Join Us for the Scottish ViC

Scottish ViC 2020

Saturday January 25, 2020

The Scottish ViC is in its third year. The ViC is a virtual conference.  It is the ONLY virtual conference dedicated to assisting people researching Scottish ancestors. The ViC is enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. No travel necessary. We bring the learning to YOU.

There are a series of presentations throughout the day, on a timed basis, just like an in-person conference. The presentations are pre-recorded and cover topics not normally presented outwith Scotland. The presenters are all intimately familiar with the records they are discussing and understand the value of these records to the family historians.

Following the presentation, the presenter will be available answer your questions.

Your registration allows you to have access to the presentations for a full week so that you can go back and re-visit the topics that are of the most interest to you as a genealogy researcher.

7 Presentations:

Death & Cemetery Records

Prison Records

Asylum Records

Wills & Testaments

Newspapers

Glasgow’s Role in the Slave Trade

Canada: Land & Opportunity

Scots Emigration to Canada

Click to register: https://www.genealogyvic.com/

Online learning is not the next best thing. It is the NOW best thing.

JOIN ME AT THE VGA CONFERENCE NOV 1-3

I am delighted to have been chosen as a speaker for the Virtual Genealogical Association's first Virtual Conference. The conference runs from Nov 1- 3, 2019 and showcases 19 speakers over the three days. 

Registrants will have access to the recordings and handouts for all sessions for 6 months following the conference - watch any time, any place, on any device. Register at https://virtualgenealogy.org/2019-vga-conference ($59 for members, $79 for non-members).

Closed captioning via Rev.com will be added to recordings of all sessions and will be made available to registrants within 7 days of the live broadcast.

Could a Conference BE Any More Fun?

Today was the second and final day of the Celtic Connections Conference in Boston. People were slower to fill the breakfast room this morning. But that didn't lower the din of discussion about all that was learned yesterday, the connections made or the stories being shared. 

I had two talks today so the day went by in a bit of a whirlwind. I started out by attending Kyle Betit's talk on Finding Irish Ancestors in Canadian Records. It was really well done and in the hallway after there was lots of chatter about "I never thought of looking in..." Right after that, it was my turn to present. I spoke on the historical events that led to waves of migration of Scottish Highlanders to the US. 

Then it was lunch time. We were entertained by Sharon Kennedy relaying the tale of the Strike for Bread and Roses. It was brilliantly done. From lunch I was at a book signing along with John Grenham. And before I knew it, it was the last time slot of the day and I was up once again. The crowds had certainly waned and we were a very small intimate group to hear about the wealth of records available for Scottish research if you just Step Away From Your Computer. The genealogy gems in the libraries, archives and family history centres is proof that your Scottish ancestors really are waiting on the shelves for you to discover them. 

The conference concluded with the announcement that no final decision has been made for the location of the 2020 conference, with both Chicago (a clear favourite) and Minnesota being considered and explored. 

The conference wound up with a pub quiz night. And what a fun evening it was. We were divided into teams to answer 5 rounds of questions about all things Celtic. Our team came in third. Not a shabby showing at all. 

 The Celtic Queen

The judges adjudicate

The winning team were the "Undecideds" with Audrey Collins and Donna Moughty. 

Second place went to "Ireland's Best" with John Grenham. 

The final round was a one question, each to their own round. All of the people who had the correct answer were put into the bin and the winning name was drawn from there. YAY ME!! 

Once again, thank you to TIARA and the IGSI and the combined committee for a job well done. Not only did people come together to learn and to connect, as they do with every conference, but in true Celtic fashion, they came together to have fun and enjoy life. As the Scottish saying goes "you're a long time dead". Enjoying the moments and the kinship is the fuel of life and I was so blessed to be with a group of people who were able to do just that. Laughter was abundant over the course of the weekend and is the one thing I will remember most about my time in Boston at the Celtic Connections Conference. 

Celtic Connections Conference

I am delighted to be part of the roster of speakers at this year's Celtic Connections Conference in Boston. The conference is organized by TIARA and while primarily focused on Irish research, also provides learning opportunities for researchers who have Scottish or Welsh ancestry. 

The day started yesterday with a continental breakfast. Then it was on to the talks that were on offer. Lunch allowed people to gather to reflect on their learning, share research findings or talk about their heritage. We had wonderful entertainment to energize us for the afternoon. 

