Learn more about genealogy from some of the nation’s leading experts and get the tools to implement that knowledge at Midwestern Roots 2008: Family History and Genealogy Conference, taking place Aug. 15-16.

Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society, the conference will take place at the Indianapolis Marriott East, and many pre-conference activities will take place at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center (450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis).

From DNA and genealogy to technology and methodology, the conference will include more than 30 presentations and cover a wide array of topics, including a look at the importance and use of wartime letters by James Madison (Thomas and Kathryn Miller Professor of History at Indiana University-Bloomington and author of many books, his newest being "Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II").

Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak, Chief Family Historian and North American spokesperson for Ancestry.com, is also a featured presenter. Other notable national speakers include Richard Eastman, Roberta Estes, Charles F. Kerchner, David Lifferth, Stephen Morse, Christine Rose, Beau Sharbrough and Curt Witcher.

In addition to the sessions, an exhibit hall will showcase vendors selling the latest products and tools for genealogists—this is also free and open to the public on Friday and Saturday.

A pre-conference highlight on Thursday, Aug. 14, will be a panel discussion with some of the pioneers in genetic genealogy on its evolution, potential and present-day uses—panelists include Smolenyak, Estes and Kerchner.

Other pre-conference activities include: tours of the William Henry Smith Memorial Library (History Center), the Indiana State Library and the Indiana State Archives; writing workshops on preparing family histories for publication; computer labs; and a workshop designed for library staff and volunteers who answer questions posed by genealogy patrons. The Genealogy Division of the Indiana State Library, the Indiana State Archives and the William Henry Smith Memorial Library also will be open late for research.

Cost for the basic two-day workshop (including lunches) is $150 ($125 for IHS members, $75 for students), and single-day registration (including lunch) is $90 ($75 for IHS members, $45 for students). Additional pre-conference activities and workshops are available for a fee, and the Indiana Historical Society will offer three scholarships for graduate students to attend the conference.

For conference information, registration forms, exhibitor information, specific pricing or a scholarship application, call (800) 447-1830 or visit www.indianahistory.org/midwesternroots.

Hotel reservations may be made at the Indianapolis Marriott East or La Quinta Inn. For the Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st Street, call (317) 352-1231 or (800) 228-9290 to receive the special $99 room rate. For the La Quinta Inn, 7304 East 21st Street, call (317) 359-1021 to receive the special $72 room rate. Please indicate association with Midwestern Roots 2008. Room reservations must be made by July 21, 2008.

Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting, and disseminating the state's history. A nonprofit membership organization, the IHS also publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; provides youth, adult, and family programming; provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; and maintains the nation's premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest.