California: Jamboree 2010 registration open!

Jamboree 2010 registration is now open! The 41st annual event of the Southern California Genealogical Society will feature 130 sessions by more than 50 experts in many subjects.

It all takes place June 11-13, at the Marriott Los Angeles Burbank Airport Hotel and Convention Center, in Burbank, California.

Tracing the Tribe will be participating again this year at what is the best and largest regional general genealogy conference in the US.

I will present a DNA project from the administrator's viewpoint, using our IberianAshkenaz DNA Project (at FamilyTreeDNA.com) as an example of how to develop and build a DNA project. It will cover the nuts and bolts from initial concept, project goal, criteria, encouraging participation, results and what they mean. I'm co-administrator with the amazing Judy Simon of New York. The session is set for Saturday, from 2-3pm.

Tracing the Tribe will also participate in this year's two-part Blogger Summit, details are still being worked on as the format will differ this year. In general, genealogy blogging experts share blogging experiences and answer audience questions about trends and issues in the genealogy blogosphere. On Saturday, part one is 10-11am, and part two from 11.30am-12.30pm. Last year, some 40 bloggers attended Jamboree and more are expected this year!

For more information, learn about Jamboree 2010's lecture sessions, speakers, exhibitors, networking and social activities.

This year's geographic focus is North America - Canada, Mexico and the US. DNA and Technology will also receive special emphasis this year.

The creative folks at SCGS always come up with new ideas. This is what we'll see this year:

-- Conference materials on Thursday evening for re-registered attendees. Why stand in a long line Friday morning if you don't have to?

-- Expanded seating capacity in an air-conditioned pavilion seating 300 behind the Convention Center, and with wireless Internet access. Jamboree 2010 is taking over the entire hotel and Convention Center. Sessions will be held in both buildings and the pavilion.

-- Mini-courses are new this year, featuring hands-on computer workshops throughout the weekend. Some 20 participants per course will bring their laptops and learn about Excel, Word, blogging software, Skype, Google Earth, and more. Open only to paid registrants, a special online mini-course registration will open May 1.

-- Wait until you see what Free Friday is offering. SCGS believes that expense shouldn't be a barrier to learning. Concurrent sessions (each three hours) will include a Genealogy Librarian's boot camp, the return of last year's popular Kids' Family History Camp, along with beginner and advanced beginner genealogy sessions. Registration is required to attend the Free Forenoon Friday sessions.

-- The free (registration required) three-hour "Small World" round table discussion is on Friday morning. Network, explore research tactics for specific world geographic regions, and exchange tips and techniques on an informal basis. The list of topics will be announced later.

-- Ancestry.com will bring four high-speed scanners and schedule free, 15-minute scanning sessions. The company has done this at other conferences, and this year Jamboree participants will be able to have their documents and photos scanned.

Registration Discounts: SCGS members and early-bird registrants (before May 1). Register online. The three-day event is only $80, and includes free copies of both print and CD versions of the valuable Jamboree syllabus. Hotel: Single or Double is $149 per night (Internet specials may be available at $20 or more off that rate).

See you at Jamboree 2010!