SLIG 2021 Updates

The updated SLIG 2021 schedule is out!

Since we announced that SLIG 2021 would be held virtually, we have been busy behind the scenes considering just what that could look like. With time to work with, we decided to get creative and spread out the fun!

SLIG 2021 will now encompass three weeks in January, with courses offered during two of those weeks. While meeting virtually can't quite replace the in-person environment, each week will feature some of what you have come to expect of the "SLIG experience" – networking, special events, workshops, and door prizes.

SLIG 2021 will now follow this format:

• Week 1: January 10-15 – seven courses
• Week 2: January 24-29 – seven courses
• Interim week – technology day, professional workshops

Special and Commemorative Events will be announced at a later date. Students may register for a course in either week or both. All students, including those attending the Academy for Professionals beginning in February, will be able to participate in interim-week offerings. Registration for SLIG 2021 will open on August 8, 2020, at 10:00 am Mountain Time. 

Week 1 courses include:

• “From Sea to Shining Sea: Researching Our Ancestors' Migrations in America,” with Annette Burke Lyttle
• “Advanced Techniques for Mastering Online Searches and Uncovering Digital Records,” with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS
• “Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy,” with Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
• “Show Me Missouri,” with Pamela Boyer Sayre, CG, FUGA
• “Mother Russia: Research in the Countries of the Former Russian Empire and USSR,” with Joseph B. Everett, MLS, AG
• “Meeting Standards Using DNA Evidence,” with Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG
• “Advanced Genealogical Methods,” with Paul K. Graham, AG, CG, CGL

Week 2 courses include:

• “Advanced Practices in Social History,” with Gena Philibert-Ortega, MA, MAR
• “Advanced Research Tools: Land Records,” with Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
• “In-Depth African American Genealogy,” with LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL
• “The Pennsylvania German and Research in the Keystone State,” with Michael D. Lacopo, DVM
• “Pre-1837 English Research: Digging Deeper,” with Paul Milner, MDiv, FUGA
• “Introduction to Genetic Genealogy,” with Paul Woodbury, MEd
• “Guided Research and Consultation,” with Craig Roberts Scott, MA, CG, FUGA

The following courses have been carried forward to 2022

• “Advanced Land Tools: Maps,” with Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA (we will run the Land Records course in 2021 and Maps in 2022 instead).
• “Applied Genealogical Research Workshop: Hands-on Skillbuilding,” with Michael Hait, CG, CGL
• “Writing a Quality Family History Narrative,” with John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA

Course listings may be found on the SLIG website – SLIG.ugagenealogy.org – but please continue to pardon our dust as course outlines, additional faculty members, tuition costs,  and many other details remain to be posted. 

UGA Summit of Excellence

Registration for the UGA Fall Conference, Summit of Excellence is now open.

The Summit will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 11-12, 2020 following the virtual format introduced last year. Participants may register for DNA Day, the Summit, or both, with discounts available for UGA members. 

The theme "Paths of Discovery" guides the focus of all presentations. The conference will feature a 9/11 commemoration and honor the 100-year anniversary of women's suffrage. The full schedule and presentation details may be found here, along with a registration FAQ and the link to the registration form.

UGA is using the same registration system utilized by SLIG. If you have attended SLIG in the past two years, you already have a registration account. The Summit registration form will be joined there by SLIG Virtual courses shortly. 

Wishing you a year full of great educational experiences. We hope to "see" you at the Summit of Excellence.

First of all: Respect

If there is one thing we could accurately state about 2020, it would be that it is a year of change and challenge. Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent incidents that sadly proclaim our ongoing challenges with equity and respect in America. 

Such difficult times make the Coronavirus hurdles seem minimal in comparison. For the pandemic, there will eventually be a vaccine. For lack of human kindness and understanding, failure to listen and understand? The uphill battle is more monumental. 

As we prepare to open registration for fall virtual courses in July and SLIG/Academy courses in August, please be reminded that in order to create a SLIG registration account, each individual must – or did – agree to adhere to the SLIG Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.*

At the top of the list is a pre-requisite for any human interaction: RESPECT

Respect: SLIG serves, contracts with, and interacts with a diverse community, and it has always been our policy to provide a learning environment that is free of conflict, intimidation, and discrimination. All who participate in SLIG—including students, faculty, committee members, and vendors—must be treated with dignity and respect. SLIG has delineated this policy in writing, because even a single, isolated occurrence is unacceptable. 

SLIG will not tolerate discrimination or disrespect of any kind on the basis of economic status, sex, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, illness or ability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, or political affiliation or opinion. All are encouraged to use these same guidelines to temper the right to freedom of expression with common sense and courtesy. 

SLIG is committed to fostering a neutral, academic environment in which students can learn and grow. Therefore comments and actions that contravene the SLIG anti-discrimination policy should be reported to the office of the Director, and will be addressed. The penalty for a violation could include dismissal from an event or program, as well as forfeiture of unused tuition if appropriate.*

Whether you plan to attend a virtual course this fall, or SLIG or Academy next year, please sign up with this important foundational goal in mind.

To read this policy in its entirety, please visit this page: Salt Lake Insitute of Genealogy: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.

*Update: the wording of this code was recently revised for joint use by UGA's virtual conference, the Summit of Excellence, and SLIG, which will share a registration system this year. The online version now reflects that change.  

Detour Ahead: SLIG 2021

While ramping up to announce final course details, preparing for the opening of registration, and sketching out themes and special events, SLIG has also been proceeding with caution . . . carefully reviewing and outlining options A through Z as it relates to what a January institute would need to look like in order to ensure the safety and health of all – faculty, students, committee, and guests alike.

Many of you have interacted with us in social media and are aware of the challenges that meeting groups face during times of uncertainty. It may not be "impossible" to hold a meeting, but it may be impractical and unwise. Unfortunately, contracts don't allow cancellation for "wisdom."

With that background in mind, and with joint concern for the welfare of those we serve, SLIG and the Hilton have been able to reach terms agreeable to both parties relating to the cancellation of our contract for 2021. We will return to the Hilton SLC Center in January 2022.

SLIG 2021 will be held in a virtual format! 

We can now focus on “Option V” for Virtual. And with time in our pocket, we could have some fun with the design.

We are presently working with course coordinators to ensure we can meet their needs in this transition. We will likely survey past students to see what services are most important to create a positive educational experience. And all of this will take some time.

Which means: 

Detour ahead. 
         Possible "road" construction. 
                  Definite patience required. 

The previously-announced changes in dates/deadlines still apply: scholarship applications are due July 1, 2020; SLIG and Academy will open registration on August 8, 2020.  

Please stand by for additional instructions and announcements.