Review of Settlers in the New World course at SLIG

As part of my ongoing series where guest authors review courses from genealogy institutes, this post is by Mike Bronner with his perspective on “Settlers in the New World and Immigrants to a New Nation” course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy from January 2017. 

SLIG 2017 In Review: Settlers in the New World and Immigrants to a New Nation — Researching Ancestors from Overseas

New Year’s Day ushers in a two-week period of excited anticipation — final preparations for SLIG. The week of turns into a blur with travel, meeting and greeting new and old friends, and trying to absorb it all!

In past years I have concentrated on methodology classes. This year I changed it up a bit and decided to take a history course from Dr. Colletta. I have been looking forward to attending one of his courses quite a few years. He has a wonderful way of sharing his stories through empathy and visual language.

Lessons in History

Together with Josh Taylor and Deborah Gurtler, Dr. Colletta brought a period of history spanning almost 500 years, starting in the 1590s, to life.

The main topics discussed were the pre-colonial, colonial, and federal periods. We delved into the details of what immigrants might experience during these times, what tribulations they faced. We looked at some of the more and some less successful immigrants throughout history with the hope of gleaming a little insight into how different life was in each of those periods.

Lessons in Immigration

We learned a lot about the push and pull effects that triggered immigration, and sometimes even repatriation. Some immigrants were businessmen who were looking to profit in the new world, and travelled back and forth. Others sought fortune in a new world, where the old world bore none, and then returned on the death of a relative.

These causalities are often born from the same internal needs that we experience. We must recognize that they could manifest themselves very differently from what we know today,

In Summary

No Pressure: Dr. Colletta’s class was a wonderful experience. One could relax and soak in the history, social, and political lessons without having the added pressure of homework or research. This also freed up the evenings for my own research at the FHL.

Interactive: Dr. Colletta made a concerted effort to keep the course interactive. He encouraged us to interrupt with questions, discussions, and sharing of relevant experiences. It developed into a participatory event in which we were all able to learn from each other. At times he would have to reign the class in a bit, to be able to stay on course with the schedule. Everyone was eager to take part.

Story Time with Dr. Colletta: The best, of course, was being able to listen to Dr. Colletta present history through his fantastic ability to paint pictures with his stories.

If you have colonial immigrant ancestors, I fully recommend this course, should it be offered again in the future.

Mike Bronner (@mikebronner on Twitter) is a free-lance translator who runs GeneaLabs in Los Angeles with his wife Myelene. Besides German-English translation services specializing in old German print and handwriting, they also provide custom web development solutions.

The Coaching Lab: Forensic Genealogy from Inquiry to Affidavit

As part of my ongoing series where guest authors review courses from genealogy institutes, I welcome my friend Cari Taplin, CG with her take on the “The Coaching Lab: Forensic Genealogy from Inquiry to Affidavit” course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy from January 2017. 

“The Coaching Lab: Forensic Genealogy from Inquiry to Affidavit”

            Forensic genealogy is one of the most interesting and potentially rewarding niches in our profession. The course “The Coaching Lab: Forensic Genealogy from Inquiry to Affidavit” was an excellent course that took the students through the process of handling a forensic case from start to finish. The course was coordinated by Amber Goodpaster Tauscher and Catherine Desmarais, CG, with instruction also by Bethany Waterbury, Jerry Smith, CG, Judy Russell, CG, and Kelvin Meyers.

            The course began with what a typical day might look like from some practicing forensic genealogists, learned about how they work to attract clients, and discussed some tips for working with lawyers. This course also took the class through the process of building research reports and affidavits in great detail. Other topics we covered were on being expert witnesses, issues in real estate, mineral rights, and adoption cases. Tips on locating living people were also shared.

            This course was very helpful in that it demonstrated the nuts and bolts of forensic work in great details and took the students through a real case from start to finish. The main portion of the course focused on the actual creation of the forensic research report and affidavits. The instructors demonstrated several tricks designed to save time while also creating thorough reports. Templates were shared that the class customized for their own use. Then we used those custom templates to proceed through a case together, creating the report and affidavit as we worked. We also practiced how to create professional exhibits with labels and source citations.

