Are You Researching Your German Ancestors and Have a Desire to Jump the Pond?

If you would like a course that will help you successfully research your German ancestors and cross the pond, then this course is for you! Warren Bittner is the coordinator for SLIG's "Advanced German Research" course in 2015. This advanced methods course is designed for genealogists with basic church book experience who are ready to develop advanced skills.

"F. Warren Bittner, CGSM, is a genealogical researcher and lecturer, with thirty years of research experience. He holds a Master of Science degree in history from Utah State University, and a Bachelors of Science degree in Business from Brigham Young University. His master’s thesis looked at the social factors affecting illegitimacy in nineteenth-century Bavaria. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and in 1989-1990 he studied Chinese at a graduate level at the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies in Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

"He is the owner of Ancestors Lost and Found, a small genealogical research firm. For six years he was the German Collection Manager for the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, where he coordinated contracts to microfilm and index records at 102 archives in seven countries and where he planned the German book acquisitions and internet publications. Before that he worked for four years in the extraction unit of the Family History Library, where he was coordinator of third-party indexing projects and where he developed and trained volunteers in Spanish indexing projects. He has also worked as a Reference Consultant at the Family History Library on both the U.S. and International reference counters. He has done research in more than fifty German archives and in more than forty U.S. archives and record repositories.

"In 2010 he was assistant director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and he is a former member of the board of directors for Utah Genealogical Association. He made several appearances on the PBS television series, Ancestors 2. He is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the National Genealogical Society, Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society, and the Palatines to America, Colorado Chapter, and the Sacrament German Society. He is married to Nancy Ruth Christensen and is the father of three children.[1]

[1] Bio for Warren Bittner, Genealogical Speakers Guild (http://www.genealogicalspeakersguild.org/member_details.php?member=BittnerW : accessed June 30, 2014).

John Philip Colletta - One of SLIG's Popular Instructors!

John Philip Colletta is the coordinator for SLIG's course entitled "Research in Original Source Repositories." The purpose of the course is to take the mystery and trepidation out of using original source repositories. By the end of the week, you will not only know a great deal about original source repositories, you will also feel confident and comfortable using them.

John will be joined by other renowned instructors:

• Patricia Smith-Mansfield, State Archivist of Utah
• Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL
• Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL
• Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

You can find out more about John on his website at http://www.genealogyjohn.com/html/about.htm.

Spotlight on David Ouimette, CG

     David Ouimette, CG, manages Content Strategy at FamilySearch, prioritizing the acquisition and online publication of records worldwide for family history research. He has conducted research and analyzed archival materials in dozens of countries in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. David regularly lectures at national genealogical conferences and institutes. He has contributed articles to many magazines and journals and authored Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide.

     David is the course coordinator for "Finding Immigrant Origins" at SLIG in 2015. This course covers the key historical sources and research methodologies for family historians tracing immigrant origins. Students will begin by envisioning the immigrant within the context of his family, community, and culture. The historical documents created by the pushes and pulls that motivated his journey abroad will be examined. Methodologies for analyzing and correlating information found in U.S. record sources and immigration records to discover the immigrant’s old-world origins will be reviewed. The course will also illustrate principles and practices for tracing immigrants back to many specific countries. Additionally, techniques for demonstrating effective online research of immigrant ancestors will be shown. The course explores chain migration, ethnic migration paths, surname localization, DNA evidence, cluster genealogy, and other tools to help find your immigrant’s ancestral village.

     Additional information on the course can be found at http://www.infouga.org/aem.php? lv=p&epg=68. You can register at http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=r&eid=12.

Are You in Search of Your Ancestors's Immigrant Origins?

     SLIG's is offering "Finding Immigrant Origins" in January 2015. This course covers the key historical sources and research methodologies for family historians tracing immigrant origins. Students begin by envisioning the immigrant within the context of his family, community, and culture. Historical documents created by the pushes and pulls that motivated his journey abroad are examined. Methodologies are reviewed for analyzing and correlating information found in U.S. record sources and immigration records to discover the immigrant’s old-world origins. Principles and practices are illustrated for tracing immigrants back to many specific countries and for effective online research of immigrant ancestors. Additional topics include chain migration, ethnic migration paths, surname localization, DNA evidence, cluster genealogy, and other tools to help find an immigrant’s ancestral village.

