A major genealogical event is coming to Sacramento in May!!! It's the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference in the States -- 19-22 May 2004. Full-color, 20-page registration brochures for the NGS Conference are in the mail and will be available at research libraries, family history centers and genealogical society meetings soon. This year's conference has some exciting offerings for people interested in California history and genealogy. One of the featured speakers is J.S. Holliday. Associated with UC Berkeley's Bancroft Library, the California Historical Society and the Oakland Museum of California, Mr. Holliday is a noted California Gold Rush historian and author of *The World Rushed In: The California Gold Rush Experience* and *Rush for Riches: Gold Fever and the Making of California*. The title of his conference presentation is "Far from Home and Family: The Origins of California's Risk-taking Culture." It's about the wild and adventuresome lifestyle of the men who came to the Gold Rush, far from the moral influence of their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Also of special interest to California researchers are the following classes: "California Gold Rush" "Research Facilities in the Golden State" both presented by Chuck Knuthson. Chuck is a native of northern California with deep roots in the gold country. He is webmaster of the Sierra County GenWeb site. "Did Your Ancestors' Siblings Take YOUR Family Papers to California?" by Sheila Benedict, CGRS. Sheila is a professional researcher from southern California specializing in California records. "Using California Records to Find Southern U.S. Ancestors" by J. Mark Low, CG. President of the Association of Professional Genealogists, Mark brings to his lecture the perspective of the importance of researching California records even if you don't live in California. Other classes pertinent to tracing the ancestry of Californians are on westward migration, railroad records and land records, especially federal land records. This is only the third time in more than 20 years that the NGS Conference has been held in California, and it won't be back any time soon. If you live in California, this is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to experience a national conference without expensive travel costs. If you live in another state, but have California roots, this is the perfect excuse to visit the home of your ancestors. Please join us for "A Golden Prospect" National Genealogical Society Conference in the States Sacramento Convention Center 19-22 May 2004 Watch for brochures or visit www.ngsgenealogy.org and click on the SACRAMENTO logo. Barbara Leak Local Publicity Chair, NGS Conference 2004 www.ngsgenealogy.org President, Genealogical & Historical Council of Sacramento Valley www.sacvalleygenes.org