Photo Detective Live! A Free Webinar

Family Tree University announces a FREE webinar:

Maureen A. Taylor, the Photo Detective, has been solving family historians’ photo mysteries for years. In celebration of National Photo Month, she offers advice for identifying family photos in a free webinar.


Photo Detective Live! Solutions to Your Photo Mysteries is a 30 minute presentation that can be viewed on the Internet. There is also a PDF file of the presentation slides available for download.

Maureen is also doing monthly free teleseminars to answer participants' questions on photo identification and preservation. See AskMaureenTaylor.com to post your question and register for the teleseminar. The next one is scheduled for June 14, 2011 at 11:00am Eastern.

Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum

I am very excited to share details of a new course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) that I am coordinating. It is an Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum (see official description below) where the focus is on working to solve a genealogical case study each day. It is designed for advanced genealogists who want additional experience working with indirect and conflicting evidence. We have found five excellent instructors who are preparing genealogical problems for the participants in this course to tackle.

The idea for the course came about when Kimberly Powell, Harold Henderson, Christy Fillerup and I were attending the Advanced Genealogical Methods course with Dr. Thomas W. Jones at SLIG last January. We loved his course and the case study homework assignments that he provided. We wanted more of this type of hands-on practice where we are given a case to research and solve, or are provided with documents and asked to analyze them and find the clues that lead to the solution. The four of us proposed a new course to the SLIG advisory committee that is entirely hands-on genealogical problems solving activities, and it has been approved for the 2012 institute. Dr. Jones is the advisor for this new course.

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be held January 23-27, 2012 at the Radisson hotel near the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration for the institute opens on June 4, 2011 at 9:00am Mountain Daylight Time. The complete list of 12 courses can be found on the SLIG website. You may wish to register early as some courses may fill quickly.

Here are the details from the soon to be released Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy brochure:

Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum

Coordinator: Angela Packer McGhie

Instructors:

Dr. Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS

David Ouimette, CG

James Ison, AG, CG

Karen Mauer Green, CG

Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA

Classroom Discussions: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

This hands-on course is an opportunity for advanced genealogists to put their research skills into practice. Participants will work on five or more complex genealogical research problems—a new one each day. Each case will require 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 research problems will be varied, offering students the challenge of stretching their mind and skills in directions that their research may not normally take them.

Participants will work individually on the cases to analyze documents and evidence provided, and also conduct research online and at the Family History Library. The first case study will be distributed Sunday at orientation, and then class will meet from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day. This will be an opportunity to discuss the case with fellow classmates and the expert instructor. Participants will compare strategies and methodologies used, discuss difficulties encountered, and receive guidance from the case study author. Students will learn from each other as well as the instructors.

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

All of the instructors are known writers and lecturers who specialize in complex problems.

Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS, has co-edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002. He is a former trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, past board member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and recipient of its 2004 Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit. Professor emeritus at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and retired from a thirty-year career in higher education, Tom works full time as a genealogical researcher, writer, editor, and educator. In addition to SLIG, he coordinates a writing course at Samford University’s Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research, and he teaches evidence evaluation and documentation in Boston University’s Genealogical Certificate Program.

Karen Mauer Green, CG, of Cooperstown, New York, is an editor, author, lecturer, and professional genealogist, and is currently employed as co-editor of The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society Record. She holds an MA from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies (State University of New York, Oneonta). She has served on the boards of APG (as Regional Vice President and Director) and FGS (as Director; Vice President of Administration; National Conference Chair of the 1997 FGS conference in Dallas, Texas; and Chair of the FGS Public Relations Committee, 1992-1998).

David Ouimette, CG, manages Content Strategy at FamilySearch, prioritizing the acquisition and online publication of historical records worldwide for family history research. David lectures at the National Genealogical Society and Federation of Genealogical Societies national conferences and the Samford and Salt Lake Institutes of Genealogy. He currently serves on the National Genealogical Society board of directors and edits OnBoard, the newsletter of the Board for Certification of Genealogists. He has contributed articles to Ancestry Magazine, APG Quarterly, BYU Family Historian, Crossroads, NGS Quarterly, and The Septs, and is the author of Finding Your Irish Ancestors: A Beginner’s Guide.

Kory Meyerink, BS, MLS, AG®, FUGA, has been involved in nearly every aspect of genealogy and family history for the past 20 years. Kory is an accredited genealogist in four geographic areas (Germany, Midwestern U.S., Eastern U.S. and New England U.S.). He specializes in tracing the origins of German and Dutch immigrants.

Jim Ison, AG, CG, is a manager at FamilySearch. He is both an Accredited Genealogist and Certified Genealogist. He is past President of the Utah Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and a national Board member of APG. He is past Trustee of the John Parker Historical Society. He has presented at NGS and FGS conferences, and numerous other conferences.

