Nordic Family History Conference

Nordic Family History Conference
The Family History Library and the Research Specialists of the Nordic Reference team invite you to a free, week-long conference focused exclusively on Nordic research. The conference, which will be held September 11th - 15th, 2017, is perfect for beginning and intermediate genealogists interested in learning about records of Nordic localities, and Family History Library collections.

Come and spend a week at the world renowned Family History Library learning from our expert staff of genealogists as well as experienced guest genealogists. Learn how to effectively use historical records, and how to do research in the Nordic countries. Explore such topics as census, church, immigration, and vital records. Learn more about Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish research. And discover new techniques, strategies, and methodology to apply to your genealogical research problems.

Seating in the Family History Library Classrooms, is limited to 120 participants, so be sure to register early to secure a spot.

Registration for the conference begins on 10 July 2017.

Webinar Attendants - http://bit.ly/2tRPNMP*

In Person Attendants - http://bit.ly/2tS0LSb* Please bring your free tickets provided through your Eventbrite registration for entrance at the door. 500 spots will be available to webinar attendees and 120 seats.

We hope this conference will not only be informative and instructive, but that it will also encourage and inspire you to continue your family history research. Perhaps this will be just what you need to break through that 20 year old brick wall research problem. We look forward to working with you!

*We will use Eventbrite to process your registration. Your information will be processed in accordance with their privacy policy located at http://www.eventbrite.com/privacypolicy.

Class Descriptions
Monday, 11 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: 2017 Is the Year of Nordic Records! Learn What's Coming! (Whitney Peterson)
 * The Nordic countries are a focus for FamilySearch in 2017. There are many exciting record collections that will be published. I will go over what we plan to publish and when we hope to publish them. We will review why these collections are beneficial for Nordic research, how to access the collections on FamilySearch, as well as where to access them (on partner sites) before they are available on FamilySearch.


 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Panel Q&A: The Who, What, Where, Why, and How of Nordic Records on FamilySearch (Panel)
 * The panel members for this discussion come from the FamilySearch digital publication team, field relations, and FamilySearch Indexing. The panel will take questions from the classroom in the FHL, online participants, and from a presentation moderator.


 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Exploring the Feast-Day Calendars for Norway, Denmark, and Sweden (Liv Anderson, CGSM, AG®)
 * This class will teach patrons how to use a Feast Day recorded in the Church records for Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and translate that date to a modern date by using the Feast Day Calendar for each one of these countries.


 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: Scandinavian-American Resources (Elaine Hasleton, AG®)
 * Scandinavian-American resources can be extremely helpful in researching your Scandinavian ancestral lines. Information will be shared on what records are available and where they can be found (specific libraries, archives, organizations, museums) for Danish-Americans, Finnish-Americans, Norwegian-Americans, and Swedish-Americans.

Tuesday, 12 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: What's New in Arkiv Digital (Kathy Meade)
 * Arkiv Digital has over 73 million images of records with about 600,000 new images added monthly! Further, Arkiv Digital has created a new web based viewer along with amazing databases to make genealogy easier. Come discover the latest in Arkiv Digital.


 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Name Searchable Databases in Arkiv Digital (Kathy Meade)
 * In this presentation, you will become familiar with the new index searching or people searching features in ArkivDigital. The databases include estate inventory name indexing, register archive, registers in city parishes and registers on arkivdigital.se.


 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Swedish Naming Customs (Geoffrey Fröberg Morris, BA, AG®)
 * Have you been confused by a first or last name in Swedish records? Maybe you cannot find your ancestor because their given name was recorded differently? Or, maybe their last name changed completely? People changed their given name, or surname depending on the time-period, social standing, and the laws at the time. Come learn the what, when, and why to understand Swedish naming customs.


 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: Military Records in Arkiv Digital (Kathy Meade)
 * For those who are interested in Swedish military history, a wealth of documents has been preserved documenting the Swedish military. Most of these documents are housed at the Military Archives in Stockholm. Today, many military documents have been digitized and are available online through Arkiv Digital. This presentation will give you an overview of military conscription and the records they kept.

