Constructing Database Searches: A Short Course

I received the following announcement about an online course Michael John Neill is conducting this month. It looks like an interesting course and I like the format that includes lectures, assignments and group discussions. If you are interested in participating register right away as it begins on Thursday.

 

Constructing Database Searches:

A Short Course

With Michael John Neill
 

March 2013

(scroll down for specific schedule)

 

Typing names into search boxes does not solve all your genealogical problems. We will see how to construct searches, organize searches, and problem-solve and troubleshoot when individuals are not located easily. Our discussion will concentrate on those instances when people are difficult to find. We will not be concerned with "easy" searches. We will use FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and other databases. The only fee-based database that will be used will be Ancestry.com and attendees must have their own access to Ancestry.com as it is NOT provided in your course registration. The course will consist of three lectures (topics and schedule below), problem assignments, virtual follow-up discussions, group discussion board interaction, and student submission of work (optional). There is no assigned grade—you get from this what you put into it. Students will also be able to share their work and ideas with other students.
If you were registered for a previous session and did not get to attend, please email me to be added to the course at no charge. Do not re-register.
Our lectures will be somewhat different--we will go through specific examples and situations and explain the different types of searches, wildcard, Boolean, string-based, etc. within the context of an example. That may seem like "diving in," but people tend to learn best by just doing. There will be reference information provided and time for discussion and commentary in the followup sessions and bulletin board interaction.

 

Citation of sources is important, but lectures will not focus on citation theory.
Students will need to choose someone they cannot find in a US Federal census and two other online databases (free ones).

 

Course registration is only $30. Class size is limited to 30 to encourage group interaction. Attendees will need to register by 8 PM Central Time on 6 March 2013. Class starts on 7 March 2013. Registration is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis only.  Register here.

 

• Assignment/Study 1—Organizing Your Searches--The basics of any search strategy is search-tracking and organization. We'll see why when you are stuck most of your work is done away from the website. Students will then create search strategies based upon their own problems. 
• Assignment/Study 2—Troubleshooting & Determining Best Options--We will discuss ways to tweak your search based upon unsuccessful results, ways to get around incomplete or missing "help," pages, and determining what other databases contain the same information. We will also discuss when a manual search of the records may be necessary.
• Assignment/Study 3— Discussion and Analysis of Student Problems--We will look at all (or most) student problems that were submitted, concentrating on those that highlight problem areas or situations not already discussed in detail.

Lectures will be recorded for those who are unable to attend or have audio/video issues.

 

Lectures and discussions will be via GotoMeeting.

 

Want to register? Registration is only $30 and can be done using your PayPal account or a major credit card (just process your order as a PayPal “guest.”).Register here. Email Michael at mjnrootdig@gmail.com with questions. 

  

«	March 2013					»
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7 LECTURE-2:30-3:30 PM CST	8	9
10	11	12 Short virtual discussion 2:30-3:00 PM CST	13	14 LECTURE-2:30-3:30 PM CST	15	16
17	18	19 Short virtual discussion 2:30-3:00 PM CST	20	21 LECTURE-2:30-3:30 PM CST	22	23
24	25	26 Short virtual discussion 2:30-3:00 PM CST	27	28 Wrap-up  2:30 PM CST	29