Over the past few years, I’ve considered becoming a certified genealogist more often. About six months ago, I decided to go “on the clock” and start the actual process this summer. free image from www.clipart-library.com In pursuit of this goal, I took the BU (Boston University) genealogy course this past fall. I also took other classes, watched webinars, read articles, and listened to podcasts. Although I would have participated in many of these learning experiences anyway, I took part in some of these specifically with the goal of certification in mind. Since I’ve started this journey, genealogy has become more...

Have you ever attended a week-long genealogy institute? For the past four years, I have attended an institute each summer: three years at GRIP in Pennsylvania and last year at IGHR in Georgia. Here’s a quick comparison: ROOMS Room at GRIP GRIP – Most people stay in the dorms on campus. They provide a set of sheets (if I remember correctly), a thin pillow, and one towel. Most people bring their own sheets – I put their sheets under mine as the mattresses are quite thin! I also bring my own blanket, pillow, towels, and toiletries. The room has a...

Yesterday, I got my final assignment graded for my BU certificate. BU was a wonderful learning experience, but I’m glad to be done! Merry Christmas! This year was a year of growth for me. Not only did I complete BU, but I attended IGHR for the first time, watched webinars, took other online classes, and read genealogy books, articles, and blogs. I also did a lot of research. (Oh, and I started a new hobby: art!) I have so much to share, and I can’t wait to really start blogging again! Merry Christmas, everyone!

I haven’t blogged much in the past five or six months. I went through a significant genealogy “slump” where I wasn’t sure I wanted to pursue genealogy any longer. Happily, that phase has passed and I am back! IGHR – July 2017 This July, I attended IGHR in Georgia. Even while I prepared for my trip, my passion was reignited. I am currently taking the Boston University (or “BU”) course. We just finished the first module, and I’ve already learned a lot. I am also reinstating my goal to become a certified genealogist by 2020! I am, quite happily, “the...

For the past three years, I’ve attend GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh) each summer. This year, I’m doing something new: I’m going to the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)! And, IGHR is doing something new this year, too. They have moved to Georgia. I will be taking my first course with Tom Jones as the coordinator and primary instructor. I understand he always offers a lot of homework, which is a good thing! In fact, we have homework before we arrive. The course, course 4, is “Writing & Publishing for Genealogists.” Besides Tom Jones, we will have...

JANUARY REVIEW Blogging My goal was 8 posts; I had 12! Education – Book Instead of reading Biedler’s German book, I read Genealogical Proof Standard: Building a Solid Case, 4th Edition Revised by Christine Rose and participated a little with the DearMYRTLE group which was studying the book. I wrote two blog posts: week 1 is here, and week 2 is here. A quick review of the book: The booklet is short at only 56 pages. The five chapters do a great job of explaining the genealogical proof standard. One of my favorite sections was on page 39 when the author listed “six critical...

I believe that setting goals helps us to focus and achieve more. So, for 2017, I decided to set monthly goals. For January, my goals are in four categories: blogging, education, email, and volunteering. Blogging: Write & post at least 8 blog posts. Education: Watch at least 4 webinars and finish reading “Trace Your German Roots Online: A Complete Guide to German Genealogy Websites” by James M. Beidler. Volunteering: Index at least 100 records on FamilySearch, which is something I haven’t done in several years. Email: Catch up with email, a lot of which is genealogy related. Do you set genealogy goals? If...

Happy New Year! I’m just back from a New Year’s cruise I took with my daughter, mom, and niece. We sailed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida to St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Haiti, and Puerto Rico and had a wonderful time. But, now it’s time to get back to every day life and the “work” we call genealogy! 2016/2017 Cruise – Oasis of the Seas As we start another new year, it’s also a great time to look back. What’s your genealogy timeline? If you share your genealogy timeline, please let me know! I’d love...

Excelsior College Courses: Excelsior College offered two new genealogy courses this summer: “Practicum in Genealogical Research” with instructor Melinde Lutz Byrne and “Genetic Genealogy” with instructor Dr. Blaine Bettinger. I signed up for the practicum and am proud to have completed this intense, advanced course a couple of weeks ago. It appears the courses will be offered three times a year: fall, spring, and summer. And, they hope to add additional courses soon. Cost: Each of the courses are 15-16 weeks long and are priced like college courses at $1,595 each. However, members of several societies (NEGHS, NGS, and APG)...