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Friday, August 30, 2019

Our National Treasure!

Do you recognize the building in this photo? It is the National Archives building located in Washington, DC. This is a great course to give you a sound understanding of Federal Records and would be ideal preparation for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records held every year at the National Archives.

Michael Strauss is going to play the part of Nicholas Cage's character in National Treasure to lead his students through the wonders that Federal Records can provide.  

This course covers those who desire to learn about a wide of variety of records maintained, and in the custody of the National Archives of the United States. Record sets to be discussed will include:

  • land
  • military
  • patents
  • copyrights
  • trademarks
  • civilian government employment
  • taxation
  • naturalizations
  • passenger arrivals
  • criminal, and 
  • government documents 

By gaining a firm understanding of a wide variety of different record groups (several which students may not have exposed to beforehand), each attendee will be able to apply the lectures presented in the course to get to know their ancestors personally by applying the techniques of fundamental genealogy research and methodology. 


Students will be asked to think critically about the records of the Federal Government as these records may have impacted their families over generations.

If you are interested in taking this course, go here for more information and to register.

Don't forget to view the accompanying video, which gives you Michael's insights on the course.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

"Focused Research Planning" by Suzannah Beasley, AG

Tuesday, September 3
UGA Genealogy Pro Talk webinar
"Focused Research Planning"
6:00 pm to 7:15 pm

Presented by Suzannah Beasley, AG 


Register Now  

FREE and OPEN to the public

Focused and deliberate genealogy research takes your research to a new level. Instead of wandering aimlessly through the genealogy records, going straight to the most pertinent records will give you better results. This class will focus on client research, but this can be applied to your personal research as well.

Suzannah received a degree in Family History – Genealogy from Brigham Young University and she is an accredited genealogist through the International Commission of Professional Genealogists. She started by working for the New England Historic Genealogical Society in Boston before starting my own company, Global Genealogists.

Being a professional genealogist has given Suzannah the opportunity to research families all over the world. She has completed research cases for hundreds of clients with research on all the populated continents. She also had the wonderful opportunity to be one of the professional genealogists researching for the television show Relative Race that airs on BYUtv. Suzannah loves teaching about genealogy, and previously guest lectured on genealogy at Harvard Law School. She is currently an online instructor of family history courses through BYU-Idaho.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Strong Research Methods Solve Complex Research Problems

Success in answering research questions follows directly from the research techniques professionals use. 

By developing strong research methods, professional genealogists can solve even the most complex research problems and satisfy their clients. These research methods can be learned and applied by all genealogists, increasing the rate of success in solving any research problem.
This course is taught by credentialed, successful full-time professional genealogists. They have different perspectives and different experiences, yet we all apply the same research standards and methods. 

Throughout the course, student will be taught the different means of efficient project management to achieve reliable results. The course is framed by the Genealogical Proof Standard but focuses on practical skills.
Students will also complete short homework assignments on a project of their choosing, applying new skills to maximize the potential for successfully solving your own research problem.
Michael provides unique insights into the course through the accompanying video in the description of his course. Go here to see that, the schedule, and to register.

Project Management is Essential for Genealogists

We can all use more understanding of the organization and proven processes to help in the work that we do. In genealogy, a well-planned, well-managed project provides clarity, reduces risk, controls cost, and delivers value to the client. 

This course has been developed for the professional genealogist, that might be working independently, transitioning to an organization or experience in a larger organization. The instructor team includes:

  • Brent M. Hansen, DBA, PMP, IPMA-CLaura Giometta
  • Rebecca Groberg, PMP
  • Jon Lambert
  • Kory L. Meyerink, AG, FUGA
  • Karina E. Morales, AG
  • Reed Shell
  • Jessica Taylor
  • Traci Vaughn-Grutta

In this course, you will learn:


  • The fundamentals and best practices of project management through theories, cases, templates and hands-on exercises. Ensuring that you are delivering business value by assessing a project’s case, identifying key people and their relationship to your project, capturing essential requirements, developing effective communication and establishing quality metrics to guide in the development of the genealogy research plan and the delivery of your project. 
  • Define genealogy project scope to provide clarity for project delivery and define project scope for the team. 
  • Manage your project within the planned budget and schedule by managing change and identifying and managing risks, assumptions, and constraints. 
  • Track the delivery of business value and close projects out cleanly. 

The instructors will share best practices and proven project management techniques. You will be introduced to new ways of thinking about old problems. 

