Course 1
American Records and Research: Focusing on Familieswith Paula Stuart-Warren, CG |
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This intermediate level course provides in-depth learning on 19th-21st century U.S. sources and the methodology for using them. The 2010 course focuses on topics related to researching families and individuals. Informative and interactive classroom hours on five mornings and one afternoon delve into significant records and strategies that take you beyond basic research tools both online and off. On-site FHL library support from course instructors on three afternoons provides one-on-one assistance and guidance with your own research.
 Click here for course outline or click here to register.
From Clues to Records: Case Studies with Step-by-Step Planning (Hands-on)
Probing Into Wills, Administrations, Guardianships, and Commitments
Clustering More: Maximizing Your Online Searches
9-5 and 24/7: Researching the Occupations of Our Ancestors
Institutional Records
Once Upon a Time: Breathing Life Into Your Family History
Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Research
U.S. Passport Applications
Church Records: Locating and Excavating
Civil War Records: More Than Pensions on Both Sides
US Census Records - Beyond the Basics: Non-Population and Special Schedules
Cemetery Records and Tombstones: Filling in Family Details
Finding Family Gems in Manuscript Repositories and Special Collections
The Three Rs: Reading, 'Riting', and Research in School Records
Family History Library Lab with Hands-on Help (daily)
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Course 2
Mid-Atlantic Research
(New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania)
with Mary E. V. Hill, MLS, AG |
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Learn about the records, repositories, and procedures for five states key to American research: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. Perhaps the most genealogically diverse region in the United States, significant commonalities in their history, record keeping, settlement and migrations, makes it useful to consider these states together. The sheer size and fluctuation of the population makes genealogical research complex in the Mid-Atlantic region. Three major ports brought more immigrants to this region than any other and three of the top six metropolitan areas in the United States are located in the Mid-Atlantic region. In contrast, rural areas in these states invite understanding of land records, tax lists, church records and other resources to help you locate these ancestors.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Published Genealogical Accounts
Digital Camera Use
Finding Buried Treasure in the Published PA Archives
How To Build A Case Study
Naturalization Records: Local and Federal
Land Records: State Grants & Deeds
What's a Prothonotary? PA courthouse records
Four Key Sources: Mid-Atlantic Case Study
Military Records
Neighborhood Reconstruction: Platting with Deed Mapper
Beating around the Bushes: Using the GPS
Local Histories: Counties & Towns
Church Records: The Saving Grace of the Mid-Atlantic
Erie Canal
New Jersey: In the Middle of Things!
New York City Case Study
Beyond New York City: Big City Research in Pennsylvania and Maryland
Our National Treasures: Archives and Libraries in the District of Columbia
300 years of Passenger Lists
German and Dutch Research
Migration Into and Out of the Mid-Atlantic
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Course 3
Scottish Research
with John M. Kitzmiller, II, AG, FSG, FRSAI, FSA (Scot) |
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Tracing Scottish ancestors can help researchers understand how customs and history created unique record sets that differ significantly from those in England & Wales. This course weaves the history of Scotland into the creation of the unusual records found there. The construct of the course will take the attendee from sources available here, those on the internet, and finally sources available only in Scotland (and how to access them there). Skill sets needed to adequately use these records will also be covered, enabling the attendees to set off on their own search for their Scottish ancestry.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
How Scotland Came to Be
Immigration Schemes to US & Canada
US & Canada Sources For Immigrants
Scottish Records At The FHL
Online Resources/Scotlandspeople
Gazetteers and Maps
Civil Registration Records
Census Records
Church of Scotland Parish Registers
Nonconformist Church Records
Kirk Session Records
The Poor Law In Scotland
Occupational Records
Military Records
Scottish Handwriting
Courts and Jurisdictions
Probate Records
Land Records
Lairds, Lords, and Tenants
Preparing To Do Research In Scotland
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Course 4
Central and Eastern European Research
with Kahlile B. Mehr, MA, MLS |
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A broad swath of North American ancestry traces back the countries that belong to the former empires of Austro-Hungary, Russia and Germany. The family history records are diverse, the languages are largely forgotten by the descendants, and the scripts are no longer used. This course will help the researcher overcome some of these barriers; find and decipher these records.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Understanding German Record Types, Contents, Time Periods, and Use
Using German Records and Resources to Determine Birth Information
Using German Records and Resources to Determine Marriage Information
Using German Records and Resources to Identify Complete Families
Using German Records and Resources to Trace Ancestral Movements
Reading Latin Handwriting
Reading Russian Handwriting
East and Central European Gazetteers Sets
East and Central European Map Sets
Working with Imperial Russian Records 1: Metrical books
Working with Imperial Russian Records 1: Census returns and Revision lists
Czech Research
Slovak Research
The Differences in the Vital Records Created in the Areas of the Three Partitions of Poland
Where to Look for Records in Poland
East European Internet Sites
Baltic and Balkan Research
Romanian Research
Hungarian Research
Ukrainian Research
