It’s That Time Again: Southern California Jamboree

Some people are so dedicated to their pursuit of family history that they don’t miss any opportunities to connect with the genealogy community. The minute the conference season is upon us, they are rocking their registrations at primo events like RootsTech, NGS or FGS conferences.

Meanwhile, here sits the likes of me, green with envy but unable to join in the fun.

Not so, when it comes to the featured event in our corner of the world. Jamboree is coming to Southern California once again—the annual event every June that combines world class speakers on subjects both in genetic genealogy and genealogical research. With a mere six hours’ drive time, I can join in the fun, after all.

And that’s exactly what I’m planning. This is an annual event to look forward to, in my book. I’m all registered and ready to get to Burbank and network, shop (for genealogically-related material, of course!), and…oh, yeah…learn, too.

If you are not familiar with the SCGS Jamboree, take a look here at all their offerings this year. And don’t think this is just a show for the locals. Jamboree was where I got to meet Heather Wilkinson Rojo of Nutfield Genealogy—all the way from New Hampshire. Had a great conversation with Gena Philibert Ortega. Jamboree is where you can get some face time with the likes of Lisa Alzo. Judy Russell. Thomas MacEntee. Hoosier Daddy? story-weaver, Michael Lacopo.

Coupling the genealogy conference with DNA Day provides a family history double header, in my opinion. Genetic genealogy has a steep learning curve, and I’m still climbing my way upwards on that slippery slope. I glean a lot of tips from the sessions on this day—and it helps to be able to ask specific questions directly of the experts on the areas where I’m stuck. Once again, face time trumps every other learning opportunity I know.

I don’t know whether this Jamboree event has been growing astronomically over the years, but I do know the coordinators are urging early registration—before the early bird cut-off on April 30—as well as early reservations for those wishing to stay in the host hotel. I’ve learned it’s best to just take care of these details as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

In the meantime, my strategy is to get a jump on the networking by connecting via Twitter—I’ll use the official conference hashtag #scgs2015, once the event nears—and make plans to connect with fellow bloggers I’d like to meet this year. For the shy and retiring, I’ve found this is the best way to break the ice. I’ll never forget how I discovered fellow blogger Melanie Frick was sitting across the aisle from me during one Jamboree session last year—by reading each other’s tweets.

If you happen to come across enough good fortune to get you to SoCal for Jamboree this year, please do let me know! You and I could use some face time, too.