Want to know the key to solving your genealogical problem?

Come to SLIG's Plenary session to find out!

Our 20th anniversary plenary speaker will be Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG. She will present "What's the Evidence?” on Monday, January 12th at 7:00 PM. The plenary is open to both SLIG students and the public - feel free to bring your travel buddy with you. Please RSVP through the registration system for planning purposes.

Whatever our genealogical problem--whatever the brick wall or whatever the identity crisis—the key to solving it lies in three simple words: What’s the Evidence? But, of course, we also have to learn how to answer that question in the most productive ways. In this year’s keynote address, Elizabeth Shown Mills will offer a variety of strategies to guide you through the process of developing your answers, whether you’re working with classic evidence such as land plats or the latest DNA tests.

About Elizabeth Shown Mills:

For three decades as a professional genealogist and historian, Elizabeth Shown Mills has specialized in developing innovative research strategies and principles that have helped genealogy achieve recognition as an academic discipline as well as a professional career and a meaningful hobby. 

In 1986, Elizabeth launched the groundbreaking Advanced Research Methodology track at the Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research. Over the next quarter-century that track would train many of today’s leading genealogists, and many of the principles developed there are today in common usage in our field—from the FAN Principle to the Evidence Analysis Process Map. In 1987, she assumed editorship of the peer-reviewed National Genealogical Society Quarterly, building it into the field’s premier “teaching journal” across her 16-year tenure. In 2001, as co-writer and editor, she released the now-standard textbook, Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians.

In 2007, Elizabeth published the definitive guide to sources and citation, Evidence Explained—winning Library Journal’s coveted “Best Reference 2007” designation. Subsequently, she served on the team of academics and professional genealogists who developed the curriculum for Boston University’s Professional Certificate in Genealogical Research. At her website, EvidenceExplained.com, she continues to teach through her blog QuickTips, through periodic QuickLessons that focus on research methodology, and through a trio of public forums for evidence analysis, citation, and record usage.

In between these ventures, Elizabeth has authored nearly a thousand articles that have been published not only in magazines and newspapers but also peer-reviewed journals in the fields of genealogy, history, literature, and sociology. Her dozen other books range from translated colonial records to the historic novel Isle of Canes and the new expanded edition of the now-classic university-press monograph, The Forgotten People: Cane River’s Creoles of Color.

Elizabeth well-knows the power of evidence, when carefully used, and regularly shares her expertise with live and media audiences internationally.

Evening Events at SLIG 2015!

Evenings at the 20th Annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy are packed with exciting events. Please consider adding the following to your original registration.

Colloquium Banquet: The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will hold its first annual SLIG Colloquium on Saturday, January 10, 2015. Leaders in our field will come together for a day of discussion on topics such as inter-field integration and DNA. SLIG participants and guests are invited to join us in celebrating this exciting event that evening at the Academic Colloquium Banquet. Banquet tickets are $45; colloquium presenters will present a synopsis of their colloquium presentations.

Plenary session: Our 20th anniversary plenary speaker will be Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG. She will present "What's the Evidence?” on Monday, January 12th at 7:00 PM. The plenary is open to both SLIG students and the public - feel free to bring your travel buddy with you. Please RSVP through the registration system for planning purposes.

Premier Viewing of Genealogy Roadshow: Join hosts of PBS’ Genealogy Roadshow, Josh Taylor and Mary Tedesco, for a preview of the new season’s first episode. The screening will be held following the plenary session on Monday, January 12th at 8:15 pm and will be followed by an open Q&A with the hosts. There is no charge for this event.

Evening Classes: Your days at SLIG are likely spent pouring over exhaustive amounts of information. Our evening classes are set to enhance your research skills with technology and context. Four classes are available at a cost of $10 each:

Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 PM:

• "Turning Biographical Facts into Real Life Events: How to Build Historical Context,” John Philip Colletta, PhD. 
• "Tech No Genealogist Should be Without: Powerful Solutions for Surviving the Data Avalanche," Valerie Elkins. 

Thursday, January 15th at 7:00 PM:

• "Geo-Genealogy: Finding and Interpreting Where your Ancestors Lived,” presented by Jay Fonkert. 
• "Nifty & Powerful Technologies for Genealogical Analysis & Documentation,” Ron Arons

Mini-Problem Solving Roundtable:
On Wednesday, we are offering a peek into our problem solving course where students bring their own research problem to discuss. Roundtables will be set-up based on a focus area or region and time period, each with a professional on hand to lead the discussion and guide the group in developing next research steps. It's like crowd-sourcing your research problem. Participation is free, but seating is limited, so make sure you sign up. You will be asked to submit your region or focus area and time period immediately following registration and be prepared to discuss your research problem at your roundtable at the event.

Last Genealogist Standing: Craig Scott will offer his fun and popular game show, "Last Genealogist Standing,” on Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM. There is no charge for event and registration is not required.

Completion Banquet: David Rencher, AG, CG, Chief Genealogical Officer at FamilySearch will give the keynote address at our 20th anniversary completion banquet to be held Friday, January 16th at 7:00 pm. The banquet is preceded by a networking social (no host cash bar) at 6:00 PM. While students will receive their completion certificates at the end of their class, the banquet provides an opportunity to celebrate the week, confirm new acquaintances, and get a sneak peak at what’s coming for 2016. The Utah Genealogical Association will announce the newest Fellow of UGA (FUGA) and give out several other awards at the banquet. While included with SLIG registration, a ticket is required. Guest tickets are available for $60.

To add Evening Events to your Registration: Go to the SLIG website (www.slig.ugagenealogy.org), SLIG Registration page. Click on “use this link” (under “Current Registration Info for SLIG 2015) to retrieve your registration with your email address and SLIG confirmation number. You will then be able to add the evening events of your choice to your existing registration. If you have forgotten your confirmation number, you can email the sligregistrar@ugagenealogy.org to obtain it.