Claudia Gibb Sudweeks is the research manager for a small genealogy company. She loves the challenge of using records around the world, from a variety of cultures. She is finishing her AG credential in the US Mid-Atlantic region and has earned her certificate with the GenProof 83 group. Formerly the secretary for the Utah Genealogical Association, Claudia is now a member of the UGA board, serving as the NGS delegate. She is also the president of her local community historical society in Highland, Utah.
Claudia grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, where she learned to love history and historic preservation. She has loved genealogy as long as she can remember and is grateful for school assignments and family trips to reunions, cemeteries, and libraries, which amplified her interest. Claudia took genealogy classes in college and has helped others with family history in the 30+ years since, professionally taking clients since 2013. She and her husband, Sterling, also ran a small video biography company. They have six children, plus four gained by children's marriages, and several bonus children who have lived with them over the years. They also have seven wonderful grandchildren, plus some extras.
About the UGA Jimmy B. Parker Scholarship
Named in honor of Jimmy B. Parker, whose legacy of service to the genealogical community covered more than 50 years, this full-tuition scholarship is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to genealogical excellence and community involvement. The scholarship originated in 2012.
As the scholarship recipient, Claudia will receive full tuition to one Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2025 or SLIG Spring Virtual 2025 course.
The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy wishes to congratulate Bonnie Wade Mucia, winner of this year's Laura G. Prestcott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship.
Bonnie Wade Mucia is the owner of Keeper of the Past Genealogy, LLC, and a professional genealogist focusing on New England research, particularly during the colonial period. She serves as Director of the Mayflower Families Silver Books Project for the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, concentrating on Mayflower passengers' descendants. An experienced speaker and lecturer, Bonnie is a member of the Genealogical Speakers Guild. She has published articles in respected genealogical journals, including the New England Historic Genealogical Society's Mayflower Descendant,Rhode Island Roots Journal of the Rhode Island Genealogical Society, The Maine Genealogist, The Nova Scotia Genealogist and others. Besides attending several genealogy institutes such as SLIG, IGHR, GRIP, she is an alumna of the GenProof 91, ProGen 34, and a graduate of the Boston University Genealogical Certificate OL23 program. Bonnie is actively pursuing her Accreditation with the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen), specializing in the New England Region. Originally from Rhode Island, Bonnie lives with her husband, Joseph, in South Carolina.
About the Laura G. Prescott Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy Scholarship
Laura G. Prescott’s bright smile, gracious friendship, and positive attitude, and many contributions as a teacher, writer, researcher, mentor, society leader, APG president, and director of Ancestry Academy made a significant mark on the genealogical community. In recognition of her friendship to all, her professional accomplishments, and her passion for genealogical education, the genealogical community established the Laura G. Prescott SLIG Scholarship.
Thanks to the many people who donated to the fund, the scholarship awards full tuition for one candidate to attend the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy or one of its affiliated programs (SLIG Fall Virtual or SLIG Spring Virtual).
Join Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA and Karen Stanbary, LCSW, AM, CG, CGG in their course during SLIG Spring Virtual 2025.
In this hands-on course, students review and practice the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ requirements for credentialing. They study the Genealogical Proof Standard and Genealogy Standards to create and evaluate genealogical work using established rubrics.
Rubrics for Evaluating New Applications for BCG Certification provide the organizing framework for class discussions, hands-on activities, and at-home practice. In-class exercises build foundational skills in transcribing records, planning efficient research, analyzing records, correlating information, reporting on research results, and writing about evidence. Weekly homework assignments provide the opportunity for students to apply the skills to their own research. Students will be asked to identify and celebrate their small wins on their paths to submitting a successful portfolio.
We will dive deep into the skills necessary to achieve certification:
Crafting a meaningful research question
Conducting reasonably exhaustive research
Evaluating sources as containers of information
Developing and refining efficient and dynamic research plans
Mining and reporting evidence
Documenting sources
Transcribing and abstracting information
Correlating information
Writing about evidence with logic and inference
Assembling evidence and conclusions
Parentage proofs including DNA
Resolving conflicts
Reporting of findings in a formal Research Report
Writing clear proof arguments detailing evidence and reasoning to support conclusions
Accurately reconstructing families within a Narrative Lineage
Writing a detailed and documented life story including meaningful historical context
This course is not sponsored by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. The opinions expressed by the faculty are entirely their own. The BCG Application Guide and Genealogy Standards represent the authority in all matters relating to credentialing. Please refer to the Board for Certification of Genealogists website for more information.
This course will be held on Thursdays, 8:00 am–3:30 pm MT, 13 February through 27 March 2025.
