FGS 2011 Event Highlights

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Focus on Society Sessions
8:30 am – 6:00 pm, Prairie Capital Convention Center

FGS is always striving to provide excellent services and support to Member Societies to help them grow and prosper. FGS has concentrated on developing a great selection of excellent lectures and focus groups.

Old Fashioned Prairie Social
6:00– 8:00pm, Springfield Hilton, Concourse Level

Come discover the past and present of Illinois. President and Mrs. Lincoln will be on hand to greet attendees to the rousing music of the Prairie Aires. The Lincolns will visit during the evening as folks enjoy period music and dessert.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Opening Session and Keynote Address
8:30 – 9:45 am, Springfield Hilton

Keynote address by David Ferreiro, Archivist of the United States. Insights into the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and family history.
Presentation of a check by Michael Maben, president of the Indiana Genealogical Society, as part of War of 1812 Pension Matching Grant Challenge to raise funds for the Preserve the Pensions project. Project goal is to digitize the War of 1812 pension files at the National Archives and make them freely available online.

FGS 2011 Conference Attendee Procession (video and photo opportunity)
9:45 am (approximate)

The 114th Regiment IL Volunteer Infantry Drum Corps will lead conference attendees in a procession from the Springfield Hilton across the street to the Prairie Capital Convention Center.

Press Conference
9:45 am (approximate)

Attendees to include:

Media Tour of the Exhibit Hall
10:00 am

Brief media tour of the Exhibit Hall by Thomas MacEntee, National Conference Publicity Chair.

Friday, September 9, 2011

FGS 35th Anniversary Gala
6:30 – 9:00 pm, Springfield Hilton

The Lincoln Family Album presented by special guest, noted Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer. Harold Holzer is one of the country's leading authorities on Abraham Lincoln and the political culture of the Civil War era. A prolific writer and lecturer, and frequent guest on television, he was appointed co-chairman of the United States Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission by President Clinton and in 2008 received the National Humanities Medal from President Bush.
Grand Prize Drawing: A chance to win the "Genealogists Dream Vacation," a week-long research trip to Salt Lake City, Utah including round-trip airfare, accommodations, and other items (sponsored by FamilySearch).

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Ancestry Day, sponsored by Ancestry.com
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Springfield Hilton

Participants will get a “taste” of family history and learn how Ancestry.com can help. Ancestry Day is the perfect way to introduce someone to the genealogy field: the basics are covered in an easy-to-learn format and atmosphere, the event is low cost ($20 for the entire day) and participants even receive special gifts to help them with their family history journey.

Kids Camp, sponsored by FamilySearch
9:00 am – 12:00 pm, Springfield Hilton

The FamilySearch Kids Camp helps young people develop an appreciation for their family history and better understand why it is important to know about their ancestors. The event will involve a variety of activities, including several designed to help Boy Scouts earn their Genealogy Merit Badge. Kids will learn how to interview relatives and document families in their family tree. There will be interactive workshops on the importance of gathering records and keeping journals, and participants will also use computers to find information about their ancestors.