Wednesday, 13 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: Probate Laws and Records for Swedish Genealogy (Geoffrey Fröberg Morris, BA, AG®)
 * Swedish probate records (also known as estate inventories) are known for having rich genealogical information. We usually glean the key information and move on, but what’s the bigger picture? Why are there more probates than wills? What are the laws behind them? This presentation will focus on the probate laws and how they help us understand the probate records.


 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Databases for Swedish Genealogy (Geoffrey Fröberg Morris, BA, AG®)
 * With the advancement of technology, and interest in genealogy, we are fortunate to have so many great databases for Swedish genealogy. This presentation will focus on the databases that we use the most to help guests at the F.H.L. with ancestors from Sweden.


 * 11:30 AM-12:30 PM MDT: Scandinavian Handwriting, Part 1 (Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®)
 * In this two-part class, you will be introduced to handwriting found in old documents in Scandinavia and strategies that professionals use to translate those documents. Please download the handout before class because there will be in-class activities (even for those who are accessing the class online!)


 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Introduction to Icelandic Church and Census Records (Liv Anderson, CGSM, AG®)
 * This class is designed to introduce patrons to what kind of information can be found in the Church Records for Iceland, as well as explaining how to use the online Census records for Iceland


 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: Finnish Immigration and Methodology: How to tackle Finnish challenges (Bradley Marchant, BA, AG®)
 * Finland is the Land of 1000 lakes, but it doesn’t have to be the land of mystery when it comes to researching one’s family! This class will teach you how history affects Finnish research, the quirky surname rules, patronymics in Swedish and Finnish and some methodology in searching for immigrant ancestors. By the end of this class, you will gain confidence and hopefully feel ready to tackle your Finnish family.

Thursday, 14 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: Norwegian Church Records (Liv Anderson, CGSM, AG®)
 * This class is designed to teach patrons about the different types of Church Records available in the online records for "Digitalarkivet" of Norway.


 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Norway: We're getting married. Traditions and Records. (Anka Magee, BS, AG®)
 * The objectives for this class is to help you understand the marriage customs and traditions in Norway. We will talk a little about our ancestors' journey toward marriage, and look at the various marriage records found in the parish registers.


 * 11:30 AM-12:30 PM MDT: Scandinavian Handwriting, Part 2 (Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG®)®
 * In this two-part class, you will be introduced to handwriting found in old documents in Scandinavia and strategies that professionals use to translate those documents. Please download the handout before class because there will be in-class activities (even for those who are accessing the class online!)


 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Norway: "Lensrekneskapsbøker" (Jeff Svare, AG®)
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: Norwegian Migration and Immigration (Anka Magee, BS, AG®)
 * This class will discuss migration within Norway's borders; the "why and where". We will talk a little about who immigrated to Norway, where they came from, and why they came to Norway.

Friday, 15 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: Danish Estates (Jeff Svare, AG®)
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Little Used Records on the "Arkivalieronline" (Anka Magee, BS, AG®)
 * Most of us use the Danish "Arkivalieronline" to search parish registers, census records, probate, and military records. This class will show you that there are so many more record types, sources, and collections to be searched on "arkivalieronline"; records that can be of great help in your search for your ancestors.


 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Painting a Picture of Your Danish Ancestors Through Their Tax Records (Tanner Tolman)
 * This class teaches how to use three types of Danish tax records: Cadastral lists (Matrikler), Fire Insurance (Brandforsikring), and Tax Account Books (Skattehovedbog). It demonstrates how they can be used to learn more about Danish ancestor's and their lives.


