NGS Live Streaming -- Registration Ends Tomorrow

NGS 2014 Family History Conference, Richmond, Virginia 7–10 May 2014
Live Streaming Broadcast

Registration for the previously announced live streaming will close on 30 April 2014. The National Genealogical Society (NGS) will broadcast the live streaming of ten lectures from the NGS 2014 Family History Conference..  The upcoming conference will be the first time NGS has provided a portion of the conference to NGS members and others across the United States and overseas who are unable to attend the conference in person.

Since the conference offers ten simultaneous tracks, conference attendees may also benefit from live streaming by choosing to attend certain lecture topics of interest in person and using the live streaming program as a chance to view other simultaneous lectures after they return home. The live streaming lectures will be available for delayed viewing for ninety days.

Details of the live streaming program can be found at on the NGS Conference website at http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/attend/live-streaming-at-ngs2014gen/.  NGS has selected some of the most popular topics and nationally known speakers for the two featured tracks. Registrants for live streaming can select either track or the bundled package which includes both tracks.

• Track One: Records and Research Techniques which can be viewed on Thursday afternoon, 8 May 2014, and Friday morning, 9 May 2014. Join the conference from home and learn about best practices and research sources.
• Track Two: Virginia Resources and Migration Patterns which can be viewed on Friday afternoon, 9 May 2014, and Saturday morning, 10 May 2014. Learn about Virginia’s records and her people, who moved south and west to new lands pushing the frontier ever forward.

Registration for live streaming will close at midnight 30 April 2014. All registrants will receive an electronic version of the NGS 2014 Family History Conference Syllabus. Registration is discounted for NGS Members.

NGS has selected PlayBackNow to broadcast the live sessions and to provide the recorded sessions for later viewing. Instructions for viewing the live streaming will be sent to registrants before 6 May 2014.

GRIP 2015 -- Two Weeks of Genealogy Education

The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) has expanded their program for 2015 to TWO weeks and ELEVEN courses. This is great news for the dozens of people who are on the waiting list for 2014, as some of the GRIP courses sold out in a matter of minutes. The new courses include topics such as Genealogy and the Law, Problem Solving with Church Records, Pennsylvania, and more. Here is the official press release and all the details:

GRIP ANNOUNCES 2015 PLANS FOR TWO INSTITUTE WEEKS

April 25, 2014 - Pittsburgh, PA – The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) announces their summer 2015 plans. In order to accommodate many different interests and a high demand for popular courses, two weeks of six courses each will be offered next summer, both at La Roche College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first week will be June 28 to July 3, 2015 and the second week will be July 19 to 24, 2015. According to Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and Deborah Lichtner Deal, co-directors of GRIP, “the demand for in-depth genealogical education is so high that week-long courses sell out shortly after registration opens, disappointing many potential students. At the same time genealogists who have taken many courses want new content.” GRIP seeks to satisfy this growing need for high quality genealogy education through its week-long courses with internationally recognized instructors.

June 28 to July 3, 2015, courses include course coordinators and topics: John P. Colletta, Ph.D. (Writing the Immigrant Story), Karen Mauer Green, CG (New York State), Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL (Genealogical Proof Standard), Rev. Dr. David McDonald, CG (Problem Solving with Church Records), Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL and Pam Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL (Advanced Land), Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL (Genetics).

July 19 to 24, 2015, courses include Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL (Advanced Methodology), Sharon Cook MacInnes, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania), Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL and Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL (Law), Paula Stuart-Warren, CG (Intermediate topics), D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS (Professional topics), Debbie Parker Wayne, CG, CGL (Genetics).

Nestled in the Pittsburgh suburbs, La Roche’s campus includes economical air-conditioned “en suite” dorm accommodations steps from the classrooms, a buffet-style cafeteria, and free parking. The instructors are all experienced researchers, lecturers, and writers who bring their expertise into the classroom with case studies and problem solving exercises. Registration will begin in February 2015 but there are still seats left in summer 2014 courses in Pittsburgh and the Detroit suburb of Orchard Lake, Michigan.

Unique opportunities for this year are “Finding African-American Families” coordinated by J. Mark Lowe, CG and Dr. Deborah Abbott offered in Pittsburgh July 20 to 25 and “Becoming an Online Expert: Mastering Search Engines and Digital Archives” with D. Joshua Taylor. In Orchard Lake August 3 to 8 is “Advancing Your Polish Research: 300 Years of Records including Prussian, Russian, and Austrian Poland” coordinated by Ceil Wendt Jensen, CG, “Determining Kinship Reliably with the GPS” with Thomas W. Jones, “Bridging the 1780-1840 Gap: New England to the Midwest” with D. Joshua Taylor, and “Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper” with Paula Stuart-Warren, the latter of which is also offered in Pittsburgh.

For more information and an update on course seats, visit our website at http://www.GRIPitt.org or email info@GRIPitt.org.

CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board.

Follow Friday - Genealogy Certification Blog

For the "Follow Friday" blog theme I would like to recommend Jill Morelli's blog "Genealogy Certification: My Personal Journal." Jill writes about her educational process as she prepares for certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

I met Jill through the  ProGen Study Groups and enjoyed getting to know her a little better at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy last January. On her blog she sometimes posts her thoughts about the ProGen Study Group assignments, but generally focuses on what she has learned as she studies and prepares to submit her BCG portfolio. As a genealogy education blogger, I appreciate her posts on the conferences and institutes she has attended. It is interesting to hear her perspective.

Jill has a series of posts on the elements of the Genealogical Proof Standard:
GPS Element #1: Thorough Search 
GPS Element #2: Informative citations
GPS Element #5: Writing your conclusions

Another one of my favorite posts is: 
What is “Context” Anyway?

