Some New Year's Resolutions for Genealogists

As each new year begins, do you get excited about starting over? Do you promise yourself you will exercise more? Eat more healthy foods? Cut back on bad habits or continue good ones? Perhaps you have made some new year’s resolutions for those things, but have you thought about making some for your genealogy research? There are many things that all of us can do in this new year and those to come to enhance our research skills. Why not make a resolution for 2024 to become a better researcher? Here are a few suggestions for how you can do just that.

Planning Ahead to Attend a Genealogy Conference

Have you made plans yet to register for our annual Family History Conference on Saturday, 6 May? Whether it’s your first time or you are an old pro at attending conferences and workshops, there are some tried and true steps you can take to make the most of your experience. So, if you are thinking about (or have already registered for) the StLGS conference, the National Genealogical Society Conference at the end of May, or any other upcoming genealogy day-long or multi-day event, here are some helpful reminders.

Classes for Experienced Researchers

Are you interested in an in-depth genealogy learning experience? Ready to improve your genealogical skills and knowledge? One of the exciting things about doing genealogy research is the opportunity to keep learning. Starting with local classes, workshops, and seminars, we get the chance to become more knowledgeable about basic techniques and skills. And once we feel comfortable, it's time to branch out to conferences and institutes.

Two major upcoming events, now open for registration, can help you do just that.

Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Annual Conference

Washington, D.C., 21–24 August 2019

This annual conference features four full days of lectures, a large exhibit hall of vendors, a society showcase, and a chance to visit the National Archives, Library of Congress, the DAR Library, and other attractions in the nation's capital. Lectures are offered on a wide variety of topics and skill levels. You can view the program, register for the conference, and/or register for a local hotel at the conference website.

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

Salt Lake City, Utah: 12–17 January 2020

Celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, this venerable institution, sponsored by the Utah Genealogy Association, always sells out quickly. Meant for researchers who relish the chance to spend a week immersed in genealogy instruction by the country's top instructors, the institute is a way to learn from national experts in the "capital of genealogy."

This year's classes are as follows:

• Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy, Judy Russell, CG, CGL
• Advanced Research Tools: Land Records, Richard Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA, and Pamela Sayre, CG, FUGA
• Guide to Treasures Found in Federal Records, Michael Strauss, AG
• Virginia from the Colonial Period to the Civil War, Barbara Vines Little, CG, FVGS, FNFS, FUGA
• Chinese Genealogy Research, Kelly Summers, AG
• Applying Standards to Appraise Genealogical Work, Jeanne Bloom, CG
• Meeting Standards: Using DNA Evidence, Karen Stanbary, CG
• Technical Writing for Genealogists, Melissa Johnson, CG
• Advanced Genealogical Methods, Paul Graham, AG, CG, CGL
• Immigrants to the New World, Colonial to 1900, Dr. John Colletta, FUGA
• Early U.S. Church Records, Rev. Dr. David McDonald, CG
• Maryland: Researching in the Old Line State, Debra Hoffman
• Advanced Hispanic Research, George Ryskamp, AG, FUGA, and Debbie Gurtler, AG
• Researching Like a Professional, Michael Hait, CG, CGL
• Introduction to Genetic Genealogy, Paul Woodbury
• Guided Research and Consultation, Craig Scott, CG, FUGA

The following week features an Academy for Professionals, from 20–24 January, with seven classes offered to those who are working for clients.

Registration for all the classes opened on Saturday, 13 July. If you are interested, you will want to read more about the classes, instructors, and schedule on the SLIG website. Register quickly, however, as there are already wait lists for some of the classes!

Postnomials: Those initials after the instructors' names indicate their various certifications.

• AG—Accredited Genealogist, received from the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)
• CG—Certified Genealogist, received through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)
• CGL—Certified Genealogical Lecturer, received through the BCG
• FNGS—Fellow of the National Genealogical Society
• FVGS—Fellow of the Virginia Genealogical Society
• FUGA—Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Society

 

Finally, if you'd rather stay close to home, check your local society or library for classes. And if home is St. Louis, remember that registration for StLGS summer/fall classes is also now open!