BYU Conference on Family History and Genealogy

I would love to attend this conference but am not planning a trip to Utah this summer. They have a great lineup of keynote speakers and a special track for youth. Here is the press release for those who live in Utah, or would like to travel to the conference and visit the Family History Library at the same time.

 

PROVO, Utah — Those attending BYU’s 45th annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy will be able to choose from 160 classes, including a new track of classes targeted at getting youth involved in genealogy.  This year’s conference, to be held July 30-August 2 at the BYU Conference Center, has a theme of “Strengthening the ties that bind families together through family history.” It offers classes for family historians of all skill levels.

Elder Allan F. Packer, executive director of the Family History Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and member of the first quorum of the seventy, will give the opening keynote address on Tuesday. Elder Packer will be extending “An Invitation to Shape the Future” in his address.

Wednesday’s keynote speaker will be Dennis Brimhall, president and CEO of FamilySearch International. The Thursday keynote speaker will be J. Mark Lowe, professional genealogist, popular lecturer, and author.

The 160 classes will be offered in a variety of categories and topics, including: DNA Research, accreditation training (ICAPGen), FamilySearch, international research, Google Genealogy, youth and genealogy, computers and technology, methodology, Ancestry.com, FS Family Tree, etc. A complete schedule can be viewed at familyhistoryconferences.byu.edu.

Youth are encouraged to attend the free youth track on Tuesday, July 30 to learn how to get involved in family history and genealogy.

One of the eight tracks on Thursday and Friday will be for those with LDS Family History Callings. On Friday, the track of classes will be offered free to those serving as family history consultants.

Industry exhibitors from throughout the United States will show off their newest products and services, including RootsMagic, Ancestry.com, LifeStory Productions, Legacy Family Tree, FamilySearch, and RearchTies.   

Some examples of classes include “A Whirlwind Tour of FamilySearch Resources,” “Hidden Treasures at Ancestry.com,” “Genealogy in the Cloud,” and “Using Your Digital Camera to Copy Records.” There will also be day long tracks full of international classes regarding German, Scandinavian, British Isles, Scottish, English/Welsh, and Irish research.

GenealogyWallCharts.com and Family Chart Masters are offering conference attendees a free black-and-white fan chart of their family tree. To take advantage of this offer, order the chart online at familyhistoryconferences.byu.edu, then pick it up at the conference at no charge.

Noncredit registration for the four-day event, including a CD syllabus, is $180. Family history consultants will receive a $50 discount on general registration. The for-credit cost for the conference (2 credits of History 481R—Family History Directed Research and a CD syllabus) is $440. To register, call 1-877-221-6716 or visit familyhistoryconferences.byu.edu.

Men’s and women’s housing, which includes meals each day of the conference, is available on the BYU campus for $155. Conference participants who are not staying in campus housing can purchase a $32 lunch card that covers lunches at the Morris Center each day of the conference.

For more information about the conference, visit the website or call 801-422-4853.