Old Bones Family Research of New England: NERGC Conference, 15-19 April 2015, Providence, RI

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The First Flag (and Ensign) of New England, used by Colonial merchant ships sailing out of New England ports, 1686-c.1737. 'Historical Flags of Our Ancestors'. "Flags of the Early North American Colonies and Explorers" . . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

The New England Regional Genealogical Consortium, Inc or "NERGC" is comprised of approximately 23 genealogical societies and organizations in New England. Personally, I belong to 6 of those organizations: New England Historic Genealogical Society, New England Association of Professional Genealogists (as Vice President and NERGC Delegate), Massachusetts Genealogical Council, Massachusetts Society of Genealogists Worcester Chapter, Connecticut Society of Genealogists and The Irish Ancestral Research Association. I'm also a member and Vice President of the Western Massachusetts Genealogical Society. Now you might understand why I have to struggle to find the time to blog!!

But this blog is about NERGC and the biennial conferences held in the odd numbered years. This next conference will take place in Providence, RI from 15 April to 19 April 2015. The theme is "Navigating the Past: Sailing into the Future." I've attended the last 2 conferences, one in 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts and the other, last year in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Manchester conference attracted just under 900 genealogists ranging from the casual family researcher to the "hard core" professionals, many with national and international reputations.

Although I took part in as many events as I could at each (lectures, classes, vendor exhibits, "poster sessions", etc.) I never stopped to think of the gargantuan project that is a NERGC conference! All that has changed since becoming more involved with the New England Association of Professional Genealogist or NEAPG which is a chapter of the international Association of Professional Genealogists. I was asked to represent NEAPG as the Delegate to next year's NERGC Conference. I've attended 2 meetings so far and I'm amazed at the amount of coordination, cooperation and dedication of everyone involved.

So far, I'd say that the planning stage of the Providence conference is about 75-80% complete and whatever is left has been well planned by those who have had a great deal more experience than I have! The facility, the Rhode Island Convention & Entertainment Complex is huge. Just planning the amount of space, the meeting rooms, exhibition halls, vendor booths, specialty rooms (Genealogy Road Show for example), hospitality areas, registration booths..... Amazing amount of logistics! And then there's the conference content: Volunteers, speakers, lunches, banquets, guides and many more dedicated individuals who are passionate about the field and willing to give for the benefit of others.

This is not as big as RootsTech in Salt Lake City where over 10,000 people gathered for a much larger get together. But in perspective, NERGC is a BIG DEAL to us here in New England! Stay tuned and bookmark this link. Near or far away, this is

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English: James MacNeil Whistler, a famous painter, grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. He was, however, born during his family's brief tenure in Lowell, Massachusetts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption]

a northeast conference well worth your time and the expense.

NERGC has already made plans to return to Springfield, Massachusetts for the 2017 conference.