What is GeneaSpy?

GeneaSpy is an avid genealogist who attends national, regional, and local genealogical conferences, to learn about genealogy.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

NGS 2017 Raleigh: A Photo Recap; Day 1

LET THE FUN BEGIN!



Well, it's here! The big conference with the biggest names in Genealogy. First up was the opening session with NGS President Ben Spratling, JD giving his opening remarks and a few more awards were given out. Next up was J. Mark Lowe in coon skin hat and all! Mark’s keynote address, “Family History Lives Here” was truly inspiring. He talked about how he came about the picture of the little boy whose picture was used on the conference programs. Then he showed a homemade video of students from Alabama putting together their family history that was quite moving. Mark is quite the orator and I always enjoy hearing him speak.

 Next, everyone plowed into the vendor hall. I’ve been in halls were they seem too small and overcrowded, I’ve been in halls where they seem way too big and overpowering, but this on seemed just right. I was supposed to go straight to the SLIG booth and help out (but, that didn’t last long), I had to check everything out!

I bought my DNA cousin, LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson’s new book, “A Guide to Researching African American Ancestors in Laurens County, South Carolina and Selected Finding AIDS” and I might add I was the first one in line! I went up in down the aisles quiet quickly as I wanted to have enough time to get to my first class.

 After attending my first class I was supposed to be at a paid luncheon with Judy G. Russell speaking, but I decided to go to a spare of the moment luncheon with genea-buds, Tierra Kellow, Cheri Passey, Sara Gredler, and Amy Crow to meet the woman behind the technology news website, ResearchBuzz, Tara Calishain. We all walked from the convention center through downtown Raleigh to Big Ed’s Restaurant. We had great southern food and an even better conversation! Tara was a little camera shy and I respected her wishes. Tara surprised us with paying for our meal – Thanks Tara!

 Back to the convention center to finish the day with classes. After the day was over it was time to take a road trip to the NGS event Pig Pickin’ at the NC State Fairgrounds. They had live music, local craft vendors, and lots of southern food! How’s that for the 1st. day! I was exhausted at the end of the night, but I was pumped for day number two!

My classes for day 1:

·       Tarheels in Your Family Tree? History & Record Idiosyncrasies You Want to Know About! With Diane Richard.
·       Interpreting NC Land Records with David McCorkle.
·       Planning “Reasonably Exhaustive” Research with Thomas W. Jones. 

Let the fun begin!

Opening session

Good friend Cheri Passey and I had great seats up front.

NGS President, Ben Spratling.

J. Mark Lowe with coon hat.

Lori Thornton made a speaial appearance in character!


Into the hall!







Cousin LaBrenda selling her new book.


SLIG's Peg Ivanyo (r) explains the benefits of an institute.


Tami Mize of JoyFLIPS.

Curt Witcher of Allen County Library at the FGS booth.

Linda McCauley of FGS.

The FamilyTreeDNA booth with Bob McLaren (r).

NGS booth was quite busy this year!

Meeting Texas friend Ari Wilkins for the first time!


Another friend I met in person (finally) Dawn Kogutkiewicz!

Spying on friend Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage.

The IGHR folks from Georgia. See you in 2018!

NARA had a booth too!

Ed Thompson (in blue) founder of Evidential Software.

Rita Baredo (r) talking about SLIG.

The SLIG booth team.

Bruce Buzbee, founder of RootsMagic software.


Good friend Marilyn Hoffman from San Diego!

Waiting for the fist class to begin. Nice big room!

Tierra, Amy, and Cheri (Sara not pictured) waiting for Tara.

Southern cooking! 

Group photo while Tara Calishain was paying for our meals.


Even the great Judy G. Russell is in line for Thomas W. Jones!

Thomas W. Jones signing his new book on documentation.

Tom and Peg Ivanyo kicking it up!






Heading to the Pig Pickin'!

Pig Pickin' in full swing!


Ari Wilkins & Tierra Kellow enjoying the BBQ.

Michael Hall (l) & David Rencher (r) of FamilySearch.

Got Pork?

Friends Leslie, Amy, and Faye Stallings.


I bought this for my mom!

Fast shopping?

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