Speaker Profile-Daniel Horowitz

Ready to amaze you with MyHeritage tools to find relatives and make your genealogy research a real pleasure, Daniel Horowitz is literally coming from the other side of the world, with three lectures you don't want to miss.

Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., W129, "The Ultimate Genealogy Super Search Engine"
This brand new search engine will delight genealogist, with billions of records and amazing new features.

Thursday, 11:00 a.m., T229, "How to Find Your Relative on the Internet Without Really Searching" Smart Matching and Smart Research are intelligent tools to help genealogist discover information and relatives, from all over the world, collaborate and benefit from social networking.

Saturday, 4:00 p.m., S458, "Face Recognition and Photo Tagging for Genealogy Research"
Face recognition can identify and tag people in your photos, discover related people and recover lost family connections. Ideal to identify orphan photos.

Daniel enjoys a multifaceted role at MyHeritage. As Chief Genealogist, he provides key contributions in the areas of product development, customer support, public affairs; contacting genealogy societies, bloggers, and media. Daniel is also heading the company's Translation department where he has been instrumental in increasing MyHeritage's global language support. A power genealogist, researcher, and lecturer, Daniel holds board level positions in a few genealogical societies. With a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering and a Specialization in Education & Management of Educational Institutions, he has a deep understanding of the needs of today's family history enthusiasts.

Speaker Profile-Daniel Horowitz

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Smith Center entrance

Ruvo building

NGS attendees who want to explore the little-known cultural side of Las Vegas may wish to attend a performance at the new Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The Art Deco-inspired Smith Center is a stylistic counterpoint to its next-door neighbor, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which was designed by Frank Gehry in a celebratory splash of brushed aluminum. The juxtaposition of these landmark buildings marks the Las Vegas valley's growing cultural community.

Although no performances are currently scheduled during the conference, the Smith Center does offer events immediately before and after the conference. Tickets are on sale now for two Smith Center venues: Cabaret Jazz offers an intimate theater setting; Reynolds is a grand concert hall.

Clint Holmes (Cabaret Jazz)
Friday, 3 May 2013, 8:30 p.m.

Las Vegas Philharmonic (Reynolds Hall)
Masterworks V - Holst The Planets
Saturday, 4 May 2013, 8:00 p.m.

Nevada Ballet Theatre (Reynolds Hall)
Romeo & Juliet
Saturday, 11 May 2013, 7:30 p.m.
Also Sunday, 12 May 2013, 1:00 p.m.


About the Smith Center: http://www.thesmithcenter.com/about/

Box Office: http://www.thesmithcenter.com/shows-tickets/ticket-office-hours-information/

Seating chart: http://www.thesmithcenter.com/shows-tickets/seating-charts/

Contact Information
Website: www.TheSmithCenter.com
Ticketing Office: 702.749.2000

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

Only 23 days to early bird discount deadline

Have you registered for the conference yet?  The deadline for the early bird discount and ordering a print syllabus is 19 March. After that date, the NGS member price will increase from $195 to $230 for all four days; the non-NGS member price will increase from $230 to $265, and only the flash drive syllabus will be available.

For conference information and to register, go to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info.
If you’re not a member, consider paying $65 to join NGS. This will save $35 on the registration cost, and you will receive all the benefits of NGS membership including the renowned National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the informative NGS Magazine.

Reservations for meals must be made by 22 April. To add meal events to your existing registration, log on to the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org, click on "My Account," and then "My Events." You may print your agenda or add the events to your calendar.

Don't delay, register today at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/attendee_registration.

Only 23 days to early bird discount deadline

Exhibitor Profile-The Board for Certification of Genealogists

Booth #122

 The Board for Certification of Genealogists is an independent organization not affiliated with, or part of, any group. It is a certifying body, not a membership society, and a nationally and internationally recognized organization.

