Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference

August 18-20 in Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis – Some of the nation’s leading genealogy professionals will present at Midwestern Roots 2005: Family History and Genealogy Conference, August 18-20 in Indianapolis.

Midwestern Roots, co-sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society, will feature over 30 presentations covering topics ranging from finding female ancestors, census substitutes, family food traditions and German SS records to baptismal records, preserving family papers, genetics and more.

Optional pre-conference activities on Thursday, August 18, range from tours of the William Henry Smith Memorial Library, the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Archives to writing workshops on preparing family histories for publication, computer labs on genealogy resources available on the internet and a workshop designed for library staff and volunteers who answer questions from genealogy patrons. The Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library and the Indiana History Center Smith Library also will stay open late for extended research hours.

Other activities include a lively panel discussion bringing together genealogists and historians to answer the question, “History and Genealogy: Why Not Both?” The evening will begin with a dessert reception at the Indiana History Center followed by a discussion with nationally-renowned historical genealogists Elizabeth Shown Mills and Curt B. Witcher, Indiana historian James H. Madison and migration historian Marianne S. Wokeck, who will explore how these fields can enrich each other, from uncovering the slightest detail of one life to seeing human history more clearly because of that life.

On Friday, August 19, the conference will begin with the opening session by Mills. Mills will explain the standards and processes all researchers need to apply when using family history and genealogical sources. Friday will conclude with a banquet and Mills will give a presentation that encourages taking what is learned about ancestors and conveying it to descendants.

On Saturday morning, Madison will begin the day by considering the various migration streams that settled the Midwest and show how their origins, timing and cultural features helped make the region a distinctive part of the nation.

Other notable national speakers include genealogists John S. Humphrey, Diane Gagel, Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, Tony Burroughs and Kandie Adkinson.

The Indiana Historical Society and the Indiana Genealogical Society will offer six scholarships for individuals to attend the conference.  The scholarship application can be found at www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots.

Additional conference information, registration forms and exhibitor information can be found at www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots or by calling (317) 232-1882.  Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Indianapolis Marriott East at (317) 352-1231 or (800) 228-9290.  Indicate association with Midwestern Roots 2005 upon making reservations to receive the special $92/night room rate.  Room reservations must be made by August 1.

The Indiana Genealogical Society promotes genealogical and historical research and education.  Annual membership benefits include six issues of the IGS Newsletter; quarterly issues of the Indiana Genealogist with a cumulative index; discounts on IGS publications, workshop and conference registrations; opportunities to volunteer in genealogy related projects; access to free Query submissions, Speaker's Bureau, Researcher's List, Librarian Scholarship, Chapter Grants and special service recognition awards. (www.indgensoc.org)

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and disseminating Indiana history. The independent, nonprofit organization also publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; provides youth, adult and family programming; assists local historical groups throughout the state; and maintains one of the world’s largest collection of material on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest. The Indiana Historical Society is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States, and one of the largest with more than 10,000 members. (www.indianahistory.org)