May 1st Deadline to Apply for SLIG Scholarships

Applications are now being accepted for several scholarships available to participants in upcoming SLIG events. The deadline for each SLIG-specific scholarship is May 1, 2023. 

In this video interview SLIG's scholarship chairperson, Kathleen Carter, talks about opportunities to win a scholarship for a course from SLIG. 

For information about specific available SLIG scholarships, look over the summaries below and click on each scholarship title for links to additional details and application procedures.

SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Institute Attendees

The SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Institute Attendees provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG 2024. Applicants should meet these qualifications: (1) never have attended, nor will be attending, any of the national genealogical institutes prior to SLIG 2024; (2) have previously sought to improve their genealogical education through formal or informal means; (3) have an intermediate or above level of research knowledge and skills, and are ready for an in-depth learning experience; and (4) have identified a SLIG 2024 course that meets their ongoing educational objectives.

Watch this interview with Scott Magoon, last year's First-Time Institute Attendee scholarship winner, as he talks about his experience:

SLIG Intermediate Foundations Scholarship

The SLIG Intermediate Foundations Scholarship provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to the Intermediate Foundations course offered at SLIG Fall Virtual 2023. For more information about the Intermediate Foundations course, click this link. Applicants should meet these qualifications: (1) have a strong working knowledge of basic genealogical research principles and have had several years of experience applying those principles using a variety of record sources to identify ancestors and confirm relationships; (2) have utilized a variety of formal and informal educational opportunities to obtain and strengthen knowledge, and now feel ready for an in-depth, curriculum-based learning experience; (3) have time available each week during the course to spend at least three hours in class sessions plus five to ten hours to complete homework; and (4) have reviewed the course description and outline to identify how this course will help meet their educational objectives.

Watch this interview with last year's Intermediate Foundations Scholarship winner, Taralyn Trost Parker, as she talks about her experience:

UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship

The UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at either SLIG 2024 or SLIG Spring Virtual 2024. This scholarship will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement.

Laura G. Prescott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship

The Laura G. Prescott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG Fall Virtual 2023, SLIG 2024, or SLIG Spring Virtual 2024. Applicants may be of any age or skill level but should exhibit a passion for genealogy, appreciate the importance of education and standards in our field, and serve the community through volunteerism.

MyHeritage Chris Darrington Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship

The MyHeritage Chris Darrington Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG 2024. Applicants may be of any age or skill level (most SLIG courses require at least an intermediate level of skill) and have a genuine passion for family history, a strong desire to improve their research skills through quality education, and an enthusiasm for serving the genealogical community.

Applications for each of the above SLIG scholarships are due by May 1, 2023.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to SLIG-specific scholarships, several other scholarships are available for institute education: the American Society of Genealogists Scholar Award and three institute scholarships offered by the Board for Certification of Genealogists, including the Paul Edward Sluby Sr. African American Scholarship. Each has its own provisions, requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.

SLIG Scholarship Winners

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce the winners of several SLIG-related scholarships.

UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship: Susan Plummer Hoffman

The UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement. It provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at either SLIG 2023 or SLIG Academy for Professionals 2023.

Susan Plummer Hoffman of Ringoes, New Jersey

After researching family casually for years, Susan discovered educational opportunities to expand her genealogy knowledge through webinars, RootsTech, and National Genealogical Society courses. She volunteers with her local genealogy group and her county's historical society, and she is looking at becoming a professional genealogist.

Holding a bachelor of science degree in nursing from The College of New Jersey, Susan is a retired registered nurse. She now oversees the financial and human resource aspects of the small manufacturing business she owns with her husband. Finding researching for others rewarding, she looks forward to more time in retirement for education, research, volunteering, and possibly attaining certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

Laura G. Prescott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship: Edward Swierczewski

The Laura G. Prescott Scholarship is awarded to an individual who exhibits a passion for genealogy, appreciates the importance of education and standards in the field, and serves the community through volunteerism. It provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG Fall Virtual 2022, SLIG 2023, or SLIG Academy for Professionals 2023.

Edward Swierczewski of Flushing, New York

Edward has been a professional education for over thirty years, researching and lecturing in psychology and human services at several major universities and government agencies in New York City. He has attended many webinars and conferences, completed ProGen 53 and several institute courses, and is planning to earn the Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogy Lecturer credentials. He has researched his family history for over twenty-five years and is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. Ed is the founder and chief genealogical officer of Integrative Genealogy, LLC, and is a member of the Utah Genealogical Association.

SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Attendees: Scott Allen Magoon

The SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Attendees is awarded to an individual who has never attended a national genealogical institute prior to SLIG 2023, has sought to improve their genealogical education through formal or informal means, has an intermediate or above level of research knowledge and skills, and is ready for an in-depth learning experience. It provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG 2023.

Scott Allen Magoon of Choctaw, Oklahoma

Scott has deep New England roots going back to 1650. Upon retiring after thirty years of service with the United States Air Force, Scott started exploring professional genealogy. He holds a master of public administration degree from Troy State University and a certificate from the Boston University Genealogical Research course, and will graduate from ProGen 58 later this year. He has been accepted into the ICAPGen study group this fall and will submit his level one project for ICAPGen accreditation in the New England region next spring.

MyHeritage Chris Darrington Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship: Michelle Gardner

The MyHeritage Chris Darrington Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship is awarded to an individual who is at an intermediate level or above and who has a genuine passion for family history, a strong desire to improve their research skills through quality education, and an enthusiasm for serving the genealogical community. It provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to one course of choice at SLIG 2023.

