The National Archives

The National Archives has custody of millions of records relating to persons who have had dealings with the federal government, including but not limited to: censuses, land records, naturalization records (after 1906), passenger lists, passport applications, claims for pensions and bounty land, etc. You can learn more about the archives at http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy

Spring 2011 Family History Conference

Registration has begun for the Boise Area Spring 2011 Family History Conference. The conference is sponsored by BYU-Idaho, and will be held on Saturday, April 9, at the Nampa North Stake Center from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost for the conference is $10 if you register prior to conference day -- at-the-door registration is $12. For more information and to register online, go to www.byui.edu/CC/familyhistory/registration.htm

Our favorite TV show is back!

Travel through time and deep into the family stories of eight celebrities as they solve centuries-old mysteries and uncover long-lost family ties. Don't miss the Season 2 premiere of Who Do You Think You Are? Tune in on February 4............Fridays............8/7c............NBC

Family ChArtist

A newly certified product from FamilySearch affiliates is Family ChArtist. Family ChArtist is the easiest way to create custom charts of your family history. It is a simple-to-use website -- no software to learn or buy. Create your own chart directly from New FamilySearch. You can edit incorrect information, immediately add pictures, and create countless combinations with beautiful graphics including temples, flags, nature and other artwork. Print FREE 8.5 x 11 charts from your printer, or for a small fee, purchase either a poster-size archival print or high quality electronic image file. Inspire your family, honor your ancestry, and envelop your descendants in a loving heritage with the click of a button using Family ChArtist. This website can be found at http://generationmaps.com/familychartist.

Changes to the FamilySearch website

Take a peek at the new changes and refinements at the FamilySearch.org site. Technology is zooming forward! New changes recently made to this research site include more scanned records and documents, improvements to searches, and interactive forums. Tutorials are available on the site to help with navigating the new site and the old site will be available through the transition. Also recently, four million records from seven countries, including the first from South Africa, were ready for searching. Other countries include Brazil, Canada, Germany, Guatemala, the Netherlands, and the United States. About 1.7 million of these records are indexed, according to a news release. Check out the changes and additions at http://www.familysearch.org/.

New Family History and Technology Conference

Rootstech is a new family history and technology conference to define the future of genealogy. It will be held 10-12 February 2011 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. Family Search is hosting this new three-day conference. What you will do at Rootstech:

• IMPROVE your genealogy and research skills
• FAMILIARIZE yourself with the latest in genealogy
• DISCOVER emerging technology, concepts and devices
• PARTICIPATE in new product demos and provide feedback
• COLLABORATE with technology creators
• LEARN from great speakers
• HAVE FUN mingling and networking with your peers at social events

To learn more and register, visit http://www.rootstech.org/

Celebration DVD Now Available

One of the highlights of the NGS 2010 Family History Conference held last April in Salt Lake City, was the Thursday evening spectacular, A Celebration of Family History, hosted by FamilySearch. The event included musical numbers by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, talks by award-winning author David McCullough (1776 and John Adams) and President Henry B. Eyring, and several inspiring video presentations showing the impact that family history can have on individual lives. Previously I made you aware of the link to watch these video presentations on YouTube. Due to the positive response to A Celebration of Family History, FamilySearch has made a DVD of the entire event available! You won't want to miss this! To learn more and to get your own copy of the DVD for $4.50, click on the link below. Shipping is free! http://celebration.familysearch.org