Exploring Genealogy Institutes

There are four genealogy institutes in the United States which provide excellent genealogical training. They are the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), the National Institute for Genealogical Research (NIGR) and the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). I have attended three of these genealogical institutes and recommend them to all serious genealogists. The advantage of a genealogical institute over a conference is that you study one track or topic for the whole week, thus receiving an in-depth education from some of the top genealogists in the country. Two of the institutes, SLIG and IGHR, offer ten different tracks to choose from each year. 


The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, is held annually in June. Registration opens in January, and I recommend registering the first day as many of the courses will fill quickly. Courses offered at the 2013 institute held June 9-13 include: 

Course 1: Techniques & Technology 
Course 2: Intermediate Genealogy
Course 3: Historical Studies Research in the South, Part II 
Course 4: Advanced Methodology & Evidence Analysis 
Course 5: Writing & Publishing for Genealogists 
Course 6: Genealogy as a Profession 
Course 7: German Genealogical Research 
Course 8: Understanding Land Records 
Course 10: Scottish Genealogical Research 


The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) is held annually in January in Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration is now open for the next institute to be held January 10 -14, 2013. The following tracks will be offered:

Course 1: American Research and Records: Focus on Localities
Course 2: Bridging the 1780-1830 Gap: From New England to the Midwest (and points in between)
Course 3: Researching Your English Ancestors: Beyond the Parish Register
Course 4: Germany: Advanced Tools and Methods
Course 5: Researching in Washington D.C. without Leaving Home
Course 6: A Genealogist's Guide to the Internet Galaxy
Course 7: Principles of Forensic Genealogy
Course 8: Producing a Quality Family Narrative
Course 9: Advanced Genealogical Methods
Course 10: Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum
Course 11: Problem Solving

The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) is new this year and has four courses available July 22 - 27, 2012. There is still space available in the German course and the Online Repository course for this July:

Course 1: Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper
Course 2: Advanced Research Methods
Course 3: Beneath the Home Page: Problem Solving with Online Repositories
Course 4: German Genealogical Research
 

The National Institute for Genealogical Research (NIGR) is held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. in July. This institute provides an on-site exploration of federal records. Presenters include professional genealogists and NARA archivists and cover records such as military, land, immigration, census, as well as many other types of federal records that can be used for genealogical research. There are optional evening sessions at the Library of Congress and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library. You can sign up online to receive a copy of the registration brochure to be sent out in February.