Welcome

Join Us 22-24 January 2004

"Meet me in St. Louis, Louis. Meet me at the Fair. . .” Do you find yourself humming the rest of that song? Or have you seen the movie from which it came as a classic on late-night TV? Judy Garland was inviting viewers to the World’s Fair, which took place in St. Louis in the spring and summer of 1904. That fair commemorated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase and the subsequent Lewis and Clark expedition. It was a glorious, exuberant time for the city, which put its heart and soul into showing off for the world.

During 2004, St. Louis will celebrate the centennial of the World’s Fair. It will also be the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and once again the city is polishing and spiffing itself up for company. NGS GENTECH 2004 will be one of the first events on the community calendar, and we expect that attendees will be welcomed with open arms as the city begins its celebration.

What is NGS GENTECH?

NGS GENTECH is THE conference for technology and genealogy. GENTECH began more than ten years ago as a not-for-profit educational society with the mission of bridging technology and genealogy through an annual conference and related events. In 2002, NGS and GENTECH merged, followed by the formation of the NGS GENTECH Division. We hope that you can attend NGS GENTECH 2004 and, through your participation, help us in furthering the original GENTECH mission.

Research Centers at your Fingertips

Because St. Louis was literally the “Gateway to the West,” if your family moved west of the Mississippi, it is likely that they left records behind them in St. Louis. Fortunately for researchers, the area boasts many extraordinary and easily accessible research facilities. Plan to spend some extra time in the city so you can visit the St. Louis Public Library's History and Genealogy area; the St. Louis County Library’s Special Collections Department (the new home of the NGS Book Loan Collection and the Julius K. Hunter and Friends African American Research Collection); the Mercantile Library, one of the Midwest’s oldest subscription libraries, on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis; the Missouri Historical Society Library; or one of our two Family History Libraries. The St. Louis City Hall and the Civil Courts Building are just blocks from the hotel, and the St. Louis County Courthouse is a fifteen-minute drive to the west.

The Millennium Hotel and Downtown St. Louis

The unique round tower that is the Millennium Hotel sits just west of the Mississippi River in the heart of downtown St. Louis. From the lovely revolving restaurant at the top, you can see across the river into Illinois to the east and all the way across the city to its western edges. St. Louis’ most famous landmark, the Gateway Arch, is a short walk. A ride to the top is what most people remember, but housed under the Arch you will find the Museum of Westward Expansion. The museum pays tribute to the people who settled the West, from the native Americans who were there originally, to the fur trappers and traders who were the first to exploit the open land, to the families of settlers who changed forever how our country would look.

In addition to the Arch, there are many other interesting places to visit: the Old Cathedral (oldest west of the Mississippi), the Old Courthouse (home of the famous Dred Scott decision), Laclede’s Landing (the oldest part of the city), Union Station, and several sports stadiums. A bit further afield are the New Cathedral, Forest Park (home to the Art Museum, History Museum, Science Center, and the St. Louis Zoo), and the Missouri Botanical Gardens, just to name a few.

Your St. Louis Host

The St. Louis Genealogical Society is thirty-five years old and is one of the largest genealogical societies in the country. This will be the second time in the past five years that this all-volunteer organization has been local host to a national conference, and they, along with NGS, are committed to making this a great experience for all participants.

The Society maintains an office in a St. Louis suburb, where conference attendees are welcome to visit. They have a small library, computer workstations with Internet access, samples of most genealogical software, and as always, friendly help available. The office is open on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 9:00 A.M. until noon.

In addition to providing a research facility for members, the office staff is involved in publishing genealogical books, CDs, and periodicals. The Society has recently begun an electronic newsletter for members, and within the past year, the Web site has been upgraded and improved.