I hope you enjoy reading her blog as much as I do.
Angela

APG Careers Webinars

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) is hosting some new webinars on careers in genealogy. They are free for anyone to watch the live webinar, and then archived for APG members. The first one is tonight, so sign up quickly if you are interested in seeing what a House Historian does. Here is a copy of the APG press release with registration links:   Upcoming APG Webinars & New "Careers" Series! Mark your calendars! APG has the following webinars and speakers planned for April and May, brought to you by the APG Professional Development Committee. Register soon to reserve your spot. The first webinar is this Thursday! Careers in Genealogy: House Historian Thursday, April 17, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Presenter: Marian Pierre-Louis Have you ever considered expanding your services by including House History research? It can be a great way to supplement your business. You might even discover you want to focus on house histories exclusively. In this talk we'll cover the similarities and differences of house history research to genealogy. We'll explore the educational background needed and the main records groups used. Finally, we'll have a discussion of the many different types of clients and products that can be the source of your revenue. Come discover if house history research is in your future! https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/511679153 Careers in Genealogy: Forensic Genealogist Monday, May 19, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Presenter: Michael S. Ramage, J.D., CG Are you curious about the fast-growing field of forensic genealogy? Forensic genealogist Michael S. Ramage, J.D., CG, will share what led him to specialize in the field of forensic genealogy, and review some of the different types of work which require the expertise of a forensic genealogist. The webinar will also review some of the items individuals need to consider before offering forensic services, including experience, education, credentials, skill sets, and marketing. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/776089056 Where Genealogists Go Wrong on the Internet Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Presenter Marian Pierre-Louis There are some common mistakes that many genealogists make when developing on online presence whether through email, social media, a blog or their website. From lack of consistency in building a brand to using the wrong image size, Marian Pierre-Louis will help get you back on track. If you would like to have your online presence evaluated (and used in the presentation) send Marian an email. APG members can also submit specific questions on this topic to Marian in advance at rambles@fieldstonehistoricresearch.com. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/722814729 Please share this invitation on relevant mailing lists, with your local society, or with anyone else who might have an interest. These webinars are available and free for APG members and non-members to attend live. Webinars are also recorded, and the recordings made available to APG members on the Members Only section of our website for any member who is unable to attend the live session or just wants to review the material again. If you have any questions, or would like to suggest a topic and/or speaker you would like to see for future webinars, please feel free to email me anytime—Kimberly Powell (president@apgen.org) APG Professional Development Committee Melanie Holtz (Chair), Sheri Fenley, Jean Wilcox Hibben, Kimberly Powell and Craig Scott

Copyright © 2014 Association of Professional Genealogists, All rights reserved.

Spring Gen Proof Study Groups Forming

Are you interested in taking your genealogical research to the next level? Would you like to discuss the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) with others in a small group? Do you want to effectively apply the GPS to your own research? Perhaps it’s time for you to begin studying the book Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones. 

New rounds of Gen Proof Study Groups are forming now. The small groups of 10-15 members and their mentor will work their way through each chapter of Mastering Genealogical Proof. They will discuss their thoughts, insights and questions about the five parts of the GPS, the chapter exercises and, their own research as it applies to the GPS.

If you are interested in joining:

1.       Make a commitment. You need to be able to commit at least 10 hours per week to read the book, complete the chapter exercises and participate in discussions.

2.       Obtain a copy of Mastering Genealogical Proof. The book is published by the National Genealogical Society and can be ordered here . It is also available as a KindleEdition. 

3.       Read the first two chapters to understand the commitment you are making.

4.       Decide what group level you would like to be in: beginner/intermediate or advanced.

5.       Send an email to get on the waiting list (see Registration Process below). Include your preference of group level (beginner/intermediate or advanced.)

Meeting times:

• Some groups will meet and study one chapter every week for 8 weeks, and others will meet every other week for 16 weeks
• There will be a variety of start dates.

Study Group Platform

We use Google + private communities as a platform for the study groups so there will be no expense involved to participate. You need to have a free Google + account. Each Gen Proof study group will have their own private Google + community where they can ask and answer questions and discuss the book content and assignments.

The groups will meet in one of four formats selected by the mentor. 

Asynchronous discussion board-- These groups do not meet at a designated time but have ongoing discussions on a private Google + Community discussion board throughout the week. The mentor will log on each day to answer questions and highlight certain concepts, and participants should check in daily also.

Video chat – These groups meet weekly or bi-weekly at a designated time for a one hour video chat on a private Google Hangout. You MUST have a computer or a tablet with a headset and microphone to participate. This is great for those who like to meet in real time and video chat to discuss the subject.  

Text chat – These groups meet at a designated time for one hour in a private chat room. You type your thoughts and questions via text chat and others will respond and discuss the concepts in real time. This format is good for those who do not want to video chat, but like a designated time each week to meet and discuss the subject.

Asynchronous discussion board with option to video chat – This combination of options discussed above has become very popular.  

Mastering Genealogical Proof Google + Community

We have created a public Google + community page to encourage discussion of the book. The link to the Mastering Genealogical Proof community page is https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/109187935060995685018

To join, click the red “Join Community” button at the top of the page.

Registration Process

To join the Gen Proof Study Group waiting list:

1.       Send an email to genproofstudy at gmail.com. Include your preference of group level (beginner/intermediate or advanced.)

2.       We will email an application form to those on the waiting list which will include the name of each mentor, their study group start date and format.  Participants will reply with a commitment to participate and indicate their first and second choice for study groups.

3.       Once the study groups are filled, your mentor will contact you and give you access to the private Google + community or Basecamp website where you will participate in your group discussions.

4.       Have fun studying this wonderful new book with a great group of genealogists!

Questions

Questions can be asked on the Mastering Genealogical Proof Google + Community page or via email at genproofstudy at gmail.com