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Midwestern Roots 2014: Family History
and Genealogy Conference
Exploring Frontiers: What Would Your Pioneers Have Tweeted?
This year’s theme of Exploring Frontiers: What Would Your Pioneers Have Tweeted? allows a diverse group of nationally known speakers to help you search for your family’s history through the latest technologies. The Indiana Historical Society is eager to host Warren Bittner, Lisa Louise Cooke, Joan Hostetler, Amy Johnson Crow, Thomas MacEntee, James H. Madison, Anne Gillespie Mitchell, Daniel S. Poffenberger, Curt B. Witcher and more. This is your chance to keep updated on the latest technology changes in family history research, resources and methodology. The conference also hosts the Family History Market and Book Fair.
Friday’s opening session, Hoosiers and A New History for the Twenty First Century, by James H. Madison, will explain why we need new, fresh history if we are to attract twenty-first century audiences and engage even some of those who don’t share our passion for history.
Lisa Louise Cooke‘s session, Future Technology and Genealogy: 5 Strategies You Need, will start Saturday with envisioning your genealogy as technology speeds ahead in the future. Cooke will give you five key strategies that you can employ to make the ride easier.
Friday evening’s banquet is always a great time at the conference. Join your fellow family researchers for food and entertainment as Daniel S. Poffenberger shows the humor in research by presenting The Much, Extremely, Incredibly Lighter Side of Family History: Funny names and other fascinating finds from years of research. You will be able to take a comedic look at actual parish registers, census and other genealogical records to demonstrate the humorous, interesting, and, at times, almost painful aspects of our ancestor’s lives. Funny names and curious events will be highlighted with actual records for the entertainment of all.
The preconference activities include an all-day workshop for librarians and volunteers who work with genealogy sources as well as computer labs, writing workshops, preservation workshops and research opportunities for all attendees. Conclude your day with Lisa Louise Cooke and The Great Google Earth Game Show that allows everyone to see the amazing capabilities of Google Earth when used for genealogy in a fun way!
Indianapolis is just a short trip from many Midwestern metropolitan areas. The conference center is conveniently located off I-465 with free parking and two hotels. Multiple registration options are available so that you can plan on attending all three days or just the portion of the conference that fits your schedule.
Librarians may earn continuing education credits at this conference.
