Many genealogists interested in learning more about their chosen field have taken courses each summer at the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. These classes are very popular, so that registration opens and closes quickly. Now there's a new opportunity for those looking for such courses.
Directors of the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh
Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and Deborah Lichtner Deal, directors of GRIP, stated that “the demand for in-depth genealogical education is so high that week-long courses sell out shortly after registration opens, disappointing many potential students. At the same time genealogists who have taken many courses want new content,” according to a press release on the GRIP website.
Both directors of GRIP are experienced genealogists. Deborah Lichtner Deal, an Ohio Genealogical Society Trustee and southeast Ohio researcher, has run the society’s week-long summer workshop for more than ten years.
Elissa Scalise Powell is a Trustee of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, an instructor at Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, and the course coordinator for the Professional Genealogy course at IGHR. She has served as president of two Pittsburgh-area genealogical societies and was board director for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG).
Four Genealogy Classes To Be Offered
The GRIP classes are scheduled for the week of July 22 - 27, 2012. Registration opens in February 2012. Four courses are scheduled:
Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper (coordinator Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA). This class takes an in-depth look at records, using analytical skills to evaluate them. Focusing on 19th through 21st century U.S. records, the class will include online resources.
Advanced Research Methods (coordinator Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS). This class will emphasize advanced genealogical research, analysis, correlation and compilation skills, using examples from both Europe and America.
Beneath the Home Page: Problem Solving with Online Repositories (coordinator D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS). This course will cover plans for online searching, as well as how to access the riches of the websites of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the DAR Library, the Family History Library, official state archives and agencies, and university and private collections.
German Genealogical Research (coordinator John T. Humphrey, CG). Those researching German ancestors will learn about the difficulties in locating information in the U.S. records. German names, transcriptions, and translations of American records written in German are discussed.
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh Faculty
Course coordinators and instructors include many well-known genealogists, including quite a few who also teach at IGHR and at seminars sponsored by societies all over the country. Instructors and staff include: Claire Bettag (CG, CGL), Rick Sayre (CG), Elissa Scalise Powell (CG, CGL), and Deborah Lichtner Deal.
Other Educational Opportunities for Genealogists
As the field of genealogy becomes more popular, a variety of options for education have arisen. Many genealogy classes are offered at community colleges and universities; genealogical societies also hold local workshops at libraries and community centers. An excellent home study course, American Genealogy, is offered by the National Genealogical Society, and is open to anyone who wishes to learn the basics of research in a systematic way. Another idea, which combines a seagoing vacation with education, is to take a genealogy cruise.
Sources
Katharine Garstka - Katharine Garstka specializes in genealogical research and in historical and genealogical writing.
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