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 2022 Sponsor Highlight: AncestryProGenealogists

Janell Esplin, Talent Acquisition Manager with Ancestry, and a panel of four staff members answered SLIG participants' questions on Thursday about applying to and working for AncestryProGenealogists.

Highlights from questions and answers included:

• Interested and qualified researchers are invited to apply with AncestryProGenealogists even if they are not certified or accredited. Although credentialing is valued, applicants should emphasize their professional experience both in and out of genealogy.
• Applicants are encouraged to present themselves honestly in their applications and interviews. Don't oversell your research or language abilities.
• Managers are looking for persons who have sound project and time management skills and the ability to work well with others, in addition to research skills.
• One good way to get your foot in the door with AncestryProGenealogists is by becoming part of their contractor database of researchers who might be contacted to pull records locally.

Information about current openings and application procedures can be found at https://www.progenealogists.com/careers.

Janell Esplin can be contacted at janesplin@ancestry.com.

We thank Janell and the panel members from AncestryProGenealogists for taking the time to meet and talk with SLIG participants. A special recognition also goes to AncestryProGenealogists for their ongoing support of SLIG overall, and this year's sponsorship of the Military course.

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Janell Esplin is Talent Acquisition Manager at Ancestry, leading a team of recruiters who actively support Ancestry's Content, Family History Business, DNA Science and Operations, Legal and Member Services. She has brought over 75 genealogists into the Ancestry family and over 200 other persons into other openings across the organization. She has a passion for supporting her team and business partners to ensure that candidates have a great experience working with Ancestry. Before joining the Ancestry family, Janell was a recreation director in the human services field. Janell holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences: psychology from Utah Valley University.

AncestryProGenealogists panel members:

• Deena Darst: Research Team Manager (specializing in Heir/Forensic research)
• Noah Lapidus: Genealogist (specializing in Souther African-American research)
• Brian Schellenberg: Research Manager (specializing in German research)
• Margaret Crymes: Research Manager (specializing in United Kingdom research)

SLIG Scholarship Opportunity: AncestryProGenealogists

Start planning for 2023! 

AncestryProGenealogists has just announced the deadline for next year's institute scholarships. 

https://www.progenealogists.com/scholarship

What is covered: The award covers travel, hotel, and tuition expenses up to a total of $2,000 to attend a course at one of five major institutes – SLIG, IGHR, Gen-Fed, GRIP, and MAAGI – held between summer 2022 and winter 2023.

The scholarship may be used to attend SLIG Virtual (fall 2022), SLIG 2023, or the SLIG Academy for Professionals 2023. Applications will be accepted beginning October 1, 2021 and are due no later than November 30, 2021. 

Which Course: So how do you apply for this scholarship in November with SLIG in mind when the courses for that program year won't even be announced until January? Consider the following patterns of the past, commitments to the future:

• Methodology. SLIG traditionally offers two or more methodology courses, including Advanced Genealogical Methods with Paul Graham, and others selected each year with a focus on critical thinking, research processes, or problem solving. 
• DNA. SLIG's DNA Dreamer series helps researchers meet standards using DNA evidence, and our Getting Started course provides a foundation for those new to genetic genealogy. We are committed to fostering skilled use of this unique record source.
• Records and Resources: While SLIG always offers a variety of courses on record types and resources, two of these – land and law – are usually offered in a pattern: Land, Maps, Platting; Law, Advanced, Application (new, pushed to 2023).
• Writing and Publishing: A staple in both SLIG and the SLIG Academy. Although the courses vary from year to year, our 2022 course list reveals which writing courses were pushed forward to 2023 because of the pandemic. 
• And more: Credentialing is now a regular offering (courses vary) at SLIG or the Academy. And each fall, Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum with Angela Packer McGhie challenges students with five unique case studies and Karen Stanbary's new Proving Your Pedigree with DNA course builds standards-based skills at an intermediate level. 

Additional Reasons to Attend SLIG: Naturally, SLIG and the SLIG Academy, held at the Hilton in Salt Lake City each year, also provide the opportunity to research at the nearby Family History Library and attend special networking and other events hosted by SLIG and its sponsors. 

We hope this helps you with your application for this amazing scholarship and wish you success!

AncestryProGenealogists Institute Scholarship Winner - Desiree Funston

Ancestry has announced that it will award a SLIG institute scholarship to Desiree Funston. The AncestryProGenealogists Scholarships were established to “foster and support professional genealogists in their ongoing development efforts.” The scholarship covers tuition, round-trip standard economy airfare, and hotel expenses for one individual. The scholarship is awarded “to qualified applicants who demonstrate a commitment to genealogy as a profession, a desire for professional development, and the ability to communicate that commitment in writing.”

Desiree Funston is a reference librarian at Missoula Public Library in Missoula, Montana, where she helps patrons discover their family history. She earned the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate in May 2019 and is working toward the BCG Certified Genealogist credential. She is a proud seventh-generation Montanan who enjoys researching westward expansion, gold discoveries, and steamboat navigation on the Upper Missouri River. In addition to her career as a librarian/genealogist, she also owns and operates a farm growing hops for Montana's craft beer industry.