By the end of this course, you should have gained a good understanding and experience of the core competencies that make a successful project manager.

For more information, go here.

Monday, August 26, 2019

"What Do DNA Percentages Really Mean?" by Brian Sheffey, 27 Aug 2019

UGA DNA webinar:  FREE and OPEN to the public!

Tuesday, August 27th, 6-7pm MDT


So you have taken the plunge and done a DNA test. You have your ethnicity percentages. But what do those percentages mean? Genealogy Adventures Live co-host Brian Sheffey steps you through his those estimates are calculated - as well as anthropological and geo-political factors you should consider when interpreting and working with your ethnicity estimates.

Brian SheffeyBrian has expertise in DNA, mid-Atlantic, and Southern research, with an emphasis on the intersection of white, black, and Native American genealogy. He has used his knowledge to solve cases of unknown parentage from Colonial America to the present day utilizing DNA and paper trail evidence. Brian has been, and continues to be, a popular speaker at genealogy conferences and seminars, as well as the popular international host of “Genealogy Adventures.”

Brian has deep family roots in colonial Virginia and the Carolinas: from his Jamestown-founding European ancestors to his earliest African ancestors who arrived in 1619 to the Powhatan, Choctaw, and Creek tribes...and his colonial Quaker ancestors in the mid-Atlantic region. His passion for genealogy was inspired by his father, and his father's drive and desire to discover the story of his family. This understanding inspires his work to help others uncover their own ancestral stories.

Brian combines years of experience in marketing research and academia with a passion for genealogical research - and a unique ability to solve seemingly impossible cases. His primary research interests include cases of unknown parentage, such as identifying the white progenitors of mulatto family lines; and triangulating answers to tough genealogical questions using traditional records and genetic evidence.

Behind his passion for research lies the belief that genealogy is an opportunity to connect with Americans from different backgrounds to enable them to connect with each other – and make connections around the globe.

Test Your DNA Analysis Skills!

On Saturdays beginning on October 12th and running through November 23rd, students have the opportunity to tackle five complex cases, one each week. The five cases for the Virtual All-DNA Practicum will be brand new this year. This unique course tests a student's ability to plan, research, analyze, correlate, and solve complex genealogical research problems that use DNA.

There are currently still open seats in 
Session 3, which runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Mountain Time.

Virtual Practicum participants have a week to work on the case and then they gather together online on Saturday to discuss the case with fellow classmates and the case study author/instructor. They have a chance to compare strategies, methodologies, difficulties and results before the instructor demonstrates the case solution. This gives participants experience in working on a wide variety of genealogical problems.

This is an advanced course that will require analyzing and correlating a combination of documentary and DNA evidence. Students should have advanced skills researching in all types of genealogical records, and solving tough genealogical problems. 


Students should have a solid grasp of:


  • DNA inheritance patterns
  • The Genealogical Proof Standard

Students should have experience:


  • Using DNA to solve genealogical problems (beyond recent unknown parentage)
  • Using atDNA results at three testing companies
  • Working with shared matches and genetic clusters
  • Researching in a wide variety of genealogical records including deeds, probate, census, immigration, etc.
  • Solving "brick wall" genealogical problems
  • Using advanced documentary research skills such as analysis and correlation
  • Resolving conflicts with evidence


To view more information on this course, including the prerequisites, go here.

Monday, August 19, 2019

How the SLIG Virtual Intermediate Foundations Course Kickstarted My In-Depth Learning


Are you trying to decide if Intermediate Foundations is the course for you? I'm sharing my experience with the course in hopes that it will help you know if you want to take it. 

Nicole Dyer

I took the SLIG Virtual Intermediate Foundations course earlier this year (Spring 2019). The virtual format of the Intermediate Foundations course worked perfectly with my schedule as a stay-at-home mother to young children. Every Tuesday, I blocked off three hours for the course and told my family that I would be busy learning from genealogy experts!

I signed up for Intermediate Foundations hoping to gain confidence that my skills as a professional genealogist were adequate. I had been taking clients for about a year and had done several peer study groups to learn the research process, but was mostly self-taught. I had also been to many genealogy workshops and conferences, but had never done an in-depth institute course. 

