----- Original Message -----
From: Meredith Thompson
To: adyer(a)insightbb.com
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 10:57 AM
Subject: Midwestern Roots genealogy conference
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Meredith Thompson
mere(a)augustmoondesign.com
alternate e-mail: mere_thom(a)runbox.com
Indiana Genealogical Society
Newsletter editor & website manager
http://www.indgensoc.org
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Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference
Indianapolis - Some of the nation's leading genealogy professionals will present at
Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference, August 18-20 in
Indianapolis.
Midwestern Roots, co-sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana
Genealogical Society, will feature over 30 presentations covering topics ranging from
finding female ancestors, census substitutes, family food traditions and German SS records
to baptismal records, preserving family papers, genetics and more.
Optional pre-conference activities on Thursday, August 18, range from tours of the William
Henry Smith Memorial Library, the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Archives to
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 the Indiana History Center Smith Library also will stay open
late for extended research hours.
Other activities include a lively panel discussion bringing together genealogists and
historians to answer the question, "History and Genealogy: Why Not Both?" The
evening will begin with a dessert reception at the Indiana History Center followed by a
discussion with 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.
On Friday, August 19, the conference will begin with the opening session by Mills. Mills
will explain the standards and processes all researchers need to apply when using family
history and genealogical sources. Friday will conclude with a banquet and Mills will give
a presentation that encourages taking what is learned about ancestors and conveying it to
descendants.
On Saturday morning, Madison will begin the day by considering the various migration
streams that settled the Midwest and show how their origins, timing and cultural features
helped make the region a distinctive part of the nation.
Other notable national speakers include genealogists John S. Humphrey, Diane Gagel,
Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, Tony Burroughs and Kandie Adkinson.
The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society will offer six
scholarships for individuals to attend the conference. The scholarship application can be
found at
www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots.
Additional conference information, registration forms and exhibitor information can be
found at
www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots or by calling (317) 232-1882. Hotel
reservations can be made by calling the Indianapolis Marriott East at (317) 352-1231 or
(800) 228-9290. Indicate association with Midwestern Roots 2005 upon making reservations
to receive the special $92/night room rate. Room reservations must be made by August 1.
The Indiana Genealogical Society promotes genealogical and historical research and
education. Annual membership benefits include six issues of the IGS Newsletter; quarterly
issues of the Indiana Genealogist with a cumulative index; discounts on IGS publications,
workshop and conference registrations; opportunities to volunteer in genealogy related
projects; access to free Query submissions, Speaker's Bureau, Researcher's List,
Librarian Scholarship, Chapter Grants and special service recognition awards.
(
www.indgensoc.org)
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana's storyteller, connecting
people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and disseminating Indiana
history. The independent, nonprofit organization also publishes books and periodicals;
sponsors teacher workshops; provides youth, adult and family programming; assists local
historical groups throughout the state; and maintains one of the world's largest
collection of material on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest. The Indiana
Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States, and one
of the largest with more than 10,000 members. (
www.indianahistory.org)