California Genealogical Society blog

14 January 2010

Report #4: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

Jeffrey Vaillant continues with his series from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy:

Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Salt Lake City

Today was a full day with lectures during the daylight hours, research at the FHL and two more lectures at night. The morning started with two excellent presentations by Thomas W. Jones on Constructing Case Studies of Complex or Contradictory Evidence and Conventional Formats and BCG Standards for Kinship-Determination Projects – big subjects packed with information. It is almost impossible to summarize a Jones presentation but I will try. Constructing Case Studies literally talked about a study having a beginning, middle and end. The beginning sets up the research subject, the middle proof summary discusses the evidence bearing on the conclusion of the research question and the end is short and to the point summarizing how the evidence supported the finding. The Kinship-Determination Project was about the types of format one can use – genealogy, lineage, pedigree or case study – and the method to achieve the format chosen. In both lectures he amply supports the methodology with examples from his research.

The next presentation was by Jeanne Larzalere Bloom. (I am thinking that three names must be a requirement for women – Elissa Scalise Powell, Elizabeth Shown Mills, etc.) Jeanne spoke on The Family Tapestry: Integrating Proof Arguments Into the Genealogical Narrative. To obtain certification one must show at least two parent-child relationships in different generations. She went into some detail on proof arguments and how to use them effectively.

Elissa Scalise Powell completed the day’s presentations by discussing Selecting Projects for New and Renewal Portfolios. She presented general principles like: do follow the instructions but don’t over think them. She talked about the applicant-supplied documents, the research report, the case study and the kinship determination project for new applications. The information was clear and concise and generated considerable discussion for there are many of us interested in certification.

Then it was off to the Family History Library to look at microfilm of 1846 city plat maps for Des Moines, Polk, Iowa and the ultimate in eye strain. I did find my ggg-grandfather Mitchell Atkinson with property which may explain how his daughter Mary was there to meet her future husband, Galloway Mackintosh, who arrived from Scotland in 1850. Perhaps her father, a blacksmith, and Galloway, a stone mason, brought the trades people together?

Polk County Plat Book Vol. A 1846 Atkinson

Back to the hotel for two more lectures tonight. Thomas W. Jones's presentation on Kinship Determination was amply supported by research examples as he held all in attendance spellbound. Elissa followed with Rubik’s Cube Genealogy: A New Twist on Your Old Data emphasizing organizing data differently giving many examples and good ideas to apply.

- Jeffrey Vaillant

Read the entire series:
Report #1: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Report #2: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Report #3: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Report #4: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Report #5: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy
Report #6 and A Recap: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

13 January 2010

Report #3: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

Here's Jeffrey Vaillant's third report from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy:

Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Salt Lake City

Today’s emphasis was on the Board for Certification of Genealogists with Elissa Scalise Powell Document Work: Research Focus, Document Analysis, Research Plan – all in 60 minutes. The lecture included an in-class exercise looking at a transcribed document testing our skills in proposing a research problem from the paper, analyzing the document in light of the research problem and designing a research plan. Papers were exchanged and reviewed – no names, no prisoners! The use of a document supplied by BCG and one supplied by the applicant both analyzed with a research plan is one of the requirements for certification.

Next up at the podium was Paula Stuart-Warren discussing Client Reports. Paula discussed the elements of the report along with its format. Client reports are part of the bread and butter for the professional genealogist AND a requirement for certification. Paula handed out a Funeral Record (from San Francisco of all places!) for our use as part of a report. This was a total class participation exercise after we broke into smaller groups to analyze the information.

The third session of the morning was Pamela Boyer Sayre who is in charge of Education at the National Genealogical Society who will be having their annual conference in Salt Lake City in April. Pamela took on Source Citation Principles which is a tough subject to discuss. Come on, we all love to correctly cite the information we have gathered, right? She did a great job and we all bowed down to Elizabeth Shown Mills, the goddess of source citation. Good news is that the new edition of Evidence Explained is out and its PDF version will be forthcoming – easier to carry around that 800+ page book on the computer than in-hand.

A break for lunch and then a heavy duty 90 minute Evidence Analysis Principles for Complex-Evidence Case Studies by Thomas W. Jones. He is a terrific speaker and kept us on the edge of our seats making terminology definitions with a myriad of examples. If you go to a conference where he is presenting get to all of his lectures. Tomorrow we have two more of his insights into genealogy.

Then it was time to escape to the Family History Library even though it is only a 2.5 block walk, it is about 19 degrees F—brrrrrrrr. The FHL is a "microfilm candy store" for one can simply walk up to the cabinet and get the film, unless it is storied in the vault. Of course, one of the reels I wanted was off-site. The FHL has the technology to put the images on one’s flash drive with no charge. For those of you thinking about going to the FHL with the CGS: get prepared.

- Jeffrey Vaillant

12 January 2010

Report #2: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

Jeffrey Vaillant continues with his reports from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy.

Monday, 11 January 2010
Salt Lake City

The day began with breakfast – a good thing. Actually the breakfast was sponsored by the SLIG as a way to get us all going. It was the typical gathering of hungry genealogists listening to those administrative announcements that happen at every conference. We met all the course leaders and learned where all the classes will be held. Also, it appears we Californians cluster together as I sat with Ron Cannon from the north coast and a couple from Lake Tahoe. We cherish California weather.

The accreditation class began with two presentations/lectures introducing the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) program and application process. In the first presentation Karen Clifford and Ray Clifford spoke to the issue of tests. They pointed out that tests need to have validity, reliability and fairness.

