Bridging Generations–October 21, 2017 Family History Conference in Tempe

Registration begins soon for the FREE Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa FamilySearch Library. We received the following press release from them:

ANNOUNCING THE 2017 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa FamilySearch Library on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at the Tempe Institute of Religion on the ASU Campus, 1000 South McAllister Avenue in Tempe, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m.

This year’s conference will feature a keynote address by Lisa McBride of FamilySearch, an Accredited Genealogist, who works with area family history centers and serves on the FamilySearch Wiki Governance Council.

Our theme is “Bridging Generations” and provides a wide variety of over 50 class choices for all types of learners, from beginners to the most advanced genealogists.  Come and learn how to be more effective and efficient when doing your research.  Learn to trace your roots with DNA.  Learn to find and document your sources.  Get specific information on various ways to research in specific states and countries.  If you are new to family history, come learn the basics.  Some of the most popular classes are repeated in an effort to accommodate everyone.   Spend all day or come for a single class or two; you may attend a maximum of five classes.

Detailed conference information will become available and registration will begin online at www.mesafsl.org on Thursday, September 21, 2017.  At the time of registration, registrants will be given the opportunity to purchase lunch from Jason’s Deli.  Otherwise, the conference is FREE.  Parking is also free and convenient but registrants are reminded that cars are parked in a public facility and are urged to be cautious with their valuables. See you in October! 

In the past, you were required to select the specific classes you plan to attend during the registration. Seats for each class is limited and registration closes for that class when it is full. This conference usually fills up very quickly so don't delay in reserving seats for the classes you really wish to attend.

Registration for Family History Conference in Glendale is now open

The Mesa, Arizona, FamilySearch Library is sponsoring a FREE Family History Conference in Glendale. The conference will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. at the Glendale Arizona Stake Center, 8602 N. 31st Avenue in Phoenix/Glendale.

The keynote speaker will be Dr. Duane Roen from ASU, a respected guru in family history writing. Attendees can choose from multiple classes each hour. Register online at http://mesafsl.org/MyExpo/Conference2017/GSC/homepage.html.

Marriage Indexing Seminar

Image Source: FamilySearch Blog

The U.S. Marriages Project is a joint initiative between findmypast.com and FamilySearch.org. Its purpose is to save the marriage records from every state in the United States. This service project will create a high quality, searchable database of nearly every marriage recorded in the United States since the early 1800s.

Anyone can participate in this deserving project. Indexers may choose the state(s) they wish to index. Who knows? You might even get the marriage record for your great-grandparents! Visit the FamilySearch Blog Join the Cause! Index Every Marriage Record in the United States for instructions on how to get started.

Also, FamilySearch representatives will be in Arizona soon to show how anyone can learn to do this work.

WHEN: September 30, 2016
WHERE: Mesa FamilySearch Library Training Center, 464 E. 1st Ave. Mesa, AZ
TIME: 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Attendance is free and registration is not required. Save a marriage! Join in this special project.

Putting It All Together -- October 29, 2016 Family History Conference in Tempe

Registration for the 2016 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library in Tempe is now open! We received the following press release from them:

ANNOUNCING THE 2016 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Tempe Institute of Religion on the ASU Campus, 1000 South McAllister Avenue in Tempe, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

This year’s conference will feature a keynote address by James Tanner, a friend to our conference and respected family history guru.

Our theme is “Putting It All Together” and provides a wide variety of over 50 class choices for all types of learners, from beginners to the most advanced genealogists.  Come and learn how to be more effective and efficient when doing your research.  Learn to trace your roots with DNA.  Learn to document your sources.  Get specific information on various ways to research in specific countries.  If you are new to family history, come learn the basics.  Some of the most popular classes are repeated in an effort to accommodate everyone.   Spend all day or come for a single class or two; you may attend a maximum of five classes.

Registration will begin online at www.mesafsl.org on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.  At the time of registration, registrants will be given the opportunity to purchase lunch from Jason’s Deli.  Otherwise, the conference is FREE.  See you in October!

In the past, you were required to select the specific classes you plan to attend during the registration. Seats for each class is limited and registration closes for that class when it is full. This conference usually fills up very quickly so don't delay in reserving seats for the classes you really want to attend.

Putting It All Together -- October 29, 2016 Family History Conference in Tempe

Registration for the 2016 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library in Tempe begins soon! We received the following press release from them:

ANNOUNCING THE 2016 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library on Saturday, October 29, 2016, at the Tempe Institute of Religion on the ASU Campus, 1000 South McAllister Avenue in Tempe, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.

This year’s conference will feature a keynote address by James Tanner, a friend to our conference and respected family history guru.

Our theme is “Putting It All Together” and provides a wide variety of over 50 class choices for all types of learners, from beginners to the most advanced genealogists.  Come and learn how to be more effective and efficient when doing your research.  Learn to trace your roots with DNA.  Learn to document your sources.  Get specific information on various ways to research in specific countries.  If you are new to family history, come learn the basics.  Some of the most popular classes are repeated in an effort to accommodate everyone.   Spend all day or come for a single class or two; you may attend a maximum of five classes.

Registration will begin online at www.mesafsl.org on Wednesday, September 14, 2016.  At the time of registration, registrants will be given the opportunity to purchase lunch from Jason’s Deli.  Otherwise, the conference is FREE.  See you in October!

In the past, you were required to select the specific classes you plan to attend during the registration. Seats for each class is limited and registration closes for that class when it is full. As of this writing (September 14 @ 9:50 a.m.), registration had not yet been opened. However, this conference fills up very quickly so keep checking often in order to reserve a seat for the classes you really want to attend.

