D. Joshua Taylor is coming to Maine on May 21st!

The 3rd Annual Southern Maine Genealogical Conference, sponsored by the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society, is scheduled for May 21, 2016 in Portland,Maine.  In addition to vendors, exhibitors and a number of speakers related to Maine's rich heritage, the featured guest will be D. Joshua Taylor, a nationally recognized researcher, author and speaker who has also been featured on shows such as Who Do You Think You Are? and Genealogy Roadshow. Taylor will discuss topics ranging from new tools and technology in genealogy to how to find and locate records in one of the myriad of of historical and genealogical societies across the country.

In addition to the keynote speaker, representatives from the Maine State Archives and Penobscot Marine Museum will present on their respective organizations, and you will have an opportunity to get hands on while learning how to develop and efficient and effective research strategy to make your research easier.

Please join the members of the Greater Portland Chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society and all their guests for a day full of lectures, camaraderie, exhibits and lunch on May 21, 2016 at Keeley's Banquet Center in Portland.  For more info or to register, visit the group's conference web page:

http://gpcmgs.brakeley.net/SMEConference.html

2015 Fall Conference Registration Extended

If you thought you missed the September 1st deadline for registering for the 2015 Fall Conference, there's still time to sign up and join us in Brewer on September 19th at Jeff's catering, where we will welcome Michael Strauss, AG, as our keynote speaker and his lecture: “All in a Day’s Work: Occupational Genealogical Research”. Mr. Strauss is the principal owner of Genealogy Research Network and an Accredited Genealogist since 1995. He is a native of Pennsylvania and a resident of Virginia and has been an avid genealogist for more than 30 years. Strauss holds a BA in History and is a United States Coast Guard veteran.  In addition to his keynote, Strauss will be discussing various topics related to discovering valuable genealogical insight from often overlooked sources.

For more information and to register by September 11, 2015 visit the conference website:

http://conference.maineroots.org/

Genealogy Fair A Huge Success! Now onto September...

We had an overwhelmingly positive response to our first ever FREE Genealogy Fair in Augusta on July 11th.  We had more than a dozen non-profit groups represented and many of them reported gaining new members as a result of the event. And the Genealogy Brick Wall Busters was well attended.  If you were there, you know what I mean!  The State Library stayed open later than usual and the Museum had well over 200 people take advantage of their free admission throughout the day.

We definitely had some learnings and the Conference Committee will be making notes of what went well and what could use some improving.  If you attended the event and have thoughts on what you liked and what you would like to have seen done differently, or in addition to what was available, please let us know with an email to mainegenealogicalsociety@gmail.com

There have been a lot of requests to do a similar type event in the future, so we'll be discussing the feasibility of that in an upcoming meeting.

Thank you to all those groups who participated and those individuals who came out to see what our Genealogy Fair was all about. We had a great time, and we hope you did too.

Now it's time to wrap up the last minute planning for our Annual September Conference and get people signed up to join us in Brewer, Maine for a day of genealogical lectures and more vendor sales tables.  To learn more about what's happening on Saturday, September 19, 2015 in Brewer, visit our conference web page:  http://conference.maineroots.org

Roots 2015 : Quebec Family History Conference

Many of Maine's French speaking communities can tie their roots back through Canada to France. Names like Morin, Trepanier, Theriault and Bouchard all straddle both side of the border. If you're interested in Franco-American research, you may be interested in attending Roots 2015 in beautiful Montreal, Quebec.  This is a 3 day international conference on family history in the Quebec area being held from June 19-21 on the campus of McGill University.  For those of us not fluent in French, we're in luck. Roots 2015 is described as the largest English language genealogical conference held in Quebec.

For more information about the conference and the Quebec Family History Society, who will be hosting the event, go to http://www.qfhs.ca

MGS 2015 Conference Call For Papers

Proposals for talks are now being accepted for the MGS Fall Conference, September 19, 2015, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. There are three openings for one-hour presentations. Speaker compensation is $100 plus registration and lunch the day of the conference.

The theme this year is “Records & Resources.” Proposals should focus on how to locate and use a particular type of record including those that are digitized and on-line. The emphasis should be on original material. Types of records might be newspapers, military & pension records, church records, cemetery records, probate documents, land records & deeds. Proposals for other, less known & used records are encouraged. Records need not be Maine specific.

