Special Interest Groups at the NERGC Conference, Thursday, April 27, 7:15pm

The NERGC 2015 Blogger SIG

Special Interest Groups - NERGC 2017

Special Interest Groups will be held on Thursday, April 27^th, from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m during the NERGC conference in Springfield, Massachusetts at the MassMutual Center. They offer participants an informal opportunity to get together with others with similar interests to discuss ideas for genealogy research on a particular topic. Room locations will be posted at the Conference.   For more information see www.nergc.org  The SIGS are:

DNA Research:

Genetic genealogy is the use of DNA as it relates to family history. DNA is one of the most powerful tools available to modern genealogists. Join us for a discussion about available tests, testing companies, and how personal genomics can help you advance your family history when your paper trail runs out. Hosted by Jennifer Zinck.

Genealogy Blogging:

What is a genealogy blog? Do you read genealogy blogs? Do you write your own blog? Have you ever thought of starting your own? Come meet some bloggers and learn all about blogging! Hosted by Heather Wilkinson Rojo.

Irish-American Research:

Can't find the place of origin for your Irish ancestor? Come join Andrew Pierce as he leads a discussion group with other Irish-American researchers. We will discuss sources and strategies for finding your elusive Irish ancestors across the Atlantic. We will also discuss the ever-growing world of Irish research over the internet and the best sources to use for doing Irish research here at home and in Ireland. Hosted by Andrew Pierce.

French-Canadian Immigrants from the Maritime Provinces to New England  NEW:

Not all French Canadians immigrated to the United States from Quebec. Many came  from the Maritime Provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Come to discuss and to learn about available resources and tips to find your ancestors in these provinces, as well as their distinct history and culture. Hosted by Rob Gumlaw of the American-French Genealogical Society.

Italian Research:

Do you have Italian ancestors? Italian genealogical research has exploded in the last twenty years. The resources available to today's family historian will amaze you. Bring along your research, problem ancestors, and questions about Italian records and hopefully we will be able to give you new avenues and sources to further your family tree in Italy and the US. Hosted by Mary Tedesco.

Jewish Genealogy:

Come join us to talk about strategies and hints for researching your Jewish ancestors. Depending on your interests, we might look at how to find the records of your immigrant ancestors, both here and in the "old country"; how to find people if they've changed their names; how to find the villages that your ancestors came from; and how to locate families lost or scattered by the Holocaust. Bring your questions and research problems and we'll look at both online and local resources that could help you in your search. Hosted by Meredith Hoffman.

Scandinavian Research:

Connect with other genealogists doing research in Scandinavia. This is an ideal way to network with others who share your interest. This special interest group offers something for genealogists at any level. Hosted by Sharon Christenson.

Polish and Eastern European Research NEW:

Confused by Eastern European historical geography? Come learn about the numerous border changes and  turn confusion into clarity. The presenters will  provide an overview of the topic and then offer strategies to identify and locate your ancestral village in the old country using both American and European sources. You'll learn where records are and how to access them to continue your journey to your ancestral past. Hosted by Prof. Jonathan Shea and Julie Roberts Szczepankiewicz.

African American Research  NEW:

Do you have African American ancestors? African American genealogical research has steadily progressed in the last decade, but brick walls are still common and hard to navigate around without the proper tools. The resources available to today's family historian will amaze you. Bring along your research, problem ancestors, and questions about African American records and hopefully we will be able to give you new avenues and sources to further your family tree. We will come together as a group and collectively discuss and explore areas of research unique to the African American community. The group discusses on using a variety of sources, including, but not limited to  sources such as: census records, Freedman Bureau records, and slave schedules, as well as other records that provide information for this special area of genealogy research.  Hosted by Ariana Fiorello.  

 Special thanks for this report from Barbara Carroll of NERGC