The Genealogy & Family History Social Network
Reflections on the Summit
I posted to the Forum on AfriGeneas, and thought that I would also post over here on Genealogy Wise, my reflections after the incredible conference last week.
I am referring to the First International Black Genealogy Summit in Ft. Wayne Indiana, October 29-31, 2009. What an amazing and incredible experience!
I traveled with a group departing from Baltimore Maryland, on Wednesday October 28. Arriving on time for the Pre-Conference day was a special treat, having the chance to spend in the incredible research facility at Allen County Library.
This was indeed the best genealogical conference that I have attended in many years. The workshops that I attended were professionally presented and the camaraderie among the attendees was outstanding! The pre-conference opening was amazing, since, it was an extra added on day—and the theater was already filled. There were workshops throughout that day, plus for those of us who wanted to—there was the chance to experience this outstanding research facility first hand.
What a research experience. I now understand why many say that it is second only to Salt Lake City for its offerings and holdings. In honor of the conference---the library was open till midnight---just for conference participants!
The opening on Friday morning was filled to capacity and clearly was indicative that this event was filling a much needed void.
I presented a workshop in Room B, right after the opening session, and the room was quickly filled to capacity. AfriGeneas colleague and friend Art Thomas introduced me, and the session was underway. I was amazed at how quickly the time went by. I have to admit to a bit of nervousness when my idol who also happened to be the banquet keynote speaker, Dorothy Spruill Redford attended my session. Now I re-read her book once a year, and am in awe of her work, and feel that I am the one who learns from her, and suddenly there she was to listen to my presentation. But I did not let my nerves take hold, and all went well. I did have the wonderful experience to speak with her afterward which was a great treat and honor.
The banquet was a colorful event with everyone elegantly dressed in African attire, and then there was the pleasure of hearing Dorothy Spruill Redford speak about her life’s work at Somerset. What an inspiration!
Saturday was a full day of workshops. I did not attend the luncheon that day, so I was able to get in 2 more hours of research in the library.
The biggest treat on Saturday, was to hear a young man who represents the next generation of genealogists----Jari Honora from New Orleans. This young man---right out of high school, and a freshman at Tulane University, gave an outstanding workshop on his research journey. Jari is a part of the AfriGeneas family, and he ended up spending the entire evening with several AfriGeneas folks. We were a family and we stuck together as family----what an experience.
The exhibitors were fun to visit---some represented their organizations, and others represented enterprises such as Ancestry, RootsMagic, FamilyTreeDNA and others.
And then there were the people---old friends, and new friends. AfriGeneas friends and brand new friends. Goodness!!!
My hope is that the energy exhibited at this conference will continue and that hopefully it will be repeated at either Salt Lake City or back again at Ft. Wayne!
A truly incredible experience! Thank you to the organizers of this event for an unforgettable experience.
I am referring to the First International Black Genealogy Summit in Ft. Wayne Indiana, October 29-31, 2009. What an amazing and incredible experience!
I traveled with a group departing from Baltimore Maryland, on Wednesday October 28. Arriving on time for the Pre-Conference day was a special treat, having the chance to spend in the incredible research facility at Allen County Library.
This was indeed the best genealogical conference that I have attended in many years. The workshops that I attended were professionally presented and the camaraderie among the attendees was outstanding! The pre-conference opening was amazing, since, it was an extra added on day—and the theater was already filled. There were workshops throughout that day, plus for those of us who wanted to—there was the chance to experience this outstanding research facility first hand.
What a research experience. I now understand why many say that it is second only to Salt Lake City for its offerings and holdings. In honor of the conference---the library was open till midnight---just for conference participants!
The opening on Friday morning was filled to capacity and clearly was indicative that this event was filling a much needed void.
