If you're looking for new directions in your genealogical research, consider heading “down to Maine” to attend the 8th New England Regional Genealogical Conference which will be held from March 31-April 3, 2005 at the Holiday Inn By The Bay in Portland Maine.

The theme of the Conference is “New England Crossroads 2005”. Four of the country’s best known genealogists will be the lead speakers for this program:

• Tony Burroughs will speak on “The Six Phases of African American Genealogy” and “The Digital Office”
  
• Cyndi Howells will discuss “Evaluating Web Sites” and “Planting Family: Your Family Tree Online”
  
• Elizabeth Shown Mills’ topics are “The Identity Crisis: “Right Name, Wrong Man? Wrong Name, Right Man?” and “Finding Females: Wives, Mothers, Daughters, Sisters & Paramours”
  
• Craig Scott will discuss “Settled Accounts: The New England Experience in Federal Records” and “Putting Ink on Paper: Getting Your Genealogical Material Published”

In addition Burroughs and Mills will be the speakers at the two Conference banquets: Burroughs on “Becoming A Better Genealogist” and Mills on “Discovering “Forgotten People: The story behind Isle of Canes”

More than 40 additional speakers at this three day Conference will discuss a wide range of topics in tracks devoted to New England Research, Ethnic Genealogy, Federal Records, Libraries and Records, Writing and Publishing, Skills and Methodology, DNA Research and Computers the Internet and other technical topics.

Other features of the Conference:

• Special interest groups will hold mini-gatherings for anyone interested in similar topics.
  
• There will be a special session for First time Conference attendees.
  
• At the “Ancestors’ Road Show” participants will have the opportunity for complimentary one-on-one consultations with experienced professional genealogists.
  
• They will also have the opportunity for small group “power lunches” with the lead speakers and other nationally known genealogists.
  
• Genealogical Societies from all over New England will be in attendance, offering information about their resources and specialties.
  
• Exhibitors from all over the U.S. and Canada will offer genealogical products and services.

The New England Regional Genealogical Conference was formed twenty years ago to bring cutting edge genealogical education within the reach of New England genealogists. Since its founding, NERGC has produced seven conferences in every state in New England. The most recent conference, held in Falmouth MA in November 2003, was attended by over 500 genealogists from more than twenty states.

The 2005 Conference will be held at the award winning Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland Maine which offers views of Casco Bay and convenient access to the Old Port’s shops, galleries and restaurants where great lobster dinners are never out of season.

For more information on the Conference and program schedule visit the NERGC site at www.NERGC.org or call 609-924-9742. Information on visiting the Portland, Maine area can be found at About Portland Maine.