GENTECH99

Friday 8:00 - 9:00 am

F1: Producing a Quality Family History
Patricia Law Hatcher

Today's technology makes it relatively easy to produce a family history that is pretty to look at. But, as the saying goes, "Pretty is as pretty does" What does it take to make the pretty family history contribute something worthwhile to genealogy? And what tools does technology offers to help us with task?

F2: The Internet - Hype versus Substance
Tony Burroughs

There is a lot of talk about the Internet and how genealogist "must" be on it. This presentation will evaluate different resources on the Internet and relate them to fundamental genealogy research.

F3: Imaging 101
Richard J. Laxman and Herbert J. White, II

This program of work will present an overview of the basics of Imaging. Other topics that will be covered include document preparation, capture process for a digital capture system, digital image quality assurance, indexing systems, storage systems, access systems.

F4: Avoiding UFO's Citing Sources with Today's Software
Barbara Ann Renick

The only way to avoid "Unidentified Family Origins" in your work is to cite your sources. Genealogy software today goes beyond the capabilities of the typewriter era and actually encourages the genealogist to record and organize their research notes and source citations. This lecture features a comparison of the note keeping and source citation features in the major genealogy software programs today.

Friday 9:30 - 10:30 am

F5: Creating Family History Websites with Communicator
Dr. Paul Hightower

What new HTML standards and evolution to faster bandwidth means to genealogists on the World Wide Web. Using Netscape Communicator to create family history websites.

F6: 10 Commandments of Internet Genealogy
Cyndi Howells

Instead of spending a lot of time online learning things the hard way by trial and error, why not learn about the ten most important guidelines for participating in the online world of genealogy? Benefit from lessons learned by others along the way.

F7: Digital Image Capture of Original Records
Richard J. Laxman

This program of will present a review and explanation of technology available to scan original family history documents. The presenter will explain digital cameras and related hardware and software. Current technology discussed will cover low-end to high-end camera systems. This session will show practical application of the information presented in 'The Basics of Imaging."

F8: The Scanner as a Tool in Genealogical Research
Dr. Ronald A. Hill

The scanner has certainly proved to be a boon in desktop publishing, providing the ability to incorporate maps, photographs, line drawings, etc., directly into the text to illustrate and support the arguments presented. However, it can also be a useful tool in the study of handwriting characteristics in order to identify certain individuals.

Friday 11:00 - 12:00 noon

F9: Restoring Your Ancestor's Image!
James L. Slade

Demonstrates how a novice can restore damaged photographs using a personal computer. Learn techniques to enhance faded photographs, repair tears and eliminate blemishes by using a scanner with simple software.

F10: Behind the Web: Confession of a County Coordinator
Myra Vanderpool Gormley

A look at the basic equipment (software and hardware) you need to build a County Home Page with some visual examples of designs you can use. Gaudy colors, music and animation -- are they cool or gauche? The truth about how much time is really involved in maintaining a page. The agony and ecstasy of interaction with surfers: Or you want to know what? The qualifications you need to be a successful volunteer webmaster.

F11: Digital Image Capture of Microfilmed Records
Herbert J. White, II

This program will present a review and explanation of Technology available to scan microfilmed family history documents. The presenter will explain the film scanning process with its related hardware and software components. Time will also be spent discussing how individual film slides can be scanned and incorporated into family histories.

F12: Ya Gotta Know the Territory! (Mapping Software/Internet
Barbara Brixey Wylie

Take a tip from "The Music Man" -- Ya gotta know the territory! Today's technology offers some wonderful resources at our fingertips ... and you don't have to be a computer wizard to use them.

Friday 12:00 - 1:45 pm

Lunch - - Exhibit Hall Open

Friday 1:45 - 2:50 pm

F13: PLENARY SESSION
Key Note Address - Alan C. Ashton

Alan C. Ashton, co-founder and president of WordPerfect Corporation has been instrumental in the development of computer software for use by millions. Alan and his wife, Karen, co-founded Thanksgiving Point in 1995 in Lehi, Utah as an expression of gratitude for all that they received in their years with WordPerfect. Alan will share his unique perspective of technology for the future.

Friday 3:00 - 4:00 pm

F14: The Paperless Office: Document Imaging for the Genealogist
Tony Burroughs

Eliminating paper by transferring records to computers has become more of a reality with advances in technology. Is this practical for genealogists?

F15: Finding Useful Info on the Net: A Surname Approach
Alan Mann

This class will help you find Internet sites and resources that will help you with a specific situation, individual, or family. It will demonstrate sites that you find using the name (or surname) for which you are looking.

