Ethnic conferences and workshops
Conferences and workshops offer the family history research a venue in which to learn, network, shop, meet new people, get ideas, and be exposed to opportunities that will expand your research techniques and ideas.

Offered frequently as special event by genealogical societies, these gatherings might be one-day or multiple-day events. They could be held in conference centers or in church basements or in school auditoriums. Sponsors range from small local societies on up the ladder to national ethnic organizations boasting a thousand or more members.

Events offered by local, county, and state societies may host a regionally or nationally known speaker. These informative session focus on a specific ethnic group common to the regional areas. The settings for the workshop may be at a site near your hometown and trips to ethnic burial grounds, museum, or event restaurants may be part of the package.

National organization may feature several specialists, perhaps even one or more from the country of origin. Programs on a large-scale happen when sponsors team up.

FEEFHS joins with PGS to present programs
In October of 2004, the Federation of Eastern European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) <http://www.feefhs.org>, will join forces with the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan, to present speakers on Polish, Belarus, Ukrania, Moldavian, Russian, Baltic, and Balkan research. This multi-day event will be in Detroit.

Jewish genealogists gather in Israel
For the 24th year, Jewish genealogists from all over the world will attend the International Conference of Jewish Genealogy, this year, being held at the Jerusalem Renaissance Hotel in Israel.
Last year's conference, in Washington, D. C. attracted more than 1,200 people. Additional information about this year's conference can be found at<http://www.ortra.com/jgen2004/>.

FGS Conference set for Austin, Texas
And, of course, don't forget about the FGS conference, 8-11 September 2004, in Austin, Texas. There will be a number of sessions on Hispanic, African-American, and German research along with representation of other ethnic groups. See < http://www.fgs.org > for full details and a registration form.
Do you have Chinese, Italian, Spanish-Mexican genealogy

To pursue an interest in Chinese, Italian, or Spanish-Mexican ancestry, consider the National Genealogical Society Conference in Sacramento, California, in may 2004 ( http://ngsgenealogy.org ). These groups and others will be represented in presentations.

Become familiar with the courses at the national and on-line institutes. In the latest issue of FORUM, "Learning Opportunities" brought news of ethnic tracks at these week-long classroom-style events. The 2004 structured courses on ethnic groups are the Salt Lake institute of Genealogy (European and Irish), the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (African-American and English); the Genealogical Institute of Mid-America (English and Welsh); and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies (Canada, England, Ireland, Germany, and Scotland). See the article (15:4, Winter 2003) for program details and contact information.

To learn more about ethnic conferences, courses, or workshop, visit the Events Calendar at <http://www.fgs.org> or see Calender of Events in each issue of FORUM. You also can find links to many genealogical learning opportunities at the "Events & Activities " section of Cyndi's List at <http://www.cyndidlist.com>. Or, sing on to receive the ROOTSWEB Gen-Event mailing list at <http://www.rootsweb.com>.
Using a search engine like Google with terms such as "specific ethnic group + workshop or conference + 2004" should bring up some matches. And, you can always write or call the ethnic group of you interest. Contact information is Juliana Szucs Smith's book, The Ancestry Family Historian' Address Book: a Comprehensive List of Local, State, and Federal Agencies and Institution, and Ethnic and Genealogical Organizations (Provo, Utah: My Family .com, Inc., c2003).

Ethnic research poses its own set of challenges and opportunities. Conferences and workshop highlight these unique features and offer insight that might help in you own research. Sign up for one soon!
With many thanks to the Federation of Genealogical Societies publication.

Want to learn something? Here's lots of opportunity...
June 12, Kansas, Manhattan: The Kansas Council of Genealogical Societies along with the Riley County Genealogical Society announces its 30th annual conference featuring Pamela Boyer Poter. More Information can be found at <http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/kcgs, http://wwwrileycgs.com> or by e mailing <rcgs03@cox.net>

June 18-19, Washington, Kirkland: The Washington State Genealogical Society announces its 2004 conference, " RootsSearch II- Preserving Your Family's Milestones," featuring Sharon DeBartolo Carmack. This conference will be hosted by Eastside Genealogical Society and the South King County Genealogical Society. More Information is available at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~wasgs>.

July 4-9, Jerusalem, Israel: The 24th International Conference on Jewish Genealogy has been announced. It will be sponsored by the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies and hosted by the Israel Genealogical Society. For more information e mail <igs@isragen.org.il> or see the web site <http://www.ortra.com/jgen2004/>.

July 9-10, South Carolina, Columbia: the South Carolina Genealogical Society, Inc. announces its 33rd Annual Summer Workshop featuring Tony Burrough, Harey S. Teal, Pat Crowe, Sherry Cawey, Lloyd Johnson, Horace Harmon, John H. Smith, Brenda J. Smothers, Kenneth H. Thomas, Sr., Chloe Tonney and Shaunette Crawgord. More details about this event can be found at the society's Web sit <http://www.scgen.org>or by telephoning 843-383-5212.

July 10, Wisconsin, Whitewater: Roger Minert will be the keynote speaker for the German Interest Group of Wisconsin's conference " Insights in Your German Past." More information can be found at <http://www.rootsweb.com/~wigig/index.html>or contact the society at <gig_wi@hotmail.com>.

July 11-17, D. C., Washington: The National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) announces its 2004 program at the National Archives. This is an intensive week-long study opportunity for experienced genealogist and for archivist, historians and librarians. It is not an introductory course in genealogy. Enrollment is limited. For more information see the Web site <http://www.rootsweb.com/~natgenin>, e-mail <natInsGen@juno.com>or write to NIGR, P. O. Box 724, Lanham, MD 20703-0724.

July 11-16, Illinois, Springfield: The Genealogical Institute of Mid-America will hold its tenth annual study program. Four tracks of courses will be offered, with additional options sessions. In addition, a genealogy computer workshop will be offered on July 16. Details are available for the Illinois State Genealogical Society at <isgsima@aol.com> (put GIMA in the subject line), telephone the Illinois State Genealogical Society at 217-789-1968 or see the web site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilsgs.

July 17, Oklahoma, Moore: The Cleveland County Genealogical Society announces its 19th Annual Summer Seminar, featuring Pamela Boyer Poster. For more information, send an SASE (#10) to Cleveland County Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 6176, Norman OK 73070, or see the society's Web site <http://www.rootsweb.com/~okccopgs>.

Connell Cemetery of Grady County needs your help!
The Connell cemetery of Grady County now has it own private entrance located off Cedar Springs Road, between Cairo and Whigham. The two acres set aside in the 1909 deed intake and the deed is recorded in the county courthouse.

The descendants of Elder James Connell III (interned 1853) and all others who are interested can visit any time. Five of Elder Connells' and one son-in-law served in the Civil War; four sons perished.

Three or four Blacks are interned here.

Any one who has information concerning any of the graves that are desecrated please pass on or free to fix up and identify. A great amount of work is needed.

The cemetery is located east of the crossing of Open Pond Rd. and Cedar Spring Rd. which is off old US84 located between Cairo and Whigham on US84. For more information write to L. B. Connell. PO Box 158, Edison GA, 39846.

Looking for a camouflage kilt
In Fallujah, Iraq 1st Sgt. Dwayne Farr, 36, blows into his set of bagpipes. He is looking for a camouflage kilt.

If you have one and are interested he is in the US Marine 1st Sgt. Dwayne Farr From Detroit Michigan, is a member of the 1st Battalion 5th Marine Regiment, or contact Beth Gay at the Odom Library (PO Box 2828, Moultrie, GA 31776-2828 or 229-985-6540).