FAQ

Course registration opens with a rolling schedule on Saturday, 1 February 2020. All registration times are ET (Eastern Time).

Once registration opens for the course you want, you may register anytime until course registration ends for all courses at 11:55 p.m. on Monday, 6 July 2020.

You will need to create an account with IGHR before registering for the first time.

To receive the GGS current member discount, you must use your GGS registered email address as your tuition discount [promotion] code at the time of checkout—should you complete your registration without using the discount code, IGHR cannot reimburse you. Discounts are only permitted for course tuition! (Uses other than tuition will be corrected and billed.)

Join Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS) during course registration to receive the member tuition discount! The GGS member discount will be applied for new and expired members when the option to register for GGS membership (single or family) at the same time as course registration is selected. Use the appropriate tuition discount [promotion] code provided at the top of the course description/registration pages.

Limit one registration per email address.

Any additional purchases you wish to make, such as meal tickets or a printed syllabus, may be added to your cart or purchased at a later time in My Account so you can secure your seat in the course quickly on opening day. Some of the courses fill quickly!

Important! Registration buttons are only visible during the registration window.

To register (once registration opens), go to IGHR Courses. We encourage you to join the course wait list if the course you want is full and then sign up for a different course that you would like to take. If your name comes up on the wait list, you will be notified and permitted to switch to the course of your first choice at no charge.

Payment may be made by credit card through PayPal (a PayPal account is not required), a PayPal payment, or check.

IGHR 2020 Tuition
(1 February through 6 July 2020)

• Only one registration per email address permitted.
• Only one GGS member $50 discount permitted per individual or family membership.
• Discounts are for course tuition. (Uses other than tuition will be corrected and billed.)
• To receive the GGS current member discount, you must use your GGS registered email address as your tuition discount [promotion] code at the time of checkout—should you complete your registration without using the discount code, IGHR cannot reimburse you.
• The GGS member discount will be applied for new and expired members when the tuition + membership discount [promotion] code is provided during checkout—should you complete your registration without using the discount code, IGHR cannot reimburse you.

Yes! Scholarship information is available under About IGHR/Scholarships.

IGHR communicates with registrants and others who have signed up for the mailing list via email. You may sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of this webpage. In addition, information is shared through social media including:

• Facebook (public page)
• Facebook (closed group for attendees)
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest

IGHR Schedule At-A-Glance

Saturday, 25 July 2020

• Free FamilySearch Family History and Genealogy Expo 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, 26 July 2020

• IGHR Registration check-in 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• IGHR Orientation 5 – 6 p.m.
• Reception immediately following orientation; dinner on your own

Monday, 27 July 2020

• Courses begin (Monday – Friday); view individual course schedules on course description pages (available soon)
• Evening sessions begin (Monday and Wednesday) 7:15 – 8:15 pm

Thursday, 30 July 2020

• IGHR Attendee Dinner at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel 5:45 – 7:45 p.m. (included in tuition)

Friday, 31 July 2020

• Courses end at noon

IGHR registration check-in will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, 26 July 2020 at the conference registration desk located in the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. The conference registration desk is highlighted in pink and to the left of the Pecan Tree Courtyard on the floor map. IGHR volunteers will be available to help attendees locate the IGHR registration desk and UGA Hotel desk. IGHR registration check-in will end at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Hotel check-in time is different than IGHR registration start time.

The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel  (aka Georgia Center) is located on the campus of the University of Georgia. The street address is 1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602-3603. The phone number is 706-548-1311 or (800) 488-7827.

Orientation will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, 26 July 2020 in Mahler Auditorium off Hill Atrium. We strongly encourage everyone to attend orientation.

Minimal. Most courses will be conducted in the same building as the hotel and meals. A few sessions for some courses will be held in libraries on campus in order to utilize the materials in those collections. Most on campus transportation will be by UGA Campus Transit.