            The class size was smaller than other institute courses typically are, but this allowed for a lot of in-class discussion, networking, and class bonding. Students in the class had adequate time to share their own experiences, ask detailed questions, and were given excellent answers from all of the instructors. This course was taught by a team of fantastic and fun practicing forensic genealogists from a wide variety of experiences who were more than generous with their knowledge, expertise, and professional tips.

—Cari A. Taplin, CG

Cari Taplin is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that’s what her family told her. As a result, she has been working on finding her true heritage since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio but migrated to Wyoming, Colorado and now Pflugerville, Texas which is just outside Austin. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and has served in a wide variety of volunteer and leadership positions for several state, local, and national societies. She currently serves as the Education Chair for the Austin Genealogical Society, and on the boards of the Association for Professional Genealogists and the Federation of Genealogical Societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking, research, and consultation services. Cari focuses on midwestern states, methodology and researching family legends. When she’s not working on her genealogy, she is a wife and mother of two/too cute kids.

Is The Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum Right for You?

Are you trying to decide if you would like to take the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy? Registration opens on Saturday, so I thought I would share some reviews from those who have taken the course to help you decide if it is for you.

This hands-on course is an opportunity for advanced genealogists to put their research skills into practice. Participants work on five complex genealogical research problems—a new one each day. Each case requires careful evidence evaluation and/or additional research to solve. The objective is to give each student experience in conducting research on complex problems, analyzing and correlating evidence, and reaching conclusions.

 

The cases are all brand new for 2017 and will feature new methodologies, geographic areas and ethnicities not covered before in the course. For details on the course click here and scroll to the bottom of the course list. 

To give perspective on the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course here are some reviews from past participants: 

The Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum: Upping Your Game by Karen Matheson

SLIG's Advanced Evidence Practicum: Are you up to the challenge? by Nicole LaRue

A Higher Level of Learning by Darcie Hind Posz, CG

What I learned at SLIG 2013: Ponder and Mull by Anne Gillespie Mitchell 

The toughest genealogy course you can take? by Harold Henderson, CG

More on the Toughest Genealogy Course by Harold Henderson, CG

A Challenging and Inspiring Learning Experience by Barbara Ball, CG

Measuring Your Success at Solving Genealogical Problems by Melinda Henningfield, CG

An Insider's View of the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum by Harold Henderson, CG

Waking Up Your Brain with the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course at SLIG 
by Corey Browder Oiesen

This course is designed for advanced genealogists who have sufficient experience and education to work on complex genealogical problems. 

GRIP Announces 2017 Courses

I was excited to receive the following press release from the Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh. They look like they have some excellent courses lined up for 2017.

ANNOUNCING 2017 GRIP COURSES 

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh holds week-long courses at La Roche College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, each summer in two separate weeks, each with different courses. The 2017 dates are June 25-30, 2017 and July 16-21, 2017. The following courses will be held (schedule to be determined):

§  Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D. with “Practical Genetic Genealogy”

§  Harold Henderson, CG, and Kimberly Powell with “Confusion to Conclusion: How to Write Proof Arguments”

§  Melissa A. Johnson, CG with “Gateway to the Garden State: Sources and Strategies for New Jersey Research”

§  Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG with “Mastering the Art of Genealogical Documentation”

§  Michael J. Leclerc, CG with “Writing and Sharing Your Family History”

§  David McDonald, CG with “Research in the states of the Old Northwest Territory”

§  CeCe Moore with “Advanced Genetic Genealogy”

§  David Rencher, AG, CG with “Irish Genealogical Research”

§  Judy Russell, JD, CG, CGL & Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL with “Law School for Genealogists”

§  Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, Pam Boyer Sayre, CG, CGL with “Research in Washington, DC, from Afar”

§  Paula Stuart-Warren, CG with “Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper”

§  Amy L. Wachs, J.D. with “Tracing Your Roots in Eastern Europe”

For the latest news, sign up for email notifications at www.GRIPitt.org or “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GRIPitt/.

