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.”
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!
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.