The BCG exhibit booth #122 provides materials that are helpful for success in the certification process. You can discuss the seven requirements for certification with knowledgeable BCG volunteers and peruse actual successful portfolios. During the conference you may ask questions in session F-211, BCG Certification Seminar, on Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

The website http://www.bcgcertification.org contains skill-building articles, exercises, and a free download of The BCG Application Guide which describes the requirements for your portfolio notebook application.

The Board's mission is to foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners, and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard.

Exhibitor Profile-The Board for Certification of Genealogists

Conference chair, Stefani Evans, on the Forget-Me-Not Hour TONIGHT!

Stefani Evans, conference chair for the National Genealogical Society 2013 Family History Conference in Las Vegas, joins host Jane E. Wilcox for The Forget-Me-Not Hour: Your Ancestors Want Their Stories to Be Told radio show on www.BlogTalkRadio.com/JaneEWilcox this evening, Wednesday, 20 February, at 9:00 p.m. EST. Stefani will talk about all that is in store for participants at the conference from May 8-11: speakers, topics, special events, and tours. Find out why the NGS 2013 Family History Conference is the must-attend genealogy event this year! 

Listen on-demand after the show airs at  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/janeewilcox/2013/02/21/national-genealogical-society-in-vegas-with-stefani-evans

Conference chair, Stefani Evans, on the Forget-Me-Not Hour TONIGHT!

Genealogy Game Show

This year for the first time at a NGS Family History Conference, the "Genealogy Game Show: The Last Genealogists Standing" will take place on Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.

Come and match wits with other genealogists at this fun event. It's simple. Everyone in the room stands. A question is displayed on the screen and everyone shouts out the answer. Those who say the correct answer continue standing, and those who do not, sit down. This continues until one person is left. The last genealogist standing wins a $100 certificate from Heritage Books.

The show will be hosted by Heritage Books CEO, Mr. Craig R. Scott, CG. Craig will be sure to keep you on your toes and entertained.

Genealogy Game Show

Official Genealogy Bloggers sought for the conference

NGS has opened the Official Blogger registration for the 2013 Family History Conference.

NGS welcomes bloggers’ participation at its conference and also wants to welcome them as members of the press to the NGS conference. In recognition of the important media role they play in the field of genealogy, NGS invites bloggers to register at its website to request “Official Blogger – NGS 2013 Family History Conference” designation and use of the NGS logo.

NGS recognizes that the genealogical community is gifted with a large number of engaged and talented bloggers who write regularly about the release of new records, upcoming events, research methods, tools, software choices, and other items of interest to the community. The designation of Official Blogger is a way for the National Genealogical Society to give recognition to the daily contributions these bloggers make to keep the field of genealogy current, particularly with news that is not covered in the mainstream media.

Official Bloggers will have a limited license to use an “Official Blogger – NGS 2013 Family History Conference” designation and logo. The NGS Conference blog will link to their blogs. Official bloggers will have access to the Media Center on the exhibit hall floor. For more information on the NGS Social Media Policy, see: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/social_media_policy .

If you write a blog or micro-blog, and would like to be recognized as an “Official Blogger of the NGS 2013 Family History Conference,” please navigate to http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/official_blogger to apply and let us know a little bit about you and your blog.

Official Genealogy Bloggers sought for the conference

Exhibitor Profile-Family ChartMasters

Booth #411

Family ChartMasters, is the place to come for help in involving your family with their family history. We are an award winning genealogy chart printing service for any kind of genealogy chart imaginable. As the official printing service for most genealogy software and database companies, we  can print any style of chart from any kind of file. We offer oversized draft family reunion charts as well as custom decorative designs which come with an online preview system giving you great personalized attention.  

At NGS this year, we’ll be introducing our new books and online resources-Zap The Grandma Gap (zapthegrandmagap.com)-with the tried and tested ideas that will help your family history go from snoring and boring, to exciting and inviting. Check out the free 52 week newsletters with great ideas for involving your children and grandchildren with their history and other free resources. With these new resources, Family ChartMasters will help you connect with your family and ground the next generations in inspiring stories and enduring family ties to their past.