Friday evening was the banquet. Dinner was wonderful and full of conversation about the day. Many new resources for finding ancestors had been discovered during the day's talks. 

Our after dinner entertainment was just fantastic. It reminded me of a good old fashioned Cape Breton Ceilidh. Perhaps the best part was the fun that the singers were having. Their joy was infectious. 

After the banquet, some of the speakers collected in the hotel bar for conversation, collaboration and to connect. 

Congratulations to TIARA and the Conference Committee for a job well done. 

Pre-Cruise Conference Registration OPEN

The pre-cruise conference will be the weekend of April 14th and 15th, 2018. 

The pre-cruise conference will be open to everyone who is booked on the cruise or who has expressed interest in the cruise. Those not booked will only get access for 4 days. Those booked for the cruise will get extended access so that they can re-visit the information and ensure they are prepared for their consultations or research time in Ireland and Scotland.

The pre-recorded presentations are well underway and Registration is OPEN.

There are 12 presentations in total. Six for those with Irish Ancestors and six for those with Scottish Ancestors. You can register for either country, or for all 12 presentations.

HOW IT WORKS

The learning will use the same platform that was used for the Scottish ViC and that will be used for the Irish ViC. This is an online educational platform so you will register for a "course". Don't worry about the semantics. There's no test and no homework.

The Irish presentations will be released on Saturday April 14th (2018) at 9 am Eastern. You can work your way through the presentations at your leisure. Access will remain open until April 2019.

The Scottish presentations will be released on Sunday, April 15th (2018) at 9 am Eastern and access will remain open until April 2019

Please note that there will be no opportunity to ask questions of the presenters but you are welcome to email me your questions and we will get the answers for you. Please note, however, that we will not be responding to consultations, so please don't include your genealogy brick walls.

The Irish ONLY presentations are $149.00

The Scottish ONLY presentations are $149.00

All 12 presentations are $275.00

On the website homepage, click on the "pre-cruise learning" tab at the top.

https://celticgenealogycruises.com/

Save the Dates!

The pre-cruise conference will be the weekend of April 14th and 15th. The pre-cruise conference will be open to everyone who is booked on the cruise or who has expressed interest in the cruise. Those not booked will only get access for 4 days. Those booked for the cruise will get extended access so that they can re-visit the information and ensure they are prepared for their consultations or research time in Ireland and Scotland.

Virtual Conferences - Are They the Way of the Future?

VIRTUAL CONFERENCES - MOVING FORWARD

Conferences are an important learning experience. They bring like minded people together. They give us the chance to learn from the best in the biz. They give us new energy, new ideas and show us new resources. 

But conferences are expensive. Not the registration fees. They tend to be quite reasonable. But for most of us, we have to add in travel costs, accommodation costs, time away from work, family, friends. 

I have some incredibly talented colleagues in Scotland. I've had the pleasure of listening to them and have always learned from the experience. Even when their talk is on a topic I already know. They bring a different perspective or a different strategy and from that comes the learning.

I have been very fortunate that three of my tour groups have been in Scotland when the Scottish Association of Family History Societies were holding their annual conference. And I have also been fortunate that two other groups were in Scotland when the Scottish Genealogy Society was holding their monthly meetings. The experience has been one I've wanted to replicate for other people who are researching from afar. 

And this weekend, it happened! 80 people learned from five speakers on five topics pertaining to Scottish genealogy. We gathered together around our computers. Listened to a presentation, then there was a flurry of interaction while questions were asked and answered. Then it was on to the next presentation. The day flew by.  

The day was exhausting in that our minds were overflowing. But the day was incredibly energizing in that our minds were overflowing. New ideas, new resources, new strategies. And best of all, we were all in our comfy clothes, tea, coffee or hot cocoa in a mug and if we had to leave for a few minutes, no one was being disturbed in their learning. If we didn't want to hear the questions, we could pass that by and not feel like we were being rude to the speaker. 

The ViC included a virtual marketplace with vendors and exhibitors showing us how their products or services could enhance our genealogy research and not once did we have to stand in line. 

The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. It has helped me to realize that virtual conferences are a great way of moving forward. Less expense, less disruption to our lives and still an incredible learning experience. 

