Beth Foulk presenting at Missouri State Genealogy Assn Conference

I had the pleasure of returning to speak for the third consecutive year at the Missouri State Genealogical Association Annual Conference in Columbia, Mo. last weekend.  For the first time, I had the opportunity to give a workshop, which is a 2-hour presentation where the subject matter can be explored in more depth than a standard 1-hour presentation.  My workshop was on problem solving using timelines and FANs (friends/family, associates and neighbors).  Then on Day 2, I was first up on the docket with my presentation on The Battle for Bounty Land: War of 1812 & Mexican/American War.  It is a fascinating and little-told piece of American History that offers a huge wealth of records to the genealogist.  The Conference was held at the lovely Stoney Creek Inn, which offers ample room and very nice accommodations for the attendees.

The featured speaker was Josh (D. Joshua) Taylor, who was absolutely exceptional.  I’ve seen a fair number of “national speakers,” and I would easily put him at the top of my list.  He had excellent content, visuals and delivery.  And his subject matter was broad and deep.  I could have sat through another several presentations by him.  One of the neatest things at the conference was the “after dinner entertainment” he provided.  After dinner on Friday evening (the first of the two days of the event), he did a 30-minute presentation with Q&A afterwards on life behind the scenes of the genealogy shows of which he has been a part.  You may know him from Who Do You Think You Are? formerly on NBC and now on TLC, and currently on PBS’s Genealogy Roadshow, soon to start filming its next season in St. Louis, Mo!  Nonetheless, if you get a chance to see him at a conference, put him high on your selection list.  The class will be well worth your time.

Well, it was a great experience both speaking and participating in the annual MoSGA (Missouri State Genealogical Assn.) Conference.  I know they’ve already made plans to return to Stoney Creek Inn in Columbia, MO next year, and the featured speaker will be Judy Russell – the Legal Genealogist.  Mark your calendars now for next August!

Happy researching!