Our speaker this year is the well known David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS – Chief Genealogist with FamilySearch and former Director of the amazing Family History Library in Salt Lake City.
David E. Rencher is employed as the Chief Genealogical Officer for FamilySearch. A professional genealogist since 1977, he is one of the rare few who have earned both credentials: Accredited Genealogist® with ICAPGen in Ireland research (1981) and Certified Genealogist® with the Board for Certification of Genealogists (2006). He is the Irish course coordinator and instructor for the Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research in Athens, Georgia, and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburghin Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with a BA in Family and Local History. He is a past-president of the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) 1997-2000, he is a past-president of the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA) 1993-1995 and a Fellow of that organization. He is a fellow of the Irish Genealogical Research Society, London. He is the past Chair of the joint National Genealogical Society and International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies committee for Record Preservation and Access; he serves as Director on the board of the National Genealogical Society and as a Counselor for the New England Historic Genealogical Society.
The sessions to be presented throughout the day are:
Out of the Ashes – Irish Genealogical Collections
This session focuses on describing the material in various Irish genealogical “collections” which have been digitized by the Genealogical Society of Utah. These collections represent a wealth of genealogical material, much of which was gathered prior to the destruction of the Public Record Office in 1922.
Colonial Research Strategies: Overseas Records
This session focuses on the colonial period pre-1776 and looks at a variety of record sources and websites that assist with early emigration research to America.
Methodology for Source and Archives Research
Just as using the wrong tool on the right problem produces poor results; using the right tools the wrong way also produces poor results. This session identifies the sources and the associated archives to optimize your time and resources spent in your research.
Proven Research Strategies that Transcend GeoPolitical Boundaries
This session helps change the researchers thinking about processes, analysis, comparisons, correlating the evidence, compiling the family, and conducting the research using U.S, and Irish record samples.
The seminar is being held at Park Congregational Church – the church over the road from the Grand Rapids Public Library. Parking is free in the church’s parking lot. Entrance to the parking lot is on Ransom Ave NE, just north of Fulton Street.
The Seminar is priced at $45 including a lunch from Grand Traverse Pie Company.
$35 if you bring your own lunch.