Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference August 19-20, 2005 Indianapolis, IN Join the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society for the Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference, to be held on August 19 and 20, 2005 at the Indianapolis Marriott East. The conference will feature over 30 presentations covering topics ranging from finding female ancestors, census substitutes, family food traditions, copyright, German SS records to baptismal records, preserving family papers, genetics, and much more. Pre-conference activities planned for August 18 include tours and workshops at the Indiana State Archives, Indiana State Library, and the Indiana History Center. The Midwestern Roots conference is sponsored by the IHS and the Indiana Genealogical Society. http://www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots/index.html PRE-CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITES Optional pre-conference activities include tours of the William Henry Smith Memorial Library at the Indiana History Center, the Indiana State Library, and the Indiana State Archives; writing workshops on preparing family histories for publication; computer labs on genealogy resources available on the internet; and a workshop designed for library staff and volunteers who answer questions from genealogy patrons. The Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library and IHS will have extended research hours on Thursday evening. CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS On Thursday evening a lively panel discussion will bring together genealogists and historians to answer the question, History and Genealogy: Why Not Both? Nationally renowned historical genealogists Elizabeth Shown Mills and Curt B. Witcher, Indiana historian James H. Madison, and migration historian Marianne S. Wokeck who will explore how these fields can enrich each other, from uncovering the slightest detail of one life to seeing human history more clearly because of that life. Elizabeth Shown Mills highlights the conference on Friday explaining standards and processes all researchers need to apply in the pursuit of family history and it's sources for research. Join Ms. Mills for the banquet presentation encouraging us to take what we've learned about our ancestors and to consider how to convey this to our descendants. Migration patterns, photography issues, baptismal records are just some of the topics covered at Midwestern Roots 2005. National speakers offering presentations include genealogists John S. Humphrey, Diane Gagel, Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, Tony Burroughs, and Kandie Adkinson. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS Hotel reservations may be made at the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street, by calling (317) 352-1231 or (800) 228-9290. Indicate your association with Midwestern Roots 2005 to receive the special $92 room rate. Room reservations must be made by August 1, 2005. FURTHER INFORMATION For further information, a program and registration brochure, visit http://www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots/index.html