OGS Conference '09 Ends!

Well, the fun is over - Conference '09 ended at 3:00 this afternoon, with the news that next years' conference will be held May 14-16 at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the Toronto Airport.

So it's farewell to Oakville and the many friends I leave behind for yet another year.

I'll be on the road all day tomorrow, going back to Ottawa, and I will blog more about the conference and its sessions the rest of the week.

Day 3 - Conference '09

This is the last day, and although a bit tired because of yesterday's hectic schedule and last night's banquet, we are here early this morning at the computer room, still searching for ancestors.



I am going back to the Marketplace to get information on next year's conference in Toronto, to be held May 14 to 16. This afternoon, at 2:15, the closing remarks and final goodbyes will be held.

I am going to spend some time at the OGS Publications Table (as editor of NewsLeaf and its sister email publication, e-NewsLeaf).

And as a representative of the International Society of Family History Writers and Editors (ISFHWE) — in my capacity as International Director — I am letting others know what a great organization it is for writers http://isfhwe.org/

I will posting more on this conference in the next few days.

**NEWSFLASH** - OGS Accepts Fee Increase

Just a few minutes ago, the attending members of the Ontario Genealogical Society, at their AGM, voted overwhelmingly to increase membership dues from $45 to $60 a year, beginning next year.

More to follow on this ...

''Accident" Today at OGS Conference '09

... what you get when you mix a conference, a festive atmosphere, rabid genealogists, a graduation ceremony, a librarian, coffee, and a chair ...


Conference attendee, Marian Press, reacts to casualty.

Friday Afternoon at OGS Conference '09

Up-and-coming blogging superstar, John D. Reid (on the right), of the Anglo-Celtic Connections blog <http://anglo-celtic-connections.blogspot.com>—fresh from his trip from Ottawa—is enjoying a fine cold-plate supper with fellow genealogist and guest speaker, Gary Schroder of the Quebec Family History Society <http://www.qfhs.ca>.

This is the culmination of a very exciting afternoon, filled with a visit to the Marketplace (again) to see more newly-arrived exhibitors, the chance to meet more acquaintances, a workshop hosted by the Irish Palatine special Interest Group (IP-SIG), and the graduation ceremony of the National Institute for Genealogical Studies <www.genealogicalstudies.com> (more to follow on these activities).

We're now off in a mad rush to the opening ceremonies!

Conference '09 - Marketplace - Day 1

So, here is an update on the Marketplace, and some pictures.



Dr. Fraser Dunford, Executive Director of the OGS, putting in some work at the conference, setting up the OGS kiosk -

- and John Becker, editor of OGS journal, Families, is putting final touches on his display at our OGS Publications Table.