30 January 2014

2014 Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh - registration is coming soon!

It's just two weeks till registration opens for the 2014 Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh that takes place at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh. The Institute dates are July 20-25 and registration begins on February 12th. 

The Institute's website has some great tips to prepare you for the registration process.

I hope to see many of you in the course I coordinate, "Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper" but there are five other excellent courses that will also be offered in Pittsburgh.

While on the Institute's website take a peek at the "On the Road" edition that will be held August 3-8, 2014 in Orchard Lake, Michigan (suburban Detroit). That registration begins on February 25th.

23 January 2014

Mark February 12th on your calendar for Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh registration

It's just a bit more than two weeks till registration opens for the 2014 Genealogical Institute of Pittsburgh registration. (Fondly known as GRIP) There are six courses from which to choose and students may stay in a college dorm. The dorm and classrooms are a very short walk from each other. The cafeteria is in the same building as the classrooms. The 2014 dates are July 20-25.

I coordinate and instruct in Intermediate Genealogy: Tools for Digging Deeper.

Instructors:
Debbie Mieszala, CG
D. Joshua Taylor, MA, MLS
Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA

Are you beyond the beginning stages of researching your family history? You probably have checked the basic records and done online searches but still have blanks to fill in. Maybe you need to gain more leads and judge the records but need some analytical skills for that. We will delve deeper into a variety of records, some that you may have never heard about, and where they may be accessed. During the week there will be some hands-on projects, small group discussions, and full class interaction as we develop research plans, delve into the records, and learn what may get those blanks filled in.

The class covers 19th through 21st century U.S. records and includes online resources. Prior to the course students will be able to send the coordinator a brief research issue of their own along with a listing of the U.S. places where their ancestors resided. The course includes some “homework” that is optional but highly suggested. Students often find they like those learning exercises. An extensive syllabus including online resources is provided.

While not required, it is suggested that you bring along a netbook, laptop, or electronic tablet for taking notes and for the week’s projects. Make sure you bring a copy of your research (either as a database or in paper form).

Debbie and I will also be teaching in Josh Taylor's Pittsburgh course Becoming an Online Expert: Mastering Search Engines and Digital Archives.

Can't make it to Pittsburgh? GRIP "On the Road" will be in suburban Detroit from August 3-8 with four courses. That registration starts on February 25th. Learn more about courses and registration for both cities here: http://www.gripitt.org/

21 January 2014

Smithsonian preserving languages including Native American dialects

Yesterday's Washington Post carried an interesting article about the preservation of languages including Native American languages. I can't read or write any of these languages but often need to translate documents. I can use word lists and ask others for advice. The article "Smithsonian archives preserve lost and dying languages" is informative and exciting.

"The archives had been accumulating for more than 150 years, the findings of scholars, explorers, soldiers and travelers  . . ." It includes a "immense hoard of recorded voices, documents and other materials describing more than 250 languages from all over the world."

The collection is more comprehensive than I thought it was. You may read the article here

20 January 2014

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy 2013 goes out with a bang

A week ago I was finished with the first day of teaching at the 2013 edition of SLIG. The week flew by and it now seems like a distant memory. That is sad because it was a fantastic week. I had a classroom full of wonderful adult students who participate in discussions, questions and the small group project. The Room Monitor, Phyllis Codling McLaughlin, was always attentive.

Christy Fillerup and her fellow Utah Genealogical Association SLIG staff greeted us warmly, answered any questions, and as always were cool, calm, and collected. Thank you all!

New Location
The 2015 SLIG will be the 20th Anniversary! I have taught and/or coordinated classes since the second year of SLIG. SLIG is so successful it has outgrown two hotels. In 2015 it will move to the Salt Lake Hilton for the week of January 11-16. Instructors and coordinators had a great tour of the Hilton meeting space last Friday afternoon. Impressive! It will give students more space in the classroom and provide room for consultations, small group discussions, and will be such an improvement.SLIG will run a shuttle to and from the Family History Library in the afternoons.

New title for Course I

At the request of SLIG Director, Christy Fillerup, I have changed the title of my course to United States Records and Research, Part I and Part II. The 2015 Part I will not be the same lineup as what students had in 2014. What was offered in 2014 will be offered again in 2016.

The new description: This beyond- the-basics course provides in-depth learning on 19th-21st century U.S. resources and the methodology for using them. Probe deeper into the content, origin, location, and interpretation of records. Informative and interactive classroom hours delve into significant records and strategies that take you beyond basic research tools both online and off. On-site Family History Library support and a computer lab from course instructors provide one-on-one assistance and guidance with your own research. Suggested prerequisites: experience researching in a variety of repositories, familiarity with FamilySearch.org and other family history websites, and previous class room learning related to family history.

See you next January!