$500 Scholarship Available for the Gen-Fed Institute

Are you interested in attending the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed)? Are you an experienced researcher holding either a paid or volunteer position in the genealogical community? There is a $500 scholarship available and you may be the lucky person to win it. NIGRAA is still accepting applications, but time is short as the deadline is February 15^th. The scholarship application can be found at http://www.gen-fed.org/home/scholarships/

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records is held at the National Archives in Washington D.C. and provides in-depth instruction on how to use federal records for genealogical research. This includes military, federal land, immigration, court and other federal records. For more information on the institute visit www.gen-fed.org.

The scholarship covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records, ticket to the —alumni dinner; and partial travel, hotel, and meal costs. The application will ask you to list the name of the organization you work or volunteer for, and explain how attending the Institute would benefit the work you do for the genealogical community. 

NIGR Renamed Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed)

I was interested to receive the following press release regarding the renaming of the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) as the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed). I attended NIGR in 2008 and taught at NIGR in 2011. It is an excellent institute program on researching in federal records, and I am excited about the changes for 2016. 

December 28, 2015

The Board of Trustees of the National Institute on Genealogical Research has announced that the institute’s name was changed to the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) on December 22, 2015. The institute, held annually at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1960 as a three-week general course on genealogy. In 1987, it narrowed its focus to federal records.

The institute was incorporated in 1989 as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Trustees are representatives of the American Society of Genealogists, Association of Professional Genealogists, Board for Certification of Genealogists, Federation of Genealogical Societies, National Genealogical Society, and the institute's alumni association. The National Archives, a non-voting member, provides strong support.

“Given the growth in genealogical education, it made sense to choose a name that clearly identifies the institute’s mission,” said Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG, director. “A new website, www.gen-fed.org, offers a closer look at the program, which is scheduled for July 11–15, 2016.  You can also follow the institute on Facebook and Twitter (@GenFedInstitute).”

Diane Dimkoff, coordinator of research customer support at the National Archives, stated, “We are pleased that the institute’s new name reflects the significance of federal records and look forward to continuing our traditional collaboration.”
   
Gen-Fed is for experienced genealogists, and for archivists, historians and librarians interested in using federal records for genealogical research. It is designed to instill a methodological framework and foster creative thinking about relevant records. Online registration for the 2016 session will be held in late February.

Malissa Ruffner, JD, CG℠
Director

National Institute on Genealogical Research Appoints New Director

National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) Board of Directors Appoints New Director

The board of directors of the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Malissa Ruffner, J.D., CGSM as director of the institute, effective immediately. She will assume responsibility for future programs, the next to be held in July 2016. The National Archives has expressed strong support for the continuation of NIGR and will work with the new director to assure the institute’s success in future years.

Malissa, a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Goucher College and a law degree and a Master of Library Science degree, both from the University of Maryland. In addition to genealogy, she has worked as a lawyer, and in schools, libraries and archives. Her genealogical pursuits include client work, writing and blogging, lecturing, and participation in conferences and institutes, including NIGR, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University, the Genealogical Research Institute at Pittsburgh, Forensic Genealogy Institute, ProGen Study Program, and “Come Home to New England” at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Malissa currently serves on the Maryland Genealogical Society Board of Directors and on the Intellectual Property Committee of the Board for Certification of Genealogy.

Note: In view of the recent death of NIGR’s former director, Patricia Shawker, the July 2015 institute has been postponed for one year. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Contact:
Nicki Birch
NIGR Board of Directors
LNPBirch@verizon.net

Scholarship for the National Institute on Genealogical Research

As a member of the National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) I am excited to let you know about a scholarship available to attend the institute. I attended in 2008 and have loved working with federal records ever since. Beverly Rice, the current president of NIGRAA, has asked me to publicize this scholarship. Apply quickly if you are interested, as the deadline is January 15, 2014.

16 December 2013

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) announces the Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship for 2014. This scholarship is awarded to an experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The amount of the Scholarship is $500, which covers full tuition for the National Institute on Genealogical Research, attendance at the Alumni Association Dinner, and will partly defray hotel and/or meal costs.