Swing Through the South at SLIG

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors writing reviews of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. 

Review of "Swing Through the South" 
By Charmaine Riley Holley

In Womenfolks:Growing Up Down South [Houghton Mifflin (Trade) (July 26,1984)] Shirley Abbott wrote: “Besides its content and methods, the cuisine devised by squaws and hillbilly women, as well as slave women, had another thing in common, which was the belief that you made do with whatever you could lay hands on--pigs' entrails, turnip tops, cowpeas, terrapins, catfish--anything that didn't bite you first.” 

In the 2016 SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy) course, Swing Through The South, we may not have discussed historical Southern cuisine, but we discussed geography, military, research methodology, and much more. We most definitely missed course coordinator J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA, but the course co-coordinator Kelvin L. Meyers and course instructors Deborah A. Abbott, Ph.D, Ann Gillespie Mitchell, and Michael Hait, CG, took us through a whirlwind tour. 

There were several presentations on general research methodology such as “Wills, Estates and Guardians” and “Essential Federal Records (Non-Military)”. Anne Gillespie Mitchell taught us how to be super searchers in “ Where Do I Go Next? Essential Search Skills”. Michael Hait shared the concept that “Everything happened in a place.” in “Maps, Atlases, and Gazetteers”. 

Kelvin, master of all things Texas, presented several of Mark’s lectures but truly shined when sharing his knowledge of researching the Lone Star State, as well as church records (“How Great Thou Art! Essentials of Church Records”). We covered seven major time periods in Texas history from 1519-1865. Kelvin does an excellent job of using his family and client case studies to exemplify the use of specific records. I hope that at sometime in the future one of the institutes has him do an entire session on Texas. 

In “Finding Records Through the South” Michael Hait reminded us that, not only do we need records, but we need to know who created the records. Next, we need to ask where are the original records now. Thanks to Michael and ARCHIVEGRID ( https://beta.worldcat.org/archivegrid/ ) I found a Woodford County, KY slave record at Pennsylvania State University in their Rare Books and Manuscripts Collection. 

Anne Gillespie Mitchell is an energetic presenter and covered “Uniquely Southern Military Records” and “Farming and Other Occupations” along with being our tour guide for North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. During her class on “Strategies of the South” she reminded us to start with a solid research plan and to consult with fellow researchers. We were also provided with many tips on doing online research along the way. 

Dr. Deborah Abbott presented one of the most outstanding case study based lectures I have heard. Her love of using maps, manuscripts, and special collections was evident in “Learning about Neighbours, Family and Friends Through Manuscripts & Special Collections” and “People, Places, and Connected Records” (“black records that white people should look at”- Dr. Abbott), but “Follow a Case with Land” was mesmerising. Her tenacity and use of maps was extremely enlightening and the case was fascinating as presented. 

Homework assignments were reasonable and instructive, as were the short sessions we had with Mark Lowe when technology cooperated. I left SLIG with new knowledge, a 188 page syllabus full of information (thanks Luana Wentz Darby for great hard copies!), and a truism and admonition from Mark Lowe: 

Truism : “People die where they are.” (M Lowe) 

Admonition: “We should know our ancestors so well that we recognize them without their name tags.” (M Lowe) 

Charmaine Riley Holley has been a family historian and genealogist for more than thirty years. She is 100% Colonial Southern on her maternal side and has one “Yankee” line (Massachusetts Bay Colony) on her paternal side. Fascinated with incorporating DNA, Charmaine has recently been hired to do contract genetic and non-genetic genealogy research with a major company. She has attended many institute programs and hopes to attend many more as a great believer in continuous education.

Advanced Genealogical Methods - A Legend at SLIG

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors writing reviews of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. 