And don’t miss Janet Hovorka’s lecture S419, “Magnifying Glass, Wide-Angle Lens or Telescope?  Charts To Visualize and Share Your Family Tree” at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, 11 May.  She will be sharing lots of ideas for how to create engaging charts that will enchant your family and create curiosity while honoring your ancestors.   

Visit our website at https://familychartmasters.com/

Exhibitor Profile-Family ChartMasters

College and University Student Rates for the Conference

NGS has announced that effective today, 13 February 2013, qualifying students may register for discounted rates for the NGS 2013 Family History Conference. Student rates for full conference registration with flash-drive syllabus will be $50 (member) and $60 (nonmember), with no price adjustments for late or single-day registrations.

NGS offers the special student price to encourage all interested and qualifying students to see how they might incorporate genealogical methods into their research and how they may, in turn, apply knowledge from their fields to genealogy. These special rates are nearly 75% off regular registration rates.

To qualify, students must submit a letter on college or university letterhead signed by the dean or department chair confirming the student’s current admittance, good standing, and full-time status in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Students who are enrolled in diploma or certificate programs, continuing education programs, lifetime learning programs, or at institutions not regionally accredited do not qualify.

At conference check-in qualifying students must also present a current student identification and a current government-issued photo identification. The student ID must be consistent with the letter confirming student status. Qualifying students will have all rights and privileges of full conference registration.

Qualifying students interested in obtaining the student rate should scan the confirmation letter and e-mail it to the NGS conference registrar Courtney Holmes at cholmes@ngsgenealogy.org or fax it to her attention at 703-525-0052. Students may also bring all qualifying documents (the confirmation letter and both identifications) to the conference and register on-site at the LVH—Las Vegas Hotel & Casino for no additional fee.

Students who wish to purchase a print syllabus, meals, or social events must pay full price for these items online before 19 March 2013 (corrected date, orignally listed 22 April in error) after consulting with Courtney. Students cannot obtain the special rate if they register directly through the conference website.

Students may view the searchable program at http://members.ngsgenealogy.org/Conferences/Program2013.cfm and the PDF brochure at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info. The brochure offers information about sessions, tours, pre-conference events, on-site registration, and details for hotel registration at the LVH. The 2013 Student Registration Form can be downloaded from the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/galleries/new-gallery/2013_Student_Registration_Form.pdf

College and University Student Rates for the Conference

Exhibitor Profile-Scotia Roots Ancestral Tours of Scotland

Booth # 130

Scotia Roots Ancestral Tours of Scotland takes you beyond the standard genealogy report and guides you on a personal journey through your ancestral homeland. We provide high quality ancestral tours of Scotland which are researched and led by a professional Genealogist. We have three exciting tour options to suit all budgets and requirements:






Guided Ancestral Tours
Our professional Genealogist will guide you and your group on an emotional journey through your ancestral homeland. We will visit all of the important locations in your family’s story and you will learn about their experiences and the lives that they led. You will be transported in a private vehicle as you travel through the majesty of the Scottish landscape.

Self-Drive Option
For those who wish to travel on their own, we also provide a bespoke tour itinerary for you to take with you on your journey. Your tour will include directions to all of the significant locations in your Scottish family’s story and also suggestions for interesting ‘stop-offs’ along the way.

NEW! Ancestral Video Tours
This option is aimed at those unable to travel to their Scottish ancestral homeland in person. Using high-quality video equipment, we will visit all of the key locations in your ancestral story and film them for you. Your personal ancestral film will be professionally edited and dispatched straight to your door! You can therefore enjoy learning about your Scottish ancestors from the comfort of your own living room.

Contact us today to begin your own ancestral journey!

Web: http://www.scotiarootstours.co.uk
Email: bookings@scotiarootstours.co.uk

Exhibitor Profile-Scotia Roots Ancestral Tours of Scotland

Speaker Profile-Lisa Louise Cooke

 A lovely lady sat clutching her syllabus. Seated in the third row, she was excited to be at the conference. However, 15 minutes into the session, it happened: She lost her battle with boredom and her chin hit her chest. A few moments later she startled awake, mortified. Her cat nap wasn’t her fault!

