NEW YORKERS AND THE MILITARY: From the Colonial Era through World War II Following the wonderful success of its first Saratoga conference, which through a ground-breaking program brought together genealogists, historians, and archivists to share with each other research information, techniques, and social history on New York in the Nineteenth Century, the NYG&B, in cooperation with the New York State Archives and genealogical societies of the Capital District and Saratoga area, is again presenting this all-important mix in another exciting, two-day program this November. Titled New Yorkers and the Military, this conference is intended to initiate as well as enhance the knowledge of researchers seeking records of New Yorkers who served in the military units or in related areas, as well as provide insight into the personal experience of military history and life. NEW YORKERS AND THE MILITARY: From the Colonial Era through World War II A Conference for Genealogists and Historians November 10 12, 2005 The conference will cover the time period from the colonial militia of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the state militia/national guard, and the major wars from the American Revolution up through World War II. Discussions will be offered not only on how to find service, pension, personnel, and draft records of soldiers, sailors, officers, and various support personnel, but there will be presentations about New York¹s history as impacted by things military, both in war and peace time. And to put an individual or group of interest in historical context, you will have the opportunity to learn what is was like to be a soldierin the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I. Our plan in joining the forces of genealogists and historians is for all to share in the research and results of exploring New York¹s military history, with a focus on sources at the local, state, and federal levels. The NYG&B enthusiastically supports the recent (and growing) trend of the two disciplines of family historians seeking to ³put flesh² on the bones of their ancestors by learning the social history of their forbears, and of historians learning more and more about the records and techniques that have long been the mainstay of genealogists and how to apply them to their work. Our featured speaker, Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CGRS, CGL, is a full-time professional genealogist specializing in Union and Confederate records held at the National Archives, Washington, D.C. Certified Genealogical Record SpecialistSM and Certified Genealogical LecturerSM by the Board for Certification of Genealogists, she received a BS in Nursing from Rutgers University and was awarded the Association of Professional Genealogists Graham T. Smallwood Award of Merit in 1999. Our program will begin with a welcome wine and cheese reception Thursday evening, followed by two days of lectures, two luncheons with speakers, and a Friday evening banquet. Scheduled Speakers and Lectures * Michael Aikey, Director, New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center: Genealogical Resources in the New York State Military Museum * Bob Bearor, Author, Historian, French & Indian War specialist: The Battle on Snowshoes * Leslie Corn, MA, FGBS, professional genealogist, lecturer: and Roger D. Joslyn, CG, FGBS, FASG, professional genealogist, author, and lecturer, World War I & II Draft Records * Park Ranger Joe Craig of the U.S. Parks Department: A Doleful, Melancholy Duty: A look at the treatment of the wounded at the battles of Saratoga * James D. Folts, Head, Reference Services, New York State Archives: Early Military Records in the New York State Archives * Laurence Hauptman, Ph.D., SUNY Distinguished Professor of History, Iroquois Indians and the Civil War: Researching the History of Native American Communities in Washington, DC, and New York State * Christine Karpiak, Associate Archivist, New York State Archives: America's First World Wars, 1898-1918, Service Records of New Yorkers * Daniel Lorello, Associate Archivist, New York State Archives: Civil War Records at the New York State Archives * Marie Varrelman Melchiori, CGRS, CGL,: ³Old War² and the War of 1812 Records; Revolutionary War Records; Union Records at the National Archives; * Medical Records for Soldiers and Civilians * Robert E. Mulligan, Jr., Military Curator, New York State Museum, retired: Jonathan Corncob: Common Soldiers of the Revolution; Sammy Doughboy¹s Memories of WWI * Anne Yoder, Archivist, Swarthmore College Peace Collection: Conscientious Objectors to War from New York and Beyond, 1775-1945 Registration: You may sign up for the full conference ($125 members/ non-members) or for either of the two days ($75). Visit our on-line store to register or contact Lauren Maehrlein at 212-755-8532, ext. 36, or education@nygbs.org to register or for information. Syllabus: All registrants will receive a copy of the conference syllabus, containing materials submitted by each lecturer on the contents of their presentations. Hotel: The Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa is located at 24 Gideon Putnam Road, Saratoga Springs, tel. 800-732-1560. Attendees wishing to stay at the hotel should contact them directly. Meals: Those who chose not to attend the two luncheons and banquet will be able to purchase meals through the hotel¹s regular meal service. There are also many other restaurants in Saratoga Springs. Transportation: There is ample parking available at the hotel. Driving directions will be provided upon registration. Saratoga Springs is served by the Albany County Airport. The Gideon Putnam has a shuttle service from the airport to the hotel for a one-way charge of $40. Reservations must be made previous to arrival. Saratoga Springs is also served by Amtrak and Greyhound. Research: Attendees may want to extend their stay to do research in Saratoga and the surrounding counties. Albany (State Library and Archives) and Fonda (Montgomery County Archives) are each about 30 minutes drive. Information will also be provided regarding the numerous Historical and Cultural Sites in Saratoga Springs. Vendors: Several vendors will be on hand throughout the conference to sell books, maps, and other materials relating to New York history and genealogy. Venue: The conference will be held at the beautiful Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, a National Historic Landmark, located in the center of the tranquil 2,300-acre Saratoga Spa State Park which includes an 18-hole PGA golf course, tennis courts, outdoor swim-ming pools, jogging trails, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the world-famous mineral baths and spa. Conference rate of $129 for a single or double room is available at the Gideon Putnam by requesting the NYG&B discount. Please call 800-732-1560 to book your accommodations.