A Review of the "Advanced Genealogical Methods" course
Course coordinator - Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS

Review written by Victoria Kinnear

Tom Jones’s Advanced Methodology class is something of a legend at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. There are tales of excessive homework and the overall difficulty of the class. For many students, there is even a certain amount of apprehension about taking the course but when graduated students were asked about their experiences and if it was worth it, have all replied affirmatively and that the course has made them better genealogists.

In the course prerequisites, the class is described as being “intense” and for “high intermediate” genealogists with experience in having taken an intermediate genealogy course and have experience researching original records including probate and land. There are appropriate descriptions of the course and the necessary skills for getting the most out of it. Without solid research experience, students would be, for the most part, lost.

Before the course, several articles were provided to the class and were required to be read before the class began. This material should be studied and known very well in order to get the most from the class. A casual reading of the articles will not serve a student well as they are examined in great detail in the class during the week.

On the first day of of the class, the students introduced themselves and discussed why they were taking the course. Everyone was an experienced researcher who wanted to improve their skills, hopefully break down some brick walls, or were considering certification.

The class was a mix of a genealogy “how to” reviews and exploring several methods of research.  Much of the content reminds experienced researchers how to logically and completely research a question. An examination of the research process, developing a hypothesis, planning research, and the types of evidence were covered. Additionally, resolving conflicting evidence and research correlation were discussed. All were solid reminders of how to approach problems logically and with discipline and focus rather than getting excited and chasing squirrels in the middle of researching a problem.

Among the research topics covered were Archival Research, Probate Records, Military and Pension Records, Transcriptions and Abstractions, Land Records (including Federal), Maps, and Immigration and legal issues.

In addition to Tom Jones, Judy Russell, along with Pam and Rick Sayer were additional lecturers in the class. Each of the instructors were able to present information to the class that they had years of experience in performing as well as having a clear passion and depth in their lecture topics.

What I found to be most helpful was that I was able to examine where my strengths were as well as confirming some areas where I wanted to spend more time working to improve my skill levels.

Tom and the other instructors exhibited great patience and answered all of the classes questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. Tom even took the time to answer the questions after class and during breaks.

There was optional homework every night, some of it more challenging than others. It was all geared toward obtaining results if the time and effort was put into the tasks. For those who took the time to at least attempt the homework, positive and reinforcing results were learned.

Overall, the class is well worth taking for a serious genealogist and those wanting to go on to the next level of certification. It reinforced the things that I know and confirmed some areas that I need to work on to become a better genealogist.

Victoria Kinnear

Victoria Kinnear is the owner of My Ancestors Lived Here and has researched for television shows including Finding My Roots and Genealogy Roadshow. A strong believer in continuing education, in addition to completing the BU Certificate course in Genealogy and NIGR (Now GENFED), she attends GRIP, SLIG, IGHR, NGS, FGS, and OGS annually. She has deep Maryland roots and is the current President of the North Capital Area Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists Chapter and serves on the Executive Board of the Maryland Genealogy Society. 

Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors writing reviews of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. 

My Experience With SLIG's Corpus Juris Course
By Debra Hoffman

As genealogists researching and compiling the history of our families, we need to understand the time and place in which they lived. A crucial part of that understanding is learning about the laws that were in effect and their impact on our ancestors.

One of the best ways of receiving a comprehensive education on legal records is to take Judy Russell’s courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is the coordinator for a two-part curriculum. The first part, The Family History Law Library, will be offered in 2017. You can access more information here. In 2016, I attended the second part, Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy.

Besides Judy being a knowledgeable and entertaining speaker, the course contained substantial information to assist genealogical researchers in their encounters with legal records. To briefly summarize, the topics included: an overview of the legal system, research tools and strategies, statutes, session laws, probate records, court records, debt records, criminal records published materials, canon law, and civil law. As you can see from the topics, it was a jam-packed week!

