Provo, Utah - "Strengthening the ties that bind families together forever" is the theme of the 48th annual Conference on Family History and Genealogy, to be held July 26-29, at the BYU Conference Center. More than 160 classes of all skill levels will be offered at the conference.

Keynote speakers include FamilySearch President and CEO Steve Rockwood and professional genealogist and international lecturer Paul Milner. Educator and author Ann Madsen will present with well-known pianist Paul Cardall.

The classes will be offered in a variety of categories and topics, including DNA Research, accreditation training (ICAPGen), FamilySearch, computers and technology, international research, and methodology. One of the eight tracks on Friday will be for those who serve in LDS Family History libraries. This track of classes will be offered for free to those serving as family history consultants.

The myFamily History Youth Camp (myfamily.ce.byu.edu), which was added last year, was a great success and will be offered again this year. This camp is specially designed to help youth ages 14–18 learn to love family history and succeed as budding genealogists. 

Family History

There is a special evening event happening in conjunction with this year’s conference: on Wednesday night, the BYU Family History Library will host a free open house. Industry exhibitors from throughout the United States will show off their newest products and services. Exhibitors will include RootsMagic, Genealogy Wallcharts, Legacy Family Tree, FamilySearch, Lisa Louise Cooke’s Genealogy Gems and ResearchTies.   

Non-credit registration for the four-day event, including a USB syllabus, is $185. Family history consultants will receive a $50 discount on general registration. The for-credit cost for the conference (two credits of History 481R—Family History Directed Research and a USB syllabus) is $540. Registrations for the myFamily History Youth Camp are $450 (with housing) and $360 (without housing).

Men’s and women’s housing, which includes meals each day of the conference, is available on BYU campus for $170. Conference participants who are not staying in campus housing may purchase a CougarCash Guest Card that is good anywhere on BYU campus where CougarCash is accepted–including the Morris Center, a three-minute walk from the Conference Center.

Register by phone at 877-221-6716 or at http://familyhistory.ce.byu.edu