Resources > Organizations

There are many different types of genealogical organizations operating at the national level in the United States, in addition to the academic programs and accrediting bodies covered here in other submenus under ‘Resources’. The following organizations are significant for their educational programs, holdings of valuable original research material, or other contributions to scholarly genealogy.

  • National Genealogical Society, Washington, DC. The original national-level membership organization for genealogists, the NGS mounts conferences and educational programs, and publishes the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, one of the leading scholarly genealogical journals. In addition, many of the most influential genealogists of the past century (including many FASGs) have been honored by being named to the NGS Hall of Fame.

  • Federation of Genealogical Societies. An umbrella organization for regional and local genealogical societies across the United States, the FGS mounts a major annual conference and offers educational programs and other support for those involved in the leadership of local genealogical societies.

  • New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts. The oldest and largest genealogical society in the United States. With roots in the Northeast, and an important genealogical library in Boston, the NEHGS operates educational programs and activities on a national level. Publications include the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the nation’s oldest genealogical journal.

  • Association of Professional Genealogists, Denver, Colorado. A membership organization (though not an accrediting body) for those who wish to conduct genealogical research for hire, it offers educational programs to support professional genealogists, and publishes a member directory for those seeking to engage a professional.

  • FamilySearch, formerly known as the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. A subsidiary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it functions as a large, freely accessible genealogical service organization, operating the familysearch.org genealogical website and the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and hosting educational programs and conferences there including the annual Roots Tech conference.