Saturday Banquet - D. Joshua Taylor, "Looking into the Future of Genealogy"
     Sunday Breakfast - David Lambert, NEHGS, "Using American Ancestors Website for Military Research"; Daniel Poffenberger, "The Much, Extremely, Incredibly Lighter Side of Family History."

With almost 50 speakers and nearly 100 different classes, it's going to be another wonderful event.

We have the Jamboree website up, and you can now check out the schedule, the speakers, exhibitors, information on the hotel, parking and transportation, volunteering, and tips on getting the most out of Jamboree.

The mobile app section of the website isn't active yet, but it will be soon. And yes, we'll have our Jamboree app again!

In addition to the lecture sessions, Friday morning's sessions are free and open to the public. This year we feature a special three-hour workshop with the specialists from NARA. We have room for only 200 people, so advance registration is highly recommended. Other JamboFREE events include two different beginning genealogy classes, a society workshop with three different classes, and Genealogy World, round-table informal discussions.

What's new for 2013?

We know one of the problems of Jamboree is that the rooms are full. We are trying some new tricks to try to minimize the problem.

A new seating policy will help the room monitors manage the traffic and keep everyone safe. The Burbank Fire Department will be on site to assure that room capacity is not exceeded. Chairs can be held for up to three people, and unused "saved" chairs will be released three minutes before the beginning of the talk. Read the policy here.

We will have overflow rooms for many of the streamed video sessions. Also, we are saving two open slots on the schedule so we can repeat the most popular sessions on Sunday afternoon.

Oh, and in response to our most-frequently asked question, yes the chairs need to stay hooked together. It's for the safety of our guests and a Fire Department requirement. Instead of complaining about the large-sized person seated next to you, how about introducing yourself? You know, it's possible that they have the answer to your brick wall.

What's the Best Registration Deal?

You'll get the most value for your money by registering for all three days before May 1. You'll take advantage of the early-bird discount and will receive a printed copy of the syllabus. Want to save even more? Join SCGS and receive a member's discount.

Upcoming Deadlines:

April 30, 2013 - Last day of Early bird discount
May 24, 2013 - Last day of Preregistration

Family History and DNA: Genetic Genealogy in 2013 - Special Event Thursday, June 6

We are beyond excited at this year's pre-Jamboree event on Thursday, June 6. As you may have heard, SCGS has partnered with ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy) to produce the very first independent conference to explore the use of DNA in family history research.

The speakers' list is comprised of the experts in all types of DNA: autosomal, Y-DNA, and mitochondrial. If you don't even know what those words mean, don't worry. We have a track for DNA novices or entry-level beginners. Another track is designed for intermediate users, and a third track is designed for those who are leaders or instructors themselves.

We are honored to welcome two very special speakers for this event.

The keynote address will be given by Spencer Wells, PhD, Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic. He has led the National Genographic Project since its inception. Dr. Wells will be speaking on the Genographic Project and the Rise of Citizen Science.

by Lisa Louise Cooke

by Michael Brophy

by Denise Levenick

by Janet Hovorka

The webinar archive has been updated and now houses dozens of hour-long presentations. Included in the list are the 2013 sessions (identified in italics) that will be added to the archive throughout the year.  Where else can you get access to over 50 hours of genealogy education, provided by the leading genealogy speakers available today -- for a $35 one-year membership that also includes from- home access to Access NewspaperARCHIVE, discounts on Jamboree and other event registrations, and Research Team assistance.  It's one of the best deals in genealogy today.