The Federation of Genealogical Societies will be having their 2012 conference in Birmingham, Alabama on August 29-September 1, 2012. This year’s theme is ”Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" and will be hosted by the Alabama Genealogical Society!

From their website it states, “This year's conference, Indians, Squatters, Settlers and Soldiers in the "Old Southwest" offers an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in researching their family history. Individual sessions are designed to balance the needs of genealogist at all levels, exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to genealogists. Wednesday's Focus on Societies includes sessions dedicated to members and leaders of genealogical and historical societies. In addition, special events, such as the Alabama Genealogical Society Opening Social at the Alabama Theater, the FGS Evening Social at the historic Sloss Furnaces, Spotlight on Societies, and daily sponsored lectures provide an excellent environment to meet and network with others interested in family history and genealogy.”

Some of the speakers at this educational event will be

• D. Joshua Taylor
• Thomas MacEntee
• Paula Stuart-Warren
• David Rencher
• George MorganCurt B. Witcher
• Jay Verkler
• Thomas W. Jones
• Christine Rose
• John Philip Colletta
• Elizabeth Shown Mills
• Paul Milner
• Ugo Alessandro Perego
• Laura Prescott
• Elissa Scalise Powell
• Amy Johnson CrowCraig Scott
• J. Mark Lowe
• Frazine K. Taylor
• Wevonneda Minis
• Many other great speakers

There is a FGS Conference Blog to keep everyone up to date on conference news. One very informative blog is the African American Lectures at FGS Birmingham. This blog gives the schedules of lectures with those presenting. If you are able to spend some extra time in beautiful Birmingham, More reasons to visit The Magic City and Sweet Home Alabama blog will give you some great ideas of places to visit.

Attending genealogical conferences provides a perfect opportunity to squeeze in some research at nearby repositories and libraries. Birmingham provides a great selection of top-tier facilities to further your research, including:

• Jefferson County Courthouse
• Linn-Henley Research Library—Birmingham Public Library
• Samford University—Harwell Davis Library—Special Collections
• Birmingham-Southern Archives and the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church Archival Collection
• Wallace Community College—Genealogy Collection
• Alabama Department of Archives and History

Conference registration is open! To take advantage of the Early Bird special, you need to register by July 1, 2012. On the registration page, you can also download their 16-page registration booklet that lists all speakers and topics.

Take some time to view their Exhibitors and Sponsors.

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