Here's some of the feedback: https://www.genealogyvic.com/praise-for-virtual-conferences.html

What about YOU? Would you be willing to attend a virtual conference? Let me know in the comments below

Discounted Deposit for Celtic Cruise

Princess is Having a Sale!

Princess cruise lines has just announced that from today until January 30th, they have reduced the required deposit to just $100usd ($125cad). That's all it takes to book your cabin! Final payment for the balance of your cruise is not due until February 1, 2019 - a full year from now! And Terri will happily work out a payment plan for you so that you don't have to panic between the time of your deposit and the time your full payment is due.

Ports of Call:

Dublin - research and consultations

Belfast - consultations

Glasgow - research

Inverness - research

Edinburgh - research

We also have shore excursions in the works for Dublin (The Emigration Museum), Belfast (The Titanic Centre), Glasgow (Loch Lomond), Inverness (Culloden) and Edinburgh (Outlander Day, Historic Walking Tour, Shopping or sightseeing on the Royal Mile) for those who won't be researching or consulting in these ports.

http://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Researching Family in the British Isles Mini Institute

The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) has partnered with the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH) to conduct a four day program of researching family in the British Isles.  ISBGFH conducts the British Institute held annually in Salt Lake City to provide week-long education by well-known genealogists on the British Isles.  On 13-16 August 2018, the ISBGFH has arranged for several presenters to provide an overview of researching British Isles topics at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.  These presentations will explore DNA, Scotland, Ireland and England research.  London based genetic genealogist Dr. Maurice Gleeson, MB, will present on DNA and Irish research, Christine Woodcock, from Genealogy Tours of Scotland, will discuss Scottish research, and Frank Southcott, President, ISBGFH, will explore the English records.

The HSP program is designed to be attended either on a given day and topic or in its entirety.  It is an in-depth overview of British Isles research and enhances attendance for those who may desire to attend the British Institute where morning instruction and afternoon independent research are conducted in the LDS Family History Library in Salt Lake City on a country topic.  More information is available on the British Institute at www.isbgfh.org.

The HSP curriculum for each day involves 4 presentations of one hour and fifteen minutes each.  Monday, 13 August 2018, Dr Gleeson, MB, will explore advances made in DNA and how it can be applied to your British Isles research.  Christine Woodcock will discuss the uniqueness of Scottish research on Tuesday, 14 August 2018.  Dr. Gleeson will return on Wednesday, 15 August 2018, to present on the ever increasing resources available on Irish research, and Thursday, 16 August 2018, Frank Southcott, will examine English genealogical resources.  

Click HERE for Course Descriptions 

The cost of the four day program will be $299.  Individual program days are available for $99 per day.  Limited consultation slots will be available on DNA, Scotland and Ireland during the program for $125 hour.  

To register: http://hsp.org/calendar/researching-family-british-isles

Scottish Genealogy Virtual Conference - Mark the Date!

Genealogy Tours of Scotland announces their new venture, a virtual conference on Scottish Genealogy Research.

JANUARY 27^TH, 2018

The ViC (virtual conference) will launch on Saturday, January 27th, 2018 at 8 am Eastern with the opening of the marketplace where you can watch mini presentations by the vendors/exhibitors and learn about the value their product can add to your genealogy research.

The line-up of talks and speakers for the day:

Pre-Civil Registration Research, presented by genealogist Chris Paton

“Seek and Ye Shall Find” Using the Kirk's Archival Legacy to Unveil the Lives of Your Scottish Ancestors presented by archivist Margaret Fox

Researching Your Highland Ancestors, presented by genealogist Chris Halliday

Cleared to Canada: From the Highlands and Islands to Canada, presented by genealogy educator Christine Woodcock

Registration fee is just $79.99 (cdn) and allows unlimited access to the talks, handouts and marketplace for 72 hours. The live chat will only happen on January 27^th.

*** Virtual "Seats" are limited! Take advantage of the opportunity to pre-register:

http://www.genealogyvic.com/

Join Me At Jamboree!

I'm thrilled to be speaking at the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree later this year. I am part of the Jamboree's British Isles and Ireland track and will be giving three talks:

Breaking Through Brick Walls

Step Away From the Computer

Underused Databases for Scottish Genealogy

I will also be in the Exhibitor Hall when I am not speaking and would love to have you drop by to say hello. 

