2010 Salt Lake City Research Trip

5^th annual

27 May-3 June 2010

With Michael John Neill

Genealogical speaker and columnist for Eastman’s Genealogy Newsletter

Spend a week with your ancestors!

Our trip size is limited to ensure each attendee has ample opportunity to ask questions and get help.

Trip includes:

· Pre-trip planning via a private website for those who wish to participate

· Availability to ask questions of Michael and other group members before we leave

· Help preparing for time in library

· Morning presentations

· 1 on 1 consultations with Michael (both 30 minute scheduled sessions and drop in questions) as needed. More than one 30 minute consultation if time allows.

Why Salt Lake?

Salt Lake City, Utah is home to the Family History Library, maintained by the Genealogical Society of Utah and affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. Anyone of any faith can use the library and the collection is not equalled anywhere in the world. The Family History Library has millions of rolls of microfilm, tens of thousands of books, and other materials all geared towards family history and genealogy research. These records cover the entire world, with many records from the Americas and Europe. The Family History Library has a significant amount of local county records and European church records on microfilm. Michael encourages trip members to search the library's online card catalog before our time in Salt Lake. Thousands of genealogists visit the library every year and many are overwhelmed by the five floors of the collection upon their first visit. Our trip is to help you get beyond being overwhelmed and get to your research.

Who can go?

Who can go? Our trip is not limited to members of any society, ethnic group, or research interest. Lodging is close enough to the Family History Library that participants can easily walk to the hotel and back several times a day if necessary. Attendees make their own flight arrangements and we meet at the hotel the first evening. Michael will help you in making arrangements if necessary.

If you have always wanted to go to the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake, but never wanted to go by yourself, our trip is perfect for you.

What about the days?

Our trip does include Memorial Day, but the library will be open their normal Monday hours on that day. Sunday is a part of our time in Salt Lake--providing a day of rest for those who need it, a day to sightsee for those interested in that, or a day to regroup for those who realize they want to change focus after a few days in the library. Michael also consults with those who need it on Sunday afternoon--providing consultation time without taking away from library time.

Getting Help?

Help is available with organizing and problem-solving for those who request it. Michael suggests you begin your planning early to make the best use of your time at the Family History Library.

Where do we stay?

We stay at the Salt Lake Plaza Hotel—conveniently located next door to the library. Extremely convenient, even for those with mobility issues. Hotel room and travel not included in trip price. We do have a group rate at the Salt Lake Plaza please contact Michael at mjnrootdig@gmail.com for information on making your reservations at our group rate of $85 a night plus tax.

Can I stay somewhere else?

Sure! We have had people stay in their RV, with relatives, or at other lodging nearby. The Plaza does offer guests a free shuttle service to and from the airport-a savings in and of itself.

Who is Michael?

Michael has lead research trips to genealogical libraries for ten years, including trips to the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and the Family History Library in Salt Lake. He has researched his own genealogy for over twenty years and has worked on ancestors of his children in ten states and six foreign countries. For ten years he was a regular columnist for Ancestry.com, writing over 400 regular columns. He now writes a regular column for Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter. In addition to research assistance, Michael will help you with digital scanners and equipment as time allows. Attendees are also allowed to give input into lecture suggestions. Lectures are different every year.

When to we start planning?

When you sign up. We do NOT begin planning for our research time in Salt Lake when we arrive in Salt Lake. The pre-trip planning process is an important part of our trip experience and Michael encourages all attendees to begin preparing as soon as they sign up for the Salt Lake City Research Trip. Attendees are encouraged to interact with Michael and each other well before our arrival in Salt Lake.

What skill levels of researchers attend?

We have a variety of researchers who go on our trip, coming from across the United States and Canada. The level of research experience varies. Some need direction on what resources to use and what approach to take (we call it "homework"), others have never been to the library before and need help setting some focus, and some just do not want to spend a week in the library by themselves. A few do not utilize the 30 minute consultations, instead asking Michael questions "on the fly." That is fine. Sometimes a quick shot in the research arm is what is needed. A significant part of Michael's library time is scheduled with him in a specific spot where he can be asked questions by participants.

Early bird registration price is $200, due by 15 December. Registration after that date is $250.

Registration Pages and Payment Options

Registration Page --word format
Registration Page --RTF format
Credid Cart Payment Options

Room is limited. Michael John Neill can be contacted with questions at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.

Michael maintains websites at www.rootdig.com, www.casefileclues.com, and http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com