One of my favorite parts of the course was the visit to the University of Utah Law Library. R. Lee Warthen, JD, MLS treated us to a personal tour of each floor of the library pointing out all the relevant resources that were available. It was a special treat to see the collection of old law books that were available to researchers. We also had the opportunity to do hands-on work at the library and a chance to put our new knowledge to the test as we worked through the exercises. I located a 1799 case that referenced a family with land in both Maryland and Virginia. The digest provided insight into the particulars of the case and it was amazing how many genealogical details could be gleaned from the summary. It is exciting to think about how much information might be available in the court records!

R. Lee Warthen, JD, MLS, leading the tour of the University of Utah Law Library

I also enjoyed the hands-on exercises that Judy incorporated into the course. From the ones at the law library to the documents that were reviewed during the lectures, it was beneficial to see actual documents that illustrated the concepts and provided for critical thinking and analysis. Best of all with the Family History Library right down the street; I was even able to put my new knowledge to work when conducting personal research.

One evening at the FHL, I was reading circuit court minutes for Hawkins County, Tennessee. I came across a writ of Scire Facias. Luckily, that was one of the topics that Judy had covered that day. It was satisfying to be able to apply my newfound knowledge! For those unfamiliar with that term, it is a “judicial writ, founded upon some matter of record, such as a judgment or recognizance and requiring the person against whom it is brought to show case why the party bringing it should not have advantage of such record, or why the record should not be annulled and vacated.”[1]

As a genealogical researcher, the benefit of taking this two-part series will be realized in the increased knowledge you will gain and the ability to apply that knowledge to understand and appropriately analyze legal documents in the future.

Specializing in Maryland and German research, Debra A. Hoffman is a professional genealogist and the owner of Hoffman Genealogical Services. She has a certificate in Family History from Brigham Young University and, since 2009 she has completed courses at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. Debra is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and serves on the boards of several genealogical societies. She belongs to the William Winchester Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as many other state and local genealogical societies.

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[1] Henry Campbell Black, Black’s Law Dictionary: Definitions of the Terms and Phrases of American and English Jurisprudence, Ancient and Modern with Guide to Pronunciation, 4th ed. (St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Co., 1951), term “Scire Facias.”

Early U.S. Church Records - SLIG Course Review

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors writing reviews of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. This one is written by Valerie Elkins.

SLIG Course: Early U.S. Church Records Review

By Valerie Elkins

Class Coordinator: Rev. David McDonald, _CG

Instructors: Michael Locopo, Lisa Arnold, Warren Bittner, _CG

This course was new to SLIG, and much anticipated. The Reverend Dr. McDonald covered the history of numerous religions found in early America, some basic beliefs of the faith and what records were available and where they could be located. Especially helpful was knowing the changes in the different faiths, migration and map locations through periods of time.

As Doctor of Divinity, David McDonald is an excellent and very qualified course coordinator. His presentations were through, thoughtful and well planned. His humor and wit are a plus.

Michael Locopo was very well versed in the Mennonite religion and also gave a class on the religious newspapers and periodicals available. Michael is not only a knowledgeable instructor, a seasoned presenter, but he was very generous in his offers to assist the students.

Lisa Arnold has a great love and understanding of the Quaker faith and that was respectfully communicated in her presentation. I enjoyed her and appreciated her presentation.

Warren Bittner offered a class on the many records available for those searching for records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All the instructors provided excellent handouts and syllabus material.

Church records are an invaluable resource and may provide the records and information that cannot be found elsewhere. I recommend this course who wants to be a better researcher in Early American records. Very well done and I personally gained some insight into my own family history.

I would have liked to have more information on where records were located and lesson information on the religion’s founding and history, while interesting, I really wanted to delve into l more location of records, especially more lesser known sources.

Religions Dr. McDonald covered were:

·      Catholicism

·      Episcopalian/Anglican

·      Presbyterians

·      Puritans/Pilgrims

·      Lutherans

·      Huguenots

·      Dutch Reformed

·      Jewish

·      Christian/Disciple of Christ

·      Methodist

·      Baptists

Michael Locopo covered Mennonite as well as Religious newspapers and periodicals.

Lisa Arnold taught about the Quakers, while Warren Bittner covered The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints.

