THE MASSACHUSETTS GENEALOGICAL COUNCIL Annual Meeting and Seminar Saturday, April 22, 2006 The Conference Center at Marlborough, Massachusetts http://www.massgencouncil.org General Information: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and water will be available in the lobby all day at no charge. A coatroom is provided just beside the Auditorium. Vendors selling books and materials of genealogical interest will be open from about 8:00am to 3:30pm. Questions: contact Sharon Sergeant, Program Chair, [email protected] 781-209-8861 8:00am to 10:30am Registration Desk open. Continental breakfast (coffee, tea, juice, pastries, muffins, bagels) will be served and is included in the registration fee. 9:00am to 9:45am MGC Annual Meeting 10:00am to 11:00am Researching “Birds of a Feather”: How Prosopography, Cluster Studies, and Record Linkage Techniques Can Help Put New Leaves On Your Family Tree. Meldon J. Wolfgang introduces genealogists and family historians to several useful techniques developed and used by researchers in other academic disciplines—medieval historians, epidemiologists and sociologists, to name a few—that may help dismantle those “brick walls”. Learn the techniques that other professionals use to reconstruct historic communities, former neighborhoods and extended families and discover how uncovering the network of relationships and patterns in your ancestors' lives can breathe new life—and real results—into your research. http://www.jonathansheppardbooks.com [Prosopography is an independent science of social history embracing genealogy, onomastics and demography.] 11:15am to 12:15pm Federal and State Regulations Affecting Access to Records. Panel discussion concerning proposed federal and state regulations affecting access to birth, marriage and death records. As the result of the passage of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, some state officials are under the impression that they are required to close vital records to researchers. This panel will discuss both the intent and scope of the Federal law, as well as the jurisdiction of the states. This is a very important issue and is a concern to all genealogists. Specific discussions will include not only New England states, but pending legislation in the midwest, New Jersey and other states that may fall into this area of legislative mishap. Legislators, as well as federal, local and state records officials are invited to answer questions about these issues. 12:15pm to 1:30pm Full Buffet Lunch included. Vendors Open. Join invited guests (legislators, local and state records officials) and members of the Association of Professional Genealogists for discussion topic tables at lunch. [Note: please indicate on your registration form if you need a special meal.] 1:30pm to 3:00pm Breakout Sessions. Participants can choose between two lectures, as well as genealogy society and vendor presentations. **Sleuthing in the Stacks: Using Uncommon Resources to Uncover Genealogical Clues. Meldon J. Wolfgang directs the researcher to reference tools and finding aids that can be used by genealogists who have come up against a “brick wall” in their research. References used by professionals in other research disciplines are explored, and suggestions given for conducting a secondary literature search and using resources not common to genealogists. www.jonathansheppardbooks.com **Beyond the Census: Local History in Federal Records. Horace Waters, National Archives, presents information for intermediate and advanced researchers on records available on Civil War taxes, bankruptcy, Customs, Corps of Engineers, Works Progress Administration and GSA Surplus Property Disposal. http://www.archives.gov/northeast SOCIETY AND VENDOR BREAKOUT SESSIONS - CONTACT PRESENTERS FOR DETAILED INFO *When and How to Hire a Professional: Greater Boston Chapter, Association of Professional Genealogists www.apgen.org/localchapters/boston/index.html *So You Think You are Ready To Go To Ireland! The Irish Ancestral Research Association www.tiara.ie *French & Native North American Marriages, 1600-1800: Paul Bunnell www.bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com/page/page/1005059.htm *Legacy Crafts Scrapbooking: Debbie Morehouse www.home.gwi.net/~legacycrafts *Publishing your Research into an Exciting Presentation using Passage Express Software: Theresa Dewhurst www.passageexpress.com *Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society New England chapter http://www.aahgs-ne.org/ *The Master Genealogist (TMG) The family history software that does it all! www.whollygenes.com 3:15pm to 4:15pm FGS Boston 2006: Preparing for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Conference - the genealogical opportunity of a decade. The FGS Conference comes to Boston from August 30 to September 2, 2006! This is expected to be one of the largest genealogical conferences ever held. There will be nearly 400 lectures from experts, and attendees and presenters will come from all over the world. Experienced conference goers will give you advice on what to expect, tips on choosing the best lecture topics for you, rules of etiquette for a large conference, making friends, transportation information and more. PLUS a great registration discount opportunity! At the end of the presentation you will feel not only comfortable about the conference, but excited about it! This event must not be missed. 