Off to the Convention Center for the opening session (8a.m.) of the NGS Family History Conference. This was presented by Connie Lester and was titled Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. It was a discussion on the farmers who have contributed so much to the history of our country. While Floridacentric, there were still some interesting concepts.
After this session, the exhibits opened and there was time for a quick stroll around to get the lay of the land. There didn't seem to be as many exhibitors or vendors this year as in the past or at the FGS conference last year. The exhibit hall was also 2 floors and a hefty walk from the lecture rooms. One good aspect was that it did add steps to the FitBit.
There were so many tracks and interesting presentations that it was hard to choose which ones to attend. Each one was an hour with a half hour between sessions. Because the vendor floor was so far removed, it was difficult to spend time there between the sessions. The first session I attended was Bounty Land: State and Federal. This was a great overview of the resources one could use to trace land records beginning from Revolutionary Times.
I hadn't bought a luncheon ticket so I spent some time in the vendor hall after grabbing a bit of lunch at the overpriced "cafe" in the Convention Center. It was a very stormy day, so I didn't want to venture out in it.
I changed plans after lunch and gave up a Translation presentation in favor of A New Document: Now what? This was presented by Mark Lowe and was a great intro-intermediate discussion of research plans. It is similar to one that will be given at the NHG Fall Conference.
Next up at 4 p.m. was JStor: Context and More by Joshua Taylor. Great talk on the ins and outs of JStor from a librarian at heart. I don't use this enough, but it is on my radar for becoming more adept at mechanics.
Returned to the hotel at 5 and put the feet up for a while. Earle had returned from his sightseeing/pool/reading day. We then headed out for dinner at The Boatyard, keeping an eye on the sky for more rain.
What an excellent find this was. Earle had a grouper fillet and I enjoyed seafood paella.
On our way back we did get caught in a downpour and despite the umbrella, got soaked. So much for sunny FL.
Double sports night tonight. Couldn't believe that the Pens/Capitals game was not available at the hotel. We had already changed out of wet clothes so didn't want to go out again. Thank goodness for iPads and apps. Great overtime win by the Pens.
Not so good for the Bucs as they lost again to the Cubs 6-2.
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