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Course 5
Immigrant Origins
with Kory L. Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA |
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Finding the origins (home town) of an immigrant to North America is one of the most difficult aspects of genealogical research. This course covers the records and principles used to identify immigrant ancestors’ origins, whenever they came, from the 1600s to the 1900s. It teaches the methods for selecting the right records in the best order and discusses the major records in America and Europe that may provide the name of the immigrant's home town. Students should come prepared to learn about and search several sources for many of their immigrant ancestors.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Basic Principles & Search Tactics for Tracing Immigrant Origins
Compiled American Records, pt 1: Databases, Family Histories & Genealogies
Compiled American Records, pt 2: Biographies and Local Histories
Published Lists and Indexes of Immigrants (print & electronic)
The Ebb and Flow of Immigrants to America, Colonial Times to World War II
U.S. Customs and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957
U.S. Passenger Lists on the Internet
Naturalization Records, Colonial Times to Early Twentieth Century
U.S. Passports and Border Crossings
Local Original Records, pt 1: Church and Vital Records
Local Original Records, pt 2: Newspapers, Cemeteries, Probates and Others
Ethnic Sources and Immigrant Aid Societies
Military, Census and Other Federal Sources
Foreign Compiled Sources
Foreign Passenger and Permissions Lists: Online & Off
British History and Emigration Sources
European History and Emigration Sources
Scandinavian History and Emigration Sources
Colonial Sources and Strategies
Putting It All Together: Case Studies & Panel Discussion
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Course 6
Computers and Technology
with Barbara Renick & Debby Horton |
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Keeping up with technology is always a challenge for genealogists. This course is designed to help you not only get more from the technology tools you already have, but also to find and effectively use the newest tools including wikis, blogs, social networks, on-line trees, changes in major library catalogs, and syncing your resources. The five hands-on labs provide a unique opportunity to push your Internet skills to new levels with step-by-step professional guidance in the Family History Library Computer Center. (Students are encouraged--but not required--to bring their own laptop computers for homework assignments).
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Using Your Computer as a Research Tool
Intro to Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networking
Browser Wars & Add-ins
Web Surfing Made Easier - LAB
Gotta Give to Get
Ask & Ye Shall Receive
Secrets of PDF Files
Make a Blog - LAB
Is Your Family Tree Endangered?
Publish or Perish the Thought
Do Your Library Thing
Make a Wiki - LAB
Making a List and Checking It Twice
Sync or Swim
Has It Been Done Before?
Eleven Layers - LAB
Traveling with Technology
Are You Hearing Voices from the Past?
A New Era in Genealogy (The 5 C's for Success in Genealogy Today)
Online: How You Get There Does Make a Difference - LAB
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Course 7
Advanced Genealogical Methods
with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA |
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Participants will develop advanced genealogical research, analysis, correlation, and compilation skills. Hands-on activities drawn from original sources will enhance this learning. Examples will be drawn from American states and colonies and European countries. Before the course begins, participants will complete two pre-course reading assignments. Three in-course homework assignments will be optional.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Developing an Evidence Orientation
Developing Research Questions and Hypotheses; Planning an Exhaustive Search
Transcribing, Abstracting, Extracting, Quoting, and Documenting Sources
Archival Research
Federal Research: Government Documents
Census, Census-Substitute, and Name-List Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Military and Pension Records Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Tax Roll Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Rural and Urban Map Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Local Land Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Federal Land Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Probate Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
Bringing Law to Bear on Complex Genealogical Problems
Special Problems I: Finding Immigrant and Migrant Origins
Special Problems II: Identifying Female Ancestors
Special Problems III: Identifying Landless, Enslaved, Peasant, and Other Impoverished Ancestors
Resolving Conflicting Evidence
Correlating Sources, Information, and Evidence to Solve Genealogical Problems
Writing Genealogy
Continued Advancement
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Course 8
Producing a Quality Family Narrative
with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D. |
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To write a family narrative is to tell the true stories of your ancestors. In this course, three dynamic instructors share their expertise to help you write and publish the history you have been researching for years. Using vivid examples and case studies, they demonstrate how to compile your material, compose biographies, choose a numbering system, observe proper documentation, edit and proofread your text, and publish your work in paper form or electronically. Sessions demonstrate how to weave family lore and heirlooms, as well as pertinent local history, into your prose, and how to incorporate maps, charts and other illustrations. One in-class writing exercise (with follow-up critique) helps students improve practical writing skills and share their talents and ideas. Your family history will never be done. It's time to share what you've discovered so far!.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Preliminaries: What, Why, How, and For Whom Are You Writing?