Congratulations to Desiree, and we will see you at SLIG 2022!

Ancestry ProGenealogists Institute Scholarship Winner - Amber Oldenburg

We are pleased to announce that Ancestry ProGenealogists recently awarded an institute scholarship to Amber Oldenburg. Their announcement follows:

"Amber Oldenburg of Indianapolis, Indiana, is one of our AncestryProGenealogists institute scholarship winners. She will attend the "Introduction to Genetic Genealogy" track at next year's Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) in January 2020. Amber recently earned her associate's degree in Family History from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She lectures and volunteers locally for genealogical organizations and is on the board of the Indiana chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. She plans to continue to work with clients and educate the public, and she hopes to get on the speaking circuit at national conferences. She also has a goal of earning the Certified Genealogist(R) credential through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)."

Congratulations, Amber! We look forward to seeing you in January 2020!

AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship Announced

Application Deadline December 31, 2017

Ancestry recently announced that it is now accepting applications for the AncestryProGenealogists Scholarships to genealogical institutes, established to "foster and support professional genealogists in their ongoing development efforts." 

"The AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship Program will provide four scholarships that will cover tuition, round-trip standard economy airfare (Ancestry may substitute appropriate ground transportation for awardees who live within 300 miles of the applicable institute), and hotel expenses for one individual each to attend one of the four institutes listed below.  The scholarships will be awarded to qualified applicants who demonstrate a commitment to genealogy as a profession, a desire for professional development, and the ability to communicate that commitment in writing." 

The five genealogical institutes and their dates are as follows:

Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed)
Washington, D.C.
July 16-20, 2018

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
Pittsburgh, PA
June 24-29, 2018 or July 22-27, 2018

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
Amherst, NY
July 29-August 3, 2018

Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)
Athens, GA
June 2-7, 2018

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)
Salt Lake City, UT
January 13-18, 2019

Those applicants interested in selecting SLIG 2019 as their institute of choice will not be aware of the course offerings before the application due date.  For that reason, we offer the opportunity to have open dialogue with the director if you feel it is needed to help you rank SLIG in order of attendance preference on your application.

The deadline for submission is 11:59 Pacific Time on 31 December 2017, if submitted electronically; if mailed, it must be postmarked by 31 December 2017 and received by 5 January 2018.

Full details about the scholarship, application process, and AncestryProGen may be found here.

SLIG 2018 Mid-Week Evening Events

Join us to research, learn, and network as you weave your Ancestral Tapestry through SLIG week.

The creation of a tapestry requires many skilled hands working together. Our mid-week events are sponsored by many organizations in an effort to provide a rich SLIG experience.



Ancestry ProGenealogists Networking Event

Tuesday, January 23rd, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Curious about Ancestry ProGenealogists? Take a short walk or ride the SLIG shuttle to their office for this open house with light refreshments.  

SLIG Night at the FHL

Wednesday, January 24th, 5:30 - 8:45 pm

Sponsored by ICAPGen and hosted by the Family History Library (FHL), this evening features classes and labs, light refreshments, and time to relax and research.

Limited seating available in classes and labs; registration required; shuttle available.

Class schedule


Research at the State Archives

Thursday, January 25th, 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Whether you have ancestors that hail from, passed through, or not, you won't want to miss this opportunity to get your hands on original records. The Research Room will be open with staff available and light refreshments served. Shuttle provided.

Archive information

Information for all events for SLIG 2018 from Sunday afternoon for new attendees to the final banquet for all is available online. SLIG 2018 Schedule of Events

Pre-registration for these and other events opens on Tuesday, November 14th. Log into your SLIG registration using your email and confirmation number to add your selections.


More later for more fun during SLIG week in 2018!

AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship Announced

Application Deadline December 31, 2016

Ancestry announced today that it is accepting applications for a new AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship Program, established to "foster and support professional genealogists in their ongoing development efforts."  

Four "aspiring or practicing professional genealogists" will receive a scholarship, to cover tuition, round-trip economy airfare, and hotel expenses to attend one of the four U.S.-based genealogical institutes.  One will be awarded to attend SLIG 2018.  We were contacted early on to determine our interest in this program and are pleased to be included in this amazing opportunity.

Eligible applicants are those who "demonstrate a commitment to genealogy as a profession, a desire for professional development, and the ability to communicate that commitment and desire in writing."  

AncestryProGenealogists "has helped people trace their family trees and connect with the past for more than 15 years."  They employ a team of experts with a variety of genealogical specialities.  Their motivation?  "Many of these experts received high-quality training from institutions such as SLIG, IGHR, GRIP and Gen-Fed. We want to provide the same quality professional development to dedicated genealogists to support their next steps in the industry."

Thanks to AncestryProGen!  And we wish each of you luck in the application process!

Unfortunately, due to a lot of complicating factors, applicants won't be aware of the courses to be offered for SLIG 2018 until after they have completed their application.  For that reason, we offer the opportunity to have open dialogue with the director if you feel it is needed to help you rank SLIG in order of attendance preference on your application.

Full details about the scholarship, application process, and AncestryProGen may be found here.