Proposals should include the following:
1. Speaker’s name
2. Contact information (including mailing address, e-mail, & phone number)
3. Prior speaking experience
4. Brief biography (about 50 words)
5. Title of the talk
6. Summary or outline of the talk (about 200 words)
7. Intended audience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or all levels)

Please send proposals to Helen A. Shaw either by mail (77 Pascal Ave., Rockport, ME 04856) or as a pdf attachment (hashaw@earthlink.net). Proposals must be received by 1 March 2015.

Meet The Attendees: Charles Roundy of Palmyra, ME

Charles Roundy is coming to the MGS Annual Fall Conference tomorrow, September 13, 2014 and he is looking for long lost cousins...

Family lines that I (Charles) trace include

(1) one of the  many Maine Gould lines (ours from England, to Nova Scotia,  to New  Brunswick to Maine, original great-great grandparents coming from  Devonshire,  England to River John, Nova Scotia in about 1925); 

(2) a  McKeen  line from  Scotland, by way of Ireland, then New Hampshire, then to  central Nova Scotia  (Loyalists), then back to Maine (as a Mrs. Gould) in  1919 ; 

(3) two Roundy  lines,  the only two [known to have] to come to Maine early, from England to   Eastern Massachusetts (north of Boston) to Maine in 1764 to Blue Hill  (one of two first settlers there in 1764) and a related Roundy line,  also from same area of Massachusetts to Clinton - Benton area, starting in  1774 with an Abraham Roundy, and several brothers, cousin and family members  to follow to Clinton, Benton, Fairfield and area);

(4) a Shepherd line (with the "e" not the "a") about  which I know little,  except they were in Maine in the Bangor area in  early 20th century and moved to Massachusetts; and 

(5) a Cannon line, direct from Ireland to  Brewer, Maine in the 1800s, thence to Massachusetts.

If you have information that may be able to help, or want to compare notes, email Charles at Roundy2005@gwi.net or look for him at the Conference!

2014 Maine Genealogical Society Annual Fall Conference - September 13, 2014

Once again, the Maine Genealogical Society has planned its annual Fall conference with a number of interesting and educational lectures planned.  This conference starts with an interesting keynote address by Thomas Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, who will attempt to answer the question "Can a Complex Research Problem Be Solved Solely Online?"  Jones is a genealogical educator who speaks and writes frequently on genealogical evidence, proof and problem solving. He serves on the Board of Certification of Genealogists and has been the recipient of many varied genealogy related awards.

The rest of the day's lectures consist of three sets of breakout sessions of varying topics.  Vendors and exhibitors will also be on hand and we encourage all attendees to visit and support these organizations and businesses. We'll have our query board set up again this year & don't forget to bring some extra money for any of our Special Publications which will be on sale, along with our designer pins and candy dishes, bearing the MGS logo, and our members can take part in our annual meeting to hear more about what has been happening with MGS and the plans for the future.

Join us on September 13, 2014 in Brewer, ME for another education packed MGS Conference!

For more information, or to register, visit the conference website at http://conference.maineroots.org

Southern Maine Genealogy Conference

The Southern Maine Genealogy Conference will be held on Saturday, May 31st from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Keeley Banquet Center, 178 Warren Ave. Portland.  Joe Anderson will be the Keynote Speaker.  His talk will be: Documenting Grandma's Stories. Turning Gossip into Genealogical Fact.  As most MGS members know, Joe is editor of The Maine Genealogist as well as editor of The American Genealogist.  In addition Joe is chair of the MGS Publications Committee.

In addition to Joe's Keynote Address, there will be 9 different workshops throughout the day.  Topics include: Beginning Genealogy (even advanced genealogist will learn something); Searching the Census; Investigating and Evaluating Family Artifacts; Case Studies in Genealogical Problem Solving; the Irish of Portland, ME; DNA Testing & Genealogical Research; Genealogical Resources at the Maine Historical Society; Swedish Ancestry and a Panel of area libraries with Genealogical Collections.

The cost for the conference is $50.

You can register online at: www.gpcmgs.org either by mail in registration or online through PayPal or Credit Card.

FMI: contact Paul Doucette at pdoucette3@gmail.com.

Call For Papers

Proposals for talks are now being accepted for the MGS Fall Conference, September 13, 2014, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer. There are three openings for one-hour presentations. Speaker compensation is $100 plus registration and lunch the day of the conference.

Proposals should include the following:
1. Speaker’s name
2. Contact information (including mailing address, e-mail, & phone number)
3. Prior speaking experience
4. Brief biography (about 50 words)
5. Title of the talk
6. Summary or outline of the talk (about 200 words)
7. Intended audience level (beginner, intermediate, advanced, or all levels)

Please send proposals to Helen A. Shaw either by mail (77 Pascal Ave., Rockport, ME 04856) or as a pdf attachment (hashaw@earthlink.net). Proposals must be received by 1 March 2014.