Just before I signed up for Intermediate Foundations, I made the decision to actively pursue a credential in genealogy. Becoming certified had been a distant goal for several years, but now I was ready to make it a reality. Attending a genealogy institute was recommended to those seeking a credential through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). I realized that to be sure I was prepared for the rigorous process of certification, I needed to gain additional learning through an institute. With young children at home, it is sometimes difficult to get away for an entire week. Weekend conferences are a bit easier. With many of the institutes being offered in the summer when my family is traveling, doing vacations and reunions, I couldn't see a convenient time to attend. I was thrilled when I found the online Intermediate Foundations course and signed up right away.

To prepare for the course, I reviewed the recommended books. The materials that are recommended for the course include Board for Certification of Genealogists Genealogy Standards, 2nd ed.; Val D. Greenwood The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, Part Two; Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Proof; and Elizabeth Shown Mills Evidence Explained. I already had Evidence Explained, which was very useful throughout the course as I worked on assignments. I purchased Val Greenwood's book, which I didn't use as much as I thought I would. The syllabus material from each instructor was lengthy and helpful and that is what I used the most as I worked on the homework.

The format of each session included two 75-minute lecture periods with a 15-minute break. At the beginning of the course, we received a welcome letter with instructions on how to access the sessions each week via Zoom Meetings. Webcams and noise-cancelling headphones were advised. I just used regular ear-buds, but found that I didn't need to wear them during the entire lecture, just during question and answer time. Zoom allows you to mute your microphone so feedback in from your speakers isn't a problem if you're muted. The sessions were recorded and I often went back and watched the lectures again.

Sara Scriber, CG, is the Intermediate Foundations course coordinator. She is an experienced instructor and knowledgeable about many subjects. I was lucky to meet her in person when I attended RootsTech. She truly cares about each student's learning experience. She worked hard to design this course in the best possible way and has made several updates and enhancements for the fall course. 

One of my favorite class sessions was about citations. Sara Scribner did a great job explaining each element of a citation and different ways to order the elements. She gave us some practice exercises to work on for a few minutes, then we came back together and she reviewed the answer. After the presentation, everyone who wanted to was able to ask questions. As this is a subject that many people are still learning, there were many questions. It was nice to be able to hear each others' questions and the answers Sara gave. 

The homework was given after each lecture. It was designed to take 2 1/2 hours to complete, so a total of 5 hours per week (since there are two lectures each Tuesday). I found that I could tailor the homework to my level. Some assignments were easy for me, and others were more difficult, based on my past experience. I did extra reading for the citations homework to study what I was interested in. The reading lists within the syllabus materials provide additional opportunities for learning. The Facebook group for the course was a fun way to connect with other students and get additional feedback and help as we worked on the homework. I enjoyed seeing others' questions and asking my own.

During the class on census research, I learned several new things. We talked about methods for extracting data from pre-1850 censuses and using non-population schedules to enhance our understanding of the locality and history. The census homework was about using the social statistics schedule, which I had never used before.

The military records lecture with Michael Strauss was very extensive. His syllabus materials were top-notch. We reviewed several types of records created due to military conflicts and how to access them. Angie Bush's DNA presentation, homework, and personalized feedback was incredibly helpful. My understanding and ability to use DNA evidence took a huge leap after learning from her. 

The lectures about land and tax records from Kimberly Powell were detailed and well organized. I was impressed with her knowledge and experience and learned much from her. She is clearly an expert in using these record sets. I appreciated Kimberly's homework assignment to find land and tax records about a certain problem and spent extra time studying the tax records to really understand how to use them in the future. It was a very valuable learning experience. Knowing that the instructors would be looking at my assignments and giving me feedback was motivational.

Cari Taplin's lecture and assignment about newspapers was interesting. She showed how various types of newspapers articles can be for genealogical evidence and where to find them. I enjoyed studying about constructing proof statements and proof summaries. As I did the assignment for that lecture, I realized that I had little experience with proof summaries and arguments and decided to devote additional time learning about that in the future. 

Since the course ended, I have continued my genealogy education in several ways. I joined the Certification Discussion group with Cari Taplin, CG, and Jill Morelli, CG, to learn about what is required for certification. After that ended, I invited several of my peers to join me in a study group about Mastering Genealogical Proof by Tom Jones. I feel that my genealogical toolbox has expanded significantly because I took Intermediate Foundations. My in-depth learning was kickstarted by the Intermediate Foundations course, and I'm grateful I was able to participate!

Saturday, August 17, 2019

SLIG Instructors on Saturday, August 24th!

FGS opens on Wednesday, August 21st in Washington, DC.