Applications must be submitted in PDF or Word format. The completed application form and attachments should be e-mailed to Beverly Rice at and received by 15 January 2014. The application form can be found at the bottom of the NIGRAA website at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nigraa/. 

The winner will be notified no later than 15 February 2013. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18, 2013. NIGR is an intensive program offering on-site examination of federal records and is intended for experienced genealogical researchers. Note: an application to attend in 2014 must also be submitted to NIGR.

Membership in NIGRAA is open to anyone who has completed one or more sessions of the National Institute on Genealogical Research or who has lectured at any session.

On Your Mark, Get Set ... Register

It is registration season for genealogy institutes. Now that the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is over (and it was very successful) it is time to think about registering for upcoming spring and summer genealogy institutes. In fact, registration for the Forensic Genealogy Institute opens TODAY and IGHR opens TOMORROW.

Registration Opening Dates:
January 21, 2013 -- Forensic Genealogy Institute 
January 22, 2013 -- Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)
February 7, 2013 --  Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) 
February 2013 -- National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR)

Here are announcements and details on registration for each of these institutes:

 

Forensic Genealogy Institute 

Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy is proud to announce that Forensic Genealogy Institute II will be held April 11 - April 13, 2013 at the Wyndham Love Field in Dallas, Texas. Registration opens Monday, January 21, 2013 at 12:01 am Pacific time.  Registration fee is $450 for non-CAFG members and $400 for members. Registration includes all courses and breakfast, lunch, and break snacks for all three days. The Wyndham is offering non-smoking king and double queen rooms to attendees for $10 plus applicable taxes.  More information is available at http://www.forensicgenealogists.com/forensic-genealogy-institute.html 

The Forensic Genealogy Institute offers twenty-plus hours of significant hands-on instruction with real-world work examples, resources, sample forms and work materials. The embedded practicum offers an actual forensic case study that will be covered from start to finish.  Those who satisfactorily complete the course will receive a Forensic Genealogy Institute Certificate of Completion.
 
With over fifty years of combined forensic genealogical experience, instructors for the Forensic Genealogy Institute are practicing professional genealogists with real life experience in the field: 
 
Michael Ramage, J.D., Certified Genealogist (sm); Kelvin L. Meyers, Forensic Genealogist; Leslie Brinkley Lawson, Forensic Genealogist; Dee Dee King, Certified Genealogist  Forensic Genealogist; Catherine W. Desmarais, M.Ed., Certified Genealogist; and guest speaker Debbie Parker Wayne, Certified Genealogist, CGL.

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)

Registration for IGHR 2013 will open Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time (10:00 a.m. Central). A link will be provided on the IGHR Registration page to the online registration at that time.  The course openings will once again be staggered to prevent server overload - more on this below.

There is a downloadable online registration guide that ALL prospective attendees will want to review before registration begins. The IGHR 101 page has a new addition titled "What is IGHR?"  This downloadable PDF provides a brief overview of what IGHR is, what it includes, and what you can expect when you attend.
 
Registration for course openings will be staggered as follows:
 
Opening at 10:00 a.m. Central:
o   Course 1: Techniques and Technology
o   Course 4: Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
 
Opening at 10:30 a.m. Central:
o   Course 3: Research in the South, Part II
o   Course 6: Genealogy as a Profession
o   Course 9: The Five Civilized Tribes: The Records & Where to Find Them
 
Opening at 11:00 a.m. Central:
o   Course 2: Intermediate Genealogy and Historical Studies
o   Course 8: Understanding Land Records
 
Opening at 11:30 a.m. Central:
o   Course 5: Writing and Publishing for Genealogists
o   Course 7: Reading German Records
o   Course 10: Scottish Genealogical Research

 

Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)

Registration will open at NOON on Thursday, February 7, 2013 for the 2013 Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). This institute will held at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh from Sunday, July 21, 2013 through Friday, July 26, 2013. The six courses to choose from include: 

Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. 
Determining Kinship Reliably with the Genealogical Proof Standard with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS.  
Bridging the 1780-1840 Gap: From New England to the Midwest with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS.  
Your Immigrant Ancestors’ Stories: Writing a Quality Narrative with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA.  
Advanced Land Research: Locating, Analyzing, Mapping with Rick Sayre, CG, CGL and Pam Sayre, CG, CGL.  
Military Records: From Cradle to Grave with Craig R. Scott, CG.
 
