Two New Gen Proof Study Groups Forming

There are two new Gen Proof Study Groups forming to study the book Mastering Genealogical Proof by Thomas W. Jones. There is no charge to participate other than the cost of the book.

The group mentors have all been through the book in their own mentoring group with Tom Jones.

We are now offering groups at two different levels: Beginner/Intermediate and Advanced. The same material is covered in each group. The self assessed skill level of the participants is what determines the group you would register for. This way participants with similar skill levels will work
through the book together.


For more information on the Gen Proof study groups see:

"Gen Proof" Groups to Study Mastering Genealogical Proof

Gen Proof Study Groups – How To Get In

Here is the information on the two groups:

Shelley Bishop will mentor an Advanced group using Google+ Communities with a video chat (hangout) option. They will cover one chapter per week beginning September 1st. Solid intermediate participants are welcome in this group as well.

Julie George will mentor a Beginner/Intermediate group using Google+ Community. This group will also cover one chapter each week and begins September 8th.

Both mentors have selected the following format for their study groups: Asynchronous discussion board-- The group will 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.

If you are interested in either of these groups or would like to be placed on the waiting list for a future group, send an email to genproofstudy@gmail.com. Include your preference of group level
(beginner/intermediate or advanced.)

If you have any questions, please email genproofstudy@gmail.com.

BCG Announces New Webinar Series!

I was excited to read on the Board for Certification of Genealogists blog that they are starting a new webinar series! These webinars are open to anyone who would like to participate, and will be held at
8:00 pm Eastern on the following dates:

Monday, September 22, Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, will present “Fine Wine in a New Bottle: Guidelines for Effective Research and Family Histories.” Updated, retitled, and reorganized, genealogy standards first published in 2000 are now available in a new edition. The webinar will describe the changes and what they mean for all family historians. Dr. Jones teaches at three genealogy institutes, co-edits the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, and is the author of Mastering Genealogical Proof.

On Wednesday, October 15, Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL, will explain “Kinship Determination: From Generation to Generation.” Requirement 7 of the BCG certification application asks for a Kinship Determination Project in which the applicant writes a three-generation narrative and explains how the relationships are documented. All genealogists do this regularly while placing relatives with their appropriate connections in the family tree. A familiar speaker at conferences across the country, Judy will coordinate the Advanced Methodology & Evidence Analysis course at the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research in 2015.


To register for either of these webinars, or to watch for future presentations, see to the BCG blog.

Forensic Genealogy Institute Registration Opens Sept. 9th

FGI Offers Two Brand-New, Cutting-Edge Courses for Forensic Genealogists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Dallas, Texas – August 12, 2014 – Registration for the fourth annual Forensic Genealogy Institute (FGI) will open on September 9, 2014, at 1 pm EST. The educational arm of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG), FGI will be held March 26-28, 2015, at the Wyndham Love Field Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

The 2015 FGI features two brand-new, concurrent courses:

• Forensic Genealogy Master Practicum
• Advanced Genetic Genealogy and Unknown-Parentage Cases

Registration for each course is $445, which includes 20 hours of instruction by expert forensic and genetic genealogists in just three days, minimizing travels costs and time away from family and work. Enrollment is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

“In keeping with CAFG’s goals to promote and maintain high standards of professionalism, the fourth FGI enlarges and expands upon the curriculum offered at the previous institutes,” said Leslie Brinkley Lawson, CAFG President. “The 2015 program offers must-have education, training, mentoring, and professional development to those thinking of careers in forensic or genetic genealogy.

The “Forensic Genealogy Master Practicum” provides hands-on experience in researching various types of forensic cases, working with clients (including interviews and contracts), writing forensic reports or affidavits (students will write three reports), and participating in or observing a mock trial to defend a forensic report. Enrollment is limited to 40 students.

The “Advanced Genetic Genealogy and Unknown-Parentage Cases” course applies DNA and traditional genealogical research to uncovering the genetic heritage of individuals with unknown parentage. This area of forensic research is expanding rapidly, and genealogists who can use DNA to successfully address unknown-parentage cases are in great demand. Enrollment is limited to 60 students. For full details of each course’s curriculum, as well as faculty biographies, visit www.forensicgenealogists.org/institute.


About CAFG

Established in 2011, the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) is a business league with a professional membership dedicated to the advancement of forensic genealogy, which is research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implications. CAFG promotes high standards of professional and ethical conduct, provides education and training opportunities, and assists in professional development though mentorship, full membership, credentialing, and awarding of fellowships. Learn more at www.forensicgenealogists.org.

New Genealogy Institute in Illinois

I was excited to see an announcement about another new genealogy institute on Facebook today.
The first Genealogical Research Institute on the campus of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois will be held May 28th through June 1st in 2015.

The institute will offer four tracks, including:

• Refining Internet and Digital Skills for Genealogy (coordinator Cyndi Ingle of Cyndislist)
• Advanced methodology and analysis (coordinator Michael John Neill of Genealogy Tip of the Day)
• Intermediate sources and research (coordinator Debbie Mieszala, CG)
• Germanic research sources and methods (coordinator Teresa McMillin, CG)

For more information see:

http://www.sandburggenealogy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sandburggenealogy