Angela Packer McGhie is the administrator of the ProGen Study Program, president of the National Capital Area Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and assistant director of the Columbia Maryland Family History Center.  She is an instructor for the National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR) and teaches genealogy courses at Howard Community College.

Writing Family History Narratives Course Adds Second Session

The Writing Family History Narratives and Other Genealogical Works course with Dr. John Philip Colletta and Dr. Thomas W. Jones, has proven to be so popular that a second session has been added. The first session scheduled for July 25 - 29, 2011 filled quickly and so another is scheduled for August 1 - 5, 2011. This course is sponsored by the Center for Professional Education at Boston University and is a followup to their Genealogical Research Certificate Program. The program is held on campus at Boston University.

I am not surprised that there are so many genealogists interested in this course, as I would love to take it myself. I am focusing on genealogical writing this summer and am excited to attend the Writing and Publishing for Genealogists course with Dr. Thomas W. Jones at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) in June. 

Both Dr. John Philip Colletta and Dr. Thomas W. Jones are excellent instructors and teach writing courses on a regular basis. Dr. Jones' writing course at IGHR runs on an annual basis (and fills to capacity on the first day of registration), and Dr. Colletta will teach "Producing a Quality Family Narrative" at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy in January of 2013.

New Civil War Records Course

I am very excited about this new course from NGS as Craig Scott is an expert in military records and research. I think I will take the course and then write a review. I did not find it available on the NGS website yet, but as they are just announcing the new course at their national conference this week I will be patient.

The following announcement was written by the National Genealogical Society:

National Genealogical Society's New Civil War Records Course

Arlington, VA: The National Genealogical Society proudly announces the release of its newest educational course, Introduction to Civil War Records, developed by renowned military expert Craig Robert Scott, CG. It will debut at its thirty-third Family History Conference in Charleston in South Carolina, 11 - 14 May 2011.

Craig Robert Scott is a nationally-recognized lecturer, educator, genealogical and historical researcher with more than thirty years experience. He is a member of the Company of Military Historians and specializes in the diverse military records at the National Archives.

Besides being CEO and President of Heritage Books, Inc., a genealogical publishing firm, Craig coordinates the Military tracks at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and Samford University Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research in Birmingham, Alabama. He has authored The “Lost Pensions”: Settled Accounts of the Act of 6 April 1838 and Records of the Accounting Officers of the Department of the Treasury, Inventory 14 (Revised).

Now Craig brings his military expertise to NGS with the Introduction to Civil War Records. In this course, he focuses on current genealogical practices of research. In this six chapter course, he will teach you strategies to identify and locate information on an ancestor living at the time of the Civil War. You will learn about numerous records created for, during, and after the war like compiled service records, prisoners of war record, pension files and indexes and post-war records to name a few.

This NGS American Genealogy Studies course is available on CD-ROM as a PDF file for $35.00 for NGS’ members. Craig will make a personal appearance on Saturday 14 May from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for questions and autographs.

The NGS American Genealogy Studies courses are designed for people who want to complete a short course on a specific topic and put the resultant knowledge to work right away. Courses offer the convenience of completing a genealogy study course at their own pace in their home. Courses are reasonably priced, and NGS members receive a discount.

The National Genealogical Society was organized in Washington, D.C. in 1903. NGS’ mission is to serve and grow the genealogical community by providing education and training, fostering increased quality and standards, and promoting access to and preservation of genealogical records.

Announcing The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh

I just received the following announcement from my friends Elissa Powell, CG, CGL and Deborah Deal. I am excited for this new genealogy institute!

 

NEW GENEALOGY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN 2012

Announcing The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2011 - Pittsburgh, PA – GRIP – The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh – a new genealogical institute of learning announces a genealogy educational opportunity planned for July 2012. Consisting of four courses, it will be held Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27, 2012, at LaRoche College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. According to Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and Deborah Lichtner Deal, 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.

Nestled in the Pittsburgh suburbs, LaRoche’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.

• Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA. Warren focuses on unusual resources, manuscripts, methodology, and analyzing records. She researches across the U.S. and has coordinated and taught at multiple genealogical institutes and conferences. Warren serves on the Federation of Genealogical Societies board and is President of the Northland Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

• Advanced Research Methods with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS. Jones has edited the National Genealogical Society Quarterly since 2002. A former trustee and a past president of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, he works as a researcher, writer, editor, and educator. Jones coordinates courses at Samford University’s Institute on Genealogy and Historical Research, at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and he teaches in Boston University’s Genealogical Research Certificate program.

