Many societies also produce quarterlies for members that may contain indexes, transcriptions, lists of hard to find records or addresses, and other valuable forms of information specific to your research. Societies are a great place to learn new techniques to help further your research. They can also help you hone research skills and remind you of the fundamentals that are so important to your work. Educational programs offered by special interest or local societies often address problems specific to that particular area of research. Genealogical societies afford researchers a forum in which to exchange information with others that have similar research interests.
Societies are open to all genealogists, with and without a computer.
Local or ethnic societies are a great place to get information on regional records and their availability. This is information that may be hard to come by otherwise. Societies help set priorities and seek public and private investment to keep records available to genealogists everywhere. Organizations with many members carry more weight and can often accomplish what individual researchers cannot. Genealogical societies form a solid foundation upon which the genealogical community rests.