After a few difficult years due to COVID, the New England Regional Genealogical Consortium (NERGC) was able to put together a very rewarding program, the 17th as a matter of fact. Dozens of experts from around the US and Canada came together to share their expertise in virtually every aspect of genealogical research. That would include basic family research, advanced research strategies, DNA, finding “lost” relatives, using on-line and off-line resources and on and on. The one attendee who, I believe, came the longest way is a colleagued of mine who hails from Australia.

This year signals my last term as president, a post I’ve held for about 6 years. I’m glad to pass the torch! At the end of June, we will be having the last meeting of the 2023 group then begin preparations for the 18th NERGC convention in 2025.

Over the years, we have grown from a small group that needed simply a large restaurant to produce the event. This year, the event took place in the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. It’s the same venue that has hosted national and international entertainers such as Cher, Staind, John Mulaney, Celtic Women, and other. Upcoming are Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Glady Knight, and Bruno Mars to name a few.

And that’s not counting the events that take place in the arena on the other side of the building. The Springfield Thunderbirds American Hockey League team, circuses, basketball games and countless other events.

Altogether this year, a little over 700 people attended. Admittedly, that’s a bit short of the last convention in 2019 where we welcomed over 1,000 attendees. Nonetheless, the speakers were dynamic, the exhibit hall was chock full, and the food served for the luncheons and dinners was beyond compare.

For those of you who have interests in genealogy and its related fields, keep an eye on www.nergc.org.

See you all in 2025!