While genealogy was her passion, there was no passion emanating from that room. The well-intentioned speaker had taken the same old path of boring slides and monotone explanations.

That day I made a promise to myself to deliver passionate, entertaining presentations packed with solid answers people could use right away. And yes, I would even look outside of the genealogy industry for solutions to tough genealogical challenges.

My class “How the Genealogist Can Remember Everything with Evernote!” is a perfect example. We all yearn for a flawless memory. Since that’s not possible, I went in search of a technological answer and found it in Evernote. You will leave this class armed with strategies for using Evernote to put your research notes at your fingertips. There isn’t a genealogist who couldn’t benefit from this free program.

Another example: My class “How to Create an Exciting, Interactive Family History Tour with Google Earth.” I brazenly declare on my show The Genealogy Gems Podcast that Google Earth is the most powerful genealogy program – and yet it is NOT from the genealogy industry. You will be amazed during this class at what it can do for your research, analysis, and family history storytelling.

Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., W128, “How the Genealogist Can Remember Everything with Evernote!”
Thursday, 4:00 p.m., T258, “How to Create an Exciting, Interactive Family History Tour with Google Earth”

Please join me for some exciting sessions!

Speaker Profile-Lisa Louise Cooke

Bridging history and genealogy

This year, NGS offers nine lectures by historians who approach genealogical questions through lenses from varied historical subfields. These lectures are part of the conference schedule and appear in tracks most appropriate to their topics.



Wednesday, 8 May 2013
2:30 p.m., W144, “Legal Histories of Families”
David S. Tanenhaus is professor and chair of the UNLV History Department.

4:00 p.m., W154, “Which Family Do You Mean?  Las Vegas Families and Organized Crime Families”
Michael Green, PhD, author of Nevada Public Radio’s Nevada Yesterdays and eight books, including five on Nevada history; and consults for the Mob Museum.

Thursday, 9 May 2013
8:00 a.m., T205, “Born Global: Demographic Diversity in Nineteenth-Century Los Angeles”
Greg Hise, PhD, professor of history, UNLV, is a historian of cities and author or co-editor of five books that examine policy, economics, and social relations in Los Angeles.

9:30 a.m., T217, “Interethnic Women and Marriage along Spanish Colonial Frontiers 1820-80”
Maria Raquel Casas, PhD, associate professor of history, UNLV; authored Married to a Daughter of the Land: Spanish-Mexican Women and Interethnic Marriage in California, 1820-80.

11:00 a.m., T224, “African-Fusion: Slave Women’s Influence on Western Saltwater Foodways”
Kevin Dawson, PhD, is assistant professor of Atlantic history and the African diaspora at UNLV.

2:30 a.m., T244, “Headed for the Promised Land: Tracing the Path to California”
Kendra Gage, doctoral candidate in history at UNLV, studies Black migration and the Civil Rights Movement in northern California.

4:00 p.m., T255, “An Indigenous Family History in California”
William Bauer, PhD, (Wailacki and Concow of the Round Valley tribes) is associate professor of history at UNLV and author of We Were All Like Migrant Workers Here.

Friday, 10 May 2013
9:30 a.m., F313, "‘The Tribal Way’: The Paradox of the Family in Early American Religion”
David Holland, PhD, associate professor of history at UNLV, specializes in early American religious and intellectual history.

Saturday, 11 May 2013
11:00 a.m., S425, “Tracing Chinese Americans”
Sue Fawn Chung, PhD, professor of history, UNLV; authored In Pursuit of Gold: Chinese American Miners and Merchants in the American West, winner of the 2013 Bancroft History Prize, and The Chinese in Nevada.

For more information on historians who are faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), see the UNLV Department of History web page at http://history.unlv.edu/faculty/.

Bridging history and genealogy