Please note that the Maureen Taylor photo workshop is full and we are taking wait list requests at this time.

The 40th Annual Genealogy Jamboree will be held June 26-28, 2009, at the Burbank Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, Burbank, California.

"This year's Jamboree will offer an unprecedented 55 speakers and nearly 100 lectures, a full exhibit hall, and lots of special events and activities," according to Paula Hinkel, Jamboree co-chair.  "Jamboree has earned the reputation for being fun, well organized, with exceptional speakers and vendors.  This year will be all that and more."

The exhibit hall will host software and online database companies, vendors, societies, heritage and lineage groups, authors, and book sellers. Some exhibitors feature services including photo restoration, book repair, and production of beautiful pedigree charts and maps.

Collaboration is the word for this year's Jamboree.  Several organizations will be participating as sponsors and providing speakers.  Their support and participation is greatly appreciated.  Sponsors include:

• Ancestry.com / The Generations Network (Andrew Wait, Sr. VP; Suzanne Russo Adams, AG; Anna Fechter);
• FamilySearch.org  (David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA; Paul Nauta;
• New England Historic Genealogical Society  (D. Brenton Simons; Michael J. Leclerc; Christopher Child);
• British Isles Family History Society - U.S.A  (Ivan C. Johnson, Ph.D. and Peggy Wishon).;
• Creative Continuum  (Tom Underhill);
• California State Genealogical Alliance  (Cath Trindle, CG);
• Family Tree DNA  (Bennett Greenspan)
• National Genealogical Society  (Julie Miller, CG)
• Legacy Family Tree  (Geoffrey Rasmussen)
• Generation Maps  (Janet Hovorka MLS);
• Youth Genealogical Association  (Kids' Family History Camp). 
• Salt Lake Plaza Hotel (grand prize of 7-night stay)
• Pam Wiedenbeck (Jana Sloan Broglin, CG)
• Geneabloggers

Jamboree has several speakers who form the core of the lecture faculty and who are frequent presenters at the conference.  These speakers include Jana Broglin, CG; Bruce Buzbee;  Bill Dollarhide; Arlene Eakle, Ph.D. FUGA; Wendy Elliott, Ph.D., FUGA; Bennett Greenspan, Leland Meitzler, Geoffrey Rasmussen, George G. Morgan and Drew Smith, and Elaine Alexander among others. 

A number of speakers will be making their Jamboree debuts this year:  Tony Burroughs, FUGA; DearMYRTLE; Maureen Taylor; Jean Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., CG; Feargal O'Donnell of the Irish Family History Foundation; Tom Kemp; Lisa Alzo, and many others.  David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA will return after a few years' absence.

The Friday night banquet keynote will be delivered by Dr. Tukufu Zuberi, one of the stars of PBS's series, "History Detectives."  Other activities will be this year's version of the very popular "Effective Society Management" panel discussion on Saturday morning, dinner with David Rencher on Saturday evening, and "The Art of Mourning - A Victorian Obsession" for a cheerful start to the day on Sunday.

Last year's Blogger Summit was such a success that it is being repeated in 2009.  "Blogger Summit 2:  Son of Blogger" will feature many of the leading information leaders in the geneablogging community today:  Lisa Louise Cooke; DearMYRTLE; Dick Eastman; Leland Meitzler; TheAncestryInsider; Craig Manson; George G. Morgan; Stephen Danko, Ph.D.; and Schelly Talalay Dardashti. 

Friday morning features several free sessions, including:  Librarians' Boot Camp (Thomas J. Kemp); Beginning Genealogy Part 1 (Beverly Truesdale); Beginning Genealogy Part 2 (Lynne Parmenter); and Kids' Family History Camp (Starr Campbell, Hailey Campbell, Michael Melendez, Maureen Taylor and Jeanne Wilcox Hibben, Ph.D., CG).

This year's ethnic track will focus on British Isles.  Several sessions will address the special requirements of researching in the countries of Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.  Additionally, Jamboree will offer sessions on researching Eastern European, Italian, and African American ancestors.

Saturday afternoon's Small, Small World roundtable discussions will provide an exchange of information for those researching ancestors from countries outside of the U.S.  The roundtable discussions will be facilitated by individuals experienced in conducting research in that country.

The registration fees remain the same as in 2008, with discounts offered for SCGS members and for early registrations.  The Marriott renovation is completed and the new accommodations are simply beautiful.  The hotel is conveniently located in Burbank, California, directly across the street from the Burbank Bob Hope Airport, with free shuttle provided by the hotel. 

The Jamboree blog is your source for all the details -- speakers, lectures, exhibitors, hotel, travel and directions, registration online and by mail, events, etc.

See you at Jamboree!