The Jamboree runs June 8-11 and is being held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel. 

Click HERE to register

Poor Turn Out at NGS 2016

The setting seemed ideal for those of us struggling to find an end to winter. However, for genealogy enthusiasts, it wasn't much of a draw. 

The NGS Conference in Ft Lauderdale had a very poor showing this year. Apart from opening day, the Exhibition Hall was empty most of the time. I can't imagine many of the vendors were able to break even on costs, when considering booth rental, flights, hotel, shipping, meals. Unfortunately poor turnouts make them think twice about attending the following year. 

The consensus among those I spoke with - and believe me we had plenty of time to ponder - was that the new fad of live-streaming the talks makes it less desirable for people to want to attend in person. Sure they don't get to network, but much of that is compensated for on social media. And they don't get to visit the Exhibitors. Bit the savings on travel, hotel, conference fees and even the money they would spend at the vendor booths seems to be enough of a draw to simply sit back in their comfy clothes, with coffee in hand and attend from their favourite armchair, bed, deck chair. Its a win for the attendees and a huge loss for the vendors. It will also be a loss for the organizers who have the expense of venue rental, shuttle bus rental, speaker fees, speaker expenses. 

Are we doing ourselves a disfavour by allowing so many talks to be live-streamed? Or is this simply the way of the future for genealogy conferences? Perhaps they will all become virtual, with RootsTech perhaps being the exception, and vendors will simply pay to have advertising and links on the conference website. Goods can be shipped in a matter of a couple of day and subscriptions can be instantaneous. What the attendee misses out on, of course, is seeking advice from those in the know who can be easily accessed in the marketplace. 

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. 

Genealogy Tours of Scotland is Heading to NGS 2016

Genealogy Tours of Scotland will have a booth in the Exhibition Hall at NGS (National Genealogical Society's Conference) in Ft Lauderdale. 

I will be in booth 521 - across from Findmypast. Come and visit. Enjoy mini presentation on Scottish genealogy. Get free resources or order books and quick guides online.

For those not able to attend the conference, I am having an NGS special in my store. FREE shipping on all purchases. 

Canadian prices on the website are slightly higher to match the equivalent price in US dollars. If you are Canadian and buying through the website, you are still ahead of the game by saving the shipping. 

Comparing RootsTech to Who Do You Think You Are? Live

Last year I had the pleasure of attending Who Do You Think You Are? Live in Birmingham. It was my first time and I attended as a consumer.

This year, I had the pleasure of attending RootsTech. It was my first year and I attended as an Ambassador.

While the ways I attended were quite different, so were the experiences.

Both events were well attended, although it is hard to beat the attendance at RootsTech. The marketplaces were abuzz at both events. However, at WDYTYA, the only presentations seemed to be on DNA. Demonstrations by the Big Three (Ancestry, Find My Past and FamilySearch) were undertaken quietly and on more on an individual basis. Whereas every major vendor at RootsTech was giving presentations or demonstrations. Even the smaller vendors were giving talks. It certainly added to the buzz and to the learning that was taking place.

RootsTech offered free WiFi and computer access to everyone in the hall. The NEC, the venue for WDYTYA provided free WiFi.

RootsTech had a cafe with seating and lots of spaces throughout where there were comfortable chairs for seating. WDYTYA only had seating for exhibitors or speakers, which required leaving the venue to get a seat.

WDYTYA had a few talks scheduled and these tended to be on the outskirts of the room. One issue was that two of the areas were literally back to back and the two speakers were competing to be heard over the other.

RootsTech had a plethora of talks and unfortunately this made some of the sessions barely attended. One speaker mentioned that is was the largest audience he had never spoken to. The very large rooms made the small audiences even more noticeable. Fewer choices would allow for better attendance. Longer breaks in between would allow more people to take advantage of all that the Expo Hall had to offer.

WDYTYA had an "Ask the Experts" which was very well received and was helpful in getting people started or helping them move past their stumbling point.

WDYTYA also had an area set up where people could take heirlooms or artifacts and have them looked at by experts who could give more background. This too was well received.