Turning Biographical Facts into Real Life Events: How to Build Historical Context
Principles of Good Writing and Good Storytelling
How to Use Artifacts in Genealogical Writing
In-class Writing Exercise
Numbering Systems for Family Sketches
How Do You Know? Evaluating Evidence
Publishing Your Family History with a Word Processor
Making It Look Good on Paper
How to Create a Narrative of Biographical Facts
Documentation: Important for Readers . . . and the Author, too!
Using Newspapers and Cartographic Materials in Research and Writing
Murphy's Law: Editing & Prooffreading [sic]
Opening the Door to Your Book: Indexing Family Histories
Publishing Details: Illustrative Materials, Printing, and Where Do I Put All These Books?
Electronic Venues for Publishing
In-Class Critique and Discussion of Writing Exercise I
In-Class Critique and Discussion of Writing Exercise II
Working with a Genealogical Publisher, Books and Articles
The Larger Literary Possibilities of Family History
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Course 9
American Land and Court Records
with Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG |
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There are many types of land and court records. Far too many to cover in a week, but this course will provide overviews, discussions of important record groups and concepts, and an understanding and case studies in using them to solve genealogical problems and to better understand our ancestors.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Why Use Land Records? Because...
Court Records - Far More Varied Than We Realize
The Language of Land
The Language of Court
How Do You Find Court Records?
Land and Court on the Internet
Naturalization: Law by Law, Court by Court
Following the Crumbs: Tracing Your Family through Land Records
Computer Tools for Land
First Transfer of Land
Colonial Land Records - Proof and Possibility
Federal Land System - Origin and Survey
Bounty Land
Case Studies from Court Records
Probate Processes
Maps for Land and Property Research
Finding and Ancestral Home
Federal Courts
Land Platting Made Easy
The Taxman Cometh, Year after Year after Year
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Course 10
Problem Solving
with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG |
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Discover analysis, methodology, and problem solving skills while working with your personal research. Students meet in small specialty groups (with two consultants and five other students) two hours each day to review and report research findings. Expert consultants are not limited to US research but are available for many areas of the world. Students pay regular tuition plus an additional consultant fee. Contact JudiGenealogy@aol.com for questions and to request information for required Research project submission. Research Projects are due 30 Oct 2009.
Click here to register.
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Course 11
Accreditation and Certification Preparation
with Karen Clifford, AG and Elissa Scalise Powell, CG |
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This preparation course will give insights into the processes necessary to become accredited by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) or certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). The requirements, standards, and skills necessary will be discussed and demonstrated by well-qualified credentialed instructors. This rare learning opportunity is offered to not only help you in becoming more successful in your credential application but also teaches good genealogical practices.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Introduction to ICAPGen
ICAPGen Application and Experience Chart
Into to BCG - Preliminary Application Requirements 1 and 2
Document Work: Transcribing and Abstracting
Document Work: Research Focus and Analysis of Documents, Work Plans
Client Reports
Source Citation Principles
Case Study: Evidence Analysis Principles
Case Study: Construction for Complex or Contradictory Evidence
KDP: Conventional Formats & BCG Standards
KDP: Integrating Proof Arguments into the Genealogical Narrative
Selecting Your BCG Projects for New and Renewal Portfolios
Research Focus and Analysis of Documents
Report Writing Under Pressure: Rubrics, and Results
Research Planning
Electronic Databases
Uniqueness of International AG Examinations, Translations
Evaluating and Solving Research Problems
The Oral Review: Purposes, Rubrics, and Results
The Renewal Process
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Course 12
U.S. Military Records
with Craig Scott, CG |
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Many of our ancestors served in the militia, the Army, Navy or Marines during conflicts that ranged from colonial wars with the Indians and the French to wars in the 20th century. This course examines the records that were created by these conflicts and those created after the wars were done.
Click here for course outline or click here to register.
Finding Aids
Military Maps
Colonial Wars
Revolutionary War
War of 1812
Neglected Wars
Mexican War
Bounty Land
Union Civil War
Confederate Civil War
World War I
Prisoners of War
Navy and Marines
Pension Research I
Pension Research II
Military Manuscripts
Quartermaster Records
Treasury Records
Fraternal Organizations
Soldier's Homes
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