The expert instructors are:
· David Ouimette, CG
· Trish Tolley, AG
· John Colletta, PhD
· Suzanne Adams, AG
· Jeff Svare, AG
· Lynn Turner, AG

Below are the specific topics that will be covered during the week-long course:
o Identifying the Immigrant within the Family and Community
o The Ebb and Flow of Immigrants to America: Colonial Times to WW II
o Ethnic Migration Paths (and the Pushes and Pulls of Immigration)
o Family and Local Records: Histories, Biographies, and Newspapers
o Vital Records, Parish Registers, Probate, and Cemeteries
o U.S. Customs and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957
o Censuses, City Directories, and Name Lists
o Naturalization Records, Colonial Times to Early 20th Century
o Immigration to Colonial America
o UK and Irish Immigration
o Localizing the Surname: Dictionaries and Heat Maps
o Online Immigration Research: Computer Lab
o Eastern European Immigration
o Scandinavian Immigration
o German Immigration
o Italian Immigration
o Hispanic Immigration
o Chain Migration: Polish Case Study
o Interpreting the Place Name: Linguistics, Maps and Gazetteers
o DNA Evidence of Ancestral Origins

Spots still remain in this course, so register today to save yourself a seat for this informative track. It promises to provide the knowledge to help you determine your ancestor's immigrant origins! You can register at http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=68.

SLIG's Course 6 in 2015 Covers Post-War Military Records

     The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy in 2015 is offering a course on Post-War Military Records. Researchers are usually familiar with Compiled Military Service Records (CMSRs) and Pension Records, but how about payment records?

     In this course, Craig Scott, CG, FUGA, will cover payment ledgers and payment vouchers. Payment ledgers are the method by which the government keeps track of payments made to pensioners. They provide information about migration and death of a pensioner and can act as a census. Payment vouchers, last payment vouchers and final payment vouchers may provide additional information not found in pension application files. The contain information about the death of the pensioner and his heirs.

     This course will take you beyond the traditional military records and open up more research avenues for you to explore with your ancestors. You can find out more about the course here: http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=68. Registration can be accessed here: http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=r&eid=12

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Registration Opens Tomorrow!

Be ready to register at 9:00 a.m. (MT) at www.slig.ugagenealogy.org

     The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is a week-long intensive educational experience that takes students deep into their track of choice. Instead of a breadth of topics, like a conference, this institute brings you a depth of knowledge. Come and enjoy a week of learning with the nation's top genealogy educators just steps from the Family History LibraryTracks this year include:

• The Family History Law Library
• Beyond the Library: Researching in Original Resource Repositories
• Advanced Genealogical Methods
• Finding Immigrant Origins
• Advanced German Research
• Advanced Research Tools: Post-War Military Records
• Resources & Strategies for United States Research, Part I
• From Confusion to Conclusion: Writing Proof Arguments
• Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy
• Advanced DNA Analysis
• Diving Deeper into New England
• Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum

     Find more information atwww.slig.ugagenealogy.org.SLIG is offering attendees overnight rooms at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center at a special room-rate of $129 per night (single/double/triple/quad). This room rate is for overnight stays within these dates: 4 January-21 January 2015. To guarantee this rate, please reserve your room online at https://aws.passkey.com/go/SLIG15. Additionally, you may contact the Hilton Salt Lake at (801) 328-2000 and reference the code “SLI” to obtain the rate (please note you MUST reference “SLI” to receive the discounted rate). You may make reservations at this special rate through 10 December 2014. However, rooms at this rate are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so early reservations are recommended. If you have any challenges or have questions, please email the hotel liaison.

     Booking a room in the SLIG room block includes complimentary wireless Internet access in your guestroom and complimentary self-parking. Staying at the host hotel is an important way to support the association and ultimately keep overall meeting costs as low as possible. APG/SLIG commits to a block of rooms at these hotels on behalf of conference attendees and has a financial obligation to fill those blocks. Please help us to avoid potential penalties and control costs for future events by staying at the official hotel. Staying within the block is also more convenient and helps you stay connected with the informal activities and networking opportunities that occur at the hotel during the conference.

     Information about the Hilton Salt Lake City Center may be found here: www.hiltonsaltlakecity.com.

Registration for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Begins Saturday, June 14th!

     Registration for SLIG 2015 opens on Saturday, June 14, 2014! Pick your course, so that you are ready to enroll when registration opens as there are limited seats and ​the ​courses fill fast. The following tracks are being offered:

• The Family History Law Library (Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL and Rick Sayre, CG, CGL)
• Beyond the Library: Researching in Original Resource Repositories (John Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA)
• Advanced Genealogical Methods (Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)
• Finding Immigrant Origins (David Ouimette, CG)
• Advanced German Research (F. Warren Bittner, CG)
• Advanced Research Tools: Post-War Military Records (Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA)
• Resources & Strategies for United States Research, Part I (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FMGS)
• From Confusion to Conclusion: Writing Proof Arguments (Kimberly Powell and Harold Henderson, CG)
• Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy (Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL)
• Advanced DNA Analysis (CeCe Moore, Angie Bush)
• Diving Deeper into New England (Advanced) (D. Joshua Taylor, MA)
• Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (Angela McGhie)

     Immerse yourself in a specific genealogical topic for a week-long educational opportunity that is unparalleled. Many of the courses are interactive and highlight on site research at the Family History Library (FHL) as well as one-on-one consultations with the course coordinators and instructors. These individuals are genealogical experts and provide guidance and insight that may help you overcome those brick walls and move forward with your research.

