Learn How to Present Genealogical Evidence in Writing

Many skilled genealogists with excellent analysis and correlation skills have trouble communicating their thought processes and presenting evidence in writing. Students in this course will overcome these roadblocks and gain essential skills needed to convey complex concepts in genealogical work products, including proof arguments, affidavits, and research reports. 

The course will cover important issues including:

• Documentation
• Establishing proof, 
• Use of citations, 
• DNA evidence, and 
• Legal and copyright issues

Melissa Johnson, CG and her experienced team of instructors, including:

• Rick Fogarty
• Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
• Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG

will instruct students on how to become more comfortable with important skills such as analyzing, organizing, and presenting complex evidence; resolving conflicts; reporting a variety of meaningful and negative findings; using DNA evidence in writing; and qualifying information, theories, and proof. The course will focus on meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard, and writing in a professional, clear and concise manner for a variety of audiences.

Students will be asked to bring a research report and/or proof discussion of no more than four pages. The report/proof discussion can be related to the student’s own family or another family they have researched. This writing sample will be used for in-class activities; students are reminded not to use a sample intended to be used for BCG certification, and not to use a sample that they do not have permission to use or that violates the privacy of living individuals.

Registration for SLIG 2020 opens July 13, 2019 at 9:00 am MDT. For more information, go here.