Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) was this past week in Birmingham, Alabama at Samford University. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot in the Military Course I took. We had a banquet on Thursday, our last night there. David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA, employed by the Family History Department in Salt Lake City as the Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch, was the Guest Speaker for the banquet. He is a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London and is a vice-president of the Genealogical Society of Utah (GSU). He is currently serving as the Chair of the joint Federation of Genealogical Societies and National Genealogical Society committee for Record Preservation and Access and serves as the Secretary for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. His topic was What? It’s Not in Salt Lake City?

David’s talk was great and inspiring. He related examples of his personal journey in researching his family. He told us about documents and finds he found that he would NOT find in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Family History Center. He also told us about new family and friends he met along his journey. His talk made me laugh and also cry. What was so unique about this night was that there was this severe thunderstorm occurring as he spoke with big bay windows in the back ground. The lightening put on quite a show and occasionally as David spoke, loud thunder would sound off almost as if it were timed in his speech. It was sort of like he had his own special effects in the back ground!

After his talk, I finally made it back to my room and listened to the rain and thunder. I pondered what David had said and how I could apply it to my research. What do I have on my family lines that will NOT be housed in Salt Lake City, Utah? Do I have a missing child buried somewhere waiting to be found as David did? Is there family out there that own Family Bibles and pictures that I could use and want to see? Do they know stories and genealogies that I will only get if I seek them out? There is so much family history resources that is not online or at the Family History Center in Salt Lake City. We have to seek out those resources as our time and finances permits. If we are not able to travel, we might seek out those that can help us in those areas we need research data.

I am so glad I was able to attend the banquet and hear David Rencher’s very inspirational talk.