The course did provide a great general understanding of Early US Churches, which is what I was hoping for. I would recommend this course for others, especially those with early US ancestors.

  Valerie Elkins is a professional researcher, specializing in Japanese ancestry, and is a frequent presenter and speaker at national and regional conferences. CEO and founder of Advantage Genealogy, she blogs about all things related to family history at FamilyCherished.com. Valerie serves on the Association of Professional Genealogists' Board of Directors and has worked at the Family History Library as an International Research Consultant.

The Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum: Upping Your Game

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors writing reviews of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. 

The Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum: Upping Your Game

By Karen J. Matheson

The blood seemed to be pounding in my head, my heart was racing. I surreptitiously wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans, hoping no one would notice. Was I completely out of my depth? Or had I nailed it??

I felt such a combination of excitement and nervousness on the first day of the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum at the 2103 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. So, why did I choose it? And why did I choose the Practicum again in 2016? Because the Practicum offers an experience unlike any other offered at a genealogical institute.

I had spent many years sitting in genealogical lectures and day-long seminars presented by today’s preeminent genealogists. I had previously attended week-long sessions at SLIG and IGHR, including advanced courses. I was looking for something more, something different, and the Practicum’s course description caught my eye:

“This hands-on course is an opportunity for advanced genealogists to put their research skills into practice. Participants work on five complex genealogical research problems—a new one each day. Each case requires careful evidence evaluation and/or additional research to solve. The objective is to give each student experience in conducting research on complex problems, analyzing and correlating evidence, and reaching conclusions.”[1]

This was a way to “up my game!”

The Practicum experience is endless—different cases are prepared by different presenters each year. The course is not just information gathering! Each case requires determining which documents are important, analyzing the information gleaned, resolving any conflicts, and reaching a sound conclusion—usually from indirect evidence. Participants are asked to write a summary each day and turn it in before class begins that afternoon.

Class time consists of about 1.5 hours of discussion with the other participants and the professional who presented the case. This is perhaps the best part—the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion with other like-minded genealogists. We explored the various approaches class members took to solve the problems. We discussed what worked, what didn’t work, what constituted key pieces of information, etc. (I learned that researching in an urban area requires a completely different approach than researching in the rural South!)

A case presented in 2013 by William D. Litchman, PhD required participants to identify a man for whom we were given only a name, a marriage license, and a few newspaper articles. We were tasked with finding the correct man and learning where he came from, where he went, and who his family were. The answer to this problem was reached by focusing on the man’s identity—the types of activities he engaged in and his apparent educational background.

In January 2016, Paul K. Graham, CG, AG gave us all the documents necessary to prove who the father of an individual was. The question was not difficult to answer; however, we were tasked with analyzing and correlating the information and writing a proof summary of the indirect evidence that provided the answer.

I have learned that applying a variety of techniques can help—sometimes a case seemed to require a timeline, another case lead me to create a database of family members and extended family. Some cases were made clearer by the creation of comparison charts.

The Practicum taught me time management—with only 22 hours to solve a case and write a conclusion, you have to plan out your time! I learned that it is best to follow the instructions! I learned that it is best to stay focused on the research path that will most likely lead to the answer and not get lead astray by interesting tid-bits (the curse of the researcher)! Most of all, I learned that even if I didn’t quite get the answer, there is always another day and another opportunity to hone my skills.

So, if you are tired of sitting in classes and you’re ready for a challenge, the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum offers a great way to “up your game.”

Karen Matheson has been doing genealogical research for more than 20 years and works as a professional genealogist. A native of Utah, Karen formerly lived in Texas and currently lives in Morgan Hill, California. Karen has served on the boards of many different genealogical societies and volunteered in a Family History Center for five years. Karen enjoys researching, mentoring, teaching, and sharing her enthusiasm for genealogy and family history with others!

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[1] Angela Packer McGhie, “Is the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum Course Right for You?” Adventures in Genealogy Education, (http://genealogyeducation.blogspot.com/2013/06/is-advanced-evidence-analysis-practicum.html : accessed February 2, 2016), Saturday, June 1, 2013.