For those attending SLIG in 2020, you can get a preview of what you will experience, since many SLIG instructors and coordinators will be sharing their expertise throughout the conference. If you are still undecided about whether a week-long institute with expert instructors is for you and you are attending FGS, take this opportunity to see why attending SLIG in January 2020 would elevate your genealogical education!

If you have questions regarding the Institute or just want to see what we are all about, pay us a visit at Booth 704. There is an Exhibit Hall map found here.

On Saturday, the following SLIG instructors and coordinators will be presenting the 

following lectures:

8:00–9:00 AM


Churches in the Potomac/Chesapeake Region Before 1800
S-403
David McDonald, DMin, CG

Beyond Population: Researching in the Special Census Schedules
S-404
Angela Packer McGhie, CG

An Overview of Researching Hispanic Ancestry
S-406
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS

Irish Estate, Land & Property Records
S-408
David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA

9:30–10:30 PM


The Advance of Research Habits over Recent Decades—And the Downside
S-409
Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

A Vermont Home for a Maryland Man: Assembling Indirect Evidence
S-410
Catherine B. W. Desmarais, CG

Federal Land Laws and the Settlement of Early America
S-411
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

Key Player, Participant, or Partisan Follower: Discovering An Ancestor’s Political Leanings
S-412
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

11:00–12:00 PM

The Second Great Awakening: Thawing the Frozen Chosen in The Early Nineteenth Century
S-417
David McDonald, DMin, CG

12:15–1:45 PM ($)


BCG Luncheon: Into the Brave New World of DNA
S-470
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL

2:30–3:30 PM

Resolving Conflicting Evidence to Identify the Mother of William Dalton—Part I
S-427
Angela Packer McGhie, CG

Pennsylvania Commonwealth Land Records—Advanced
S-428
Gerald "Jerry" H. Smith, CG

Vignettes of Immigrant Military Service
S-432
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

4:00–5:00 PM

Using DNA to Confirm the Ancestral Line for William Dalton—Part 2
S-437
Karen Stanbary, LCSW, MA, CG

Research in Virginia’s Burned Counties
S-438
Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS
For complete FGS conference listings and updates, please visit the FGS conference website at https://fgs.org/conference/2019-program/

Registration is open right now for SLIG 2020, both the Institute and the Academy! Visit www.slig.ugagenealogy.org for more information.

So much to learn! So many great educators!

Friday, August 16, 2019

SLIG Instructors at FGS on Friday, August 23rd!

FGS opens on Wednesday, August 21st in Washington, DC.

For those attending SLIG in 2020, you can get a preview of what you will experience, since many SLIG instructors and coordinators will be sharing their expertise throughout the conference. If you are still undecided about whether a week-long institute with expert instructors is for you and you are attending FGS, take this opportunity to see why attending SLIG in January 2020 would elevate your genealogical education!

If you have questions regarding the Institute or just want to see what we are all about, pay us a visit at Booth 704. There is an Exhibit Hall map found here.

On Friday, the following SLIG instructors and coordinators will be presenting the following lectures:


8:00–9:00 AM

Spit and You Shall Find: atDNA Identifies a Charming Scoundrel
F-302
Karen Stanbary, LCSW, MA, CG

Patents, Surveys, and Indexes: Land Resources for Genealogists at BLM
F-305
Angela Packer McGhie, CG

9:30–10:30 AM


New York Land: Patroonships, Manors, Patents, Rent Wars, and Land Companies 
F-313
Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, FUGA

Finding Families: The Genealogist’s Role in MIA/POW Repatriation
F-318
Catherine B. W. Desmarais, CG

Identifying Woman: The Ultimate Brick Wall
F-319
Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS

Reverse Migration: Colonial Settlers Who Returned “Home”
F-320
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

10:00–12:00 PM

Genealogy Inclusion: Creating Accessible Digital Content for Your Members, Researchers, and Clients
F-380 (Workshop)
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS

11:00–12:00 PM

Third Party Tools the Pros Use
F-322
Angie Bush

History & Records of the German Aid Societies (PA, SC, MD, NY)
F-323
Debra A. Hoffman

Court of Quarter Sessions Research
F-324
Gerald "Jerry" H. Smith, CG

Philip Reid, Enslaved and Free: Tracing Families of Color in the District of Columbia
F-326
John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA

2:30–3:30 PM


The Jones Jinx: Tracing Common Surnames
F-331
Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

Strategies for Using Pre-1850 Census Records
F-334
Angela Packer McGhie, CG

Blasting Brick Walls with Legislative Records
F-335
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

The Georgetown Memory Project: The Genealogical Pursuit of Truth, Reconciliation & Reunion
F-336
Malissa Ruffner, JD, MLS, CG

Irish Census and Census Substitutes
F-337
David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA

4:00–5:00 PM

From the 18th to the 21st: The Records of Prohibition
F-341
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

For complete FGS conference listings and updates, please visit the FGS conference website at https://fgs.org/conference/2019-program/

Registration is open right now for SLIG 2020, both the Institute and the Academy! Visit www.slig.ugagenealogy.org for more information.

