Reflections from the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference: Presenting Family History, Connecting with Colleagues, and Finding Time to Relax!

This past weekend, I attended the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference at the Kalahari Resort. It was my third consecutive year attending, but this year felt especially significant because it was my first experience as a conference speaker. It was incredibly busy yet extremely rewarding and one I will never forget.

Throughout the event, I gave four presentations, each providing valuable opportunities to engage with attendees, fellow speakers, and the dedicated conference organizers. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone involved made this conference particularly memorable.

One of the highlights of the Ohio Genealogical Society Conference was undoubtedly the vibrant expo hall. It featured numerous wonderful booths, each offering unique insights, resources, and products to enhance genealogical research. Walking through the hall provided endless opportunities to discover new tools, books, services, and organizations dedicated to family history. Additionally, OGS organized an exciting raffle, filled with fantastic prizes generously donated by exhibitors and sponsors. The energy and enthusiasm around the raffle added even more excitement, drawing crowds eager to win and contributing to a lively and enjoyable atmosphere.

One presentation was especially meaningful to me. I had the honor of speaking about my own family history, the Rose family. Sharing stories about my ancestors, whose roots began right here in Ohio, was a special experience. I highlighted many memorable individuals and events, including the incredible story of my grandfather’s kidnapping. Presenting such personal and captivating family history to an interested audience was truly unforgettable. My mom and sister were able to attend which was super cool!

Despite the packed schedule, I made sure to find some much-needed relaxation time at the waterpark hot tub. With surgery scheduled in a few short weeks to repair my torn hip labrum, soaking in the hot tub provided welcome relief.

As much as I look forward to all of the OGS fun, I’ll admit I was almost as excited about getting to enjoy Sortino’s famous meatballs afterward. Those meatballs are absolutely delicious and made for the perfect post-conference treat. Sortino’s has a rich history in this town too: the family behind it immigrated from Sicily in the 1950s , and they’ve been serving up their authentic Italian recipes here for over 60 years now . It’s pretty cool to eat at a place that’s been a local staple for several generations with a rich family history.

Overall, the conference was filled with storytelling, learning, meaningful connections, and essential self-care. I'm already looking forward to next year’s event and reconnecting with this fantastic genealogy community.

-Aimee Rose-Haynes