Welcome Francine Griffis as the New SLIG Director

We are pleased to announce that Francine Griffis will serve as the new director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), effective February 1, 2023.

Francine joined the SLIG Committee in May 2021 as the SLIG Technical Coordinator. The entire SLIG community has benefitted from her organization, patience, and kindness in that role. Anyone who has had a tech issue can attest to her ability calmly to help them resolve the problem and get them smoothly back to class. SLIG will be in excellent hands under Francine's leadership.

Francine resides in Massachusetts with her husband, Paul, and is a Certified Genealogist® specializing in forensic heir, real estate, and land court research.

She credits her genealogical and lifelong learning interests to her mother. Francine is enrolled in the MSc Genealogical, Palaeographic & Heraldic Studies Programme through the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. She is also seeking New England region accreditation through ICAPGen.

Francine expresses gratitude to Amberly and UGA for the confidence to serve as SLIG's director.

Please join us in welcoming Francine to her new role as SLIG director!

SLIG 2023 Course Sponsor: FamilyTreeDNA

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to thank FamilyTreeDNA for its generosity in sponsoring the DNA Dreamers: Integrating DNA Evidence to Resolve Complex Cases course, coordinated by Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG, during SLIG 2023.

Founded in 2000, FamilyTreeDNA pioneered the field of genetic genealogy and is the first company to offer direct-to-consumer DNA testing for genealogical purposes. FamilyTreeDNA offers the world's most comprehensive matching database, helping to unlock family history and find DNA matches across the globe.

With a simple cheek swab, their advanced suite of tests provides interactive tools for users to further their research, determine ethnic and geographic origins, and discover shared ancestry across all lines. Testing through FamilyTreeDNA will help you break through brick walls and connect more dots on your family tree!

They also offer free-to-join volunteer-led group projects covering genealogical topics such as surnames, geographical regions, haplogroups, and more. FamilyTreeDNA strives to continue bringing genealogy to life with innovation and exceptional user experiences.

Click here to learn more about the DNA Dreamers: Integrating DNA Evidence to Resolve Complex Cases course.

Thank you, FamilyTreeDNA!

SLIG Academy becomes SLIG Spring Virtual in 2024

Big news! In 2024, the SLIG Academy for Professionals will expand and become SLIG Spring Virtual.

SLIG Spring Virtual will continue to offer many courses geared towards the professional genealogist as the SLIG Academy has in the past. However, additional courses of broader interest will now be added within the same online, multiweek framework. Like SLIG Fall Virtual, SLIG Spring Virtual offers in-depth genealogical education in the comfort of your own home. Everyone wins!

The lineup of courses for the 2023–2024 SLIG year will be announced to the attendees at the annual SLIG banquet (virtually) on January 27 and shared publicly shortly afterward.

SLIG 2023 General Sponsor: MyHeritage

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to thank MyHeritage for its generosity as a general sponsor for SLIG 2023.

With billions of historical records and family tree profiles and with sophisticated matching technologies that work across all its assets, MyHeritage enables users to discover their past and empower their future. It is also the home to the world's best technologies for animating, repairing, enhancing, and colorizing historical photos. AI Time Machine™ is a fun new MyHeritage feature that transforms anyone into a historical figure and has become a social media sensation. People everywhere love seeing themselves as Vikings, royalty, and more. MyHeritage's Deep Nostalgia™ feature took the world by storm as millions of people embraced this cutting-edge technology to animate photos of their beloved ancestors. The MyHeritage DNA test pinpoints origins across 2,114 geographic regions called Genetic Groups, providing greater depth than any other consumer DNA test. Genetic Groups allow users to identify the specific locations their ancestors came from and complement the current 42 top-level ethnicities.

Thank you, MyHeritage!

SLIG 2024

 

After lengthy and careful consideration, the decision has been made to hold the 2024 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) virtually once again. That is not the news we had wanted to share nor what you wanted to hear. However, returning to the desired in-person institute posed difficult and complex planning challenges. Among other factors, hotel rates projected for January 2024 have increased significantly and, even with various options considered, were greater than we believed our participants could or should bear. We believe those factors will be mitigated sufficiently in time for SLIG to return in person to Salt Lake City by January 2025.

We know this news is disappointing. Yet we deeply desire that as many potential participants as possible enjoy the full in-person SLIG experience. That would not be possible yet in 2024. So, once again, we look forward to 2025 when we can meet in person. Meanwhile, SLIG 2024 continues to offer our superb lineup of intermediate- and advanced-level genealogy courses featuring outstanding instructors in a virtual classroom setting via Zoom.

The lineup of 2024 SLIG courses will be announced to the attendees at the annual SLIG banquet (virtually) on January 27 and shared publicly shortly afterward.

In the meantime, we would appreciate it if you would take the survey at this link. That will help us greatly as we continue to plan for the future of SLIG. Thank you.

SLIG 2023 Course Sponsor: FamilySearch

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to thank FamilySearch for its generosity in sponsoring the Behind the Scenes at FamilySearch: Technology and Features, coordinated by David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS, during SLIG 2023.

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history.

To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,200 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Click here to learn more about the Behind the Scenes at FamilySearch course.

Thank you, FamilySearch!

SLIG 2023 Course Sponsor: AncestryProGenealogists

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to thank AncestryProGenealogists for its generosity in sponsoring the Advanced Genealogical Methods course, coordinated by Paul K. Graham, AG, CG, CGL, during SLIG 2023.

AncestryProGenealogists is the professional research division of Ancestry. They give you a team of expert researchers and genealogists who are determined to discover the undiscovered in your family story, searching both Ancestry and the world beyond using all the resources, tools, and tricks in their expert arsenal. If the answer can be found, your expert research team at AncestryProGenealogists will work with you to find it.

Click here to learn more about the Advanced Genealogical Methods course at SLIG 2023.

Thank you, AncestryProGenealogists!

SLIG 2023 General Sponsor: The Harry and Jane Saville Smith Foundation

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to thank The Harry and Jane Saville Smith Foundation for its generosity as a general sponsor for SLIG 2023.

The Harry and Jane Saville Smith Foundation is a private family foundation supporting genealogical, historical, and educational non-profit institutions. Both of the namesake individuals were avid family genealogists pursuing their roots. Like many of us, they came to realize that quality genealogical education provides the foundation for research in a field that constantly takes us to different times and places. The foundation is proud to support the work of SLIG in furthering our family histories.

Thank you, Harry and Jane Saville Smith Foundation!