The Family Tree
By Terence L. Day
Terence L. Day, genealogist and journalist, is on the Washington State University faculty. He welcomes e-mail at genealogy@moscow.com, or regular mail in care of the Tri-City Herald City newsroom, P.O. Box 2608, Tri-Cities, WA 99302-2608.
Give a gift that will inform your family genealogist
This story was published Sept. 3, 2000
Nearly every family has a genealogist these days, someone who collects endless bits and pieces of information, old photos, stories, newspaper clippings and other evidences of lives lived.
Most of them labor for the pure fun of it, and seem to have the most fun when they can share with other family members. Don't you think the genealogist in your family deserves more than a glib thank you and a pat on the back?
How about a very special Christmas present?
It seems a bit early to be thinking of Christmas presents but the best presents take time, careful thought and some effort. The bests gifts are carefully tailored to the interests of the recipient.
It's hard for the people who don't genealogize to know what to give a genealogist. What if they already have one of whatever you're thinking of giving?
Ah, how about something that isn't material? How about sending the genealogist in your family off to a conference or workshop to fraternize with other genealogists and to expand their expertise.
I don't care how accomplished your family genealogist is, there's always something new to learn.
So here's the plan, Stan. Send your family genealogist to a major genealogy conference. Yes, that's a tad costly for many budgets but there's more than one way to finance a trip.
Since the whole family will benefit from the research your beloved genealogist will do when he or she returns from the conference, pass the hat and collect enough money to send pay for a trip.
First, you will need some idea of how much a conference will cost. Browse genealogical sites on the World Wide Web, looking for conferences. A good places to start is www.genealogy.com/genealogy/59_kathy.html, which is the Geneaology.com Web page for genealogical education. It lists a number of conferences.
The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, Jan. 8-12, 2001, caught my eye. I mention this just in case any of my family happen to read this column.
This conference is sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association. It will be at the Wyndham Hotel in Salt Lake City. Judging from the program, it might be a bit overwhelming for a beginner but intermediate genealogists all the way up through professional genealogists should be able to benefit greatly from the program.
It offers 10 courses. Full participation will tax the endurance of the most hardened genealogists, with classes running all day and into the night. Of course, no one has to attend every class. In recognition that not every genealogist has a lead butt, evening classes are designed to be optional.
Registration is $275 ($240 for members of the Utah Genealogical Association). Room rates range from $79 a night for those who treasure their solitude or snore loudly, up to $109 for a room to be shared by four people. Two computer sessions cost an additional $80 or $65, and evening courses are $10-$30 each.
Yes, this could easily total a bit more than $800, which is why I suggest you might want to make this a gift from the family.
Instructors for this conference are top-notch. They are truly worth the price.
Space doesn't permit me to list all the courses and classes. Just consider: Course 1, American Records & Research: Focusing on Localities, includes 17 separate classes; Course 2, Tracing Immigrant Origins, includes 20 classes.
See why this program takes a whole week?
Too rich for your wallet? Don't like your family genealogist quite that much? Get on the Web and find a more suitable conference. I guarantee your family genealogist will never quit talking about this Christmas gift.