 

As an Ambassador, the RootsTech experience was unrivaled.  We were placed in what was referred to as the "Media Hub" where we had WiFi, charging stations, tables and access to interviews. There was the formal sound booth where we could book small segments of time to conduct interviews. There was the less formal sofa chats where a number of people could interview one person. There was an additional sofa where we could manage impromptu interviews. Lots of people were seated around the perimeter conducting interviews and of course, we were blogging, tweeting and posting to Facebook as often as we could. In reality, the time to blog was almost obsolete. There simply wasn't enough time. The shorter posts to social media were much more manageable.

        

In addition to the talks and marketplace, there were sponsored lunches. These were a bit pricey but so very worth it. The meals were incomparable, we had time to get to know others and most of all, we had a special insight into the presenter's passions for their product or organization.

Added to the daytime events, the Ambassadors were treated to a host of after-hours functions. The media dinner, the Find My Past reception and the large MyHeritage after party. These were tremendous opportunities to speak one on one with the vendors or to socialize with the people we only get to communicate with online. While it left no down time, the experience was amazing and added to the overall buzz.

I am unlikely to attend another WDYTYA, especially as just an attendee. If I do, it will be for a half day. Before attending RootsTech, I held the same belief about attending a future event. However, by Day 2, I was already looking forward to next year!

The dates for RootsTech 2017 are Feb 8-11. MARK THE DATES! I can't wait to see you in Salt Lake City!

Registration Now Open for One World One Family Conference

The One World One Family Conference registration is now open. Once again this day has a line up of great speakers on a variety of topics.

Keynote and Plenary speakers are Lesley Anderson and Glenn Wright

Workshop choices are available at:
http://www.oneworldonefamily-theevent.com/Conference/Details/6

Registration for the event is available at: http://www.oneworldonefamily-theevent.com/Registration

Early bird registration fees are $20 until July 2.

Make this a double bonus by attending the Scottish SIG Symposium the day before the One World One Family event. The Symposium is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Brampton. 

Fees include breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks. We have a line up of 4 great speakers as well as a marketplace

To register: 

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/scottish-sig-symposium-tickets-15845340841

Registration for BIFHSGO Conference 2015 Opens May 9

The annual conference of the British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa takes place Sept 18-20, 2015. This year's conference focuses on:

• Scottish Family History
•  Photographs in Genealogy
• Technology for Genealogists

 Online registration opens May 9th at 8:30 EST. Here is a video showing the process of registering online:

https://youtu.be/hs4UgY4Sc2g

And here is the webpage with all of the conference details, including speakers and topics:

http://www.bifhsgo.ca/aem.php?eid=1

Hope to see you there!

Genealogy Fair - Kitchener Public Library

One of the best genealogy events around is the annual Genealogy Fair, hosted by the Kitchener Public Library. Even better is the fact that, in keeping with the library's policy of free access for everyone, the Genealogy Fair is also FREE. 

Talks, workshops, marketplace and like-minded people. What a great way to spend a Saturday. 

Join us April 25th at the Central Library for a day of learning and networking.

Ontario Genealogical Society Conference 2015

The Ontario Genealogical Society is taking place at Georgian College in Barrie from May 29-31 2015. 

A Genealogist’s/Family Historian’s Dream!

Tours

Friday Workshops

Using Google, Surname Studies, Irish Land Valuation Records, Biography Writing

Saturday and Sunday Genealogical Lectures

Five Lecture Streams featuring Canadian, English and American Genealogical Speakers

Kirsty Gray, Thomas MacEntee, Richard M. Doherty, Dr. Maurice Gleeson, James F.S. Thomson, Jane E. MacNamara, Dr. Janet Few, Janice Nickerson, Fran Murphy, Sarah Warner, Debra Honor, Dave Obee, Kathryn Lake Hogan, Tammy Tipler-Priolo, Ruth Burkholder, Guylaine Petrin, Gary Schroder, Christine Woodcock, Sandra Joyce and Karen Mahoney, Austin Bovenizer, Ken McKinlay, Vicki McKay, and Alan Campbell

Marketplace

Books, maps, software from commercial vendors as well as information and sales tables for 32 OGS Branches and Special Interest Groups. Fast Tracks (20 min) presentations

 inside Marketplace.

Note: Marketplace is open to the public. You do not have to be registered at the conference to visit the vendors.

First-Timers Gathering: Friday 29 May 4:30pm

Banquet: Saturday 30 May 6:00pm

After-Dinner Speaker Dr. Maurice Gleeson “ Genealogy 2020 – All aboard!”

