Learn from Renowned Genealogist, Tom Jones...

SLIG's own course coordinator and instructor, Thomas W. Jones, will be presenting at the following events over the next month:

New York State Family History Conference
Syracuse, N.Y.; 16–19 September 2015
“Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?”
“Will Your Family History Have Lasting Value?”
“The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS): What It is and What It is Not”

Maryland Genealogical SocietyColumbia, Md.; 3 October 2015
“Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ancestor”
“Missing Something? Getting the Most Out of Genealogical Evidence”
“Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?”
“Going Beyond the Bare Bones: Reconstructing Your Ancestors’ Lives”

Board for Certification of Genealogists–Family History Library Day of Skillbuilding LecturesSalt Lake City, Utah; 9 October 2015
“When Does Newfound Evidence Overturn a Proved Conclusion?”

Seattle Genealogical Society
Seattle, Washington; 17 October 2015
“Can a Complex Research Problem be Solved Solely Online?”
“Five Ways to Prove Who Your Ancestor Was (Some Reliable and Others Not Reliable)”
“Inferential Genealogy: Deducing Ancestors’ Identities Indirectly”
“Solving the Mystery of the Disappearing Ancestor”

Tom is the coordinator for Course 10: Advanced Genealogical Methods. While this course is sold out for 2016, it should be on everyone's list to take to improve their knowledge and skills as a genealogist.

Students in Advanced Genealogical Methods will learn how to use and assemble evidence to rediscover ancestral origins, identities, and relationships that have been forgotten in the passage of time. The course will address advanced use of evidence from a variety of genealogical records and research in populations for which the usual records are in short supply (including female, enslaved, and impoverished ancestors). Students also will learn how to develop written proof summaries to show their conclusions’ accuracy and create a credible record of their findings for present and future generations of family historians.

There are still eight courses left that have seats remaining for the 2016 institute. For more information, go to http://ugagenealogy.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87&eid=16.

Looking for Paula?

SLIG's own course coordinator, Paula Stuart-Warren will be quite busy this Fall and Winter speaking at the following events:

September 25-26, 2015
Minnesota Genealogical Society North Star Family History Conference, West St. Paul and Edina, Minnesota. One workshop and two other presentations

October 2-3, 2015
Arkansas Genealogical Society Fall Seminar

North Little Rock, Arkansas. Four presentations

October 10, 2015
Anchorage Genealogical Society Fall Seminar
Anchorage, Alaska. Four presentations

October 23-24, 2015
Illinois State Genealogical Society Fall Conference
Oak Lawn, Illinois. Four presentations

November 18, 2015, Wednesday, Virtual Presentation
South Bay Cities Genealogical Society
Torrance, California. One presentation

December 2, 2015, Wednesday, Webinar: The U.S. National Archives: The Nation’s Attic
Minnesota Genealogical Society

Paula specializes in genealogical and historical research, lecturing, consulting, and writing. Her lectures, research, and consultations for individuals, societies, law firms, and Indian tribes seeking records and advice has taken her to many states, courthouses, archives, historical societies, and libraries.

Paula's course next year, Intermediate U.S. Records and Research, Part II, goes beyond-the-basics and provides in-depth learning on 19th - 21st century U.S. resources and the methodology for using them. Students will learn to probe deeper into the content, origin, location, and interpretation of records. Informative and interactive classroom hours delve into significant records and strategies that take you beyond basic research tools both online and off. On-site Family History Library support and a computer lab from course instructors provide one-on-one assistance and guidance with your own research.

Seats are limited, so register now for a wonderful educational opportunity with a knowledgeable and respected genealogy professional. For more information, go to http://ugagenealogy.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87&eid=16.

Researching New York: Resources and Strategies

Research in New York is complicated by its urban-rural extremes and its 400-year, multi-ethnic history. This course tackles those complexities, arming the researcher with the knowledge needed for success in this difficult state. The course covers New York’s history as it impacts the researcher, and examines in detail the records that have been created and preserved. Broad topics include immigration/migration, laws and the legal system, military records, ethnic groups, vital records, land and property, urban research, turnpikes/canals/railroads, local government/institutional records, probate, newspapers, directories, censuses, and more.

This class is geared toward intermediate and advanced level researchers. Attendees should have basic knowledge of genealogical methods and sources, and be ready to go beyond that base into the lesser-known methods and sources specific to successful New York research.

The course is filling up, so register now! For more information, see http://ugagenealogy.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87&eid=16.

Registration for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is Ongoing!

Did you know that UGA members receive a $50.00 discount on registration?

