Courses

Course 1: Intermediate Foundations

Annette Burke Lyttle, MA

Annette Burke Lytle

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.

Schedule

Wednesdays, September 13–November 15, 2023
5:00–9:00 pm MDT

Course 2: Introduction to Genetic Genealogy

Paul Woodbury, MEd, AG

Paul Woodbury, MEdIn this hands-on course, students will master the basics of genetic genealogy research through hands-on application in a variety of investigative contexts. They will create testing plans incorporating such elements as which individuals to test, the types of tests to take and the companies to be used. They will also evaluate chances of success and needs for additional testing for a research objective given a set of test results, develop research plans given a set of DNA test results, and learn to abide by genetic genealogy ethics and standards. Participants will practice basic interpretation of Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, X-DNA and autosomal DNA evidence within the context of traditional document research and evaluation of Y-DNA and mtDNA.

Schedule

Thursdays, September 14–October 19, 2023 (no class October 12)
8:00 am–4:30 pm MDT

Course 3: Intermediate Evidence Analysis Practicum

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGAThis course provides an opportunity for genealogists to gain hands-on experience solving two genealogical cases. This will help participants put their research skills into practice while providing structure and guidance. Students will analyze background information, create a research plan, conduct research online, track their findings, analyze and correlate information, and report on conclusions.

The cases in this course address two of the most common research challenges: 1) dealing with multiple people with the same name, and 2) resolving conflicting evidence. The instructors will walk students through the process and teach the research strategies necessary to solve the cases. This experience will help prepare participants to take the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course or apply the skills to new research projects.

Students will work during the week on the case and then gather to discuss their progress with fellow classmates and the instructor. They will compare sources, strategies, and methodologies, discuss challenges, and receive guidance from the instructor. Students should plan 10–20 hours per week to work on the cases and record their findings.

Schedule

Thursdays, October 19–November 16, 2023
9:00 am–1:30 pm MDT

Course 4: Proving Your Pedigree with DNA

Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG

Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CGThis 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. The faculty offers practical step-by-step case examples. The schedule includes ample opportunity for the students to practice and apply the skills to their own research. 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 result from targeted testing.

Schedule

Fridays, September 29–November 3, 2023 (no class October 20)
8:00 am–4:30 pm MDT

Course 5: Discovering Quaker Records – In the US and the British Isles

Steven W. Morrison, MPA

Steven W. MorrisonThis course explores Quaker records in both the U.S. and the British Isles. Although few in number Quakers left a mountain of records, with many originals now available online. Unique finding aids will help you locate records still residing in on-site repositories. Discover how Quakers’ historical origins and their views on the military and slavery affected their migration patterns across the U.S. Grasp how radical it was for women to play an equal role in a religion and its record keeping. Learn how to hunt for those elusive Quaker immigrant ancestors from across the Atlantic Ocean. Leave the course with a monster bibliography of US Quaker records in print or online. If you have a colonial dead-end from New England, the Mid-Atlantic, or the Carolinas you may have a Quaker hiding in your family tree.

Schedule

Thursdays, September 14–November 16, 2023
10:00 am–2:00 pm MDT

Course 6: Assemblage: Preparing, Writing, and Revising Proof Arguments

Jan Joyce, DBA, CG, CGL, AG

Jan Joyce, CG, CGL, AGYou’re a good writer and a great researcher. You have been told that by mentors, instructors, peers, and probably your family! But then why does it seem like sometimes your written product doesn’t work? Perhaps it is a case study, a client report, or a family narrative. It may have been during a course, peer study group, or institute setting that you struggled with putting it all together.

If this sounds like you, then this course could be what you seek. Simply stated, it is titled assemblage. It is the writing, splicing, dicing, editing, and piecing together of your proof arguments – and other writing – for your research.

Schedule

Wednesdays, September 13–November 15, 2023
10:00 am–2:00 pm MDT

Course 7: Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGAThis 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.

Schedule

Thursdays, September 7–October 12, 2023
9:00–11:00 am MDT