SLIG 2022 Fall Virtual Courses

Intermediate Foundations

Annette Burke Lyttle, MA

Students who select this course already have some experience in genealogy, either self-taught or from a beginner’s course. They’re looking to enhance their research skills from home around their busy schedule but still receive an in-depth, institute-intense course, and build on their existing knowledge and experience. The course will expand their ability to find and analyze intermediate record types such as local and federal land, military, immigration, and naturalization, and find the underlying laws. They’ll also learn how to conduct research using best practices and following genealogical standards.

Homework will allow students to practice new skills and to work in original records. Understanding will be enhanced by a homework review session in the week that follows, instructor presence in a closed Facebook group the week following their class session, and a homework key.

Proving Your Pedigree with DNA

Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG

This new hands-on course provides the opportunity for students to apply DNA analysis skills to the documentation of one ancestral line back to a second great-grandparent couple. Part of the DNA Dreamers Series, this intermediate-level course provides hands-on practice with DNA analysis and application. The faculty offers practical step-by-step case examples. The daily schedule includes ample opportunity for the students to practice and apply the skills to their own research. Daily private, one-on-one consultation time with faculty is available.

At course completion, students will leave with:

• A source-cited lineage, including proof of biological parentage that meets Genealogy Standards
• A graphic descendant tree
• A unique, student-generated “Golden Nuggets” Quicksheet

The course teaches integration of documentary and genetic evidence to achieve proof. It is best to learn the methodology on an easier case. Students select one ancestral line in advance. A good choice would be a well-documented line from a DNA test taker to a second great-grandparent couple that is free of unknown parentage and pedigree collapse. Optimally, the student will use test results from second and third cousins on each of the great-grandparents lines to filter and sort autosomal DNA match lists. The cousins can be serendipitous matches or those that resulted from targeted testing.

Advanced Techniques for Mastering Online Searches and Uncovering Digital Records

D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS, FUGA

Explore the world of digitized records and repositories. This course specifically teaches advanced search skills for subscription family history websites while also focusing on unindexed digitized materials from libraries, archives, museums, and other repositories across the United States. A series of hands-on workshops/labs provide students with guided experiences using online tools discussed during class sessions.

Advanced Hispanic Research

Debbie Gurtler, AG

With the rising increase in the popularity of family history research in the world, and especially among those with Hispanic ancestry, there is an ever-increasing demand for good professional researchers who can conduct sound, comprehensive research in this specialized area. This course will help you advance your Hispanic Research skills to the next level. ¡Si se puede!

Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA

This course provides an opportunity for advanced genealogists to gain hands-on experience solving tough cases. They can challenge themselves as they put their research skills into practice. Participants work on five complex genealogical research problems — a new one each week. The objective is to give students experience in conducting research on complex problems, analyzing and correlating information, and reaching conclusions.

Participants will practice using indirect evidence, broadening research to include the FAN club, resolving conflicts, and organizing evidence into a written summary. The research problems are varied, offering students the challenge of stretching their minds and skills in directions that their research may not normally take them. Participants will work individually on each of the cases and then gather to discuss their progress with fellow classmates and the instructor. They will compare sources, strategies, and methodologies, discuss difficulties encountered, and receive guidance from the case study author.

This course is designed for advanced genealogists who have sufficient experience and education to work on complex genealogical problems. Most students plan 10-20 hours per week to work on the cases and write up a summary of their findings.