Articles by Angela Breidenbach

Angela Breidenbach, PLCGS, is the Executive Director at the International Institute of Genealogical Studies. She's a multi-published author, speaker, and presenter. Find out more about her books at https://AngelaBreidenbach.com

More New Courses for 2015 Starting NOW!

More New Courses for 2015 Starting NOW!

There’s nothing like looking forward to a new month of genealogy courses and this month we have quite a few new ones you’ll want to register for. New courses begin today, Monday, February 2, 2015. But there’s still time to register. Writing the Genealogist’s Memoir  As a genealogy researcher for your family, you can enhance the results of your work, as well as realize personal satisfaction and value, by creating a memoir to enlighten those who read it. Your memoir can tell them about the story behind your research: your inspiration, motivation and/or interest in genealogy; your process; “aha” moments; roadblocks and disappointments; and successes. The professional genealogist or personal historian can also offer a service to help clients create such a companion piece for their family trees or histories. This course written by Personal Historian Diane Dassow will explore the importance and value of memoir, a method for accomplishing one, and special issues to consider. Exercises will offer practical application of the material and opportunities to work on writing your memoir. The course will focus on writing as a method but will explore other options, such as audio and video, as well. To learn more about this course, check out our website.   DNA: Introduction to Genetic Genealogy This course written by Diahan Southard is a comprehensive introduction to genetic genealogy. The basics of DNA and genetic inheritance are explained in detail. The three main test types, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y chromosome DNA (YDNA), and autosomal DNA (atDNA) are explored as…

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Congratulations to – Colleen Murray, PLCGS!

By Colleen Murray, Student Last week marked a major milestone in my genealogical education. I finished my 40 courses required to earn the PLCGS (Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies) from the International Institute of Genealogical Studies! Though immersed in celebration this week, I have returned to my computer to write this account of my experiences and reflect on how I got here. I was always a business-minded individual. I initially thought I’d be an accountant, and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree. But finding myself at a soul-sucking job after graduation, I quit to follow my dream of opening a retail tea shop in Edmonton, Canada. Six years later, I sold it when our family moved to Ontario. Small children took up most of my day, and I happened on genealogy as a hobby that I could do in spare moments to maintain my sanity. In 2010, having moved back to Edmonton, I started researching genealogy educational programs. I wondered if perhaps my hobby could be translated into a career?  I settled on the Interational Institute of Genealogical Studies because of its Canadian stream of courses. It was very important to me that my education be relevant to my location. It also allowed me to take Irish courses, which is where my cultural heritage lies. Best of all, I could work at my own pace. I started out the program very slowly, trying out Methodology parts 1 & 2 before moving on to the beginner level Canadian package. I…

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New Course: Skill-Building: Nuts & Bolts of Reporting Research

Skill-Building: Nuts & Bolts of Reporting Research written by Forensic Genealogist Leslie Brinkley Lawson is a new course offered by The National Institute for Genealogical Studies starting January 12, 2015. A professional or serious minded genealogist needs to perfect core skills to help them achieve success whether they conduct research for clients, lecture, or write. These skills include source citation, transcription and writing. In the field of genealogy there are some texts that are considered the standard by which professionals are judged―these include Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Dr. Thomas Jones’ Mastering Genealogical Proof and the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ Genealogy Standards. These books help prepare the professional or serious minded genealogist for the day to day work of writing, analyzing and preparing information for themselves or the clients that they come in contact with. Books like Professional Genealogy “offers benchmarks by which they can advance their skills and place their businesses on sounder footing.” In this course students  will study portions of some of the above mentioned texts and complete assignments and exercises to better understand the key elements taught within its pages. Not a course for beginning researchers, please be aware this course is classified as “Intermediate Level” in the Professional Development Certificate Program. It has been developed for individuals who are at or working in the Intermediate to Advanced Levels in our other…

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New Course: Research: FamilySearch Resources – In Person and Online

Think you know how to use FamilySearch? Maybe you’ve never used FamilySearch? Now’s the time to learn more with the new course  Research: FamilySearch Resources – In Person and Online from The National Institute for Genealogical Studies. FamilySearch is one of the important websites in the field of genealogical research. The FamilySearch, free, website is just one part of a larger network, provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. FamilySearch includes over 3 billion names globally, and provides digital images, online indexing, a library catalog, and online access to genealogy sources in a variety of forms. The services provided through the FamilySearch organization have proven time and time again to be invaluable to researchers of all experiences and levels of expertise. In this course we will review all aspects of using the FamilySearch website and how to use the website to find, learn, network, and share with other researchers. Course content includes:   Website Search Functionality Getting to the Records Indexed versus Non-Indexed Collections The Research Wiki The Family Tree FamilySearchCatalog Digitized Books Learning Center Family History Centers This course starts January 5, 2015. For more information see our website.  

Celebrate 15 Years of Online Genealogy Education

[Update: The National Institute of Genealogical Studies merged into the International Institute of Genealogical Studies on 2 March 2022 and no longer uses the past name noted in this article.] Seventeen years ago, The National Institute for Genealogical Studies was founded. On October 4, 1999, Methodology-Part 1: Getting Started was the first online course offered to students. On December 1st, 15 years later, it started for the 185th time. We are celebrating! Now’s the time to sign-up for those courses you’ve always wanted to take. Give us a call toll free at 1-800-580-0165 ext 1 to learn more or for help with any registration. From the team, MERRY CHRISTMAS and  HAPPY CHANUKKAH, to you and your family…