Exhibitors – Space is Going Fast

If you are a vendor and you have not yet reserved your booth(s) for the 2007 NERGC Conference, it’s time to do so now. At the current time there are 32 of the total 56 booths already reserved. That’s more than half already spoken for.

The NERGC exhibit hall will be a fun and exciting place that will draw the attendees as well as many walk-ins. We have several vendors returning after participating in past outstanding NERGC conferences and there are a number of new vendors included as well.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of the success! Reserve your booth now. Contact Maureen Murphy at MMaureen39@aol.com or Jim Holms at jimholms@cs.com.

Program and Speaker Highlights – Interactive Workshops

One of the exciting new additions to NERGC 2007 will be a series of hands-on interactive workshops. These workshops will give conferences attendees the opportunity to explore a variety of topics in depth. Conference registration and additional fee are required. The workshops scheduled to occur are:

Family History 101 Workshop
Thursday, 26 April 2007 from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Marcia Iannizzi Melnyk

This workshop is a beginner's primer to genealogy. For those new to the hunt, plenty of basic research tips will be supplied. After outlining the most fruitful starting points, information will be provided on recording data, separating fact from fiction, and accessing the most likely places to locate records. This is an ideal way to start the conference for those new to genealogy. Workshop is limited to a maximum of 50 people and requires advance registration. Cost of the workshop is $35 and includes a copy of Marcia Iannizzi Melnyk’s book, “Family History 101”.

Working with Digital Images from Scanning to Storing, & Basic Editing in Photoshop Elements
Thursday, 26 April 2007 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Emery Roth

This “hands on” workshop will teach participants to learn to control size, resolution, and format and to work with images, altering them appropriately for different uses. Workshop is limited to a maximum of 30 people and requires advance registration. Cost of the workshop is $30. Participants are required to bring their own USB equipped laptop with CD drive and with a copy of Photoshop Elements Version 4 installed and working. Participants should also bring several images to be scanned and edited. Either Windows or Macintosh computers are welcome.

Enhancing and Repairing Digital Images in Photoshop Elements
Friday, 27 April 2007 from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Emery Roth

Whether archival photographs, original photographs, or scans/photos of documents, Photoshop Elements is a rich application which permits nearly unlimited options for repairing, restoring, enhancing, or altering photo images. This workshop will provide participants with hands-on experience working with a wide variety of Photoshop tools. Workshop is limited to a maximum of 30 people and requires advance registration. Cost of the workshop is $35. Participants are required to bring their own USB equipped laptop with CD drive and with a copy of Photoshop Elements Version 4 installed and working. Participants should also bring a selection of image files that need a variety of repairs. Either Windows or Macintosh computers are welcome.

Identifying and Preserving Family Photographs
Friday, 27 April 2007 from 1:45 PM – 3:45 PM
Maureen A. Taylor and David L. Mishkin

Learn to identify family photographs by researching photographers, dating costume clues, and comparing facial characteristics. Preserving your family photographs is easy and inexpensive when you understand the terminology and how to purchase supplies. Participants are invited to bring family photographs with them. Workshop is limited to a maximum of 30 people and requires advance registration. Cost of the workshop is $30.

Locating Digitized Images Online
Saturday, 28 April 2007 from 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Laura G. Prescott

From maps to personal documents, we’ll explore how and where to find digitized images and hidden treasures on websites across the Internet. Workshop is limited to a maximum of 40 people and requires advance registration. Cost of the workshop is $30. Participants are required to bring their own laptop computer with a wireless internet card. Windows and Macintosh computers are welcome.

Special Interest Groups

The enthusiasm continues to grow for these informal mini-gatherings that will be held on the first night of the Conference — Thursday, 27 April 2007 from 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. — on a wide range of topics. These get-togethers provide a great opportunity to meet conference participants and speakers with similar interests.

If you are interested in hosting a Special Interest Group on Thursday evening please contact Allison Ryall at allison@allisonryall.com.

These are the Special Interest Groups, their hosts, and a brief description where available that have been organized so far:

BCG Certification hosted by Elissa Scalise Powell, CG
Learn about the nature and purpose of certification, the application process and requirements for Board certification, and how to prepare if you are interested in applying for certification.

Scottish Research hosted by Diane Rapaport
If Scottish heritage is one of your special interests, come join this group on Scottish Research (hosted by Diane Rapaport, “Scottish Genealogy” columnist for The Highlander magazine). Make new friends, share research tips and genealogical resources with other people tracing Scottish ancestors, and enjoy Scottish music at this casual gathering.

Memory Books and Family Newsletters hosted by Christine Sweet-Hart, CG
Come discuss alternative ways to involve your family members in your family's history such as creating a memory book or by creating a family newsletter to share your research, showcase heirlooms, and share photographs with others in your family. Additionally, we will talk about ways to save and share your unusual family history such as crafts, recipes, and textiles.

Irish Research hosted by Donna Moughty
Learn about and share your experiences doing Irish research. We will discuss various records and sources as well as tips and tricks that can help you find your Irish ancestors.

Connecticut Research hosted by Richard Roberts
Do you have ancestors that were from Connecticut or perhaps passed through Connecticut? If so, then this is the discussion group for you. We will discuss all aspects of conducting genealogical research in Connecticut.

DNA Research and Developments hosted by Melinde Lutz Sanborn
If you want to learn more about DNA research and how it can help you in your family research, then this is the research group for you. We will discuss some of the latest developments in this unique and interesting field.

Eastern Woodland Indian Group hosted by Sherry Gould
If you have an ancestor who was a member of one of the tribes of the Eastern Woodland Indians, or if you are interested in learning more about Northern Indian groups, then this is the special interest group for you.

French Canadian Genealogy by Patti Locke
Come discuss French Canadian genealogy. We will discuss available resources and go over some tips to help you find your ancestors. Enjoy some French Canadian music during our informal discussion period.

Be sure to check the Conference web site http://www.nergc.org/ often for updates to this list.

Conference Room Reservations and Group Code

The Hartford Marriott Downtown is now accepting room reservations relating to the Conference. Reservations can be made on-line or by telephone.

Hartford Marriott Downtown
200 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT 06103-2807
Phone: 1-860-249-8000
Fax: 1-860-249-8181
Toll-free reservations: 1-866-373-9806
Hotel Web site: http://www.hartfordmarriott.com/

The conference room rate is $125.00 single/double per night.
Check-in time: 4:00 P.M.
Check-out time: 11:00 A.M.
Group code: NGCNGCA

Please remember that when making reservations on-line to be sure to enter the Group Code above to get the special NERGC rate. When making reservations via phone, call Marriott Reservations at 1-866-373-9806 and ask to make reservations for the New England Regional Genealogical Conference. Book your room early to avoid disappointment. Though there are other local hotels, the fun of attending a convention is being at the center of the activity.

Program & Registration Brochure Available On-line

EXTRA! EXTRA! PROGRAM & REGISTRATION BROCHURE AVAILABLE ON-LINE!

The 2007 New England Regional Genealogical Conference –- New England CONNECTions -- registration brochure is now available in pdf format on the NERGC Web page at http://www.nergc.org/. Be sure to bookmark the site.

Start planning your conference experience today. Half the fun of the conference is choosing the programs that you will attend. Read the biographies of the conference speakers to gain insight into their experience. Ready your questions for the experts- those presenting programs or those available at the Ancestor Roadshow. Early preparation will make this a truly enjoyable experience.

The latest update to the Web page also includes updated Exhibit Hall information, including a floor plan showing the location of booths already sold. See who will have booths in the Exhibit Hall.