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
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.
FGS 2012 Facebook
FGS 2012 Twitter