Announcing Local Seminars, Conferences, and Educational Opportunities

February and March have always been busy months for genealogists in Southern Arizona. The Pima County Genealogy Society received notification of two conferences and one seminar coming up. All of these events require registration and have a registration deadline.

The Mesa FamilySearch Library is offering two mini-Family History conferences in response to our "need for more training." Below is the announcement:

The Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library is pleased to announce two Family History Conferences coming up in February and March, 2016.  The first conference will be held on Saturday, February 20, at the Red Mountain Institute building on the Maricopa Community College Red Mountain campus.  This facility is located near the 202 and McKellips Road, at 7126 E McKellips Road, Mesa.  The second conference will be held on Saturday, March 12, at the Peoria North LDS Stake Center on 22034 North 83^rd Avenue in Peoria.  Both conferences will offer classes from morning through late afternoon.  Lunches may be purchased.  Register online now for the February 20^th conference at www.mesafsl.org.  Registration for the March 12^th conference will be available in mid-February.  Please join us.

The following is a press release from the West Valley Genealogical Society about their upcoming seminar:

The West Valley Genealogical Society & Library will hold their annual seminar on February 27, 2016: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM at Lakeview United Methodist Church,10298 W. Thunderbird  Blvd, Sun City.  Rick and Pam Sayre will be the featured speakers.  They are both Certified Genealogists and Lecturers and are Fellows of Utah Genealogical Association. This dynamic duo will present their exclusive "Maps, Wonderful Maps" in an interactive session covering everything you need to know about using maps for family research.  An additional topic, "The Serial Set, American State Papers, and Territorial Papers" explores the foundation publications of the United States government and how to use these documents in an effective research plan.  With “Our National Treasure: The Library of Congress” we’ll learn how to research the vast holdings of our government….all without leaving home!  This is an all-inclusive seminar with breakfast, lunch, grand door prizes, and fabulous raffle baskets. The Society will also hold their Annual Duplicate Book Sale offering valuable, gently used, genealogy titles covering a wide range of topics…payment by cash or check. Please join us.  This premier event promises to have something for everyone from the novice to advanced researcher!  See www.azwvgs.org click Events or Store to register by February 18, 2016.

In addition, the West Valley Genealogical Society announced the following educational opportunities:

The West Valley Genealogical Society, 12222 N. 111 Ave, Youngtown, is offering the following educational opportunities.  Registration is required: see www.azwvgs.org click Store or Events/Classes for more details. PH; 623-9334945.

March 4, 2016: Family History Research in Salt Lake City, 10:00 AM - 12 Noon. This class covers everything you need to know about preparing for a research trip to the Family History Library.  In addition to covering an overview of the facility and its vast resources, you'll learn: what items to take and best practices for setting research objectives. If you don't have immediate plans to travel to the Family History Library, you're still welcome to attend this informative class in order to prepare for a future family research trip.

March 9, 16, 23, 30, 2016: Research Techniques II, 1:00 - 3:00 PM. This four session class is open to everyone, however, it is designed to build on your existing research skills.  An experienced genealogist will guide you through in-depth research using multiple resources such as land, church, immigration and naturalization records.  Also covers military and probate records and much more.

March 15, 2016: What to do with Your Genealogy Research, 1:00 - 3:00 PM.  This class centers on gathering and organizing your personal genealogical collection such as family heirlooms and books.  Also covers the importance of designating assignment to your heirs and why you should write your own obituary!   Learn how to find your way through estate auctions and to understand the heirloom appraisal process.

Mesa FamilySearch Conference - Registration opens September 9, 2015

The Mesa FamilySearch Library has been closed since last November and there is still no estimated date for reopening. However, that isn't stopping them from sponsoring the annual Family History Conference. Here is last week's official announcement:

ANNOUNCING THE 2015 Family History Conference sponsored by the Mesa AZ FamilySearch Library on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at the Tempe Institute of Religion on the ASU Campus in Tempe, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.  The Library may be closed, but family history work goes on!

This year’s conference will feature a keynote address by Todd Powell of FamilySearch.  Mr. Powell is a Senior Product Manager for the FamilyTree Department at FamilySearch.org.  He graduated from BYU and has over 25 years working in technology and business leadership.  Todd is a native of Phoenix and the Gila Valley and enjoys visiting extended family in Arizona.

This year’s theme is “Putting It All Together” and provides a wide variety of over 50 class choices for all types of learners, from beginners to the most advanced genealogists.  Come and learn how to be more effective and efficient when doing your research.  Learn to trace your roots with DNA.  Learn to document your sources.  Get specific information on various ways to research in specific countries.  If you are new to family history, come learn the basics.  Some of the most popular classes are repeated in an effort to accommodate everyone.   Spend all day or come for a single class or two; you may attend a maximum of five classes.

Registration will begin online on Wednesday, September 9, 2015.  At the time of registration, registrants will be given the opportunity to purchase lunch from Jason’s Deli.  Otherwise, the conference is FREE.  See you in October!

Image courtesy of Danilo Rizzuti at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Did you see that? It's FREE! So, arrange your carpools and visit the Mesa FamilySearch Library website on September 9 to register. Last year, registration closed very early because they reached the maximum number of attendees allowed. If you want to ensure a seat this year, be sure to register as soon as possible after registration opens. And while you're on the website, visit the Annual Conference Archives for the handouts for the 2012-2014 conferences, also FREE.