For some of the computer lab sessions, people will walk across the street and down (about 3 flat blocks) from the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel (aka Georgia Center) to a computer lab in the UGA Science Library. There is a bus that stops at the UGA Center and stops at the bus stop 1/2 block from the UGA Science Library that can also be used. Please let us know in advance if you will need special transportation accommodations by contacting the IGHR Director ighr@gagensociety.org. Course schedules are posted on this website under the IGHR Courses tab.

There is no charge for visitors to ride a University of Georgia bus! You can take a UGA bus to any of the libraries on campus and to the UGA Arch adjacent to Downtown Athens. Follow the link to view bus maps or follow buses live on your phone by downloading the free UGA App from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Based on previous feedback, IGHR is providing a casual professional atmosphere. July in Athens is generally hot and humid with the occasional rain storm. While most everything is under one roof, some will be traveling outside the facility. Also, classrooms may be cold so a light sweater or jacket is recommended.

IGHR is not offering any formal meals and the vast majority, if not all, the area restaurants promote a casual atmosphere—typical of a college town. See the FAQ “What should I bring with me?" for additional information on clothing to pack.

Long-time IGHR attendee Laura W. Carter recommends the following:

Medications/health

• Prescription medications
• Health insurance card(s)
• Extra glasses
• Sun glasses

Computer/tablet/laptop

• Power cords for phone, laptop, tablet, and all other devices. (Label with your name)
• Extension cord (6-12 ft.) with 3-prong plug and 2-4 outlets. Georgia Center is a 1950s building with concrete floors so outlets in classrooms are sparse. (Label with your name)
• Small surge protector with a short cord or wall plug, not just an extension cord. (Label with your name)
• Thumb/flash drive(s). The drives can be used on:
  • The UGA Libraries’ computers to download data and images at no charge.
  • The Athens-Clarke County Library Heritage Room’s computers to download data at no charge.
  • The microfilm scanner/copiers at UGA Libraries or ACCL Heritage Room to download images at no charge.
• Cable lock for your laptop computer, to lock your computer to your work area in the UGA Libraries. Classroom tables are not secure enough to count on locks there.
• List of passwords for your subscriptions

Office supplies/miscellaneous

• Tote bag of some kind (IGHR will not be providing bags this year.)
• Notebook paper/ tablets/ something to take notes on
• Pens and pencils to write with
• Your own genealogy research to work on
• Snacks
• Plastic bags (for leftovers)
• paper clips, rubber bands, staple puller, stapler (Your preferred classroom/research supplies.)
• flashlight
• nightlight

Clothing

• Attire is business casual; faculty will dress more professionally than students need to.
• Comfortable shoes (the building is large, although the walk is indoors).
• Comfortable clothes, casual but no holes, tears, bare midriffs, etc. This is a professional meeting so modesty needs to be the norm. Layers including socks and a sweater or jacket are advisable in classrooms. Air conditioned rooms can be cold, especially when wearing summer weight clothes appropriate for the outside heat and humidity.
• Small umbrella – It has been known to rain unexpectedly.
• Exercise clothing, if you want to take advantage of the hotel’s facilities and swimsuit if you want to swim at the Ramsey Center.

Yes! We have shirts, sweaters, hoodies, computer bags, mugs, and more! Visit the IGHR online store https://ighr.axomo.com to see what is available. Click on an item to see color and size choices. Items will be delivered to your home.

Please note- Items are personalized with the IGHR logo at the time of your order and, therefore, can not be returned for a refund.

Yes! There is something for everyone’s interests. The following is a partial list:

• Georgia Museum of Art – this is the official Georgia state art museum
• State Botanical Garden of Georgia – official state botanical garden of Georgia
• Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries Building & Galleries
• Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall –Georgia Bulldog Sports Hall of Fame
• Historic House Museums, including the Athens Welcome Center
• The Tree That Owns Itself
• Double Barreled Cannon
• Craft Breweries
• Tours and Itineraries

You can also check

• The Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau website
• Eagle Tavern, Watkinsville, GA
• Oconee County, Georgia

IGHR 2020 will take place Sunday, 26 July – Friday, 31 July 2020 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel in Athens, GA. We hope you will join us!

