Articles with International Institute of Genealogical Studies

Foundations: Methodology Certificate
Foundations: Methodology Certificate

Foundations: Methodology Certificate

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 a strong 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. To receive your Methodology Certificate in Genealogical Studies, you must successfully complete the required 15 courses, which include 5 compulsory courses at the Basic Level, 5 compulsory courses at the Intermediate Level, and 5 compulsory courses at the Advanced Level. You can take these courses individually, or along with your specific country-themed certificate courses at the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. If you are considering any certificate, these are the first courses to work on as they are COMPULSORY for all of our Certificate Programs. Methodology Certificate – 15 Courses Methodology Basic Level Methodology – Part 1: Getting Started This course includes basic charts & definitions, Home resources; types of sources; records & where to find them; and useful forms. Methodology – Part 2: Organizing and Skill-Building This course includes file storage; definitions for Transcribe/Abstract/Extract; using forms; citing your sources; Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS); Proof Arguments; and creating Research Plans. Electronic Resources: Using the Internet This course includes computers/Internet basics; databases online; searching surnames; archives and libraries; Internet search tools; maps;…

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How Can A Mentoring Appointment Help?

Student, Judith Tracey, found the help she needed from both her course and a mentoring professor appointment. Here’s her thoughts about what it’s like to attend the International Institute of Genealogical Studies and work with a mentoring professor. “Just a quick note to tell you that I am delighted with my tutorial withLaurie James. She was well prepared, thorough and very personable. I am sograteful for IIGS support with my Irish studies. They are outside of myAmerican Records courses and my lack of familiarity with things Irish makessome aspects of some of the courses quite challenging. I knew from thebeginning that navigating the Irish Registry of Deeds can be difficult, butI was not prepared for the complexities which I experienced. However,Laurie walked me through and we did an example together, and she helped memake sense of it. I was able to return to the collection today (five dayslater) and was able to work my way through, from the index to the memorialbooks, which was the objective. You can only imagine how good that makes mefeel. There is so much information in those documents that I need toretrieve, it would be a pity to be unable to access and explore them. I amrelieved. In closing, I would like to share my positive IIGS ‘Irish experience’, bothwith Claire and Laurie with other students and those considering enrolment.Please let me know where I should post my positive remarks.” Your happy student/client,Judith Tracey International Institute of Genealogical Studies Research With Confidence ~ Study at…

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