So much to learn! So many great educators!

SLIG Instructors at FGS on Thursday, August 22nd!

FGS opens on Wednesday, August 21st in Washington, DC.

For those attending SLIG in 2020, you can get a preview of what you will experience, since many SLIG instructors and coordinators will be sharing their expertise throughout the conference. If you are still undecided about whether a week-long institute with expert instructors is for you and you are attending FGS, take this opportunity to see why attending SLIG in January 2020 would elevate your genealogical education!

If you have questions regarding the Institute or just want to see what we are all about, pay us a visit at Booth 704. There is an Exhibit Hall map found here.

On Thursday, the following SLIG instructors and coordinators will be presenting the following lectures:

8:00–9:00 AM


Columbia Institution: Its History & Records
T-203
Debra A. Hoffman

Who Fathered Jacob and William Northamer? Pennsylvania Tax Records Help Determine Kinship
T-206
Catherine B. W. Desmarais, CG

Proving a Negative, Genealogically Speaking
T-210
Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA

9:30–10:30 AM

Indirect Evidence: Finding What Was Not Written
T-220
Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL


11:00–12:00 PM


Carl Ludwig Richter: “Non-Genealogical” Records Portray a Nineteenth-Century Immigrant to Washington, DC
T-226
John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA

Direct-Line DNA Tests for Genealogy
T-229
Angie Bush

Genealogy Standards, Second Edition—Overview of the Changes
T-230
Karen Stanbary, LCSW, MA, CG
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA


12:15–1:45 PM ($)

APG Luncheon: Forty Years of APG: Glancing Back, Looking Forward
T-281
Billie Stone Fogarty, MEd
David McDonald, DMin, CG

2:30–3:30 PM

From Ulster to Virginia and the Carolinas
T-233
David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA

“Death by Undue Means”: Coroners’ Records
T-234
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

“Dutch” New Netherland and New York: A Lesson in Flexibility
T-235
Karen Mauer Jones, CG, FGBS, FUGA

2:30–4:30 PM

BCG Certification Seminar
T-240
Angela Packer McGhie, CG
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL
Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

Transcription & Record Analysis: Extracting Data from Handwritten Materials
T-270 (Workshop)
David McDonald, DMin, CG


For complete FGS conference listings and updates, please visit the FGS conference website at https://fgs.org/conference/2019-program/

Registration is open right now for SLIG 2020, both the Institute and the Academy! Visit www.slig.ugagenealogy.org for more information.

So much to learn! So many great educators!

SLIG Instructors at FGS on Wednesday, August 21st!

FGS opens on Wednesday, August 21st in Washington, DC.

For those attending SLIG in 2020, you can get a preview of what you will experience, since many SLIG instructors and coordinators will be sharing their expertise throughout the conference. If you are still undecided about whether a week-long institute with expert instructors is for you and you are attending FGS, take this opportunity to see why attending SLIG in January 2020 would elevate your genealogical education!

If you have questions regarding the Institute or just want to see what we are all about, pay us a visit at Booth 704. There is an Exhibit Hall map found here.

On Wednesday, the following SLIG instructors and coordinators will be presenting the following lectures:

8:00–9:30 AM


Coming Home: Finding Our Place in America’s Tapestry
W-100
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

11:00–12:00 PM

Courting the Nation’s Capital: The Courts of Washington, DC
W-103
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL

USGS Resources for Genealogists
W-104
Gerald "Jerry" H. Smith, CG


Beyond the Applications: Treasures from America’s Lineage Societies
W-108
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS

2:30–3:30 PM

A Discussion About Diversity & Inclusion: Society Membership, Education, Outreach, and Collaboration
W-110
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS
Linda Harms Okazaki

Maryland State Archives Website Decoded
W-112
Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL

On the Frontiers of Freedom: The Baptists in the South
W-115

Barbara Vines Little, CG, FNGS, FUGA, FVGS

Using DNA Matches to Extend Your Family Tree
W-118
Angie Bush

4:00–5:00 PM

Perspectives on Societies & Inclusivity: A Community Dialogue
W-119
Colleen Robledo Greene, MLIS
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS
Linda Harms Okazaki


For complete FGS conference listings and updates, please visit the FGS conference website at https://fgs.org/conference/2019-program/

Registration is open right now for SLIG 2020, both the Institute and the Academy! Visit www.slig.ugagenealogy.org for more information.

