The time for genealogical conferences and workshops is upon us again. Wonderful opportunities for genealogical instruction and enlightenment abound. While it's not possible to attend every one, conferences and workshops are a great way to learn more about genealogy and to make offline connections. There are several things to consider before attending a workshop or conference.

What really is your genealogical skill level? Self-assessment can be difficult and problematic (that's why colleges make students take placement exams before enrolling in most math and English courses). Some workshops may list an appropriate experience level and some may not. Even when the target audience is included, assessing your skill level can be difficult. Even professionals disagree on what differentiates a beginner from an intermediate researcher and an intermediate researcher from an advanced researcher.

If it's available, read the description of the lecture. If the lecture title is Intermediate English Genealogy and describes it with the phrase "you understand the basics of English genealogy," the presenter assumes that you understand the basics of English genealogy. If you have done no research on your English ancestors, you might pick up a few clues or leads, but the lecture will not discuss basic records that are most likely easier to access, easier to use, and most likely to solve the majority of research problems. Chances are you will not understand a significant part of the lecture and still won't know about basic records.

However, you must bear in mind that the speaker most likely works with a program chair or committee and together they frequently decide the target audience. One-day workshops sponsored by local or regional societies are likely to be of a more general nature or contain "something for everyone." These groups generally try to have a balance of skill levels in their lectures and can't offer four or five lectures simultaneously. This must be remembered when considering attending a local society's workshop. If a local society or organization regularly sponsors workshops or seminars, join the society and tactfully make your voice heard. It must be remembered that one speech can not provide the same learning experience for all people, especially when genealogists frequently bring varying educational and occupational backgrounds with them to a conference or workshop.

Keep in mind that many people work together on a workshop. There might be one of several people responsible for something you felt uncomfortable with. Also remember that one speaker or presentation cannot please all people. Errors in the handout are the responsibility of the speaker. Other difficulties may rest with the speaker, the program chair, committee members or a combination of all three. It is necessary to keep in mind that many of the individuals involved in the program planning are volunteers. I once had an attendee irritated that my handouts were too short and not enough pages. I nicely told her that the committee limited my handouts to one two-sided sheet per lecture and that she should discuss her concerns with the committee.

Is there a workshop or conference being held near where your ancestors lived? Perhaps the day's activities will center on resources in that region. Even if this is not the case, you may at least have the opportunity to learn about local sources and research from fellow attendees at the conference. One-day workshops are frequently held on Saturdays. Arrive in time for the workshop, rest on Sunday and begin your research on Monday morning. You might even make a few connections at the workshop or locate a distant cousin.

Make certain you behave. I realize genealogists attending conferences are normally adults, but that does not mean their behavior is always adult-like. I recently attended a workshop and sat at table with six other attendees. Two older gentlemen joked and yukked it up during the breaks but were reserved during the presentation. Three ladies talked incessantly during the presentation and it was distracting. I never said anything but did shoot them a few dirty looks (I have a hard time telling someone my mother's age to "be quiet."). The individuals in question were old enough to know better. It's not just ladies who have this problem, I've sat next to men who have done the same thing. Rudeness crosses gender lines pretty well.

Do not constantly correct the speaker during the presentation. If the speaker makes what sounds like an error, discuss it with them during one of the breaks. Chances are they misspoke (it does happen), but even if they didn't a conscientious speaker will want to correct himself (at least I do). It is also possible that you did not hear the entire statement, you misunderstood something else she said, or you were sitting next to people who were distracting you. Don't be confrontational. Bringing the error to his or her attention in a diplomatic matter keeps everyone on an even keel.

But they shouldn't misspeak, should they? Everything they say should be one-hundred percent correct all the time. If they read from a prepared speech that has been carefully researched, then the answer is yes. However, there are times when presenters do not read from a verbatim speech or are "inspired" to mention something that had originally been left out. Or they may be asked a very good question that gets them legitimately off subject. Even in these situations, the material presented should be correct. But errors do creep in. People are human. I used to be unable to understand how my professors could make computational mistakes at the board. They know the material. How can this happen? After having taught for nearly ten years, I now know how it happens, no matter how knowledgeable, no matter how well prepared. It's easy to miss a minor detail when you are focusing on presenting a larger, more complex idea.

Come prepared with note-taking materials and supplies. Some workshops may provide a notepad and a pencil. Some will not. Even if a notepad is provided, it might be a purse-size notepad, which can only include small amounts of material on one page. I don't even make out grocery lists on these things, let alone use them to take notes on. Think of the workshop as school (after all, it is your genealogical education) and prepare as if you were going to class. Glue and scissors may be optional but notepaper and writing utensils are not. Protractor and straightedge are only necessary if you're attending a metes and bounds workshop.

Arrive early enough so you can sit in a spot that works for your eyes, your ears, your back, and your bladder (satisfying all of these may not be possible). If you can't sit still for the entire lecture, sit in the back where you can get up with minimal disruption to the others. If you are not used to sitting all day, a spot near the back may be in order. I'm on my feet a good portion of the day and sometimes just can't sit still for four lectures throughout the day. As a result, I sit near the back where I can get up without disrupting others. An "outside" spot in the back is the best place to do this without disrupting other attendees.

Lastly, enjoy yourself and learn what you can. Make certain you meet and interact with people you don't know at the workshop. Some of my most valuable learning experiences at workshops have been with other attendees. Of course we made certain to talk when the speaker wasn't!

Good Luck.

Michael John Neill, is the Course I Coordinator at the Genealogical Institute of Mid America (GIMA) held annually in Springfield, Illinois and is also on the faculty of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Michael is the Web columnist for the FGS FORUM and is on the editorial board of the Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly. He conducts seminars and lectures on a wide variety of genealogical and computer topics and contributes to several genealogical publications, including Ancestry Magazine and Genealogical Computing. You can e-mail him at mneill@asc.csc.cc.il.us or visit his Web site.