Michelle Gardner of Wellsville, Utah

Michelle works as a virtual assistant and is the director of operations for the Family Connections Experiment. She grew up in Arizona, where at age sixteen, she was part of a pilot program indexing ship records using an overhead projector and hard disk. She is always looking for a new and better way to improve her research and genealogy options. She notes that she is stuck on a tough line but figures that if she is helping someone else, then maybe in the future, someone else will provide a key for her line.

SLIG Intermediate Foundations Scholarship: Auriette Hahn Lindsey

The SLIG Intermediate Foundations Scholarship is awarded to an individual who has a strong working knowledge of basic genealogy principles, has had several years of experience applying those principles using a variety of record sources to identify ancestors and confirm relationships, has utilized a variety of formal and informal educational opportunities to obtain and strengthen knowledge, and is ready for an in-depth, curriculum-based learning experience. It provides a guaranteed seat and full tuition to the Intermediate Foundations course offered at SLIG Fall Virtual 2022.

Auriette Hahn Lindsey of Pensacola, Florida

Auriette always liked to hear family stories but did not get seriously into genealogy research until 2015. Her most exciting discoveries include evidence that she is a seventh-generation Floridian: a college and a city park are named after different branches of her family. The brick walls she would most like to break relate to her 2nd great grandfather William F. Hahn from Germany and her "illegitimate" 2nd great grandfather John Cook of Marion County, Georgia. When she is not working on the family tree, Auriette is a TV news producer and amateur theatre aficionado. She is married with cats.

SLIG Scholarships Reminder

The May 1 deadline to apply for each of the SLIG scholarships is fast approaching. Have you applied yet?

Scholarships include:

• UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship
• Laura G. Prescott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship
• MyHeritage Chris Darrington Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship
• SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Attendee
• SLIG Intermediate Foundations Scholarship.

Go to the SLIG scholarship webpage for more information and to apply.

SLIG Opens for Scholarship Applications

SLIG is pleased to announce that applications are currently being accepted for the following scholarships:

UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship:  Named in honor of Jimmy B. Parker, this full-tuition scholarship is awarded to someone who has “demonstrated commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement.” Full details here.

Laura G. Prescott SLIG Scholarship: This scholarship was created by friends and colleagues in honor of Laura G. Prescott (1958-2018) and her passion for genealogical education, this scholarship awards full tuition and hotel accommodations to SLIG, SLIG Academy, or SLIG Virtual. Full details here.

 

SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Institute Attendees:  Created in 2016, this scholarship is awarded to students who have never previously attended an institute program and who wish to elevate their education to new heights. Full details here.

SLIG Intermediate Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship provides full tuition to the SLIG Virtual Intermediate Foundations course. Targeted to institute attendees who desire to strengthen their research knowledge and skills at an intermediate level, in preparation for future institute courses. Full details here.

Deadlines:  Applications for all four scholarships are due no later than June 1, 2021. Winners will be announced after July 1, 2021.

Complete details for each of these opportunities and information about scholarships available through other organizations may be found at SLIG.ugagenealogy.org.

SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Institute Attendees Winner

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is pleased to announce that Julie Johns Defrancesco was selected as the winner for the SLIG Scholarship for First-Time Institute Attendees for 2020.

The competition was strong and many candidates submitted worthy applications. The committee determined that Ms. Defrancesco's application effectively conveyed her desire for a more in-depth learning experience at an intermediate (or above) level.

Julie was born the fifth of five children in La Verne, California to a family with rich Italian, Swiss, French and Irish heritage. Three of her grandparents immigrated to this country between 1906-1929. The fourth grandparents’ line extends to this country’s earliest European settlers.

Her love for genealogical research began at the age of 17 on a trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City in 1978. From that time to this, Julie has taken advantage of every opportunity to learn about family history. Her desire to discover more about her family line has inspired a hunger to learn everything there is to know about genealogical research. She has attended local LDS conferences, interviewed family members, participated in BYU Home Study Courses in Genealogy, and attended countless conferences and online courses. She is an annual participant in RootsTech.

Her desire to learn more about her ancestry inspired Julie to make pilgrimages to Europe and the British Isles in search of more and better information and to become acquainted with the land, culture and the people that figure so prominently in her heritage.

Julie loves sharing her discoveries with her large family of 5 siblings, 22 nieces and nephews, 38 great nieces and nephews, and an ever growing list of newly discovered relatives! “It is so gratifying to see them soak up the information I share at reunions and family gatherings and ask questions about their ancestors.” Twenty-five years ago in an effort to better share her research and unite her extended family, Julie began a quarterly newsletter called “A Common Thread”.

Today, “A Common Thread” has become a well-received family ancestry blog to which she posts weekly. “I’ve learned so much and reconnected with family members, each of whom has added a few more strands to our family tapestry. I have such a love of family…those living, and those past. But, there is more to learn and more to discover.”

Julie has a strong desire to broaden her knowledge and skills, and by so doing extend her family line and help others to do so; rarely does a guest leave her home without discussing their family history, and in some instances receiving a brief tutorial to help them get started in their research!

Julie currently lives in the Gallatin Mountains near Bozeman, Montana with Steve, her husband of thirty-six years, their German Shepherd Lucia, and frequent guests. These guests include not only family and friends, but deer, elk, bear, moose and even mountain lions. The quiet, peaceful solitude of this alpine setting is ideal for long hours of computer research and reflection on generations past.

Congratulations to Julie and we look forward to seeing her in January!