine emigrants that led to his best-selling book Psychic Roots: Serendipity &  Intuition in Genealogy. Hank will share some of his favorite “Twilight Zone” experiences in the book along with some of the profound thoughts about our mutual passion shared with him by many kindred spirits who have had what they call “A Hank Jones Moment.”

Hank, a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, of whom there are only 50 in the world, has had two passions in his life: genealogy and show-business, and his presentation covers his lessons-learned and lively adventures in both fields. A recording artist on RCA Records, a hit songwriter, and a veteran character actor in 300 network TV shows and over 500 national commercials, Hank became especially known as a valued member of the Disney stock company, being featured in eight movies at The Mouse House including Blackbeard’s Ghost, Herbie Rides Again, The Cat From Outer Space, and The Shaggy DA. He’ll talk about some of his off-the-wall experiences and misadventures with household names from Ringo Starr, Stan Laurel, Tony Bennett, Bob Hope, and Henry Fonda to Elvis Presley.

Speaker Profile-Henry Z. "Hank" Jones, FASG

Exhibitor Profile-The Genetic Genealogy Consultant

Booth #227

We will be available at booth #227 in the exhibitors’ hall to answer your questions about genetic genealogy. There could not be a better time to jump into the new and fascinating world of DNA for family history purposes. The Genetic Genealogy Consultant is the place to go to determine which test is right for you, or to access effective tools and reports to understand your DNA results and translate them into actual genealogical information that you can understand and share with others.

If you already have your DNA results from companies like Family Tree DNA, Ancestry.com, 23andMe.com, etc., bring them with you to this year’s NGS conference in Las Vegas and let’s see if there is anything else that we can help you dig out from your genetic roots.

We will offer a free ten-minute consultation during the time the exhibit hall is open. Also, if you would like to purchase a full consultation, complete with an interactive report, we will offer the discounted price of $49.95/hr (regular $59.95 via email or $69.95 in person). First come, first serve. These full consultations will be completed in the weeks after the conference and your report will be delivered via email.

There will be a CD-ROM available with a short, but effective tutorial, to guide through understanding the basics of Y chromosome, mitochondrial DNA, and autosomal DNA, the three most common DNA technologies used by genealogists to learn about their family relationships and their ancestry. The special conference price will be $10 for the CD, regular price $14.95.

In addition, we will be sponsoring two lectures on DNA at the conference,  both in the DNA track on Friday:
9:30 a.m., F318, “Building Global Y Chromosome and Surname Studies”
2:30 p.m., F348, “Dissecting Your Genetic Profile: Finding the Heart of Your Ancestry Using DNA”

We hope to see you in Las Vegas!

Ugo Alessandro Perego, PhD
The Genetic Genealogy Consultant Team
Booth #227
http://www.GeneticGenealogyConsultant.com

Exhibitor Profile-The Genetic Genealogy Consultant

Your Chance to Win Travel Upgrades for NGS Conference in Las Vegas

Win a free upgrade to a one-bedroom suite plus limousine service to and from McCarran Airport in Las Vegas!

If you haven't already booked your hotel room for the NGS Family History Conference in Las Vegas 8-11 May 2013, the LVH-Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, our conference hotel, is offering a special incentive for you to do so by 31 January.

Every person who reserves a room at the LVH in the NGS block before 6:00 p.m. PST, 31 January 2013, will automatically be entered into the drawing. The winner will be notified 4 February.

Every person who has already reserved a room in the NGS block will be entered into the drawing.

Cross your fingers and see below for specific details.

Good luck and see you in Las Vegas!

National Genealogical Society - Family History Conference 2013 ~ 05-May-2013 - 12-May-2013

LVH - LAS VEGAS HOTEL & CASINO LOOKS FORWARD TO HOSTING NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 2013 FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE!!! MAY 8 - 11, 2013     To book your room  Click Here As a special incentive for any reservation booked in your room block before January 31st, we will enter your name into a drawing for a chance to win an upgrade to a premium Napa or Park Avenue one bedroom suite plus a round trip limo transfer from McCarran International Airport. You must make your reservation before 6:00 PM on January 31st. The winner will be notified on February 4th, so don't wait! We look forward to seeing you at NATIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 2013 FAMILY HISTORY CONFERENCE!!! Thank you, The LVH Team

Your Chance to Win Travel Upgrades for NGS Conference in Las Vegas

Research in Las Vegas and Clark County

Thinking of doing some research while in Las Vegas? Here is a list of libraries in the area.

