Genealoger

Family History and Genealogy Services

Genealogy Resources

Genealogists

  • Association of Professional Genealogists. APG is an independent organization whose principal purpose is to support professional genealogists in all phases of their work: from the amateur genealogist wishing to turn knowledge and skill into a vocation, to the experienced professional seeking to exchange ideas with colleagues and to upgrade the profession as a whole. The association also seeks to protect the interest of those engaging in the services of the professional. APG is a professional Association for all genealogists supporting high standards in the field of genealogy and has grown from 19 to more than 1,300 members worldwide. APG supports existing groups and programs to meet the unfilled needs of professional genealogists.
     
  • Association of Professional Genealogists. APG Directory. Denver, Colorado: APG, [periodically updated]
     
  • Board for Certification of Genealogists
     
  • Board for Certification of Genealogists. The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual. Millennium edition. Orem, Utah, Ancestry Publishing, 2000.
     
  • Board for Certification of Genealogists. Certification Roster. Washington: BCG, [periodically updated]
     
  • Jacobus, Donald Lines. Genealogy as Pastime and Profession. 2d rev. edition 1968. Reprinted, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986.

  • Jones, Thomas W. "Good People Doing Wrong: Professionals and Ethnic Violations." Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly 23,4 (September 2008): 119-124.

  • Polish Researchers and Guides.

  • Smith, Drew. Social Networking for Genealogists. Baltimore: Genealogical Pub. Co, 2009. Using genealogy-related examples, Smith demonstrates how many social networking and Web 2.0 sites and services can be used to share resources and communicate with other genealogists.
     
  • Society of Professional Genealogists for German Speaking Europe. Refers family research inquiries to established genealogical specialists of those European areas which are or used to be German speaking. These include Austria, Switzerland, parts of present day Poland and other formerly German speaking regions in Europe. (The Society, P.O. Box 31 16 33, 10653 Berlin, Germany).
     
  • Szucs, Loretto Dennis. The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy. Rev. edition. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1997. Chapters by 16 leading genealogists.

  • What's New in Genealogy & Family History Resources? Newest information, news and current issues about the genealogy and family history community: conferences, transactions, personal activities, research, publications, social interactions and contacts with supporting institutions and public leaders.

Education and Certification

  • Academic Education Learning Resources: Educators. Provides quality education and learning resources for educators,faculty, staff, teachers, students, parents and research specialists.

  • American School of Genealogy, Heraldry, and Documentary Sciences. Distance learning school situated in Mississippi.  Offers one-to-one mentorship and certificate programs in heraldry and documentary sciences.

  • Ancestry.com Learning Center. Videos, instructions, tutorials, and other tools to help you go further with your family history research and your research at Ancestry.com.

  • Board for Certification of Genealogist. Grants certification to those who pass its evaluation procedures which are defined in the The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual.
  • Boston University. Genealogical Research Program. Offers a fourteen-week online or classroom-based instructional class in genealogy methodology. An intensive summer program is also available.

  • Brigham Young University. Certificate in Family History (Genealogy). 18 hours of college credit work. BYU also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family History.
     
  • Brigham Young University. Independent Study. Free genealogy related web courses offered by the Brigham Young University Independent Studies program, including Finding Your Ancestors (Course FHGEN 68), Vital Records (FHREC 73), Military Records (FHREC 76), and regional and ethnic courses covering France, Germany, Huguenot Resources, and Scandinavia.

  • FamilySearch. Online education with video/slide presentations. All you need is Microsoft Silverlight, a free download.  Presentation topics range from handwriting to lectures from the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) and cover countries around the globe.

  • Family Tree Magazine.  A full schedule of themed courses and webinars through their Family Tree University (FTU). Most are fee-based.

  • Genealogy and Family History Internet Education Directory.
     
  • Genealogy as an Academic Discipline. By H. Daniel Wagner.
     
  • Genealogy Classes: Genealogy.com. Instruction on beginning genealogy, Internet genealogy, tracing immigrant origins, and researching with Genealogy.com. Lessons take 10-15 minutes each and include helpful links.

  • Heritage Genealogical College. Students take courses to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree with Internet and live Web classes.

  • How to Start Your Family History. FamilySearch.org. Six-step guide on how to start your family history; also includes links to other helpful resources to begin your search.
     
  • International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAP-Gen). Provides accreditation for those meeting rigorous requirements and testing for various geographic regions or specialties.

  • Introduction to Genealogy. About.com: Genealogy.  Self-paced lessons cover basics, family and home sources, general research, and vital records. Includes optional quizzes and homework assignments at the end of each lesson.
     
  • Local adult night schools, colleges, repositories, computer interest groups, Family History Centers, and Elderhostel offer family history courses of study.
     
  • Local, regional, and national genealogical conferences provide excellent opportunities for learning, updating skills, and networking.
     
  • National Genealogical Society. American Genealogy: A Home Study Course. Online classes that cover different record types as well as a highly regarded CD-based course.  There is a member discount.
     
  • National Institute for Genealogical Studies in conjunction with the Professional Learning Centre, Faculty of Information Studies, University of Toronto. Offer certificates in American, Canadian, English, German, Irish and Scottish records in addition to ones covering general methodology and librarianship.

  • New England Historical Society. A three-part series "Getting Started in Genealogy," one on beginning Irish research, and a series focusing on library holdings.

  • Pharos Teaching and Tutoring. UK-based. Offers courses on Australian, English, Irish, and Scottish ancestry from beginning classes to advanced topics.

  • ProGen Study Groups. The ProGen Study Groups are organized to encourage professional and aspiring genealogists to put into practice the principles found in Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. This program employs an innovative method of collaborative learning focused on developing genealogical research skills and business practices.

  • RootsWeb.com Guides. Individual guides written for a variety of topics, including general beginner info and guides focused on record types, countries, and ethnic groups.
     
  • Schools - Colleges - Universities. Alumni and Genealogy Education. Worldwide comprehensive resource of educational institutions, past and present students, alumni, associations, faculty, friends and military personnel.
     
  • Teaching Family History. By Steven Mintz. OAH Magazine of History
    Volume 15, No 4. Summer 2001.

Speaking and Lecturing

  • Leary, Helen F.M. "Lecturing." Chapter 29 in Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians. edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2001, Pages 580-82.
     
  • Stuart-Warren, Paula. "The Business of Speaking." In Legends Live Forever, Federation of Genealogical Societies 2004 Conference. Lecture T-72, syllabus pages 178-81.