posted April 21, 2002
The East Tennessee Historical Society hopes to provide genealogists of all skill levels with additional tools and skills
needed to enhance their research by hosting a genealogy conference June
14-15 in Knoxville.
A variety of topics and speakers will
be available at the conference to help beginning and advanced genealogists alike, officials said.
Nationally noted genealogist and lecturer, Dr. George K. Schweitzer,
will be the keynote lecturer discussing research of German ancestry.
A special feature of this year's conference will be the "Midnight at the McClung Historical Collection," research event.
"Obsessed researchers dream of being stranded overnight in a great library
such as the McClung Historical Collection," said Cherel Henderson, ETHS associate director and conference organizer. "We're offering registered participants a chance to make that dream come true by allowing a limited number of researchers access to the library from 6 p.m. to midnight on
Friday, June 14."
The midnight research is open only to registered conference participants
and requires an additional registration fee. Space in the midnight research event is limited.
On Saturday, June 15, the conference includes a full day of workshops and
seminars at the Knoxville Hilton in downtown Knoxville, one block from the East Tennessee History Center.
Fifteen speakers will be on hand to address a variety of topics, including genealogy for beginners, Melungeons, Scots-Irish research, courthouse research, internet-based research, land platting, and searching for War of 1812 and Civil War veterans.
Genealogists can enhance their skills in workshops offering library and courthouse research tips, advice on reading early American handwriting, and looking for
family history clues in museums, officials said.
"We're not just looking at the basic research techniques," said Henderson.
"We're also exploring underutilized resources such as early petitions to the government, pioneer records, and the evolution of early roads. Some
workshops offer valuable insight into the history of the State of Franklin, Southwest Virginia, and families living on the Kentucky-Tennessee borders."
The workshops will be held Saturday, June 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
the Knoxville Hilton. Registration for the workshops is $40 for ETHS members and $45 for non-members. Registered workshop participants may also register for the "Midnight at the East Tennessee History Center" for an additional $10 per person. Proceeds from the midnight event registration fees will be used to purchase additional resource materials for the McClung Collection.
Participants may also register for the keynote lecture and dinner,
featuring Dr. George K. Schweitzer's topic, "Was Your Ancestor a Wine
Drinking, Beer Drinking, of Schnapps Drinking German?," for $30 per person.
The dinner and lecture will be held at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 15, at the
Knoxville Hilton.
Additional information about the conference, including a description of workshops offered, hotel room rates for out-of-town attendees, and a registration form, can be downloaded from the ETHS web site at
www.east-tennessee-history.org.
Dr. George K. Schweitzer, keynote speaker of the conference is the author of 19 genealogical research guidebooks and has lectured to more than 200 genealogical and historical societies in the United States, Canada, England, and Germany. He is best known for his use of historical
re-enactment as a method for teaching genealogy.
The McClung Historical Collection, located on the third floor of the East Tennessee History Center, is a department of the Knox County Public Library System. The genealogy library was called "one of the finest genealogy collections in the Southeast" in the book, America's Best Genealogy Research Centers by William Dollarhide.
The East Tennessee Historical Society, headquartered in Knoxville, is one of
the oldest cultural institutions in the state of Tennessee. Founded in 1834, ETHS is a non-profit organization and is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history of East Tennessee. The society's programs and activities are made possible through the support of its
membership.
For additional information about the 2002 genealogy conference and other ETHS activities, call (865) 215-8824 or visit the society's web site at www.east-tennessee-history.org.
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