Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2011 - Jeff's Report #1

CGS Director Jeffrey Vaillant is continuing his pursuit of professional genealogical certification and is attending the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, January 10-14, 2011. As he did last year, Jeff is sending reports. Here's his first installment:

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Salt Lake City, Utah
Pre-course Work

As Dick Eastman puts it in his newsletter, I’m “on the road again” to the Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy. This year’s trip started with pre-class work:

Course 9 Advanced Genealogical Methods Course Coordinator: Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA.

 Participants will develop advanced genealogical research, analysis, correlation, and compilation skills. Hands-on activities drawn from original sources will enhance this learning. Examples will be drawn from American states and colonies and European countries. Before the course begins, participants will complete two pre-course reading assignments. Three in-course homework assignments will be optional.

Yes, I have done the pre-course work by reading the case studies several times. I am not too sure about the homework as it is described as one additional hour of class plus up to three hours of in-library research!

There are numerous evening lectures to attend. The Family History Library is open until 9 p.m. This is my third SLIG and I learned from the first time it is important to pace oneself.

A number (28) of this year's attendees have completed or are part of the ProGen Study Group. I was fortunate to be in the first group (April 2008–December 2009).

ProGen Study Groups are organized to encourage professional and aspiring genealogists to put into practice the principles found in Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. This program employs an innovative method of collaborative learning focused on developing genealogical research skills and business practices. 

Each month group members study one or two chapters of Professional Genealogy and complete a practical assignment relating to the material. They meet online to discuss the topic in small group discussions. Members review each other's assignments and offer constructive feedback. The study program covers all of the chapters in the book, including research procedures and business practices. This program requires time and commitment, but provides a unique opportunity for constructive feedback from colleagues. 

Each ProGen group has a BCG Certified Genealogist or ICAPGen Accredited Genealogist mentoring the group. These volunteer mentors participate in the monthly discussions to answer questions and offer guidance.

I would encourage anyone interested in broadening their genealogy foundation to consider ProGen as a means to accomplish such a goal.

I close with the following which outlines the learning for the next five days:

• Developing an Evidence Orientation
• Developing Research Questions and Hypotheses; Planning an Exhaustive Search
• Transcribing, Abstracting, Extracting, Quoting, and Documenting Sources
• Archival Research
• Census, Census-Substitute, and Name-List Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Military and Pension Records Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Tax Roll Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Federal research: Government Documents
• Rural and Urban Map Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Local Land Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Probate Strategies: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Bringing Law to Bear on Complex Genealogical Problems
• Special Problems I: Finding Immigrant and Migrant Origins
• Special Problems II: Identifying Female Ancestors
• Special Problems III: Identifying Landless, Enslaved, Peasant, and Other Impoverished Ancestors
• Resolving Conflicting Evidence
• Correlating Sources, Information, and Evidence to Solve Genealogical Problems
• Federal Land Records: Analysis, Interpretation, and Correlation
• Writing Genealogy
• Continued Advancement

Off to registration...
Jeffrey Vaillant
9 Jan 2011

Read the entire series:
Report #1: 2011 SLIG
Report #2: 2011 SLIG
Report #3: 2011 SLIG
Report #4: 2011 SLIG
Report #5: 2011 SLIG
Report #6: 2011 SLIG

Copyright © 2011 by Kathryn M. Doyle, California Genealogical Society and Library