Readin’, Writin’ & Records
What’s the best way to learn more about genealogical resources wh ile also keeping abreast of new methods, techniques, records, indexes, and other aids? Plain and simple—education. Whether it’s a brush-up class you’re looking for or just a chance to experience something you’ve never tried before, immersing yourself in new ideas and techniques can benefit any genealogist—professional or novice.Look at the classes offered at your community college or local education center: yoga, sewing, knitting, home repairs, even tasks as rudimentary as how to cook. In every activity, education is important.
Several years ago my entrance into a basic census class at a historical society put a puzzled look on the instructor’s face. Why was I there, she asked. “A refresher,” I told her, noting that I usually learned something new from each instructor.
For a genealogist, it isn’t just a matter of keeping up with changes in records. Continuing education helps you get the most out of any available resource. Say someone has spent ten years exploring and understanding probate, tax, or census records and is sharing that expertise. Why not take advantage of his or her knowledge? Remember, if your family history is important enough to trace, then it’s important enough to learn to trace right.
Learning Grows Up
Live instructional environments, like those found in seminars or classrooms, work very well for adults wanting to learn more about genealogy. We can ask questions, request clarification, and enmesh ourselves in the learning experience.Check for events sponsored by genealogical or historical societies in your area. Listings of such events can be found in Society Hall, an online joint venture of MyFamily.com and the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Also look for events where you live and in ancestral localities to which you might be traveling.Both the Federation of Genealogical Societies and the National Genealogical Society offer annual four-day conferences in various cities across the United States. These conferences feature dozens of nationally-known genealogical educators; a syllabus including session handouts is usually given to each registrant.
Also look into options like GIMA, IGHR, NIGR, RIGSA, SLIG, and VIGR. These abbreviations are more than just ingredients in a bowl of alphabet soup—each one is an example of an intensive learning opportunity. Some of the events even offer students the ability to participate in a single, focused learning track. For example, the 2005 GIMA (Genealogical Institute of Mid-America) intensive learning offering is a single-day workshop titled “Publishing Your Genealogy Work.” Attendees of the workshop take part in four distinctly-focused seminars in one day including “Sources and Sites,” “Taking It Public,” “Publishing On-Line,” and “Your Family Genealogy—Putting It Into Print.”
Seminar and intensive course options you may want to consider include the following:
- GIMA, held each July at the University of Illinois at Springfield, was established in 1993 and is sponsored by the Illinois State Genealogical Society. Several courses are offered each year.
- The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), founded in 1964, offers multiple courses each June at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.
- The National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), held each July at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The granddaddy of them all, with classes offered since 1950, this course is designed for experienced researchers and covers in-depth federal records found at the National Archives.
- Regional In-depth Genealogical Studies Alliance (RIGSA) is designed to assist the researcher interested in learning more about the original documents and manuscripts at the regional facilities of the U.S. National Archives.
- The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), held each January in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ten courses are offered that should appeal to almost every level and type of researcher; courses are held within walking distance of the Family History Library.
- Major societies in your ancestral area or where you live may have additional offerings.
Most conferences offer four to five days of daytime and nighttime lectures. As a bonus, you’ll be surrounded by other eager adult learners interested in the topics that matter to you. You’ll also have instructors available to answer your questions.
Closer to Home
Imagine a typical morning, the kind where you rush out the door, grab juice, coffee, or a bagel, and head to the office. If the thought of attending a seminar or class on your time off sounds similarly hectic, or if kicking around the house is more your speed, you may prefer to learn at home.Today, one of the fastest-growing segments of genealogical education includes at-home options, like online courses and correspondence courses. While you lose the face-to-face aspect of a “live” classroom setting, you gain the ability to increase your knowledge in your own home, often when it’s convenient for you.Online and correspondence courses are offered by:
- The Learning Center at Ancestry.com (select “genealogy training sites” or “online family history seminars” in the “Learn How to Do Your Family History” section)
- The National Institute for Genealogical Studies in conjunction with the University of Toronto
- The National Genealogical Society
- The Brigham Young University Division of Continuing Education
Other places to look include major societies such as the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, both of which have an array of educational offerings, on-site and off. The Dallas Genealogical Society and the St. Louis Genealogical Society are examples of city-based groups with extensive educational offerings as well.Ask other genealogists for recommendations about specific instructors, seminars, and institutes. Find out if a specific course reaches capacity each time it is offered or if it remains relatively empty. Look for instructors or lecturers from whom you’ve gained knowledge in the past. Review the credentials of the people teaching the courses in which you might enroll. Each of these can add to the value of your educational choices. Paying Your Dues
If a course you’re interested in suggests that you be at a certain level of expertise before enrolling, pay attention. If there are other prerequisites including reading certain guidebooks, being familiar with specific software, or a previously-obtained level of education, they are usually listed for a reason. Taking a class that is too far beyond your present level of knowledge can leave you frustrated as you try to fill in the gaps. You will get the most for your dollar if you pay attention to the description and requirements. Your goal is to tackle the subject presented in the class, not have the class tackle you.Remember that you’re going back to school. If there is homework assigned when you take a course, do it immediately so you can gain a better understanding of the informationpresented in your class. Your goal in taking a genealogy class is to come away with a greater level of comprehension of a topic. Do everything you can to ensure you succeed.
A Custom-fit Approach
Educational opportunities can arise almost anywhere, particularly if you know where to look. If a traditional education experience isn’t quite your style, you might consider ta king a narrated historical tour of an ancestral area, if available, or you might look for a cruise that includes genealogy lectures and consultations with the instructors. You might even find an overnight lock-in at a genealogical library. When you look, you’ll see that there is a genealogical education opportunity to fit every taste and budget.
Paula Stuart-Warren, CGRS, is a professional genealogist, consultant, writer, educator, and the co-author of Your Guide to the Family History Library. She has lectured all across the United States and is a course coordinator at the annual Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She may be reached at PSWResearch@comcast.net.
Links to Continuing Genealogical Education
Ancestry.com
Brigham Young University
- http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/index.cfm
- http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/catalog/certificate.cfm
- http://familyhistory.byu.edu/index.asp
Dallas Genealogical Society
Elderhostel
Federation of Genealogical Societies Conferences
Genealogical Institute of Mid-America
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research
National Genealogical Society Learning Center
National Institute for Genealogical Studies
National Institute on Genealogical Research
New England Historic Genealogical Society Education Center
New York Genealogical & Biographical Society
Regional In-depth Genealogical Studies Alliance
St. Louis Genealogical Society
Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Society Hall
Virginia Genealogical Society
Some Questions to Consider for Multi-day Educational Opportunities
- Who are the instructors?
- What is their background in the topic?
- Are there opportunities for one-on-one assistance?
- How many students are typically in each class?
- Are there nearby research repositories?
- What are the lodging options?
- Is there a roommate service?
- Are meals or group events included in the fee?
- May I use my laptop computer in the classroom?
- Are there electrical outlets for the computers?
- Is homework required for course completion?
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