     Attendees have time to explore Salt Lake City’s many attractions as well as spend time outside of the course researching at the FHL. The library is a short walk from the Institute’s location.

     Another benefit of joining SLIG this year is the ability to attend the Association of Professional Genealogist’s Professional Management Conference (PMC), which will be held the Thursday and Friday before the Institute begins. You can experience two great events being held back-to-back at one location!

     Sign-up before October 31st and you will save over 10% off your registration. Become a member of UGA and increase your savings even more.
​For more information: http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42.

Next Steps After Registering for SLIG 2015

     So, it is Saturday, June 14th and you have just successfully registered for the course of your choice in next year's Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG). Congratulations!

     Now what, you ask yourself? Why make your hotel reservations of course! Not only can you register for your SLIG course (http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42), but you can also make your hotel reservations (https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SLIG15).

     We recommend staying at the conference hotel, the Hilton Salt Lake City Center in order to obtain the full institute experience and have access to special events and networking with the instructors and other attendees. SLIG’s reduced rate is $129/night (reduced from $269/night). This rate is set for up to four people in a room. The rooms are spacious and a two-queen room can comfortably accommodate four people.

     You can find out more about the hotel by visiting their webpage at http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/utah/hilton-salt-lake-city-center-SLCCCHH/index.html?wt.srch=1. The hotel's website provides a list of their amenities and services.

     Don't forget when making your plans to attend SLIG next year that the Association of Professional Genealogist's Professional Management Conference (PMC) will be held the Thursday and Friday before the Institute begins. This is a great opportunity to be able to attend two genealogical events in close proximity. While PMC registration is not open yet, you can monitor their website (https://www.apgen.org/conferences/index.html) for more information.

     Start planning to start the New Year off right by immersing yourself in a specific genealogical topic for a week-long educational opportunity that is unparalleled. Many of the courses are interactive and highlight on site research at the Family History Library (FHL) as well as one-on-one consultations with the course coordinators and instructors. These individuals are genealogical experts and provide guidance and insight that may help you overcome those brick walls and move forward with your research.

     Mark your calendars for next Saturday!

SLIG 2015 - Not Every Record is Online!

Have you conducted research in original source repositories?

John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., is the coordinator for the course entitled "Research in Original Source Repositories." This course is designed to "take the mystery and trepidation out of using original source repositories. By the end of this week, you will not only know a great deal about original source repositories, you will also feel confident and comfortable using them."

Additionally, participants will gain a better understanding of the "wider world of historical resources not available from the Family History Library, not available anywhere in published form—in print, microfilm, or online. This course explores repositories of original historical sources: archives, courthouses and manuscript collections."

"What are these repositories? How do they differ from one another? How do you find the ones you need for your research? How to you access the treasures they contain that pertain to your ancestors? How do you use those materials to reconstruct your ancestors’ lives?"

John's team of expert instructors include: Patricia Smith-Mansfield; Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL; Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL; and Paula Stuart-Warren, CG. These "instructors of honed expertise and substantial experience demonstrate their lessons using numerous examples and case studies. They share practical hints and helps, conveying the thrill and satisfaction of handling and deciphering antique documents. Course participants will attend an orientation session at the Utah State Archives Research Center, followed by a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art records repository adjacent to the Center."

Registration begins this Saturday at 9:00 AM Mountain time. Don't miss this opportunity to hone your skills locating those harder-to-find sources. It might be just what you need to break through that brick wall.

Course information can be found at http://www.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=331. Registration information can be found at http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42.

Searching for Your Immigrant's Origins? SLIG Registration Opens Saturday, June 14th!

     This course covers the key historical sources and research methodologies for family historians tracing immigrant origins. Students begin by envisioning the immigrant within the context of his family, community, and culture. This includes the historical documents created by the pushes and pulls that motivated his journey abroad. The course covers the methodologies for analyzing and correlating information found in U.S. record sources and immigration records to discover the immigrant’s old-world origins. Additionally, the material will illustrate principles and practices for tracing immigrants back to many specific countries. Techniques will be demonstrated for conducting effective online research of immigrant ancestors. Coverage of chain migration, ethnic migration paths, surname localization, DNA evidence, cluster genealogy, and other tools to help students find their immigrant’s ancestral village.