The FREE FamilySearch Family History and Genealogy Expo will be held Saturday, 25 July 2020 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. This event is free and open to the public – no registration is required. There will be vendor booths and presentations throughout the day.

Groome Transportation provides shuttle service between the Atlanta airport and Athens. Sometimes they offer a Multiple passenger discount for those traveling together.

Visit the Groome website to make reservations and to view your options for drop off /pick up times and locations.

The IGHR Group rate will be honored three days before and three days after IGHR 2020 (based on availability) at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel.

Of course it never hurts to ask if you plan to stay longer! Detailed Hotel information is available under the IGHR 2020 tab.

IGHR does not recommend or endorse any business, but you can try Pine Lake Campground, near Athens.

IGHR has partnered with the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel to provide optional pre-paid meal plans. Meals will be provided in the Magnolia Ballroom, which provides private dining within the conference center. One evening meal – Thursday – is included in IGHR tuition. A light reception will be held immediately after orientation on Sunday. Click on FAQ “How do I request a special diet meal?" to advise us of your dietary restrictions and request a special diet meal ticket for Thursday’s Dinner and meals purchased through the IGHR meal plans.

Once registration opens, meal plan tickets may be purchased by clicking on the words “My Account" in the menu. (You must be logged in to see “My Account.") Meal plan menus and ticket prices may be viewed on the Dining Options page. The IGHR 2020 deadline to order a meal ticket and to request a special diet meal is 6 July 2020 at 11:55 p.m. (Eastern  Time).

There are two on-site restaurants; however, IGHR cannot guarantee that these two restaurants will be able to handle a large group within the scheduled lunch period. IGHR is advocating that attendees consider the meal plan option.

Lunch will be served from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. and dinner will be served from 5:45 – 7:45 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom. Pre-paid meal tickets will be collected at the door. If you requested a special diet meal, you will place this ticket on your table for the wait staff to see. You will need to show them this special diet meal ticket for each meal. You will receive your pre-paid meal tickets during registration check-in. Attendees will use their name badge as a meal ticket for Thursday night’s group dinner (included in tuition).

There will be two 30 minute food and beverage breaks each day Monday through Thursday in the Kellogg Concourse. Additional seating will be available in Room L. Morning break will be 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. and afternoon break 2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Friday morning there will be one 15 minute refreshment break 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. The idea is to allow visiting and networking among attendees.

Each hotel room in the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel has a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker.

There are several restaurants nearby, and some in the Five Points area are a relatively flat walk to and from the Georgia Center. The University of Georgia also has a couple of dining halls that will be open during the week of IGHR. Click on FAQ “What are my other dining options in Athens?" for more information.

Dietary Restrictions: Once registration opens, click Special Diet Meals to complete the online form indicating your dietary restrictions.

You must complete this special diet form by 6 July 2020 11:55 p.m. ET to receive a special diet meal for Thursday night’s dinner (included with IGHR tuition) and meals purchased through the IGHR pre-paid meal plan.

We anticipate the closest University of Georgia dining halls to the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel (Georgia Center) that will be open during IGHR are Bolton Hall (.5 miles) and Village Summit (.8 miles); Tate Center also has a variety of retail options at 45 Baxter Street which will be open. Although less than a mile away, all are VERY hilly walks. We recommend taking the UGA bus. You can view hours, menus, and locations by following the links provided. (Snelling Hall, located behind the Georgia Center, will not be open during IGHR.) Information will be confirmed and updated (if needed) in July 2020.

There are several restaurants in the Downtown Athens, Five Points, and Baxter Street areas at most price points. Downtown listings include Prince Avenue locations. Click here to view a list of restaurants and their distance from the Georgia Center compiled by IGHR volunteers.

Additional information is available from the University of Georgia, Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Flagpole Guide to Athens.