F16: The Latest on GEDCOM Future Direction
Robert Booth

This session will summarize the history, principles, assumptions, strategies, and most recent developments of the GEDCOM Future Direction Information Model including its relationship to the Lexicon Data Model.

F17: Simple Steps to Keep a Genealogist's Computer Healthy
John Vincent Wylie

Increase the safety and speed of your computer by learning a few simple procedures before your computer dies with thousands of ancestors on the hard drive.

Friday 4:30 - 5:30 pm

F18: Publishing Your Genealogy...On Video
Sam Eneman

From planning through scripting and production, this presentation is full of actual video examples. You will find that anyone can do it and will get the ideas and confidence needed to get started.

F19: Bookmarking Your Way to Success on the Internet
Barbara Ann Renick

The Internet is a vast resource for genealogists and has often been called "the world's largest library." Unfortunately, the Internet lacks a comprehensive catalog or index to its treasures. This lecture covers the basic techniques for finding and returning to those Internet sites which are of value to genealogists and in particular the uses of bookmarks with Web browser software.

F20: Future Technology - What Might It's Role Be in Supporting Genealogical Research Efforts?
Lyle Hereth

This session will look at some of the emerging technologies and their possible use for solving genealogical research issues when, and if, they are deemed feasible for use by the Family History Department. Technologies that will be reviewed have possible application in the following areas; preservation storage, storage access methods, data entry, and indexing. A partial list of these technologies include; Rosetta and HD-ROM storage, Data cube holographic storage, DVD and CD-ROM storage, Optical tape and disc storage, Magnetic storage, OCR, ICR, and Pattern recognition.

F21: Virtual Meetings - Using Your Computer to Conference With Others
Beau Sharbrough

There are enough tools available today that any family historian with a computer and a modem should consider some options for virtual meetings. It is possible to use internet access to narrow the discussion between people with shared interests, and you can actually get some really good software for free.

Friday 5:45 - 7:15 pm

F22: National User Group Meetings
Genealogical Software Vendors

Representatives from the nation's genealogical software community will be available to answer questions, provide tips and dialogue on issues relating to the use of their software. Plan to spend some time with the developers of your favorite personal genealogical software and gain some new insights.

Friday 7:30 - 9:30 pm

F23: Annual GENTECH, Inc. Banquet
Dick Eastman's Crystal Ball

An intriguing look into the future of online genealogy by one of the most respected and best versed observers of what's happening today in both genealogy and technology.

Saturday 8:30 - 9:30 am

S24: Indexing is More Than A-B-C
Barbara Brixey Wylie

Software needs input from the indexer and all-purpose style guides, such as The Chicago Manual of Style, don't answer unique questions authors of family histories face. Learn how and why genealogies differ from ordinary indexing and what you can do to help readers use your book.

S25: Finding Useful Info on the Net: A Locality Approach
Alan Mann

This class will help you find Internet sites and resources that assist with a specific situation or research in a particular locality. It will demonstrate sites that you can find based on the locality of interest.

S26: The Lexicon Project and its Genealogical Data Model
Robert C. Anderson

The Genealogical Data Model, the product of the first phase of the Lexicon Project, has been designed to capture information about all steps of the genealogical research process, with separate facilities for administration, evidence and conclusions. The second phase of the Lexicon Project will be devoted to developing the terms and definitions to support the model.

S27: Where Did They Get That Information? The Sources and Origin of Electronic Data
Kory L. Meyerink

As more electronic genealogical information becomes available, researchers need to learn where it came from. Often it is the same data already existing in our libraries, with all its faults and weaknesses. You will learn where electronic information comes from, and how to evaluate it.

Saturday 10:00 - 11:00 am

S28: Fonts and Styles: An Introduction to Type and Typesetting
Patricia Law Hatcher

Mac syndrome: A highly contagious disease exhibited by many laser-printer users, symptomized by the flagrant misuse of fonts. It can be avoided. Word processors, desktop publishing systems, and laser printers have given genealogists powerful publishing tools, but tools that few are trained to use efficiently or effectively. By learning a few basic, time-tested principles, you can make your book, newsletter or client report both attractive and understandable.

S29: Ask Not What Internet Genealogy Can Do For You...
Cyndi Howells

In this day and age of the super-information highway, the emphasis seems to be on getting information quickly, with little effort and with little expense. A realistic researcher needs to be aware that this is not a possibility. Your research efforts online should include time spent offering advice or help to others and volunteering for projects that will benefit researchers (online or offline). An interactive approach to time spent online guarantees that you receive as much as you give.

S30: Algorithms for Finding Relationship to a Group
Dr Evan L. Ivie

A new class of problem is beginning to emerge on the Internet which attacks a specialized problem, that of finding the relationship of an individual (or group) to a (another) group of other individuals. Examples of this are found in the Mayflower Society, the DAR, the SAR, the DUP/SUP, etc. A recent effort of the Utah Sesquicentennial focused on finding the relationship of an individual to the group entitled "Utah Pioneer". This presentation will discuss algorithms and techniques for determining relationship to a group.

S31: The Art of the Interview
Sam Eneman

Learn how to get an oral history interview right the first time. Capture the life stories and memories of your family members (or yourself) on video or audio tape for future generations to see and hear.

Saturday 11:30 - 12:30 pm

S32: Family Mystery Tour: Presenting Family History Information Using Virtual Reality
Dr. David A. Ault

Will introduce you to the concept of Virtual Reality and the VRML language for the Web. Includes an example of how to present your family history information in an exciting and fun way using Virtual Reality techniques.

S33: Using Libraries Remotely
Dr. Donald R. Snow

This discusses what information is available from libraries and how to find it online and/or on CD. More and more actual documents are being placed online, in addition to their indices. We will consider how to use search engines for data online, and see what data can already be found on CD's. Particular emphasis will be on electronic databases, libraries, and resources available in Utah, but will not be limited to that.

S34: Using WordCruncher to Publish Genealogical Information on the Internet and CD-ROM ...
James W. Johnston

WordCruncher is a one of the most powerful tools available for creating electronic books. This lecture will provide a "bird's eye view" of the many things that you may wish to consider when developing an electronic text, including how to plan it out, design access strategies (e.g. tables of contents, hyperlinks, etc.), consider what sort of data types (graphics, pictures, audio, video, etc.) you wish to include, and many more techniques that will make developing your own electronic book much easier..

S35: Editing Genealogical Files with Macros
Dr. Ronald A. Hill

There is nothing more tedious than editing endless baptisms files to obtain a parent file, or editing a long list of marriages by grooms to obtain a list of marriages by brides. Macros, generated by the computer, provide a speedy remedy. The steps required to create an effective macro will be established.

Saturday 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Lunch --- Exhibit Hall Open

Saturday 2:30 - 3:30 pm

S36: Getting the Most From IGI Data - Put Your Computer to Work
James L. Slade

Discover new techniques for finding ancestors, unknown children and spouses using the LDS International Genealogical Index on CD-ROMs. Learn to download data, convert, sort and analyze it at home on your own personal computer.

S37: Finding Useful Info on the Net: Other Approaches
Alan Mann

This class will explain strategies for finding Internet sites and resources that help solve a specific research problem that go beyond the surname or locality approach (Search Engines, ethnicity, educational resources, etc.)

S38: Digital Imaging and Optical Character Recognition: Where are we? Where are we going?
Bill Barrett

Global interest in digital imaging and compression has been accelerated by improvements in scanning technology. This session explores alternatives to dealing with enormous volumes of microfilm, paper and bound documents to recognize, extract, encode, index, link, edit, annotate, search and browse.

S39: "Is It All for Naught? Insuring Your Work Survives You"
John Vincent Wylie

Technology has made finding, evaluating and publishing genealogical data easier and faster. Will your work be accessible to future generations? Just how permanent is "permanent?" Use technology's strengths and recognize its limitations.

Saturday 4:00 - 5:00 pm

S40: Stories and Images: Publishing a Family Newsletter
Dr. Paul Hightower

Using a page layout program, digital and conventional images, scanners, to tell your family history story.

S41: Buried Treasures on the Web: Finding Genealogical Gold at Historical Sites
Myra Vanderpool Gormley

This is a graphical look (with color overheads) at various Web Pages that have hidden genealogical and biographical material -- buried under historical categories. Get off the surname trail and find the real gems.

S42: The Problem of Identity - Why Computers Have Trouble Telling People Apart
Beau Sharbrough

As more and more people try to share computer files, we rely more and more on computers to help us match people. This lecture is an intermediate level lecture about why computers do such a bad job spotting people.

S43: Editing Your PAF Databases With a Word Processor
Dr. Donald R. Snow

This presentation discusses using a word processor on a GEDCOM file to do various operations such as making entries uniform, moving data to different fields, spell checking the notes, entering Ancestral File numbers, etc.