Jacqui Barainca Suker started researching her ancestors when she was just 7 years old, thanks to her mother, a genealogical librarian for Brigham Young University. Now, 37 years later, Suker spends at least three hours a day researching family lines for herself and her husband.
Suker and her mother, Denice Murphy Barainca, were just two of some 2,000 attendees expected to visit this weekend's conference, "A World of Records," at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Co-sponsored by the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) and the Utah Genealogical Association (UGA), the four-day conference is open to all skill levels of genealogists, "from the total novice to the professional," said FGS office manager Madilyn Coen.
Suker, who considers herself an intermediate-level genealogist, and Barainca, a professional, said this year's conference is special because it's close to home and offers attendees access to the LDS Church's Family History Library, the world's largest genealogical library. In anticipation of the conference, the library's management extended its hours until midnight Wednesday through Friday and until 10 p.m. Saturday.
Keynote speaker Richard E. Turley Jr., a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, opened Thursday's session by recounting the library's history. As the library's managing director, Turley offered a historical perspective and suggested its future role in the world of genealogy.
Following Turley's speech, planners unveiled the 2000 Exhibit Hall, which features more than 100 suppliers of genealogical books, software, services and other products. The exhibit hall is free and open to the public.
Both Suker and Barainca agree that conferences allow anyone interested in genealogy to update themselves about the latest technology and research methods, from using the Internet to find deceased family members to using different languages to read records.
"I'm able to focus on what new area I'm going into," Suker said. "It's about searching for clues and trying to put the puzzle together."
"A World of Records" runs through Saturday, with workshops offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The cost to attend a single day of the conference is $76 and walk-in registrations are welcome. For more information, visit the FGS Web site www.FGS.org or call 534-4700.
E-MAIL: awelling@desnews.com