The OGS 2010 Annual conference is April 22-24 at the Sea Gate Convention Centre in Toledo, OH. For anyone who is at all interested in genealogy and has not been to one of these conferences – you are missing out. I went for the first time last year, and I’m hooked.

This year’s line-up of topics and speakers made it even tougher to choose which to attend. After much deliberation, and with still a few slots open to possible change, here are the sessions I will be attending this year. You can check out the full list of workshops, speaker bios, and other info here : OGS Conference Booklet

Thursday April 22:

• 4-6pm — Advanced Genealogy Discussion Group Workshop. Moderated by Robert L. Keener and Donna Redhead Gruber.
  • I attended this last year, and had a great time reading and discussing the article with the group. It’s always interesting, and a rare opportunity, to hear how other people interpret the same material and evidence differently.

Friday April 23:

• 8-9:30am — This I believe, the Urgent Need to Record Living History. Keynote Speaker, Curt Witcher
  • An easy choice – since it’s the only thing going on in this time slot (No offense, Mr. Witcher!)
• 10-11am — Hiding Behind Their Skirts: Finding Women In Records. Elissa Scalise Powell
  • I’ve followed Elissa’s threads on the Transitional Genealogists Forum with special interest, since she is a nearby expert researching in areas and records similar to my research. Not to mention a BCG trustee and Stamford coordinator!
• 1-2pm — Germany to Pennsylvania: 18th Century Odyssey. James M. Beidler
  • Got Germans? Yes! Or should I say, “Ja!”?
• 2:30-3:30 — Ohio State Documents and Publications for Family History Research. Connie Reik
  • I’m always looking for new insights and places to search, and I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever used a state-issued document other than a birth/death certificate.
• 4-5pm — Finding Buried Treasure in the Published Pennsylvania Archives. Elissa Scalise Powell
  • It is easy to get buried in the 138-volume PA Archives series. These are all online now, and I know I have a number of pages printed out that I just don’t understand what I am looking at.
• 7:00pm — Ask the Experts
  • I missed this moderated panel discussion last year because I was commuting back and forth to the event, and that was just too late to stay. Look forward to it this year.

Saturday April 24

• 9-10am — When a Brick Wall Crumbles Onto the Wrong Path – A Case Study. Nancy Walters Lauer
  • When the damn thing finally falls, I’d hate to have to clean up or step over the mess, but this sounds interesting.
• 10:30-11:30am –  Work Skills of Old: Justice of the Peace Records. Michael L. Strauss
  • I’m interested in both the record set and the speaker. I had the pleasure of attending two of Mr. Strauss’ Civil War lectures last year, and loved them.
• 2:30- 3:30pm — Diaries and Journals: Finding and Using These Valuable Resources. Laura Prescott.
  • It’s tough to sometimes place the dates and vital events of your ancestor in historical context, and I think taking a look through the writings of the time, people, and place is a great way to help understand your forefathers and their motivations
• 4-5pm — Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Developing an Ancestor Profile. George G. Morgan
  • This goes along with the previous lecture. And oh ya, George Morgan is a nationally-renowned speaker and writer.
• 7-9pm — First Families of Ohio Banquet
  • Ya, I’m in that.

Hope to see you all there!