He is co-founder of AncestralHunt.com®. When formally launched, AncestralHunt.com will provide genealogists with the automation, decision support, visualization, and collaboration to help them apply his location-based principles to their specific research problems.

He is also co-founder of Volly by Pitney Bowes®, a secure public/private cloud-based offering redefining the relationship between business and consumers. Volly was recently featured on Jim Cramer’s “Mad Money” on CNBC.

Bernie has a BS in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Connecticut, an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MS in E-Commerce from the University of Maryland. Bernie has two U.S. patents and one pending in the genealogical space.

And we’re excited about what that promises for those in the region who are interested in family history. Although utilizing a format different from previous years, this conference will offer an abundance of information for both the experienced researcher and those new to genealogy searching.

Considering the popularity of television programs focused on the ancestry of celebrities, we assume many are becoming more curious about their own progenitors. And we’d like to help them get off to a good start.

At the same time, it is always a good idea for those who have been involved in family history research for some distance to stop and review the “basics.” Sometimes we get so deep into our own research that we forget to follow those fundamental principles. Plus, it’s a pretty sure bet we’ll all hear something new.

As always, admission to the conference is free. We would appreciate your preregistering so that we can arrange the accommodations. Preregistration will begin Tuesday, March 1, and continue through Wednesday, April 13. However, walk-in registration will also be available the morning of the conference. Those without Internet access can call 434-985-2321 for more information and assistance.

Outline of Conference Day

On the morning of the conference, the doors will open at 8:00. Starting at 8:30, we’ll get everyone “in the mood” by showing portions of a special program produced for the National Genealogical Society meeting in Salt Lake City last year. This will help us get prepared for a wonderful day of instruction, which will begin officially at 9:00.

Our special guest speaker is Bernie Gracy (see full bio on the website). As Vice President of Strategy and New Business Development for Pitney Bowes, the mere recitation of his travel schedule during a recent product launch is enough to make one tired. So we are very fortunate that he has taken the time to come speak to us.

Mr. Gracy describes himself as a field genealogist who has been conducting research into his own family tree since 1998. (His complete bio is available on the home page of the website.) In the context of that research, he has developed a set of location- and spatially-based techniques to help break down brick walls in genealogical research. A popular lecturer, Mr. Gracy has presented these innovative concepts across the country, including keynoting three major family history conferences. His presentation may forever change how you approach the search for your ancestors.

Shelley Murphy, a native of Michigan, has been an avid genealogist for more than 25 years and is a long-time member of the CVGA and other local genealogy research groups. She is currently the President of the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society Chapter of Central Virginia. Holding a Master’s in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, she works as a Director of Program Services with Piedmont Housing Alliance.

Shelley will be teaching us about how to conduct the initial survey and ongoing information-gathering process. This is such an important part of individual family history research because it provides at least a tentative foundation for all further exploration. She will remind us to be aware of all the possible sources of information, including what you can learn under a tree! Her class will begin at 10:30.

Katie Derby received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family History/Genealogy from Brigham Young University, interning at the Library of Congress in the Local History/Genealogy Reading Room. She has been a speaker at regional and national genealogy conferences and societies. Before a rapid arrival of descendants required her temporary leave of absence, Katie served as a volunteer librarian and teacher for the Charlottesville Family History Center.

Katie’s subject this year will be the census, a resource genealogists return to again and again. She will teach us some basics about the census (some of which may give us a new perspective) and how to extract the maximum amount of information from those statistical pages. Her class will begin at 11:30.

Lunch is from 12:15 to 1:30. You are encouraged to bring a sack lunch (beverages will be provided) so that you can visit with fellow attendees. However, there are also several nearby restaurants within easy driving distance.

Because she was born and raised in Colorado, Lorraine Quillon can’t claim to be a native Virginian. However, after over four decades of researching, a good percentage of her ancestors are turning out to be of Virginia origin or residency. She figures that ought to count for something! Lorraine is a family history consultant and volunteer librarian at the Charlottesville LDS Family History Center.

Lorraine will be demonstrating the basic records of family history research. Her goal will be to give participants a visual idea of what these records can look like and what a researcher should be watching for. Her class will begin at 1:30.

The panel presentation, from 2:30 to 3:15, will consist of an introduction to three different genealogy computer programs and how to use them. The goal here is to help you keep your findings organized so they don’t disappear into a stack of paper for the next decade. Since most genealogists are challenged in this area (well, don’t you have at least one bunch of papers somewhere that you are needing to sort through?), we will all be eagerly awaiting this presentation.

A brief closing session following the last presentation will include the first performance of an original musical piece, written especially for the occasion.

Please Come!

We hope you will join us for this exciting day full of family history information. If you can’t stay for the whole event, please plan on attending the portion which interests you the most.

Invite everyone! Bring a friend with you!! Bring several friends!!!

See you on April 16!

* * *

The conference is co-sponsored by the Charlottesville Family History Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Central Virginia Genealogical Association.

We are happy to announce that the Fifth Annual Charlottesville Family History Conference will be held Saturday, April 16, 2011. The main program will be from 9am to 3pm, followed immediately by a brief closing ceremony.

The featured guest speaker is Bernie Gracy, Vice President of Strategy and New Business Development for Pitney Bowes. He earns his living in the business world but loves living in the world of family history. Mr. Gracy’s innovative presentation on “Location-Based Genealogy” has been the highlight of several national genealogical events.

• Researchers at all levels, from beginners to those more experienced, will receive helpful information at this year’s conference.

• If you can’t spend the whole day with us, come for part of it. The morning will be especially worth attending if you have to choose.

• Start telling your friends and invite them to come with you.

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

Special Thanks to all the Presenters and the numerous volunteers who made this event possible.

Learn more about the conference on our 2011 Conference page.

Dr. Scot French of UVa’s Virginia Center for Digital History gave an informative presentation about the great potential of using technology to bring new life and methods to family, neighborhood, and community research.  He demonstrated some of these capabilities from the VCDH website and presented a class as well. 

Five classrooms were used to teach 25 classes and workshops beginning each hour ending at 4:00pm.  The topics, descriptions, and presenters’ biographies can been seen on the conference program.  A complete conference resource will be available online by April 3rd.  CD-ROMs of these materials will be available at the Charlottesville Family History Center on Tuesday, April 7th.

Conference attendees provided insightful comments and suggestions on how to improve future conferences.  The overwelming response was an “excellent” rating to all facets of the event.  When one class of approximately 70 attendees was asked to comment on the timing of the conference and competition from other area activities, an attendee suggested it be held twice a year which drew applause from the group. 

There are still lessons to be learned to make presentations to such large groups using internet, video projection, and audio interaction.   Next year’s conference will make better use of these facilities and this website to disseminate more information faster.  On-line registration was used by two-thirds of the attendees.  While there were a few problems, three hundred+ attendees where processed in less than 40 minutes. 

Conference organizers express great appreciation to Dr. French, all presenters, and others who made this event a success.  The date for next year’s conference will be announced in the near future.

Twenty-five classes will be taught during the day on a wide range of topics and there should be something of interest for everyone during the 5 one-hour class periods which start at 10am.  Registration begins at 8;30am and the keynote address featuring Dr. Scot French of UVa will start at 9am.  Classes will last 50 minutes allowing 10 minutes to move between classes at the Charlottesville Airport Road LDS Chapel.

While still subject to minor changes, this schedule represents the input of many people working to provide a well rounded curriculum.  Class descriptions and presenter’s biographies will be posted later this week.  The conference program will be printed and presented to attendees on conference day.