The 2016 institute program has seats available in several amazing courses. Those new to the institute, or wanting to make sure they have a solid foundation, may wish to study under Paula Stuart-Warren in US Records and Research. The program opens with a welcome reception on Sunday, January 10, 2016 and wraps up with a banquet, Friday, January 15. The program will be followed by the second annual SLIG Colloquium, where genealogy thought leaders convene to review papers on hot topics of the day. UGA members reap the benefit as the papers are subsequently published in CrossRoad magazine.

Registrations for the institute are presently being accepted as well as lodging reservations for those who wish to stay at on-site at the Hilton SLC Downtown. Evening events will be announced in next month’s e-news. Complete information about course availability may be found at slig.ugagenealogy.org.

For more information please visit the SLIG website atwww.slig.ugagenealogy.org

Learn from the storytelling master!

You’ve gathered a lot of information about your ancestors. Now it’s time to tell their stories. Using vivid examples and case studies, this course demonstrates how to compile your material; write biography; choose a numbering system; document, edit and proofread your text; and publish the saga of your family - on paper or electronically. Classes explore how to enliven your prose with family lore, treasured heirlooms, local history, maps, and illustrations.

One in-class writing exercise with follow-up critique helps you improve practical skills, share your talents, and exchange ideas with the instructors and fellow students.

John's website can be found at http://www.genealogyjohn.com. The following is taken from his biographical information:

"John Philip Colletta is one of America’s most popular genealogical lecturers. Knowledgeable, experienced and entertaining, he resides in Washington, D.C. For twenty years, while laying the foundation for his career in genealogy, he worked half-time at the Library of Congress and taught workshops at the National Archives."

John's course is filling up, so register now! With only eight courses left with seats remaining, now is the time to register. For more information, see http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87.

Paula's advice on records and periodicals...

What record set do you believe is the most under-utilized? What advice would you give students in using this record set?

Many people ignore manuscript collections that are in libraries, historical societies, and archives all around the United States. The personal, business, and organizational papers hold family history details that are often not found since most are not online. Some personal papers include extensive genealogical research done by others, vital records, family relationships, and so much more. Learn how to access any indexes and finding aids and if you can, visit the place where some family details are held in the millions of manuscript collection that are waiting for us eager researchers.

What books and periodicals would you recommend for intermediate to advanced researchers? Are there any lesser-known texts you advise?

I suggest reading as many back issues of genealogy periodicals as you can for all your ancestral locations. The information found in these may not be described anywhere else. The cemetery or newspaper index may not be online or anywhere else. The first-hand account of researching in a specific library might only appear there. As for texts that are helpful I make great use of my guides to various repositories, the online guide to the National Archives (http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/) and guides that were published even ten or twenty years ago. The helpful information in these makes for good reading during breaks from research. I read several of the scholarly genealogical journals to be reminded of the research process in tough cases, of methodology to solve burning issues, and to gain insight into the minds of the authors. The footnotes often lead me to some exciting resource discoveries.

Paula's course is filling up, so register now! With only eight courses left with seats remaining, now is the time to register. For more information, see http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87.

Stop by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's booth at the Ogden Family History Conference!

The Salt Lake Instate of Genealogy will have a booth at the annual Ogden Family History Conference on Saturday, September 12th. It is held in the Shepherd Union building on the Weber State University campus in Ogden. There is no charge for the events or parking. 

There are 66 classes covering a wide range of subjects, a computer lab and one-on-one consultations in the Circle of Service.

If you are attending this event, please stop our booth. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information on this event, see https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Ogden_FamilySearch_Library_2015_Conference. Information on the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy can be found at http://ugagenealogy.org/aem.php?eid=16.

Are you serious about your genealogical education?

Then the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) can help you achieve your education goals!

Thomas W. Jones wrote an article, entitled Post-secondary Study of Genealogy: Curriculum and Its Contexts. In it he states that "[p]ractice that meets the field’s standards requires ethics, knowledge, and skill worthy of any college graduate. Genealogy has been accurately described as a “discipline” and characterized as “rigorous.”

With thirteen tracks to chose from, there is a topic that can help you improve your genealogical skills: 

• Methodology courses covering advanced topics, legal concepts, evidence analysis, problem-solving and writing a quality family narrative. 
• Records-based courses covering land and church records. 
• Technology courses covering beginning to advanced DNA analysis. 
• Location-based courses covering research in New York, the South, and the United States.

With only eight courses left with seats remaining, now is the time to register. For more information, see http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=87. Dr. Jones' article can be found at http://iijg.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/jones.pdf.