For Immediate Release
June 26, 2011
FAMILY HISTORY FANS FLOCK TO NATIONAL CONFERENCE
IN SPRINGFIELD, IL, SEPT. 7-10, 2011
Presenters include noted Illinois speakers

June 26, 2011 – Austin, TX. The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), along with local host Illinois State Genealogical Society (ISGS), announce the FGS 2011 Conference – Pathways to the Heartland – to be held in Springfield, Illinois, September 7-10, 2011.

This year's conference offers an exciting opportunity for everyone interested in researching their family history. Over 165 educational sessions and 13 luncheons are designed to balance the needs of genealogists at all levels, exploring a variety of records, strategies, and other tools available to those interested in researching their family history.

Special events include a keynote address by David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States, and the FGS 35th Annual Celebration with "The Lincoln Family Album" presented by special guest, noted Lincoln scholar Harold Holzer.

Many Illinois genealogical speakers are among the presenters:
• Eric Curtis Basir of Evanston, Illinois, serves the genealogical community as a teacher and author of two books and "Ask the Retoucher," a column for genealogical publications.
• Tony Burroughs of Chicago, Illinois, is the best-selling author of Black Roots. He has taught genealogy at Chicago State University for 15 years and was a guest expert for Oprah's Roots; African American Lives; Roots Remembered; Ancestors and The Real Family of Jesus. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Genealogical Society, and was named a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Association.
• Jane G. Haldeman of Naperville, Illinois, is the current president of Fox Valley Genealogical Society, as well as the Design and Technical Editor for the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly Journal. In 2009, Haldeman along with Janice Fritsch formed "It's Relative," a genealogical service business providing lectures, classes and research.
• Dr. Michael Lockett of Normal, Illinois, became an international storyteller and children's author following 33 years as an educator, school administrator and educational consultant/regional storyteller. Dr. Lockett has given nearly 3000 programs across the United States and is the winner of two literacy awards. He is a regular presenter at schools and conferences where he tells stories about the Civil War.
• Thomas MacEntee of Chicago, Illinois, is a genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community.
• Debra S. Mieszala, of Libertyville, Illinois, is a Certified Genealogist specializing in 20th century research and the Midwest. She is a member of the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ Outreach Committee, and an alumnus of the Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research, and the National Institute for Genealogical Research.
• Paul Milner of Park Ridge, Illinois, is a native of England and co-author of Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Scottish Ancestors and Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your English Ancestors. He is the product review editor for the FGS FORUM, past FGS board member, and current Association of Professional Genealogists board member.
• Timothy Pinnick of North Aurora, Illinois, has been actively involved in African American coal miner research for over 15 years. He is the recipient of a Formby Research Fellowship and a Richard S. Brownlee Fund grant to conduct research on African Americans.
• Dennis Suttles of Springfield, Illinois is currently the Genealogical Librarian at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield.
• Loretto D. “Lou” Szucs of Lockport, Illinois, works for Ancestry.com and has served on several national and state advisory boards. She is a board member of FGS and is the author/editor of several books including The Source, They Became Americans, and Chicago and Cook County Sources.
• Elder Robert Webb of Carthage, Illinois is the pastor of the Carthage Primitive Baptist Church and the founder and director of the Primitive Baptist Library in Carthage, Illinois.
• Ann Wells of Crystal Lake, Illinois is a member of the board of directors of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family History and has over 30 years of genealogical research experience.

Set at the Prairie Capital Convention Center in downtown Springfield, the FGS 2011 Conference will also include a large exhibit hall with exhibitors and vendors. In addition, Springfield offers a wide variety of historic sites, libraries, and more for conference attendees as well as family and friends.

Genealogists and family historians of all experience levels are encouraged to visit Springfield this fall to hear a stellar lineup of genealogy educators at Pathways to the Heartland.

Learn More and Stay Connected
• Visit the Conference News Blog: www.fgsconferenceblog.org
• Follow the Conference on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fgs2011 and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fgs2011
• Discover Springfield: www.visit-springfieldillinois.com

About the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS)
The Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) was founded in 1976 and represents the members of hundreds of genealogical societies. FGS links the genealogical community by helping genealogical societies strengthen and grow through resources available online, FGS Forum magazine (filled with articles pertaining to society management and genealogical news), and Society Strategy Series papers, covering topics about effectively operating a genealogical society. FGS also links the genealogical community through its annual conference -- four days of excellent lectures, including one full day devoted to society management topics. To learn more visit www.fgs.org.

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Graphics available at: fgs2011media.weebly.com/fgs-2011-graphics.html

Additional speakers and bios available at: fgs.org/2011conference/speakers

Media Center available at: fgs2011media.weebly.com

Contact: Federation of Genealogical Societies
PO Box 200940
Austin, TX 78720-0940
phone: +1 (888) 347-1500
fax: +1 (866) 347-1350
fgs2011 (at) gmail.com