Review of Advanced Research Tools: Land Records

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors who have agreed to review one of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. This one is written by Melanie Frick.

Advanced Research Tools: Land Records
By Melanie Frick

When working to solve brick walls in my own family tree, I have often come to find that if my ancestors left behind nothing else, they made a point to leave records of their land. Therefore, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to immerse myself in "Advanced Research Tools: Land Records" at the 2016 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. Coordinated by instructors Richard Sayre and Pamela Boyer Sayre, with additional instruction provided by Judy G. Russell and Angela Packer McGhie, this five-day course was a stellar educational experience.

As a long-time lover of land records interested in delving deeper, I was particularly interested in learning more about state land states as well as the fine points of military bounty land warrants and homestead applications. With sessions ranging from the Federal Land Division and State Land States to Private Land Claims, Land Entry Papers, Land Ownership Maps, Deed Platting, and, yes, Homesteads and Military Bounty Lands, not to mention several others, this course more than delivered. A look at "the law of the land" with Judy G. Russell provided an excellent overview of the different land records and legal terminology we would encounter throughout the week, and I came away with new inspiration for my own research as well as a wealth of information about available resources both online and off.

One of the most unexpectedly rewarding sessions for me was an introduction to tract books by Angela Packer McGhie. Within a tract book can be found information about each section of land in the public domain, including the names of those who either purchased or claimed land, the dates of their transactions, and even, often the case for homesteads, information about claims that were canceled before patent. As a (hopeful) eventual BCG candidate, I am drawn to lesser-known resources such as these that offer a more complete look at an ancestor's life, and using the information gleaned from this session, within a matter of minutes I was able to locate a digitized tract book listing an ancestor's relinquished homestead. A later session with Richard Sayre answered my questions about obtaining this file, and in his discussion of homesteads, he drove home the point, "Reasonably exhaustive research in the public land states would include an examination of canceled claims."

What was also especially helpful to me was hands-on experience with DeedMapper in a computer lab session at the Family History Library. If you've ever wondered how to make sense of a state-land description involving rocks and trees as landmarks and measurements in poles, the deed platting capabilities of this software could be of great value. The opportunity to become acquainted with other mapping resources, including HistoryGeo, one of my personal favorites, was eye opening, as was exploring the capabilities of Google Earth and the ability to place historic maps onto a modern landscape in order to identify the precise location of an ancestor's land. The Sayres made an effort to ensure that their instruction in the lab was easy to follow.

Although individual homework was not assigned in "Advanced Research Tools: Land Records," group project assignments were made on Monday with short presentations following on Friday. In the interim, groups of about six could coordinate the division of labor as they saw fit and meet as frequently or infrequently as they liked in order to solve the assigned land-related research question. This was an effective way to piece together knowledge gained from different sessions throughout the week in order to thoroughly explore a variety of complex problems.

"Land genealogy is equally as important as people genealogy," said Pamela Boyer Sayre in her final session of the week, and after exploring the wide range of land records available and the diverse information contained within them, I wholeheartedly agree. In addition to the overall high-quality educational experience, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy offers numerous social and networking opportunities as well as the chance to spend time researching at the nearby Family History Library. It is an excellent choice for those who would like to immerse themselves in the study of a particular topic at a genealogical institute, and I look forward to attending again.

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Melanie Frick, MLS, holds a Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University and has attended the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is the editor of the APG eNews, volunteers as a proofreader of the NGS Magazine, and serves on the board of the NextGen Genealogy Network. She also writes at Homestead Genealogical Research. An Iowa native with deep roots in the Midwest, Melanie lives in Southern California. 

SLIG 2016 Review: Solving Problems Like A Professional

This is part of my ongoing series featuring guest authors who have agreed to review one of the courses offered at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I am excited to to have these friends share their perspective on the institute and the education they received. This one is written by Mike Bronner on the newest SLIG course offered in 2016. 