Cahlan Research Library, Nevada State Museum, 309 S. Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89107, 702-486-5205,  http://museums.nevadaculture.org/. Original materials document the history of southern Nevada. Friday–Monday, 1:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Heritage Room, Paseo Verde Library, Henderson District Libraries, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV 89012, 702-492-7252, http://www.mypubliclibrary.com/.  The volunteers of the Clark County Nevada Genealogical Society staff the Society’s book and database collection. Call for hours.

Henderson District Libraries, 280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, NV 89012, 702-492-7252, http://www.mypubliclibrary.com/catalog/  Five branch libraries. See website for locations and hours.

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, 7060 W. Windmill Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89113, 702-734-7323, http://www.lvccld.org/. Twenty-five urban and outlying branch libraries. See website for locations and hours.

Las Vegas FamilySearch Library, 509 S. 9th Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101, 702-382-9695, https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Las_Vegas_Nevada_FHC. Large U.S. and international microfilm and book collection. Monday, Friday, Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Parking is free.

Special Collections, Lied Library, University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, 702-895-2234, http://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/. Rare, specialized materials document the history, culture, and environment of southern Nevada, the gaming industry, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

North Las Vegas Library District, 2300 Civic Center Drive, North Las Vegas, NV 89030, 702-633-1070, http://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/Departments/Library/Library.shtm. Three branch libraries. See website for locations and hours.

Wiener-Rogers Law Library, William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas,
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, 702- 895-3671, http://www.law.unlv.edu Nevada’s largest, most comprehensive U.S. legal collection. Sunday, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Monday–Thursday, 7:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.

Research in Las Vegas and Clark County

National Atomic Testing Museum

Las Vegas is home to a fascinating museum, the National Atomic Testing Museum. The museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, is one of only thirty-seven national museums in the United States. The displays record American nuclear history at the Nevada Test Site, covering the time period from 1951 to the present. The exhibits cover the development of the bomb, atmospheric testing, underground testing, radiation, and atomic culture. At the Ground Zero Theater, you will experience a simulated atmospheric bomb blast. For an extra charge, there is the new exhibit, Area 51–Myth or Reality.

The museum has a free podcast audio tour that may be downloaded from their website. The podcast tour should be downloaded before going to the museum and don't forget to bring your headphones.

The museum will be featured in the conference Museum Tour on Tuesday. If you can't make the tour, the museum is two miles from the Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, just a twenty minute bus ride away.

National Atomic Testing Museum
755 E Flamingo Road,
Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-794-5161
http://www.atomictestingmuseum.org/
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. There is an admission charge and they offere reduced rates to seniors, 62+.  There is also a reference library.

National Atomic Testing Museum

First-Timers' Breakfast

Thursday, 9 May 2013, 7:00 a.m.

New at this year's conference, is a first-timers' breakfast. If the 2013 conference is your first NGS conference, you are invited to attend. The breakfast will give attendees a chance to meet and mingle with other first-time attendees while enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast. Attendees will learn about the history of NGS, the Family History Conference, what the NGS conference has to offer, and how to best enjoy it. NGS officers and the NGS board of directors will be on hand to answer your questions. This will be   enjoyed in a small social setting.

Cost is $24 per person. Sign-up for the breakfast when registering. If already registered, add the meal by logging on at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on My Account, and then click on My Events.

First-Timers' Breakfast

Speaker Profile–The Ancestry Insider

Saturday, 11 May, 8:00 a.m.
S408, "Do It Yourself Photo Restoration"
Learn the basics of scanning and photo restoration using free software, Paint.net. This lecture is for all audience levels.

The Ancestry Insider says : "Preparations have been so fun, I’ve spent all my free time working on it. In "Do It Yourself Photo Restoration," I teach how to use a free and simple program, Paint.NET, to do basic photo restoration. I’m having a hard time tearing myself away to write articles, do genealogy, and work on extra-curricular professional activities."