Evening lectures are scheduled for Monday, July 22, with Michael Hait, CG; Tuesday, July 23, with Angela McGhie; and Thursday, July 25, with Pamela Stone Eagleson, CG. These lectures are open to the public.

The National Institute for 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. You can sign up online to receive a copy of the registration brochure to be sent out in February by either filling out the Mailing List Form; e-mailing; or writing to NIGR, P.O. Box 118, Greenbelt, MD 20768-0118. Registration forms should be mailed in quickly after you receive them as the institute may fill quickly.

Scholarship Available for the National Institute on Genealogical Research

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association has issued a press release on the scholarship available for the 2013 institute. The scholarship is open to any experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The deadline is early this year, December 15th, so if you are interested  in the $500 scholarship apply right away.

Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship Available

The National Institute on Genealogical Research Alumni Association (NIGRAA) announces the Richard S. Lackey Memorial Scholarship for 2013.  This scholarship is awarded to an experienced researcher employed in a paid or volunteer position in the services of the genealogical community. The amount of the Scholarship is $500, which covers full tuition for the National Institute on Genealogical Research, attendance at the Alumni Association Dinner, and will partly defray hotel and/or meal costs.

Applications must be submitted in PDF or Word format.  The completed application form and attachments should be e-mailed to Beverly Rice at and received by 15 December 2012.  The application form can be found at the bottom of the NIGRAA website at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~natgenin/

The winner will be notified no later than 15 February 2013. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR), to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Monday, July 15 through Friday, July 19, 2013.  NIGR is an intensive program offering on-site examination of federal records and is intended for experienced genealogical researchers.  Note: an application to attend in 2013 must also be submitted to NIGR.

Membership in NIGRAA is open to anyone who has completed one or more sessions of the National Institute on Genealogical Research or who has lectured at any session.

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.

American Society of Genealogists Scholarship

The following announcement was written by the American Society of Genealogists:

 

The American Society of Genealogists gives an annual $500 scholarship that can be applied to any of three genealogy institutes: (1.) the National Institute of Genealogical Research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.; (2.) the Institute of Genealogy and Historical research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama; and (3.) the Certificate Program in Genealogical Research at Boston University. 

For details, see the ASG website at www.fasg.org.

FamilySearch Resources for Federal Records

These links are a portion of the handout I created for a presentation at the National Institute on Genealogical Research.

FamilySearch - Granite Mountain Records Vault, Part 2
Video showing the digitization process FamilySearch uses.

Here is a sampling of the National Archives records available on the FamilySearch website:

Historical Records Collections

https://www.familysearch.org/

Military Records:

Civil War Soldiers Index

Civil War Pension Index Cards

1890 Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War

Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904

Mormon Battalion Pension Applications, 1846-1923

Naval Enlistment Rendezvous, 1855-1891

Navy Widows' Certificates, 1861-1910

Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914

Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications Files

Union Provost Marshal Files of Papers Relating to Two or More Civilians, 1861-1866

Union Provost Marshal's File of Papers Relating to Individual Civilians, 1861–1866

Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933

Vermont Enrolled Militia, 1861-1867

Immigration Records:

Border Crossings From Canada to United States, 1895-1956

Border Crossings From Mexico to United States, 1903-1957

California, Northern U.S. District Court Naturalization Index, 1852-1989

California, San Diego Naturalization Index, 1868-1958

California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976

Florida, Key West Passenger Lists, 1898-1920 

Hawaii, Honolulu Index to Passengers, Not Including Filipinos, 1900-1952 

Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950

Massachusetts, Boston Passenger Lists, 1820-1891

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924

New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891

New York, Eastern District Naturalization Petitions, 1865-1957

New York, New York, Index to Passenger Lists, 1820-1846

New York, Northern Arrival Manifests, 1902-1956

New York, Southern District Index to Petitions for Naturalization, 1824-1941

New York, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1917-1950

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Case Files of Chinese Immigrants, 1900-1923

Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Passenger Lists, 1800-1882

United States, New England Naturalization Index, 1791-1906

Virginia Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1929

Court, Land and Other Records:

