Behind the Scenes at SLIG: Debra Hoffman

Another dynamic member of the Salt Lake institute of Genealogy (SLIG) 2018 committee, Debra A. Hoffman, lives in New Windsor, Maryland. She brings to the committee 35 years of family research experience and five years business experience as owner of Hoffman Genealogical Services. 

Debra is a great asset to SLIG: she sought and has received a foundational genealogical education. She completed the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Home Study Course in 2001 and began her Brigham Young University (BYU) Family History Certificate in 2005 and completed it in 2012. During this process, Debra states that “I met Angela McGhie [in 2007] and she introduced me to the ProGen Study Group in 2008. Her friendship increased my more active participation in the genealogical community.”  She is currently "on the clock" while working toward her certification.

Debra Hoffman

By 2013 Debra began not only attending SLIG and other national institutes, she also began speaking at genealogical societies and libraries.  She is recognized for her award-winning writing with articles appearing in the Carrolltonian, Der Kurier, Bluegrass Roots, Maryland Genealogical Society Bulletin and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly.

Debra has a quiet, positive, get-it-done leadership style that proves her reliability and dependability. Recognized as such, she was recruited to begin working on the SLIG committee in 2013; in 2015 she was tapped as Assistant to the SLIG Director, Peg A. Ivanyo; in 2016 she concurrently accepted the leadership position of Administrative Assistant to Malissa Ruffner, Director of the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed).

When asked what is the best part of working on SLIG, Debra replied, “The best part, for me, about working on SLIG is working with Peg Ivanyo. I am constantly in awe of her energy, her creativity, and her organizational skills. She cares about making the SLIG experience an incredible one for every student who attends SLIG. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with her and learn from her.”

Passionate about assisting others in gaining a quality education, Debra recommends SLIG. Unable to pinpoint a specific favorite memory of one course or one topic, she states, “I do not have a favorite memory as each year is an incredible experience!”

Until next time, the next committee member, and the next Behind the Scenes for SLIG 2018!