The Ancestry Insider writes a readers' choice news and resources blog, honored by Family Tree Magazine as part of their “40 Best Genealogy Blogs” and “101 Best Web Sites,” and as one of the “25 Most Popular Genealogy Blogs” by ProGenealogists. A genealogical technologist, the Insider has a post-graduate technology degree and holds a dozen technology patents in the United States and abroad. He has done genealogy since 1972 and has worked in the computer industry since 1978. He was Time Magazine Person of the Year in both 1966 and 2006. Conference attendees are among the few nationwide to learn his secret identity. And he really is descended from an Indian princess.

Visit his blog at http://ancestryinsider.blogspot.com/.

Speaker Profile–The Ancestry Insider

BCG Skillbuilding Track

The BCG Skillbuilding Track is a series of lectures designed for genealogists interested in improving their research techniques. Targeted to intermediate and advanced skill levels, but open to all registered conference attendees, the presentations focus on evaluating evidence, advanced problem solving, and research reporting. Co-sponsored by NGS and the Board for Certification of Genealogists, the track is scheduled Wednesday through Saturday and includes 16 lectures plus a two-hour seminar.

For additional information on these lectures and the entire program, go to http://members.ngsgenealogy.org/Conferences/Program2013.cfm for the searchable program, or the PDF version of the registration brochure is available at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info.

WEDNESDAY, 8 MAY

11:00 a.m., W121, "Debunking Misleading Records" by Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS

2:30 p.m., W141, "Interpreting the Symbols and Abbreviations in Seventeenth-Century English and American Documents" by Ronald Ames Hill, PhD, CG, FASG

4:00 p.m., W151, "Understanding What They Wrote: Tricks and Tips for Deciphering the Unintelligible in Documents" by Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FVGS

THURSDAY, 9 MAY

8:00 a.m., T201, "Grandma’s Treasure Chest: Investigating and Evaluating Family Artifacts" by Pam Stone Eagleson, CG

9:30 a.m., T211, "BCG Certification Seminar—The Why and the How" Part I, by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL; F. Warren Bittner, CG; David McDonald, CG

11:00 a.m., T211, "BCG Certification Seminar—The Why and the How" Part II, by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL; F. Warren Bittner, CG; David McDonald, CG

2:30 p.m., T241, "Information Overload? Effective Project Planning, Research, Data Management, and Analysis" by Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

4:00 p.m., T251, "Did Your John Really Spell His Name, 'Kpjm?' A Look at Digitized Records" by Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CG, CGL

FRIDAY, 10 MAY

8:00 a.m., F301, "Fail! When the Record is Wrong" by Dawne Slater-Putt, CG

9:30 a.m., F311, "Step Outside Your Genealogical Box: Trying Assorted Records to Reach Research Goals" by Patricia Walls Stamm, CG, CGL

11:00 a.m., F321, "Genealogical Applications of Historical Geographical Information Systems (GIS)" by Rick Sayre, CG

2:30 p.m., F341, "Treasures in the Records of the U. S. Congress" by David Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA

4:00 p.m., F351, "Are We There Yet?” Proof and the Genealogy Police" by Harold Henderson, CG

SATURDAY, 11 MAY

8:00 a.m., S401, "Baker’s Dozen Steps to Writing Research Reports" by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL

9:30 a.m., S411, "Using Emigrant Guides for Genealogical Research" by Julie Miller, CG

11:00 a.m., S421, "Proof Arguments: How and Why?" by Warren Bittner, CG

2:30 p.m., S441, "Not Quite Right: Recognizing Errors" by Barbara Mathews, CG

4:00 p.m., S451, "Enough is Enough! Or Is It?" by Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL

BCG Skillbuilding Track

Salt Lake Plaza Hotel Special Offer

NGS Conference attendees might want to consider taking a side trip to Salt Lake City after the conference. NGS and the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel are partnering to encourage attendees to apply their new knowledge at Salt Lake City's Family History Library by offering NGS 2013 Family History Conference attendees a special rate for the week following the conference.

Beginning Sunday, 12 May 2013, for one week, NGS conference attendees may stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel for the special rate of $82.00 single/double, $89.00 triple/quad. The hotel offers free wireless Internet, a free airport shuttle, and microwaves and refrigerators in every room.

Salt Lake City is one hour and ten minutes from Las Vegas by air. Consider routing your return flight from Las Vegas with a layover in Salt Lake City to take advantage of this special NGS Family History Conference rate.

Interested NGS attendees should arrange with Rich Williams, 801-606-2410, or sales@plaza-hotel.com.

Salt Lake Plaza Hotel Special Offer