So much to learn! So many great educators!

Thursday, August 8, 2019

SLIG is Offering a Unique Course in 2020

A course on advanced Hispanic Research is being offered at SLIG 2020 and is being coordinated by George R. Ryskamp, JD, AG, FUGA and Deborah S. Gurtler, AG.

With the rising increase in the popularity of family history research in the world, and especially among those with Hispanic ancestry, there is an ever-increasing demand for good professional researchers who can conduct sound, comprehensive research in this specialized area. This course will help you advance your Hispanic Research skills to the next level. ¡Si se puede!

George and Debbie are assisted by nine additional instructors who will provide instruction to students on how to:
  • Extend your Hispanic research knowledge beyond the basics for the southwest United States, Latin America and Spain. 
  • Gain in-depth knowledge in civil registration, census, and parish records. 
  • Acquire new skills using notarial records, military records and other out of the ordinary record types. 
  • Identify migration patterns throughout the Hispanic colonial world. 
  • Learn about using DNA coupled with sound research techniques to break down brick walls. 
  • Locate records and record collections found in archives around the world. 
Registration for SLIG 2020 is now open! To view a course schedule as well as a video, which provides more information on the course, go here.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Early U.S. Church Records ...

can be essential to resolving genealogical problems! Church registers can be a substitute for missing vital records; they can also serve as correlating evidence when working with multiple indirect resources to construct and document a genealogical project.

The course will examine both the theological underpinnings of a number of Christian denominations and their substantial impact in American genealogy. The records created by churches, ministers, and denominations that can affect and impact on the genealogical work will be considered. Denominational “genealogy,” leading lights, naming patterns, cultural and behavioral impacts, in addition to church records as resources will be considered in this week-long learning experience.

With the world’s largest collection of records within walking distance of the course, we will examine the utility of the records available, their use as substitutes for civil registration and vital records, and effective interweaving of the records into written narratives of a family’s record.

This course also examines churches “across the pond” in their European settings, and evaluates influences that helped shape denominational thinking and record-keeping processes.

Rev. David McDonald, DMin, CG along with his instructor team of:

  • Lisa Parry Arnold 
  • F. Warren Bittner, CG 
  • Kelvin L. Meyers 

will consider the theological influences impacting on the particular denominations, along with religious practices and cultural attitudes which may prevail amongst various groups and bodies. Homework that reinforces the material covered will be featured on three evenings.

Registration for SLIG 2020 is open! You can view a daily schedule and view a video by the Rev. David McDonald, who will provide more insight on this course.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

DNA Times Five!

On Saturdays beginning on October 12th and running through November 23rd, students have the opportunity to tackle five complex cases, one each week. The five cases for the Virtual All-DNA Practicum will be brand new this year. This unique course tests a student's ability to plan, research, analyze, correlate, and solve complex genealogical research problems that use DNA.

There are currently still open seats in Session 3, which runs from 3:00 to 5:00 pm Mountain Time.

Virtual Practicum participants have a week to work on the case and then they gather together online on Saturday to discuss the case with fellow classmates and the case study author/instructor. They have a chance to compare strategies, methodologies, difficulties and results before the instructor demonstrates the case solution. This gives participants experience in working on a wide variety of genealogical problems.

This is an advanced course that will require analyzing and correlating a combination of documentary and DNA evidence. Students should have advanced skills researching in all types of genealogical records, and solving tough genealogical problems. 

Students should have a solid grasp of:
  • DNA inheritance patterns
  • The Genealogical Proof Standard

Students should have experience:
  • Using DNA to solve genealogical problems (beyond recent unknown parentage)
  • Using atDNA results at three testing companies
  • Working with shared matches and genetic clusters
  • Researching in a wide variety of genealogical records including deeds, probate, census, immigration, etc.
  • Solving "brick wall" genealogical problems
  • Using advanced documentary research skills such as analysis and correlation
  • Resolving conflicts with evidence

To view more information on this course, including the prerequisites, go here.