There are at least seven major genealogy conferences that are planed for this year in the Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. In order to take advantage of any discounts for early registration, you need to make your plans now. I encourage you to consider attending one or more of the events. Just go on their web site and print out a copy of the brochure that describes the event. Harold McClendon March 27 & 28, 2009. The Fairfax Genealogical Society will present its annual conference and Expo. Friday will provide for consultations and information on Google Maps. Saturday will include presentations by Chuck Mason (Basic Genealogy), John Humphrey (German Research), Claire Bettag (NARA Land Records), and Pam Boyer (Digital Organization). Registration fees range from $53/$73 plus an additional $20 to consult with one of the speakers. The conference will be at the Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks. Additional details can be found at http://www.fxgs.org/. Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Virginia Beach Genealogical Society will sponsor its annual conference entitled "Tell Me About It." The featured speaker is John Philip Colletta, Ph. D. Topics to be covered at the conference are lesser-used Federal records, understanding research repositories, interviewing, and historical context. Registration fees range from $35-$45. The conference will be at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA. If there are any questions, contact J.B. Wright at 757-495-0672 or Jwright73@cox.net. Additional details can be found at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vavbgs/. Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Drott Lodge #168 of the VASA Order of America (a Swedish-American Fraternal Organization) will present a seminar entitled "Swedish Emigrant Genealogical Seminar." National speakers including Stephen Morse, Kathy Meade, and Leslie Dalley Bouvier as well as consultation options. Registration fees range from $10/$20. The seminar will be held at the Universities at Shady Grove Campus at 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland. Contact Janet Johnson at JJohn30254@aol.com or 301-962-3788 with any questions. Saturday, April 18, 2009. The Virginia Genealogical Society will sponsor its spring conference at the Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. The title of the conference is "Secrets for Successful Research" and the featured speaker is Barbara Vines Little, CG. Cost of the conference ranges from $30/$50. There is also a Leadership Summit on April 17th at 3:00 p.m. at the Library. Additional details can be found at http://www.vgs.org. Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.-400 p.m. The Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society will present its annual conference entitled "Exploring New Record Groups in Germany & the USA." Speakers include Kenneth Heger and Susannah Brooks. The cost of the conference ranges from $40/$50. The conference will be held at the Plaza Hotel in Hagerstown, Maryland. Additional details can be found at http://www.magsgen.com/. Wednesday, April 22, 2009-Thursday, April 23, 2009. The National Archives will present its "Fifth Annual Genealogy Fair." The program will be presented in the Pennsylvania Avenue Plaza and Research Center that can be reached through the Pennsylvania Avenue side of the building. Additional details can be found at http://www.archives.gov/. July 12-17, 2009. National Institute on Genealogical Research at the National Archives. The 2009 program is still being developed. Enrollment is limited. Application brochures will be mailed in early 2009. For more information about the 2009 program or to obtain an application brochure, visit the Institute’s web site, http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~natgenin/; e-mail NatInsGen@juno.com; or write to NIGR, P.O. Box 118, Greenbelt, MD 20768-0118. Scholarship information is available at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~natgenin/scholarships.htm.