Walk-in Registration is still available for the BYU Conference on Family History & Genealogy

The BYU Conference on Family History & Genealogy starts today, but things are a bit different :) For the past two years, the conference has invited youth to spend a day learning about family history. This year BYU is hosting a conference just for youth titled, myFamily: Youth Family History Camp! Upon my arrival yesterday I was greeted by Hannah Z. Allen, a very popular presenter, and a number of youth who were checking in for their own four-day adventure. The youth will join the traditional conference for the keynote address each day but then they will be off to learn more about family history, including an excursion to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Yesterday I spoke with John Best, assistant program administrator, who reported that more than 60 youth from throughout the United States have registered for this year’s youth program.

If you are just young at heart, the traditional conference is the place to be. The first keynote address will be given at 8:30 a.m. by Elder Gerald N. Lund, an emeritus member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His address is titled, ‘They Are Not Dead, Only Living Somewhere Else.”

After the keynote address, courses will be offered specifically for the beginner, general methodology, online research, and writing & publishing family history. United States, Canada, and German research instruction will also be given. FamilySearch will host a track, including a presentation highlighting partner apps. For those interested in accreditation, ICAPgen is presenting lectures throughout the day.

Karen E. Hyer, Ph.D., J.D. setting up the DAR workshop to be held today!

For the first time, as part of the US/Canada Research track, a hands-on workshop will be given to assist individuals interested in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak with Karen E. Hyer, Ph.D., J.D. who will be presenting “Joining the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Other Lineage Societies” at 9:45 a.m. in room 2267 CONF. She will outline all of the steps necessary to prepare a successful application and provide worksheets and guidance.

This morning and throughout this week, John Best and his staff will be ready to greet and assist over 700 conference participants. Although the youth registration is closed, walk-in registration is available for the traditional conference.

The BYU Family History Library is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and until 6 p.m. on Friday. On Wednesday night from 6 to 8 p.m. the library will host an open house. For those staying through the weekend, the library is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The library has subscriptions to many noted genealogy websites and houses a large collection of microfilm. Scanning, printing, and other services are available. The BYU Family History Library is located on the second floor, which is downstairs and to the right of the main entrance of the Harold B. Lee Library. For more information contact the BYU Family History Library at (801) 422-6200.

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