 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: Research in Copenhagen (A. Boyd Nielsen, BA, AG®)
 * This class will cover strategies in Copenhagen and will introduce the student to various records that are unique to that city. Several case studies will be presented

Class Handouts
Monday, 11 September Tuesday, 12 September Wednesday, 13 September Thursday, 14 September Friday, 15 September
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: 2017 Is the Year of Nordic Records! Learn What's Coming! NOT APPLICABLE
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: Panel Q&A: The Who, What, Where, Why, and How of Nordic Records on FamilySearch NOT APPLICABLE
 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: [[Media:Exploring_the_Fest_Day_calendar_for_Norway,_Denmark,_and_Sweden_L_Anderson_2017-132547-I_Jul_2017_JMR.pdf|Exploring the Feast-Day Calendars for Norway, Denmark, and Sweden]]
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: [[Media:FHL Hasleton Elaine Scandinavian-American Resources v2 JMR.pdf|Scandinavian-American Resources]]
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: [[Media:What is New in ArkivDigital.pdf|What's New in Arkiv Digital]]
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: [[Media:Searchable Name Databases in ArkivDigital.pdf|Name Searchable Databases in ArkivDigital ''']]
 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: [[Media:Swedish Naming Customs.pdf|Swedish Naming Customs]]
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Introduction to Swedish Military Research.pdf|Introduction to Swedish Military Research]]
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: [[Media:Probate Laws and Records for Swedish Genealogy.pdf|Probate Laws and Records for Swedish Genealogy]]
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: [[Media:Databases for Swedish Genealogy.pdf|Databases for Swedish Genealogy]]
 * 11:30 AM-12:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Old_Scandinavian_Script_F_Juengling_Sep_2017_JMR.pdf|Scandinavian Handwriting, Part 1]]
 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: [[Media:Introduction_to_Church_and_Census_Records_in_Iceland_L_Anderson_2017-120909-I_May_2017_JMR.pdf|Introduction to Icelandic Church and Census Records]]
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Finnish_Immigration_and_Methodology_How_to_tackle_Finnish_challenges_B_Marchant_Sep_2017_JMR.pdf|Finnish Immigration and Methodology: How to tackle Finnish challenges]]
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: [[Media:Exploring_Church_Records_in_Norway_L_Anderson_Jul_2017_JMR_-_Copy.pdf|Norwegian Church Records]]
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: [[Media:Norway_We_are_getting_married_A_Magee_Aug_2017_JMR.pdf| Norway: We're getting married. Traditions and Records.]]
 * 11:30 AM-12:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Old_Scandinavian_Script_F_Juengling_Sep_2017_JMR.pdf|Scandinavian Handwriting, Part 2]]
 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: Norway: "Lensrekneskapsbøker"
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Norway_Migration_and_immigration_A_Magee_Aug_2017_JMR.pdf|Norwegian Migration and Immigration]]
 * 9:00-10:00 AM MDT: Danish Estates NOT APPLICABLE
 * 10:15-11:15 AM MDT: [[Media:Little_Used_sources_on_sa.dk.pdf|Little Used Records on the "Arkivalieronline" ]]
 * 1:15-2:15 PM MDT: [[Media:Painting a Picture of Your Danish Ancestors.pdf|'Painting a Picture of Your Danish Ancestors Through Their Tax Records]]
 * 2:30-3:30 PM MDT: [[Media:Research_in_Copenhagen_Syllabus2_(Aug_2017).pdf| ‎Research in Copenhagen]]

Presenters
Liv H. Anderson, CGSM, AG® a native of Kristiansund, Norway with her first encounter with genealogy at the Trondheim Archive when she was 12 years old. Liv has worked for FamilySearch for over 35 years. The first 5 years in the Evaluation Department, processing individual and marriage entry sheets; the next 11 years in the Cataloging Department, and since November of 1995 as a Scandinavian Research Consultant. Liv is a Certified Genealogist through the Board of Certified Genealogists, Washington, DC and has accreditation in Norwegian research through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, ICAPGen.

Elaine Hasleton, AG® Elaine Hasleton is currently a FamilySearch Deputy, Chief Genealogical Officer, where she concentrates on networking with Scandinavian and Scandinavian-Americans in the genealogical community. She is an Accredited Genealogist for Norway and Sweden. Elaine is President of the Bygdelagenes Fellesraad, a Norwegian-American umbrella genealogical and heritage organization with twenty-eight chapters, each based on a different geographical locality in Norway.