3 Days Left For Early Bird Registrations

Maine Genealogical Society 

2013 Fall Conference

with featured guest

Laura Prescott

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Jeff's Catering
15 Littlefield Way

 Brewer, Maine

If you have been thinking about joining The Maine Genealogical Society (MGS) for our Fall Conference, but haven't made the commitment yet, now's the time to do it.  Our early bird registration deadline is fast approaching.  The deadline for your early registration is August 23, 2013

In addition to Laura Prescott, MGS will welcome Pam Stone Eagelson of Gen-nections, Dr. Carol McCoy, of www.find-your-roots.com and Judyth Barton Reitze co-director of the Bangor Family History Center.

We've got engaging speakers. We've got a variety of topics for family historians of all levels. We've got more a room full of vendors and we've got food.  Now we need friends (and sometimes family) to join us in September in Brewer, ME.

You can learn more through the  speakers and sessions through the conference website: http://conference.maineroots.org

Maine Genealogical Society's 2013 Fall Conference

Maine Genealogical Society 

2013 Fall Conference

with featured guest

Laura Prescott

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Jeff's Catering
15 Littlefield Way

 Brewer, Maine

The Maine Genealogical Society is pleased to announce Laura Prescott (http://lauraprescott.com) as the featured speaker at our 2013 Fall Conference to be held Saturday, September 21 in Brewer, Maine.  The day of lectures will begin with Prescott's keynote address, "How The Internet Makes Us Sloppy Genealogists."  From there we will enjoy a number of breakout sessions on a variety of topics for varying interests and experience levels - but all designed to help us to become better (and less sloppy!) family historians.

In addition to learning about some of the tools available for online research, including FamilySearch.org and Footnote.com, we'll be exploring the use of divorce records, early Maine town records and academic archives for our research.  So, bring your Maine related queries for our query board, visit our exhibitor/vendor area and enjoy a nice lunch during while making new friends and learning some new tips and techniques for furthering your own research.

Registration is $40 for MGS Members and $50 for non-members.
(Register before August 23, 2013 and enter for a chance to win a $50 L.L.Bean gift card)

For more information or to register, visit the conference web site: http://conference.maineroots.org

The 2012 Annual Conference is Underway!

The 36th Annual Family History Conference of the Maine Genealogical Society is about to begin.  The conference committee arrived at 7am to start setting up and Battick with opening remarks, give out some awards, and sit back and start the presentations with Ted Steele's keynote address, "Family Stories: Did It Really Happen That Way?"

Here's to a great day with friends, fellow researchers and Maine genealogy!

2012 Annual Conference Deadline Extended!

Good news for the procrastinators among us.  The deadline for registration for the 2012 Maine Genealogical Society Annual Conference on September 22, 2012 has been moved.  You now have until the September 19th to get your registration in the mail.

For more infromation and to register, visit the conference website:
http://conference.maineroots.org

See you there!