I presented a workshop in Room B, right after the opening session, and the room was quickly filled to capacity. AfriGeneas colleague and friend Art Thomas introduced me, and the session was underway. I was amazed at how quickly the time went by. I have to admit to a bit of nervousness when my idol who also happened to be the banquet keynote speaker, Dorothy Spruill Redford attended my session. Now I re-read her book once a year, and am in awe of her work, and feel that I am the one who learns from her, and suddenly there she was to listen to my presentation. But I did not let my nerves take hold, and all went well. I did have the wonderful experience to speak with her afterward which was a great treat and honor.
The banquet was a colorful event with everyone elegantly dressed in African attire, and then there was the pleasure of hearing Dorothy Spruill Redford speak about her life’s work at Somerset. What an inspiration!
Saturday was a full day of workshops. I did not attend the luncheon that day, so I was able to get in 2 more hours of research in the library.
The biggest treat on Saturday, was to hear a young man who represents the next generation of genealogists----Jari Honora from New Orleans. This young man---right out of high school, and a freshman at Tulane University, gave an outstanding workshop on his research journey. Jari is a part of the AfriGeneas family, and he ended up spending the entire evening with several AfriGeneas folks. We were a family and we stuck together as family----what an experience.
The exhibitors were fun to visit---some represented their organizations, and others represented enterprises such as Ancestry, RootsMagic, FamilyTreeDNA and others.
And then there were the people---old friends, and new friends. AfriGeneas friends and brand new friends. Goodness!!!
My hope is that the energy exhibited at this conference will continue and that hopefully it will be repeated at either Salt Lake City or back again at Ft. Wayne!
A truly incredible experience! Thank you to the organizers of this event for an unforgettable experience.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by George Geder on
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WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
I'm more-so saddened that I couldn't be there.
I feel the vibe from your accounting of the event! I love it!
I WILL BE AT THE NEXT ONE!!! HEAR ME NOW!
Peace,
"Guided by the Ancestors" -
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Permalink Reply by Art Thomas on
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Hello,
Following Angela's reflections is going to be difficult, she did such a great job, but here gores.
My tact for the Summit was to simply network and socialize and not do one bit of research. I get to Ft. Wayne a couple of times each year as I'm only a 2 hour drive away. So I could do research at another time.
Socialize and network I did, big time !!!!! I met many of my friends who post on AfriGeneas and also those who are active in the AfriGeneas Lunch Bunch & Sunday Moring Brunch chat rooms. Met some GenWise folks for the first time also. We saw old friends from previous conferences we've attended and met many, many new friends from across the country.....west coast to east coast and all of the parts in between.
Our genealogy group... African American Genealogy Group of the Miami Valley (AAGGMV) had an exhibition booth and thru that presence alone contact was made with other vendors/exhibits and visitors to our display. We were only able to make three (3) presentations and each was terrific. The talent, knowledge , information and professional presentations given by Angela Walton-Raji, Druscilla Pair and Shelley Murphy were top shelf, A1 and among the best I've EVER attended. Respectively, Avoiding Pitfalls in Native American Research...The Power of Blogging....Computer Organization and Time Management.
The Thursday Night Reception ... just the energy of folks meeting old friends and making new one's was electric. Everyone was on the same level...long time researchers, new genealogist, presenters, published authors, etc. Folks were there just to enjoy and share in the experience of each each other. A thing of beauty. It was amazing to see individuals meeting in person for the first time someone they have been corresponding with for years. I actually saw tears of joy from such meetings.
The Friday Night Banquet.... We are some "stylish" people.... but the splendor of those in their African attire and then those in traditional dress mixed seamlessly. The African attire, the men didn't look to bad, but the ladies were simply breathtaking in their outfits.And they seemed to wear those outifits with a sense of pride that just exuded the strength of African Ancestored womanhood. WOW !!!!!
Let me stop here for now.... collect my thoughts and try to write more later.
A glimpse of the summit may be seen on www.photobucket.com from the AfriGeneas photo album.
~Art Thomas -
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Campbell on
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I also attended the summit and found it just as wonderful as you described it. The sessions were informative but meeting fellow genealogy researchers was just as helpful. I live in Indiana and I'm only a couple hours away from Fort Wayne so I hope they come back this way again.
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