Davide Ouimette, CG along with his team of expert instructors will cover the following topics during the week:

o Identifying the Immigrant within the Family and Community
o The Ebb and Flow of Immigrants to America: Colonial Times to WW II
o Ethnic Migration Paths (and the Pushes and Pulls of Immigration)
o Family and Local Records: Histories, Biographies, and Newspapers
o Vital Records, Parish Registers, Probate, and Cemeteries
o U.S. Customs and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957
o Censuses, City Directories, and Name Lists
o Naturalization Records, Colonial Times to Early 20th Century
o Immigration to Colonial America
o UK and Irish Immigration
o Localizing the Surname: Dictionaries and Heat Maps
o Online Immigration Research: Computer Lab
o Eastern European Immigration
o Scandinavian Immigration
o German Immigration
o Italian Immigration
o Hispanic Immigration
o Chain Migration: Polish Case Study
o Interpreting the Place Name: Linguistics, Maps and Gazetteers
o DNA Evidence of Ancestral Origins

Course information can be accessed here: http://www.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=332. SLIG information can be found at http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42.

Don't miss an opportunity to spend a week learning more about how to determine your immigrant ancestor's origins!

Join "The Legal Genealogist" and Team for SLIG's "Family History Law Library" Course in January 2015

     Interested in apply basic legal concepts and legal research approaches to your genealogy? If so, the "Family History Law Library" course is for you!

     Course coordinators Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL and Rick Sayre, CG, CGL have put together a week long course that will cover law concepts appropriate for genealogists. The course will "will require the student to employ these concepts with hands on exercises using the resources of the FHL. Topics will include courts and their records, estate laws, legislative records, pensions, and property law. Additionally, elements of both English common law and Roman law will be introduced through classes on the legal concepts found in Irish, German, and French law that relate to research in those countries and their relevance to research in the United States."

     Claire Bettag, CG and David Rencher, AG, CG round out the instructor team. Specific lecture topics include:

• Case Studies in Legal Research and Analysis [Russell/Sayre]
• Civil Law: France and its Legal Records [Bettag]
• Civil Law: Germany and its Legal Records [TBA]
• Common Law: Ireland and its Legal Records [Rencher]
• Family Law and its Records [Russell]
• Federal Courts and their Records [Russell]
• Immigration and Naturalization and their Records [Russell]
• Probate and its Records [Russell]
• State Courts and their Records [Russell]
• State Property Law and its Records [Russell]
• Legislative and Executive Records [Sayre]
• The Serial Set et al Illustrated (case studies and usage concepts) [Sayre]
• The Claims Committees of the Congress [Sayre]
• Military Pension Laws [Sayre]
• Federal Land Law – The Public Domain [Sayre]
• Federal Land Law – Disposing of Public Land [Sayre]

     See http://www.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=324 for the course details and http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42 for general information on SLIG. Registration opens at 9 AM Mountain Time on Saturday, June 14th...only ten days away! Make sure you reserve your spot early as this promises to be a popular course.

Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2015 Scholarship

     The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce we are now accepting essays for the Jimmy B. Parker Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy scholarship. Full tuition to SLIG 2015 will be awarded to the student whose essay and application exemplify the culture of giving back to community, lived by Jimmy B. Parker. The scholarship will be awarded by a committee comprised of SLIG committee members and the family of the late Jimmy B. Parker.

Applicants are asked to submit the following via email to luanadarby@gmail.com:

1. A one-page essay detailing how attending SLIG will help you prepare to give back to the genealogical community.
2. A short biography, including previous volunteer and research experience.
3. The name of the course you would like to attend.
4. A letter of recommendation from someone who has benefited from your volunteer service.

     The Salt Lake Institute runs from January 12-16, 2015 and the winning student will have their choice of the following tracks:

1. The Family History Law Library (with Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL and Rick Sayre, CG, CGL)
2. Beyond the Library: Researching in Original Resource Repositories (John Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA)
3. Finding Immigrant Origins (David Ouimette, CG)
4. Advanced Research Tools: Post-War Military Records (Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA)
5. Advanced German Research (F. Warren Bittner, CG)
6. Resources & Strategies for United States Research, Part 1 (Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FUGA, FGMS)
7. From Confusion to Conclusion: Writing Proof Arguments (Kimberly Powell and Harold Henderson, CG)
8. Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (with Angela McGhie and Kimberly Powell)
9. Advanced Genealogical Methods (with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS)
10. Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy (Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL)
11. Diving Deeper into New England – Advanced (D. Joshua Taylor, MA)
12. Advanced DNA Analysis (CeCe Moore and Angie Bush)

Applications and essays are due by July 1st and the winner will be announced July 15th.