• Beneath the Home Page: Problem Solving with Online Repositories with D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS. Taylor is Director of Education and Programs at New England Historic Genealogical Society, and has appeared on the television program “Who Do You Think You Are?” A frequent speaker at various venues, Taylor is a course coordinator for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. He is also Vice President of Administration for the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS), where he serves as co-chair of the FGS/ISGS 2011 National Conference.

• German Genealogical Research with John T. Humphrey, CG. Humphrey is an award winning author who specializes in German and Pennsylvania research. In 2010 he was invited to give a presentation on researching Germans in America in the Rhineland-Palatinate; in 2008, at the request of the German Embassy, he presented the keynote address at the 400th Anniversary Celebration commemorating four centuries of German immigration into the United States. Humphrey is a past president of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society and past vice president of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania.

About GRIP

The Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh will serve a need for in-depth genealogical education in the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally. Located about 300 miles from major cities such as Cincinnati, Ohio; Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Detroit, Michigan; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Rochester, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Charleston, West Virginia; and Washington, D.C., Pittsburgh is strategically placed and economical to visit.

The directors of GRIP have been doing genealogical research for a combined 40 years and have volunteered thousands of hours to various genealogical societies.  

Deborah Lichtner Deal is an Ohio Genealogical Society Trustee and has run their week-long Summer Workshop for over ten years. Deal also has attended both Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and the Institute for Genealogy and Historic Research (IGHR) at Samford University, winning its prized Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., award in 2010. She is a local lecturer and southeast Ohio researcher.

Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, is a Board for Certification of Genealogists Trustee and instructor at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. She is the course coordinator for the Professional Genealogy course at IGHR and has attended the National Institute for Genealogical Research in Washington, D. C. She wrote part and instructs in part of Boston University’s fourteen-week Genealogical Research Certificate course. She has encouraged others in their genealogical education in the classroom and by teaching online. Powell is past-president of two Pittsburgh area genealogical societies and served six years as a board director for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). She has video lectures available through the PMC Webcast link at http://www.APGen.org on choosing the best continuing education options and on professional development.

The directors’ commitment to genealogy educational excellence is shown in this newly-formed institute. For more information, visit our website at http://www.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.

Family Tech: Technology tips for genealogists and family historians

I am very excited about a new web site created by FamilySearch. This one is is called "Family Tech" and can be found at http://familytech.familysearch.org/  It focuses on sharing technology tips for genealogists and covers a wide variety of topics. With technology becoming more important to genealogists, these articles are useful to assist us in keeping up with the many gadgets, programs and resources available. The articles are written by a variety of authors sharing their knowledge and expertise. I hope you will take time to browse this new resource, as I am sure you will find something of interest to you.
 

If you scroll to the bottom of the page you can find article series covering topics such as:

ABCs of GPS

Camera Basics

Genealogist's View of Memory Cards

Digital Photography for the Genealogist

Restore Damaged Photographs

Here is a sampling of recent posts:

 

How To’s and Tips

Capturing Better Photos
Tips for Social Networking Safety
Yes, You Can Use Your Mac to do Your Genealogy
Mobile genealogy on Android made easy
Safety Resources for Families
Genealogist’s Viewpoint — Choosing a Browser

 

Learn About

GPS and Image Tagging Part 6: How to Geocode using a data logger or tracking program on a smart phone
How Facebook opens the door to history
GPS and Image Tagging Part 5: Sanity Check – how to preserve your privacy
GPS and Image Tagging Part 4: Using a camera/cell phone with the capability built-in
GPS and Image Tagging Part 3: IPTC, EXIF and Meta Tags
Twitter Basics
GPS and Image Tagging Part 2: Brief Introduction to GPS

Helpful Apps and Tools

Yes, You Can Use Your Mac to do Your Genealogy
Mobile genealogy on Android made easy
Using DropBox to backup and share your important files – or why I don’t bother carrying a flash drive anymore
GPS and Image Tagging Part 6: How to Geocode using a data logger or tracking program on a smart phone
Unified Bookmarks
GPS and Image Tagging Part 4: Using a camera/cell phone with the capability built-in
Add your latest Tweet, blog post, and more to your E-mail
Print only what you want on a web page
Ways to Use Twitter for Genealogy
Saving Photos: Amateur Photo Restoration

Learn How To Buy

Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Camera Lenses Part Four
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Camera Lenses Part Three
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Camera lenses Part Two
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Camera Lenses Part One
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Pros and Cons of Backup Storage Devices
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Buying a Printer

Viewpoint

Genealogist’s Viewpoint — Choosing a Browser
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Buying a Printer
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Scanners
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Hard Drives
To Share or not to Share? That is the Question
Genealogist’s View—What’s New in Technology
Genealogist’s Viewpoint–Storage Devices and where to keep a backup
Genealogist’s View–OCR and Voice Recognition
Using a Laptop for Genealogy
Moving Data—Genealogist’s View of Memory Cards

140 Free Online Genealogy Research Courses

The following was written by FamilySearch. I have written about these courses before and am very excited to see the number of classes available growing so quickly.