Their accreditation process has three major components – the Application, the Written Test and the Oral Review. The five steps to accreditation are:

Determine which of the 39 accreditation area to apply (or go for all 39!)

Select a family you’ve researched back four generations prior to 1900

Fill out their application form showing your experience

Take the eight hour written exam—proctored

Attend the learning experience of the oral exam

The next two presentations/lectures were the introduction to the Board for Certification of Genealogists. Elissa Scalise Powell spoke about why seek certification suggesting the learning process involved, the suggestions from the judges on the work submitted, a validation of skills, the peer recognition and respect gained, an acknowledgement of competence, self satisfaction and presenting oneself to savvy clients and referrals. My personal reason revolves around a validation of skills.

Powell distributed The BCG Application Guide booklet for our use. She went on to point out the seven steps taken for certification by the BCG. They are:

Agreement to a specific code of conduct

A background resume

Document work supplied by BCG

Document work supplied by the applicant

A research report

A case study

A Kinship-determination project

Debra S. Mieszala spoke about the third and fourth elements; namely transcribing and abstracting documents. She went into the standards that BCG applies in reviewing the transcription and abstracting work and pointed out that there were practice examples at their website. (There is a National Genealogical Society course on the same subject. I have taken this course and recommend it.) Mieszala handed out two examples of documents to transcribe which the class did and she pointed out the rubrics used to evaluate the work.

It was a good day of information. The classes let out “early” since the Family History Library is two blocks away. I’ll be heading there.

Later this afternoon those of us who are/were involved in the ProGen Study Groups as well as those part of the transitional genealogists’ email list will be having dinner together. This will be followed by a 7 p.m. Plenary Session presented by Barbara Renick on Overcoming the Perils of Research.

- Jeffrey Vaillant

11 January 2010

Report #1: 2010 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

One of our newest board members, Jeffrey Vaillant, approached me at the Annual Meeting on Saturday and asked if I would be interested in some reports for the blog from the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy being held this week, January 11-15, 2010. Of course the answer was a resounding "yes!" You may recall that Jeffrey wrote a series last May on the NGS Family History Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Here's his first installment:

Sunday, 10 January 2010
Salt Lake City, UT

On the road again, this time to the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy sponsored by the Utah Genealogy Association in Salt Lake City, Utah, of course. There are twelve programs offered. Two years ago I took the American Records & Research: Focusing on Families taught by Paula Stuart-Warren who is offering the same class this year. The other offerings are Mid-Atlantic Research, Scottish Research, Central and Eastern European Research, Immigrant Origins, Computers and Technology, Advanced Genealogical Methods, Producing a Quality Narrative, American Land and Court Records, Problem Solving, Accreditation and Certificate Preparation and U. S. Military Records.

Classes are all day and to really get immersed there are separate lectures at night! And there is the Family History Library only two blocks away from the Radisson where the classes are being held. That is a two block COLD walk as the weather forecast barely has SLC above 32 degrees F. all this week.

One of my genealogy goals for 2010 is to get the certification process under way, so I have elected to take the class on accreditation and certificate preparation being taught by Karen Clifford and Elissa Scalise Powell. Elissa was the mentor for our just-concluded ProGen Study Group (lasted eighteen months) so it will be fun having her as an instructor for the week. I am sure Karen will be as delightful.

Monday morning starts with a breakfast so it off to bed now to get rested up for a long day tomorrow.

- Jeffrey Vaillant

08 January 2010

A Visitor From New Zealand

Posted by Kathryn Doyle

Helen Geary of Christchurch, New Zealand was trying to track down a "V. Deubler" researching surname DUNCAN who she knew from various Internet postings must be a relative living in the U.S. She located a genealogist named Verne Deubler who lived in the Bay Area and contacted him and was pleased to learn that while Verne wasn't the "V. Deubler" she was seeking, he had come across her DUNCANs and knew a bit about the family. Verne kindly agreed to do some digging and to meet with Helen when she visited the United States.

What Helen didn't know when she arrived at the CGS Library to meet with Verne in September was that the helpful stranger was a past-president and long-time board member at the California Genealogical Society. Verne is also the society's most constant volunteer – logging in several days each week – handling email, working on indexing projects and overseeing the day-to-day "running" of the society. I can't count the number of times I've heard President Jane Lindsey say that she couldn't have served her office without Verne's assistance.

Verne Deubler and Helen Geary

Verne collected an envelope full of goodies for Helen including newspaper articles, obituaries and patent applications of the Duncan and Humes families. Helen's gg-aunt, Mary A. Duncan, of Dunedin, New Zealand, settled with her family in San Francisco and married Robert Deniston Hume (1845-1908).

Robert Dennison Hume

Hume was a salmon canning pioneer and a member of the California Genealogical Society. His biography and photograph are found in A History of the New California: Its Resources and People by Leigh Hadley Irvine. One of Hume's fishing vessels was named for his wife – the Mary D. Hume is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Helen had street addresses for two Duncan homes that she was eager to visit and I knew exactly where one of them was since I pass it quite frequently. I was able to drive her there and to Mountain View Cemetery for photographs. We easily found her Duncan plot after a quick stop at the cemetery office.

A former Duncan family residence.

I promised Helen that I would locate her second address on Randolph Avenue and take photographs of the Edwin Duncan home. The proof is posted here and I am happy to report that I met the current owner and she has traveled to New Zealand and visited Christchurch. How's that for coming full circle?

Photographs by Kathryn M. Doyle, Oakland, California.