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.  

Finishing Up My Writing Course

By Shannon Combs Bennett, Student Wow, what a course.  Not only is Writing for Genealogy: Articles, Blogs, Research Reports and so much more  great  for people who are considering putting their work out there for all to see, but its also very informative for those who want to stay private. It was full of information designed to take anyone’s writing to the next level. My mind is buzzing with ideas and projects. I feel like I need to write to the instructor and tell her that she is not helping with my to-do list. Thankfully I don’t actually have enough time in my day to do them all, but maybe one day. I was grateful for her clear instructions, ideas, and suggestions. At times I was literally smacking my forehead in disgust that I had not even thought to look at a particular resource. Once again, it just proves that no matter how long you do something there is always more to know. Of course, the list of resources for each module was extensive. I am still investigating and going through them all. The suggestions for helping with editing, finding writing groups, business advice, and more have proved beneficial to my future as a writer in this community.  Of course, some of the book suggestions are making my pocketbook, and husband, groan but that is why there are wish lists!

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…

Writing Reports

By Shannon Combs Bennett, Student These last two modules of the course Writing for Genealogy: Articles, Blogs, Research Reports and so much more is chock full of information. It was very hard to pick which subject I wanted to tell you about since there is not enough room to talk about them all here!  However, I picked the information on writing reports from Module 5 to focus on and I am sure some of you are groaning right now. Trust me, keep reading. I can hear some of you now “I am never going to be a professional” or how about “no one is ever going to see my research.” Well, how do you know?  Besides, don’t you think the work you do for yourself should be the best you can offer?  I do. Creating professional quality reports for your own research is a great way to let future generations, or even the current ones, know you take your work seriously. In the introduction for Module 5 the instructor takes her time walking you through why knowing how to write reports are a good idea. One thing that I had not really thought about before was creating a report for individuals who request help from my genealogy society. I would expect a professional type report from a library or archive but I can see how it would make my society stand out from other groups if we took our answer one step further. Thankfully our instructor takes the time to go…

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We Have a Winner!: APG PMC

We have a winner! You may recall that we had one registration to the Association of Professional Genealogist’s  Professional Management Conference to give away to one lucky student. That lucky student is Lynn Funk. Lynn was understandably excited, “The reason I wanted to attend was that I looked at the amazing line-up of speakers and topics being presented and knew there were things that I could learn from them that would make me a better genealogist.  For instance, Thomas Jones has several workshops including You’ve Got Options: Many Ways to Cite Right.  I know that citing sources is a weakness for me and I look forward to hearing what Dr. Jones has to say about this so that I can turn this weakness into a strength.” Lynn is also looking forward to hearing  Billie Stone Fogarty and National Institute course author James Beidler. ” This was a great opportunity for Lynn whose goal is to become a professional genealogist. She says, “I try to take every opportunity that is presented to me to learn more about genealogy and family history.” About herself, Lynn says, “I have been researching family history for over 35 years, off and on–more on now that my children are grown!  Right now I am involved in several projects: 1) Researching my Smith line with a cousin who “found” me through AncestryDNA.  We have never met in person or talked on the phone– in fact up until a few months ago, I didn’t even know she existed.  But we are…

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