140 Free Online Genealogy Research Courses

Growing Course Catalog Makes It 
Easier to Expand Family History Skills

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH—Ever found yourself researching your family tree and discovering a new branch that extended to another country—and you are not familiar with that country’s records or language? Or perhaps you are a fan of the popular reality show Who Do You Think You Are? and wonder, “How do the producers know what public records to search to find all of those cool stories about that celebrity’s ancestors?” Maybe you’d like to learn more about how to do your family history research but don’t think you can afford to take a class. Thousands of individuals are now satisfying many of those needs through FamilySearch’s growing collection of free online genealogy courses.

In just one year, the number of free FamilySearch courses has grown to over 140—and new courses are added monthly. Most recently, over 25 courses were added for Australia, England, Germany, and the U.S. Additional courses were added that focus on basic tools and techniques for anyone just getting started in family history research, as well as courses for intermediate and advanced researchers.  

“The goal of the initiative is to educate more people worldwide about how to find their ancestors. We do it by filming the experts teaching a particular class of interest and then offering free access to that presentation online—complete with the PowerPoint used and any electronic handouts that the user can download or print for future reference,” said Candace Turpan, FamilySearch instructional designer. 

Turpan’s team films presentations made by its staff from the FamilySearch Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as special guests (the library is frequented by accredited researchers from all over the world). They also travel to industry conferences or other venues where record and research specialists gather. There they film specialists’ presentations and make them available online.

Of course, you don’t have to be into genealogy to find presentations of interest. Fans of The Da Vinci Code or National Treasure might find the Cemetery Art course by Ellen Miller of the Mid-Continent Public Library System in Independence, Missouri, very intriguing and enlightening. Miller’s course teaches about funerary traditions and cemetery iconography. “[Tombstone] practices differ from country to country, culture to culture, and religion to religion. As funeral ceremonies differ, so do the burial practices,” said Miller. Those elements often influence the types of funeral markers and symbols used on headstones, footstones, and tablet stones and can therefore tell important facts about the person they help identify. The key is in understanding the messages behind the symbolism.

FamilySearch uses viewing software that splits the viewing screen (sort of like the picture-in-picture features on some televisions) so the user can watch the video of the presenter while also seeing the PowerPoint presentation. Most courses are 30 minutes in length. You can also fast forward through the presentation or presentation slides or stop and pick up later where you left off—a luxury you don’t get in the live presentation.

“Maybe you enjoy the thrill of deciphering or reading old records in other languages. FamilySearch also has free courses to help genealogy students understand key words and terms of older foreign alphabets and handwriting, including Gothic,” added Turpin. The intent behind all of these courses is to give people the keys they need to successfully find their elusive ancestors in historic records. “Sometimes they just need a new sleuthing skill or resource. These genealogy courses are perfect for those personal development needs,” concluded Turpin.

Whatever your motivation or objective, bookmark and make regular visits to the growing catalog of free courses at FamilySearch.org.

And if you or someone you know currently teaches a class that would be of value to the genealogy community and wants to share it, find out how online at FamilySearch’s genealogy classes online.

Latest Course Additions:

Australia

·      Australia BDM Civil Registration Index

·      New South Wales Early Church Records 1788–1886

·      Using the New South Wales Birth, Death, Marriage Index

England

·      Getting the Most from the National Archives Website

·      Researching in the British Isles

·      What Is Britain?

Germany

·      My Experiences in German Family Research

Research Principles and Tools

·      Cemetery Art

·      Finding Your Way: Locating and Using Maps in Your Research

·      How to Find More at a Genealogy Library

·      If I’d Only Known: Beginner Genealogy Mistakes

·      Managing Your Family Records on the Internet

United States of America

·      Basic U.S. Military Records with Tiff

·      Beginning Census Research and Record Keeping

·      Colonial Immigration

·      Colonial Land

·      County Histories and Your Family

·      Finding the Slave Generation

·      Locating Ancestors on the Final Rolls of the Five Civilized Tribes

·      See You on Sunday! Church Records in Genealogy

·      Some Underused Online Resources

·      U.S. Courthouse Research

·      Welcome to the World of Periodicals

ICAPGen The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists

·      Mentoring Class: Introduction to ICAPGen

·      Mentoring Class: Research Binder

·      Mentoring Class: Evidence Analysis Part II

·      Mentoring Class: Written Exam and Oral Review

 

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer–driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.