Our students are enthusiastic about our online genealogical courses. However, many new students are unsure of where to begin. Which courses should they take first? Just as in planning to build a house, your genealogy education plan must begin with the foundation. Whether you are just beginning to research your family history, or you are an experienced researcher, it is recommended for all students to begin with understanding the methodology guidelines and standards used in all genealogy research. This is accomplished through our Methodology Certificate.
If you are considering any certificate, these are the first courses to work on as the Methodology Certificate courses are COMPULSORY for all of our Certificate Programs. To find out more about our Methodology Certificate and the suggested course order, check out our blog post.
For our English Certificate in Genealogical Studies, you must successfully complete 40 courses, which includes the 14 required courses of the Methodology Certificate, 13 compulsory English courses, and 13 elective courses of your choice. The English courses include 4 compulsory courses at the Basic Level, 5 compulsory courses at the Intermediate Level, and 4 compulsory courses at the Advanced Level.
English Certificate Package = 40 courses
Basic Level
English: Census Records Including Wales
An examination of the history, structure and genealogical research possibilities of the 1801-1911 censuses, as well as the 1939 National Register of England and Wales. Strategies for research, location the records, reading and recording methodology and documentation discussed.
English: Civil Registration Records Including Wales
This course will provide practical details needed to understand the system of civil registration; how to use indexes, both in microform and online, and how to interpret certificates.
English: Parish Registers
This course provides a significant overview of what is involved when researching English Parish Records.
English: Probate Records
This course will examine probate documents, such as wills, inventories, administrations, guardianships, and Death Duty Registers.
Intermediate Level
English/Scottish: Occupations – Military and Services
This course explores army, militia, navy, merchant marine, and many other services records, including police, customs and excise, railways, and post office employees.
English: Non-Anglican Church Records
This course deals with the other Judaeo-Christian denominations in England referring to Protestants, and examines the records of Non-conformists, Catholics, Jews, or other faiths.
English: Occupations – Professions and Trades
This course looks at the many ways of finding out what your ancestors did, followed by a study of the classification of occupations.
English: Poor Law and Parish Chest Records
This course examines the parish administration or early ‘welfare system’ records, recipients or donors of charity, or serving their turn administering parish affairs. Equally important were those who did not need assistance but provided aid, were contracted to work or supply the church or workhouse and thus be mentioned as their accounts are rendered to the church.
English: Understanding Names in Genealogy
Genealogical research is largely based on names—but what is the origin of names—surnames, first names and place names. A knowledge of their derivation and how they are connected affords an increased understanding of the genealogical research process.
Advanced Level
English: Court Records-Criminal, Civil & Ecclesiastical
This course deals with canon law, feudal law, customary law, common law and equity; the importance of ecclesiastical courts; civil courts comprising of manor courts, petty, borough and quarter sessions as well as chancery and exchequer courts; criminal assizes and records of prisoners & convicts, gaols & transportation are discussed.
English: Education, Health & Contemporary Documents
This course covers Britons abroad, county books, death records, diaries, directories, education, health, local histories, old magazines, newspapers, pictures, record societies and archives, titled families and visitations.
English: Land and Property Records Including Manorial Documents and Maps
In this course, maps and gazetteers are the foundation leading to title deeds and property, land tax, ancient and modern ”Domesday” books, tithes, enclosure, manorial records, private charters and quit claims, estate papers, Land Registry and Valuation Office records.
English: Taxes, Lists, Business, Electoral and Insurance Records
This course includes discussions on how tax & electoral records, religious & loyalty lists, annuities, tontines, insurance, friendly society, & business records can assist family history research.
We offer several additional English-themed courses, or courses relevant to English research, which could be chosen to fulfill the elective portion of the English Certificate. These courses can be added to your certificate package, and will supplement your genealogical knowledge for your specific area or family history topic. You are sure to find several relevant courses to build your research skills.
Combination Certificates
Alternatively, you can use courses from other certificates as your electives and complete TWO certificates for the cost of one. Your customized certificate could include the compulsory English Records, plus the compulsory courses from any other topic or country-themed certificate. Both include the Methodology Certificate courses as they form the basis for all of our our Professional Learning Certificates.
English Records and DNA Certificate
English Records and Librarianship Certificate
English Records and Professional Development Certificate
Building your genealogical research skills with these essential courses is for both serious family historians and professional researchers. We can assist you in building your genealogical education plan for your future research projects. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your options to successfully reach your research goals.
The International Institute of Genealogical Studies offers quality online education with over 240 courses. Our wide range of courses cover specific countries, enhance methodology research, build skills to maximize your research time, and all count toward the certification you choose.
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LEADERS IN ONLINE GENEALOGY EDUCATION since 1997