SLIG 2016 In Review: Solving Problems Like A Professional

Instructors: Michael G. Hait, CG; Catherine Becker Wiest Desmarais, CG; Paul K. Graham, AG, CG; Melanie D. Holtz, CG.

                                     Paul Graham, Michael Hait, Melanie Holtz, Catherine Desmarais

Initial Expectations

I think most of those attending Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) each year have a difficult task given to us. We are asked to choose only one of the many courses offered each year. SLIG 2016 was no different. When registration opened that Saturday morning last June I had 3 courses on the top of my list:

·         Beginning Genetic Genealogy (Blaine T. Bettinger, JD, PhD)

·         Solving Problems Like A Professional (Michael G. Hait, CG)

·         Writing A Quality Family Narrative (John Philip Colletta, PhD, FUGA)

As you can see, each course was scratching a different itch. My focus was on establishing a solid foundation for genealogical research built on methodology.

From the description it appeared geared to professionals, or those considering becoming one. Specifically, I was looking forward to learning more on being a self-employed genealogist:

·         research projects management strategies

·         workflow optimization

·         client research reporting

·         project planning

I felt this would compliment the other methodology courses I had already taken.

As always, it was a long 6 months between registration and class-time. But once SLIG started, it would go by all-to-fast.

Course Topics

The course topics actually read like a client report outline. (I hadn’t noticed this until going over the syllabus when I got back from SLIG. Recognizing class arrangement can tell a lot about a course.)

·         defining the research question

·         review previous research

·         planning first steps of research

·         research strategies

·         document analysis

·         indirect and negative evidence

·         information correlation

·         conflict resolution

·         reporting conclusions

·         planning next steps

Course Strengths

The Genealogy Standards (GS) provide a near-complete framework outlining requirements for producing quality research. Every class in this course re-iterated the underlying fundamentals that the GS provides.

Each of our instructors made a clear effort to allow for questions and discussion in each class. That alone makes any course worthwhile.

During the week-long course we received three homework assignments. Each walked us through steps in creating a research report of our own choosing. (Finally time to work on our own families!) These were due the following morning, on which we would get feedback at the end of the course. On Friday we split up into discussion groups with each of our instructors. There we had the opportunity to discuss our work before hearing the instructor’s feedback.

This was such a powerful and motivating tool. It gives insight into different thought processes and procedures, letting you draw on experiences from others. I look forward to other courses implementing this type of interaction. (This was the first time I experienced effective group work at SLIG. The key component was that each group had an instructor at its center.)

Course Weaknesses

There were some technical and organizational hiccups, but nothing that impacted the positive experience.

 For some reason they thought me certifiable.

Final Thoughts

Looking back on the experience now, I would like to thank and credit our instructors. Thoughtful and meticulous planning resulted in a great course experience. A lot of effort went into class organization, making sure the homework was relevant, and tying everything together at the end.

I could argue that it didn’t quite match up with my expectations. And perhaps that much of the material was not new to me, but I feel that is beside the point.

I came out of that class having learned valuable lessons that apply to my work. It provided an experience that I can draw on for future clients. That is what’s fundamentally important.

Yet, I realize now that my explicit focus on genealogical research methodology is coming to a close. If much of the content of a course is familiar, it reminds us that new horizons await discovery. (Law of diminishing returns, and all that.)

Should this course be offered in the future, I would recommend it to anyone who feels they need to hone their report-writing skills.

SLIG 2016 was my most enjoyable SLIG experience yet. I also met many new people, saw old SLIG-buddies from previous years, and made use of the Family History Library (FHL). Now that SLIG 2016 is behind us, we all await Registration Day.

See you next year, SLIG! I miss you already.

Mike Bronner (@mikebronner on Twitter) is a free-lance translator who runs GeneaLabs in Los Angeles with his wife Myelene. Besides German-English translation services specializing in old German print and handwriting, they also provide custom web development solutions.

@mikebronner should link to: https://twitter.com/mikebronner 

GeneaLabs should link to: https://genealabs.com/translations