MGS Fall Conference Saturday Sept 22nd

The Maine Genealogical Society has a full day of educational lectures planned for this year's annual genealogical conference, including a variety of topics for a variety of interests and experience levels. We start the day with an interesting keynote address by Ted Steele discussing family stories and "Did it Really Happen That Way?" The rest of the day's lectures consist of three sets of breakout sessions, all interesting and sometimes difficult to choose between. There will be vendors and exhibitors on hand, all of whom we encourage you to visit and support. A Query Board will be available for anyone interested in posting a query. This has been a popular spot in past conferences! Bring your query and you may find a connection! New at this year's conference will be "topic tables" at lunch time with several topics planned. You can also take a table without a topic and start your own conversation with other attendees. As always you will be able to purchase MGS Special Publications at the conference which is a GREAT way to save on shipping costs. And don't forget, in addition to saving on shipping, if you are an MGS member, you already receive an additional discount off the retail price of the publication, so if you're not a member, consider joining with your conference registration to take advantage of all the benefits of being a member of the Maine Genealogical Society. Our Main Speaker - Ted Steele. Day At A Glance 8:00-9:00 Registration, Vendors and Exhibitors are open 9:00-10:30 Welcome Address by Jack Battick Awards Presentation Keynote Address by Ted Steele Family Stories: Did It Really Happen That Way? Several actual examples will be used to illustrate issues such as conflicting evidence, secondary sources and mis-identifications. With each story we will learn what the document(s) said and what was wrong, concluding with "lessons learned." 10:45-11:45 Breakout Session 1 a. Using A Library Effectively -- Ted Steele This talk points our some of the resources researchers might pass up when using a library b. Using Tax Records In Genealogy - How Taxes Can Be A Good Thing - Dr. Carol McCoy In early America people were taxed for a number of reasons. Learn aboout the types of tax records available, where to find them, and how they can help solve genealogy problems. 12:00-1:30 Luncheon, Vendor Time and Topic Tables 1:30-2:15 MGS Annual Meeting or Vendor Time 2:15-3:15 Breakout Session 2 a. Genealogy and the Law - Helen Shaw, CG The law affected the lives of our ancestors in many ways and varies widely from state to state and over time. Learn how to find those laws and how they can help you in your research. b. Genealogical Holdings of the Maine State Library - Emily Schroeder, MLS This talk will outline the genealogical collections, services, and databases offered by the Maine State Library, mainly through a Powerpoint presentation. It will also illustrate their website and its features. 3:30-4:30 Breakout Session 3 a. Using Gazateers and Maps in Your Genealogical Research - Ted Steele This is a survey talk, using some published gazateers and information in them, illustrated with the addition of a variety of maps to add geographic detail to your research b. Maine Horse Soldiers in the Civil War - Steve Bunker Maine's cavalry regiments in the Civil War were exceptional. This presentation will be about their organization and some of the notable people who served in the Maine cavalry regiments 4:45-5:00 Closing remarks & Drawing of Door Prizes

Registration is now open for the MGS Annual Family History Conference! Event is Saturday, Sept 22 from 8am - 5pm at Jeff's Catering in Brewer with featured speaker Ted Steele. Features include multiple workshops, keynote address, annual meeting, vendors, exhibitors, query board, MGS special publications table, luncheon with topic tables, door prizes and more. FMI: www.maineroots.org

Why or Why Don't You Attend A Conference?

Last Saturday September 24th Maine Genealogical Society held a day long conference in Bangor, ME. We had a good turnout, it wasn't exceptional but the numbers were good. The evaluations came back and seemed like the attendees and even the vendors were happy that day. But still when you work hard all year in the background to put on one of these conferences it still makes you wonder why more people didn't come.

Was it the speakers? The location? The topics? Or was it due to the economy? Another thought came to mind was it due to the fact more and more people are doing their genealogy online. After all more and more information is out there on subscription sites or for free. You can even learn more about genealogy with videos on various sites such as YouTube, Scribd, etc.

So I am asking our readers to send me their thoughts. I would really like to know and I would like to share what I find with my fellow conference committee members. I am not trying to brag but we do work hard for you our fellow genealogists, and by giving us your thoughts and comments we can only make it better. So how about it?

Ancestor Roundtable Feature at MGS Conference

The Ancestor Roundtable's schedule for the day of the MGS Fall 2011 Conference:

Schedule:
9 am – 945 am Bob Chenard “Your Quebec Ancestors”
10 am – 1045 am Carolyn Kelley “DAR”
11 am – 1145 am Roland Rhoades “Leavitt Family and Family Associations”
1215 pm – 1 pm Helen Shaw “Basic Genealogy”
115 pm – 2 pm Wayne Bennett “Civil War”
215 pm – 315 pm Will Haskell “Internet Search Tips, Technology and Software”

These sessions will be held in the Vendor Area as a third alternative to the sessions already taking place. Come and sit a spell and ask your questions.

Discounts on Silhouettes at MGS Fall Conference

A substantial discount is being offered for anyone who makes an advance reservation with Ruth Monsell of Artful Heirlooms before the MGS Conference:

A single cut silhouette for just $20 (vs. 2 for $30)

Also a $5 discount on a duplicate silhouette (2 for $25)

And $5 off their choice of any frame.

Please contact Ruth at the toll free number listed below.
Ruth Monsell - ArtfulHeirlooms.com
1-866-212-7288 or (207) 563-2920

Another Vendor for the Fall Conference - Creative Memories

You've spent countless hours researching your family history. Let Creative Memories help you celebrate and share the stories you have uncovered. Cheryl Freye will help you with organization of printed materials, scanned images, and digital photographs. She will help you share your stories with family members using digital Story Books that will last for generations. I will help you preserve your original images in photo-safe albums. She will work with you to find a solution that works for you.

