Family Tree Girl

  What do you know about the National Genealogical Society, aka “NGS”? https://www.ngsgenealogy.org. It is time to check out who they are and what they do. It is a membership organization. They have history similar to the Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR) and other societies/organizations in America. I am proud to be a member of both of these societies along with a few more. Some of these type of organizations/societies have the option of selecting who their members are and who won’t be members. Yep, I said it. At one time people of color were not allowed to join some of these groups. But I think there has been some efforts to change the imagine and perspective of the societies. For 2017, the annual NGS conference will be held in Raleigh with typically well over 2,000 attendees. Are you coming? If you are I would love to meet you personally. Please call me out and say hello.

Well, I think there is something that will be interesting for genealogists. Not just for the members of NGS but also of the Federal of Genealogical Socities (FGS), Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) etc. I am not including the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI). Their membership is open to all “genealogist/family historicans, etc.” who would like to focus on African American genealogy research. It’s open to whom ever wants to learn. (www.maagiinstitute.org)

If you are in Raleigh join us and hear the panel discussion on African American genealogists and other genealogists. What can NGS do to make sure “all” genealogists feel they are part of their society? As a member and a member who is a person of color really appreciates the opportunity to hear and be part of the discussion. It’s the first dialog that I know of. This is your invite!

The panel will be moderated by the NGS President, Ben Sprattling along with Jan Alpert Conference Chair for 2018 NGS Conference to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bernice Bennett of the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and producer of the Blogtalk Radio show, Research at the National Archives and Beyond, Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogists and MAAGI, Shelley Murphy (me), familytreegirl.com and with MAAGI, and Shannon Christmas of the Christmas Collective and MAAGI.

When does all this happen? It’s Thursday May 11, at 5:15pm. It is called the NGS President’s discussion in Room 306B. I hope the word gets out. I know there are competing things going on, but this is important and I hope folks will attend. It concludes at 6p. Oh, by the way Judy G. Russell will also give a talk on this topic on Friday morning for NGS. Judy’s talk is called the Helen F. M. Leary Distingushed Lecture Sponsored by the BCG Education Fund, “Rainbows and Kaleidoscopes: Inclusion as a Professional and Personal Genealogical Standard”, Ballroom C, F307 I believe at 8 or 8:30am. We just need to be there and support this effort. 

Remember, its not just about African American Genealogists, it’s all American Genealogists. I love that we come in all sizes, colors, sexual preferences, religions, national origins, and more. Come one, come all. It’s time to talk!  #NGS2017GEN