Just as with a research trip getting the most out of a conference requires preparation.
Decide which presentations you want to catch. There are two in each time period except the first, on Friday evening, and the last on Sunday. Look through the program at www.bifhsgo.ca/conference and listen to the interviews posted on this blog if you’re having trouble making up your mind. Chances are one will be of interest. If neither looks directly relevant take a chance on a presentation; some experienced conference goers make a habit of choosing the offbeat. Techniques learned from another area may be applicable to your problem.
If no presentation in the session appeals that’s also your opportunity to use the databases accessible in the computer room. Many of them are normally by subscription so take advantage. You can get a head start by visiting the sites in advance and seeing if you can find an index entry to a record for which you’d like to see the detail. There will be people in the computer room to help you get started if needed. The time slots are 30 minutes each, book early to ensure a computer is available for you. Also, bring along a USB drive to save your results for later review. See the list of databases below.
Another option is to take time in the marketplace while there are fewer people competing for attention. People at the stands will be able to take a bit more time with you. They are often experts not just regarding their products or organization but also in related areas and are happy to talk during quieter periods.
The marketplace also often provides a great opportunity to meetup with friends and colleagues. Some folks just hang out there.
When you arrive inside the building turn left and head for the welcome table to pick up your registration package, or register if you haven’t done so.
A good tip is to dress in layers. HVAC systems seem to have minds of their own. Be prepared for colder or warmer conditions than optimum in different parts of the building.
Things are not too far apart at Library and Archives Canada but you may still find yourself on your feet more than usual so choose comfortable shoes. No fashion police will be present.
Do you like to take notes during a session? Handouts should be available for most if not all presentations so marking your’s up to emphasize and add additional points should be all that you need to do.
LAC has free public wifi which should be working during the conference so bring your laptop or smartphone if you prefer taking notes that way. Lesley Anderson encourages you to bring a laptop to her pre-conference session so you can try Ancestry.ca. She’ll provide free access for non-subscribers. Susan Davis also encourages laptops and smartphones in her session.
If you’re into social networking you’re welcome to post or tweet about the conference. Tweeters can use the hashtag #BIFHSGO.
And please do remember to turn off the ringer on your cell phone during presentations. You wouldn’t want the police hitting you with a $20 fine for disturbing the peace!
Do you have any other ideas that would help folks enjoy the conference more? Please leave a comment.
Here are the databases that will be available in the computer room.
Ancestry.com is the world’s largest online resource for family history, with billions of historical records, powerful search tools, and an active member community. Ancestry also connects people to the world’s largest collection of family trees, with more than 1.7 billion names from over 100 countries in 17 million member trees.
Census.nationalarchives.ie, the National Archives of Ireland site, offers 1901 and 1911 census data for the whole of Ireland.
FamilySearch.org, run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provides access to the International Genealogical Index, British and Canadian 1881 census data, the U.K. 1911 Census Index, the U.S. Social Security Death Index, many other databases, research training resources, and much more. Collections and copies can be ordered from the local Family History Center.
FindMyPast.co.uk offers the only complete 1841–1911 census collection online, as well as BMDs from 1837 to 2006, parish records dating from 1538, the National Burial Index, and migration, military and specialist records.
Findmypast.ie has offered us access to their new site. They hold land and estate records, Griffith’s Valuation of Ireland, directories, military and rebellion records, migration records, and wills dating back to the 13th century.
FreeBMD.org.uk contains the index data for English and Welsh civil registration records from 1837 to 1983, transcribed by volunteers. Records include births and marriages from 1837 to 1931 and deaths from 1837 to 1935; there are instructions for ordering copies of the original certificates.
Gale.cengage.co.uk is providing access to its Gale NewsVault, which offers a large range of historical newspaper collections with over 10 million digitized pages. Users can search or browse across The Times Digital Archive, the Burney Collection of 17th and 18th century newspapers, The Financial Times Historical Archive, 19th century US newspapers, and many more.
GenesReunited.co.uk contains U.K. census data from 1841 to 1911, as well as U.K. BMD records, passenger lists, overseas BMD records, WWI and WWII records, and family tree record matching for members. Note: not all records are viewable for free and it will not be possible to buy credits on site.
Pagesofthepast.ca includes each issue of the Toronto Star from 1894 to 2008 in PDF format, digitized and fully searchable.
PaperofRecord.com is the world’s largest searchable archive of historical newspapers.
PaperofRecord.com is the world’s largest searchable archive of historical newspapers.
Thegenealogist.co.uk contains records from 1100 to the present day, including a large selection of censuses, land records, BMD records, wills, parish and school records, military records, directories and more.
If you know of other research sites that do not require paid subscriptions you may access them in the Research Room. Please share the URLs with your colleagues on the poster provided.
CD Collections:
We will provide the BIFHSGO Library collection of relevant CDs and possibly some from private collections as well.
We will provide the BIFHSGO Library collection of relevant CDs and possibly some from private collections as well.