In addition to preserving the stories you have uncovered about your ancestors, take the time now to record the special memories of today that you are creating with your family and friends. This will be the legacy you leave to future generations. I will help you combine your photos and stories to create a truly memorable keepsake. Your photos will not become strangers in a box for someone in the future. They will be alive with the stories of your life. They will be treasured as one of your family's most precious keepsakes. I am here to help you every step of the way. You won't go home with a product and wonder what to do next. Cheryl also teaches people all over the country through personal webinars.

Cheryl would love to talk with you about how she can help you find a solution for all your memory preservation needs. Visit with her during the MGS Fall Conference at the Spectacular Events Center in Bangor on September 24th. For more information on the fall conference go to http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~megs/conference.html

Creative Memories uses the ISO 18902 standard on its packaging to make clear to customers that the product meets or exceeds photo safety specifications. ISO 18902 is more than just a part of our packaging. It represents our commitment to providing information, products and customer service to ensure that your memories will be preserved for future generations. We are the only album manufacturer that we know of that complies with ISO 18902 – the industry’s gold standard for photo-safe album-making supplies. So when you see ISO 18902 on one our products, you can be assured you are getting the best possible photo-safe products. Even better, you’ll know that your albums will safely preserve the weddings, the parties, the rain showers, the messes, and the tears that make up life.

Conference Registration Reminder – Have You Signed Up Yet?

Join us for the genealogy information sharing event of the year - a chance to make new connections, hear educational lectures, purchase resource materials and maybe breakdown those elusive and stubborn brick walls! Always a chance to learn something new!

The Maine Genealogical Society's 2011 Family History Conference will be held on Saturday, September 24 at the Spectacular Event Center in Bangor, ME, just a few miles off I-95. This year’s annual conference will feature six workshops, a national keynote speaker, vendors, exhibitors, publications for sale and a new Ancestors Round Table.

Our featured speaker is Meldon “Mel” Wolfgang III who is the founder and owner of Jonathan Shepard Books. He has been active in the field of genealogy for the past 40 years and is a popular conference speaker. The individual workshop presenters all have professional expertise in their fields – this year’s program includes an author, a professional genealogist, a past president of the US Internet Genealogical Society and a county Registrar of Probate.

Workshop topics include:

Session One - concurrent
A. Beyond the Basics: Tips & Techniques for Using Newspapers in Genealogy Research
B. More Than Wills: Using Probate Records in Genealogy Research

Session Two - concurrent
A. More Than Almshouses and Cold Charity: Exploring Family History in the Records of Public and Private Assistance in New England
B. The Role of Women in the Civil War

Session Three - concurrent
A. Using Social Media in Genealogical Research
B. Often Overlooked: What the Census Tells You Beyond Name and Age

In addition to these workshops, the keynote address by Mel Wolfgang will be Uncommon Research Tools That Can Lead to Uncommonly Good Results.

A new feature of the conference this year will be the Ancestor Round Table – a spot where people can gather to ask questions and/or help with advice or suggestions. Experts in various areas will be available but it will be an ever-changing gathering, so plan to check back often and join in the discussions! Don’t forget to bring your research query to post on the popular query board as well.

Be sure to register soon for this great conference - registration deadline is September 10. Registrations are $40 for MGS members and $50 for non-members. Be sure to register early and share this information with fellow researchers who might be interested in attending.

On Saturday, September 24, the registration table will begin at 8am and the vendors and exhibitors will be open and ready to greet you. Come early to share a cup of coffee, browse the tables and chat with the vendors. There will be a luncheon buffet ($15 a ticket) which will allow plenty of time for networking, making connections and story-sharing. (The best genealogy connection I made personally was during lunch at a conference many years ago – you never know who you will be sharing a table with!) The conference will end at 5:00pm. Be sure to stay until the end for the highly anticipated door prizes! (Note - For those not wanting to participate in the luncheon, there are restaurant options in the local area or you are welcome to bring your own lunch with you for the day.)

Planning to stay over and combine the conference with a research trip? Accommodations are available at the Fairfield Inn on Odlin Road in Bangor with a special conference rate. Reservations must be made by August 24 to obtain the discounted room rate (Hotel phone number is 1-207-990-0001).

For more information on this conference such as a full description of each workshop, biographies of the workshop speakers, full conference schedule, conference brochure and registration form, please visit the website at www.maineroots.org

Hope to see you there! Should you have any questions, please feel free to email us at mainegenealogical@yahoo.com or call Celeste Hyer at 207-627-7147.

And be sure to check us out on Facebook! Remember to “like” Maine Genealogical Society’s Facebook page. We will be posting periodic conference updates here.