Fritz Juengling, Ph.D., AG® received his Bachelor’s degrees in German Studies and Secondary Education at Western Oregon University, his Master’s and Doctorate in Germanic Philology with minors in both English and Linguistics at the University of Minnesota. He has taught all levels of German, English, Latin and Old English (Anglo-Saxon) at the high school and university levels. He is an Accredited Genealogist® for Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, is credentialed by the Verband deutschsprachiger Berufsgenealogen, and a German, Dutch, and Scandinavian Research Specialist at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Anka Magee, BS, AG® Anka is currently working as an International Research Consultant at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has presented classes at various conferences and Libraries: National Genealogical Society (NGS), ICAPGen conferences, UGA Salt Lake Institute, BYU Genealogical conferences, and has taught numerous classes at the Family History Library in SLC. She worked as an instructor at BYU for a number of years. There have been numerous field trip experiences in Scandinavia, England and Germany. She has done research in various archives in Scandinavia and the British Isles. Anka is a proud native of Norway and is accredited in Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish research through ICAPGen.

Bradley Marchant, BA, AG® Bradley D. Marchant is an accredited Swedish genealogist with 18 years experience doing family history research. He specializes in Nordic, British Isles and Latin America. Currently, he catalogs for FamilySearch for new records coming from the field. He is also an avid fan of DNA research as he has now learned of newfound Portuguese, African and South Asian ancestry. Bradley has no proven ties to Finnish ancestry as he is a proud Swede, but his DNA shows Finnish ancestry on both sides of his pedigree. “It’s in my blood!” Bradley is a foster-adopt father to two boys who make his life both chaotic and amazing.

Kathy Meade, Kathy Meade has been assisting persons with their Swedish research for more than ten years. She is the North American representative for ArkivDigital, a company that offers an online subscription service to Swedish historical records. She has given many presentations throughout the country as well as written genealogy articles for the Nordstjernan newspaper. She serves on the advisory board for the Swedish American Genealogy Center at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago and volunteers at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library helping patrons with their Swedish research.

Geoffrey Fröberg Morris, BA, AG® Geoffrey began family history research as a teen when he was mentored by his mother (a native of Sweden) who was accredited in Swedish research. He received a bachelors degree from the University of Utah in Philosophy with a minor in Swedish. He has been employed for over 15 years at the Family History Library as a member of the Nordic research team. Among his work assignments, Geoff has engaged in many archival visits in Sweden and Denmark. He has authored hundreds of pages to the Family Search Wiki, and presents at conferences routinely. Whitney Peterson, Whitney Peterson, a Utah native, has her bachelor's degree in History from Brigham Young University. As some of her ancestors came from Denmark, part of her emphasis was on Danish research. Previously she worked for Ancestry.com, and currently works for FamilySearch on a team whose focus is to identify, prioritize, and recommend records for capture, publication, and indexing.

A. Boyd Nielsen, BA, AG® A. Boyd Nielsen, founder of Nielsen Genealogical Services, has been involved in genealogical research for over 50 years. He specializes in Scandinavian, Germanic, British, and North American research. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and German from Utah State University. He is an accredited genealogist through ICAPGen®. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Utah Genealogical Association, a Commisssioner on the ICAPGen® Board and on the grading committee for ICAPGen®. He also serves as the Scandinavian Chair for ICAPGen®.

Jeffrey Svare, AG® Jeff Svare is an Accredited Genealogist for Norway. Currently working for FamilySearch as a Project Manager and data analyst, he was previously the manager for FamilySearch’s collection of records for Scandinavia. He has been involved with records acquisition in Asia, the Pacific Islands and Scandinavia since joining FamilySearch in 1987.

Tanner Tolman, BA Tanner Tolman has been doing professional genealogy since November 2012. He recently completed a Family History Degree at BYU. He specializes in Danish research and is working on becoming accredited.