For Information:

www.ogs.on.ca/conference [for information and online registration]

Conference@ogs.on.ca [for answers to questions]

Telephone: (416) 489-0734

20th Annual BIFHSGO Family History Conference

The 20th Annual BIFHSGO Family History Conference takes place September 19 - 21, 2014.

 

This year's conference will focus on three main topics:

 •English family history;

 •Immigration from the British Isles, including Home Children; and

 •Genetic genealogy.

 Conference Program: 

Review the highlights in the conference brochure to find topics and speakers of interest to you. http://www.bifhsgo.ca/upload/files/Conference%202014/2014%20Brochure_final.pdf

Speakers: 

• Dr. Lucille Campey - emigration historian, author of numerous books on British Isles emigration to Canada who will launch her latest book Ignored but not forgotten - Canada's English Immigrants at the conference.
• Gail Dever - BIFHSGO webmaster, social media expert and blogger at Genealogy à la carte.
• John Dickenson - a former professor at Liverpool University who now researches Canada’s Home Children, especially their involvement in the First World War.
• Dr. Janet Few - freelance researcher and prize-winning author specializing in the south-west of England who will give a streamed-in presentation on North Devon immigrants to Canada.
• Paul Jones - retired publisher, “Roots” columnist for Canada’s History magazine who speaks frequently on offbeat topics at family history events.
• Debbie Kennett - an avid genetic genealogist, author of DNA and Social Networking (2011) and The Surnames Handbook (2012). Debbie is Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London.
• Paul Milner - an internationally recognized speaker specializing in British Isles research, author of Discover English Parish Records and Genealogy at a Glance: English Research.
• Gary Schroder - long-time president of the Quebec Family History Society and a frequent guest on Quebec radio and television promoting family history research.

In addition, speakers at pre-conference seminars on September 19 will include, from Library and Archives Canada, Paul Marsden and Sylvie Tremblay.

Online registration is available at: http://www.bifhsgo.ca/cpage.php?pt=126

Speakers announced for British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa Conference

PRESS RELEASE FROM BIFHSGO REGARDING THEIR CONFERENCE:

OTTAWA, 8 March 2014 — The British Isles Family History Society of Greater Ottawa (BIFHSGO) has announced the speakers for the annual conference, to be held 19-21 September, at Library and Archives Canada in Ottawa.

For its 20^thanniversary year, the society will celebrate with an ambitious program which will help family historians delve into their British Isles roots.

The society expects to welcome more than 250 attendees at the event, which has three special themes:

·         English family history;

·         Immigration from the British Isles, including Home Children; and

·         Genetic genealogy.

“Our nation’s capital is also its family history capital.  Every year we have welcomed folks from far and near, researching their ancestors in collections at Library and Archives Canada and learning about resources for discovering their British and Irish roots at our conference ” said BIFHSGO President Glenn Wright.

This year’s conference speakers will include:

Dr. Lucille Campey - emigration historian, author of numerous books on British Isles emigration to Canada who will launch her latest book Ignored but not forgotten - Canada's English Immigrants at the conference.

Gail Dever - BIFHSGO webmaster, social media expert and blogger at Genealogy à la carte

John Dickenson - a former professor at Liverpool University who now researches Canada’s Home Children, especially their involvement in the First World War.

Dr.  Janet Few - freelance researcher and prize-winning author specializing in the south-west of England who will give a streamed-in presentation on North Devon immigrants to Canada.

Paul Jones - retired publisher, “Roots” columnist for Canada’s History magazine who speaks frequently on offbeat topics at family history events.

Debbie Kennett - an avid genetic genealogist, author of DNA and Social Networking(2011) and The Surnames Handbook (2012). Debbie is Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London.

Paul Milner- an internationally recognized speaker specializing in British Isles research, author of Discover English Parish Records and Genealogy at a Glance: English Research.

Gary Schroder - long-time President of the Quebec Family History Society and a frequent guest on Quebec radio and television promoting family history research.

In addition, speakers at pre-conference seminars on September 19 will include, from Library and Archives Canada, Paul Marsden and Sylvie Tremblay.

BIFHSGO looks forward to welcoming you at its 20^th anniversary conference.  Reserve 19-21 September in your agenda now and look for more details coming soon on the society website at www.bifhsgo.ca.