4:15pm to 4:30pm Announcements, Door Prizes (ticket holder must be present to collect the item) SOCIETIES AND VENDORS CONTRIBUTING DOORPRIZES www.aahgs-ne.org Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society www.Ancestralmanor.com Ancestral Manor www.AncestryandGenealogy.com Ancestry and Genealogy www.apgen.org/localchapters/boston/index.html Greater Boston APG www.bunnellgenealogybooks.citymaker.com Paul J Bunnell, Books www.communityheritage.com Community Heritage Maps www.eneclann.ie Eneclann LTD www.forensicgenealogy.info Forensic Genealogy www.rootsweb.com/~mafsocna Friends of the Silvio Conte Archives www.Godfrey.org Godfrey Memorial Library www.gravestonestudies.org/ Association of Gravestone Studies www.jonathansheppardbooks.com Jonathan Sheppard Books www.home.gwi.net/~legacycrafts Legacy Crafts www.myancestorsfound.com My Ancestors Found www.NewEnglandAncestors.org NEHGS www.passageexpress.com Passage Express www.pasthomes.com Past Homes www.piperpublishing.com Piper Publishing www.tiara.ie The Irish Ancestral Research Association LOCATION The Conference Center at Marlborough, 280 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752 Phone: 508.263.5500 www.ahl-marlborough.com DIRECTIONS From Boston and Route 128: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West (Rt. 90) to Route 495 North (Exit 11A). From Route 495 North, take Exit 24B onto Route 20 West. Follow directions below. From Logan International Airport, Boston: Follow signs to the Ted Williams Tunnel to Route 90 West (Mass Turnpike). Take Mass. Pike West (Route 90) to Route 495 North (Exit 11A). From Route 495 North, take Exit 24B onto Route 20 West. Follow directions below. From Worcester, Massachusetts: Take Route 290 East to Route 495 South. From Route 495 South, take Exit 24 B onto Route 20 West. Follow directions below. From Springfield and Western Massachusetts: Take Mass. Pike (Route 90) to Route 495 North (Exit 11A). From Route 495 North, take Exit 24B onto Route 20 West. Follow directions below. From Cape Cod: Take Route 495 North to Exit 24B onto Route 20 West. Follow directions below. “DIRECTIONS BELOW”: Take your first right onto Felton Street (just before the gas station). Follow Felton Street, and go through the set of lights. At this point, Felton Street becomes Locke Drive. Continue to the end of Locke Drive. The Conference Center at Marlborough entrance will be straight ahead. Parking: Turn left at the entrance and follow the road around the bend. OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION: Rooms are available in the conference center hotel for $94. For information on accommodations, see the conference center website at http://www.ahl-marlborough.com/ Call 508-263-5700 to make a reservation. Indicate that you are attending the MGC conference. DINNER ON FRIDAY: Please make a note on the registration form if you would like a join a group of genealogists for dinner on Friday night. We have done this before and it is very enjoyable. [cut here]========================================================= REGISTRATION FORM Name __________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip___________________________________________________________ Home Phone with Area Code: _________________ E-Mail address: ___________________________ Please check one: ____I’m a current member of MGC ____I have included an additional $10 to renew my membership ____I have included an additional $10 to join MGC ____I am not interested in being a member of MGC at this time Please let us know if you need a special meal or if you would like to join the group for dinner on Friday. __________________________________________________________________ COSTS: Registrations are due by April 18th in order to provide the Conference Center with meal requirements: Members $60, Non-members $70. Registrations received by April 1th are entitled to a $10 discount: Members $50, Non-members $60. MGC membership is $10 annually. You may join or renew your membership now with a single check. Send completed form (with check payable to Massachusetts Genealogical Council) to: MGC, c/o Benjamin Woznick, Treasurer, 240 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138-4628