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Well-sandaled ancient Romans lined the walls of their homes with death masks of their ancestors. Visitors silently counted the stony, vacant-eyed faces. More masks equaled more respect for the host. Clearly, interest in ancestors isn't new. Remember those biblical lineages: So-and-so begat so-and-so, and so on.

Fast forward a few dozen centuries and the fascination continues. Americans jumped on the genealogical bandwagon long ago.

In fact, one of the oldest continuously operating nonprofit organizations in the United States is the National Genealogical Society. Founded more than 100 years ago in Washington, D.C., the society promotes interest in genealogy and encourages high standards of research. Records preservation and research skills development also rank high on the society's list of goals.

Anyone interested in genealogy can join the society for $55 per year. Information about the organization can be found on its Web site (ngsgenealogy.org).

Quality publications anchor the list of membership perks. Members receive two quarterly publications: the NGS NewsMagazine and the NGS Quarterly.

The NewsMagazine features genealogical news and articles on research methodology. The Quarterly takes a scholarly approach and showcases genealogical case studies.

The society also produces a monthly electronic newsletter to which both members and non-members can subscribe.

The society sponsors a national conference each year where attendees can soak up all things genealogical. Next year's conference in Kansas City is already in the works.

If you can't make it to a conference, the society offers opportunities for learning about genealogy from your home. They offer online courses and a home study course.

Several online databases represent another membership benefit.

Members can access more than 1 million names in the Member Ancestry Chart index. Members have submitted information on their ancestors, and the names - including vital dates - are in the process of being indexed.

NGS also has an online Bible records project. The society collects transcriptions and photocopies of the vital dates and names recorded in family Bibles. These names, with some linking to digital images, are continuously added to the online database.

If any of your ancestors dwelled in Washington, D.C., in the 19th century, you're in luck. The society has online abstracts of marriages, births, and deaths announced in the D.C. newspaper, the National Intelligencer, from 1800 to 1850.

The society has an extensive library collection housed at the St. Louis County Public Library. Many of its books are available for interlibrary loan.

NGS also advertises upcoming conferences and family reunions, and its bookstore features genealogy instruction plans for school-age family historians.

The National Genealogical Society offers something for every genealogist from the beginning novice to the seasoned professional.