If you have not yet registered for the 2004 NGS Conference in the States, to be held 19-22 May, in Sacramento, California, this is your opportunity to take advantage of an extended early-bird registration deadline. NGS will accept the early-bird rate until 19 April 2004 a savings to you of $35.00.

Because the conference brochures were mailed in February rather than during December as is the custom, and because the brochures seem to have traveled at a snail's pace to west coast members, the decision was made to offer everyone more time to register.

This year's program highlights are not to be missed!

• PBS History Detectives host, Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, will open the conference on Wednesday morning to share with you many of the stories, techniques and anecdotes that have made his TV show so popular.
  
  
• Well-known author, lecturer and genealogist John Philip Colletta will be featured at the Thursday evening banquet. In his inimitable, entertaining style, he will amuse us with tales of our ancestor's linguistics. "Hacks Hookers and Putting up Pickles: Snares of Yesteryear's English" will be a fun evening for all.
  
  
• Our hosts, the Genealogical & Historical Council of Sacramento Valley, have planned a relaxing evening of dining on the riverfront at historic Old Sacramento's Railroad Roundhouse. Tour the unparalleled collection of restored locomotives and railroad cars dating from 1862, then mingle with old and new friends at the "Gold Rush Days" buffet. Other exciting tour options include four pre-conference tours plus a Saturday evening Sacramento Old Cemetery Tour.
  
  
• A special presentation by Cyndi Howells, creator of Cyndi's List and author of "Planting Your Family Tree Online" has been added to the program. "Googling for Grandma: Tips and Tricks for Making Google Work or You" is sure to make your Internet research time more productive and rewarding.
  
  
• New this year are two special plenary sessions. To learn more about latest tool for genealogical research be sure to attend "Tracking Your Genes in Genealogy: DNA Testing." If California history is your interest, social historian J.S. Holliday will surely capture your imagination with his lecture: "Far From Home and Genealogy: The Origins of California's Risk-Taking Culture."
  
  
• Daily workshops with expert instructors on computer software, digital imaging, land-platting and German gothic and early American handwriting.

You can register online at: http://www.ngsgenealogy.org