Freedmans Bank Records, 1865-1874

Louisiana, Eastern District Naturalization Petitions, 1838-1861

Maryland, Naturalization Indexes, 1797-1951

Maryland, Naturalization Petitions, 1906-1931

Massachusetts Naturalization Index, 1906-1966

Nebraska, Broken Bow Homestead Records, 1890-1908

New York, Western District, Naturalization Index, 1907-1966

United States, Index to Naturalizations of World War I Soldiers, 1918

Utah, Territorial Case Files of the U.S. District Courts, 1870-1896

Federal Census Records:

Population Schedules: 
1850, 1870 & 1900 (Indexes and images) 
1860 (images on Footnote.com)
1880, 1910, 1920 &1930 (Indexes only)

United States Census (Mortality Schedule), 1850

United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850

United States, 1890 Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War

Related Civil War collections:

Arizona, Service Records of Confederate Soldiers of the Civil War, 1861-1863

Arkansas Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929

Louisiana Confederate Pensions, 1898-1950

Missouri Confederate Pension Applications and Soldiers Home Applications

South Carolina, Civil Confederate Service Records, 1861-1865

FamilySearch Indexing

http://indexing.familysearch.org

National Archives records currently being indexed by FamilySearch volunteers:

Index to War of 1812 Pension Application Files, 1812-1905

1930 Federal Census

WWII Draft Registration, 1942

Merchant Seamen - 1930 Federal Census

Oklahoma - Land Allotment Records 1899 1907 [Part B]

Registers of Enlistment in the U.S. Army, 1798-1913

FamilySearch Research Wiki

http://wiki.familysearch.org 

Articles available for National Archives records:

National Archives and Records Administration

NARA_and_FHL_film_numbers

Land Records:

United_States_Land_and_Property             

Grants_from_the_Federal_Government

Homestead_Records                                    

Bounty_Land_Warrants

Lottery Land                                                 

Mining Claims

Private Land Claims                                     

Locating Federal Land on Maps                 

Land Terms & Definitions                           

Federal Land States

Military Records

United_States_Military_Records

Record Selection Table · Service Records · Pension Records · Bounty Land Warrants · Draft or Conscription Records · Unit Histories · Census Records · Cemetery Records · Old Soldiers Home Records · Veterans & Lineage Society Records · Biographies · Awards & Decorations

Wars

Colonial Wars, 1607 to 1763 · Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783 · War of 1812, 1812 to 1815 · Mexican War, 1846 to 1848 · Civil War, 1861 to 1865 · Indian Wars, 1780s to 1890s · Spanish-American War, 1898 · Philippine Insurrection, 1899 to 1902 · World War I, 1917 to 1918 · World War II, 1941-1945 · Korean War, 1950-1953, and Vietnam War, 1964-1972

Immigration Records

US_Immigration_Passenger_Arrival_Records       

Pre-1820 Passenger Arrival Records

Passenger Arrival Records Beginning in 1820     

Indentured Servants Database

Ulster Ireland Presbyterian Immigrants               

Legal_History_of_Immigration 

Canadian Border Crossings                                    

Mexican Border Crossings

Passports

Census Records

United_States_Federal_Census

Non-Population Federal Schedules:

Agricultural Schedules        

Defective Schedules             

Indian Schedules

Institutions                            

Slave Schedules                    

Merchant Seamen    

Military / Naval Forces       

Mortality Schedules             

Social Statistics Schedules

Veterans Schedules             

Manufacturing Industrial Schedules

   

Research Courses

www.familysearch.org

Click on “Learn” and then “Research Courses”

Courses focusing on federal records include:

Basic U.S. Military Records

Beginning Census Research and Record Keeping

Census Tracking for Beginners

Civil War Genealogical Research

Civil War Research: Learning about Your Union Veteran Ancestor

Heads of Household Only: Analysis of Pre-1850 Federal Census

Homestead Records

Locating Ancestors on the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes

Military Records: Civil War

Military Records: Pre-WWI Pension Applications

Military Records: Revolutionary War

Revolutionary War Genealogy Research

Sections, Ranges, and Townships

Selective Service Records (WWI) Draft Cards and More

Tiff's Census Class