Minnesota Genealogical Society Northstar Conference Savings Deadine

August 31st is the last day to register for the 5th Annual MGS North Star Conference at the discounted prices. It's two days of genealogy education and networking on Friday and Saturday, October 5 & 6. I hope to see you there.

The main speaker is D. Joshua Taylor. Josh is a nationally known and recognized genealogical author, lecturer, and researcher. Previous speaking engagements include RootsTech, the Federation of Genealogical Societies Annual Conferences, the National Genealogical Society Annual Conference, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. He has been a featured genealogist on NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? and is the Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies, where he chairs the Conference Planning and Long-Range Planning Committees. He has published articles in American Ancestors, UGA Crossroads, FGS Forum, Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, and New England Ancestors, and was a columnist for Digital Genealogist.

Event Highlights

Friday -

• Plenary Session by D. Joshua Taylor
• 10 Breakout Sessions
• 5th Annual MGS Awards Banquet
• Ask the Genealogist: Q&A
• Special Seminar (Separate Registration Required)

Saturday -

• 2 Plenary Sessions by D. Joshua Taylor
• 10 More Breakout Sessions
• Vendor Exhibit Hall, Door Prizes, Silent Auction

Friday + Saturday $75 - Early Bird Special thru August 31st
Special Discounts for Young Adults (under age 26)
(Friday-only and Saturday-only registrations also available)

Members of the Association of Professional Genealogists Northland Chapter will be on hand to help answer your genealogy questions.

Visit www.mngs.org to register and to see more details. The conference takes place at the Colonial Church of Edina.

New DAR chapter for NE area of Twin Cities

From the Minnesota Historical Society's Local History News of 15 August 2012 comes the news of a new DAR chapter forming. If you haven't explored the DAR website, visit it now: www.dar.org

New DAR ChapterDaughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is forming a new chapter in the northeast metro area of the Twin Cities. Founded in 1890, the DAR is a volunteer women's service organization. If you have an ancestor who supported the cause for American independence, come to an informational meeting on Saturday August 25, 2012, Ramsey County Library - Shoreview, 2-4 p.m. Contact DeeDee Edlund for more information

The 1940 Census Community Project is FINISHED

We did it!

The word just received from the 1940 US Census Community Project is just that! It's a really good feeling to have been part of those 160,000 volunteers.

"Today just before 2:00 p.m. (MDT), the very last batch of the 1940 US Census was arbitrated and submitted for publication. The indexing portion of the 1940 US Census Community Project is officially done!

Just look at what we accomplished:

• The project was supposed to take at least six months, yet it was completed in just 124 days—two full months ahead of schedule!

•  An "army" of more than 160,000 volunteers participated. Plainly stated, there is nothing in the annals of the genealogical community that can compare with this achievement.

• Because of the familiarity of the volunteers with the names and places contained in the records, the resulting index is thought to be among the most accurate of any census ever published.

•  Tens of millions of people will benefit for generations. That's quite a legacy!

It will take a few more weeks to complete the quality audit of the remaining states and publish them online for searching; however, the majority of the 1940 US Census records are already searchable online at the sites of the consortium members. Meanwhile, we hope the feelings you have at this moment of accomplishment are satisfying and will motivate you to continue giving. Families are being united across the generations with every name you index or arbitrate."

Visit www.archives.com, www.familysearch.org, or www.findmypast.com for the results of this community effort. Hurray for us. These will be free searches!

A big community celebration will be held on Friday, August 31st in Birmingham, Alabama at the 2012 Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference. Click here for details.