Thinking of SLIG at Back-to-School Time

Every year around this time, I feel the tug of the new school year. Give me a fresh notebook and something to learn, and I’m hooked. Fortunately, in the field of genealogy, there’s no shortage of learning opportunities.

In January 2011, I attended the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, affectionately known as “SLIG,” an annual institute hosted by the Utah Genealogical Association. I was fortunate to be in Paula Stuart-Warren’s class, American Research and Records: Focus on Localities. It was a great experience, and the perfect class to complement my first trip to the Family History Library. Not only did I benefit from Paula’s contagious enthusiasm and boundless knowledge of record types and research strategies, but I also received on-site help in learning to use the FHL’s amazing resources. And I met a lot of wonderful people to boot.

Since I had only recently started blogging, and tended to stay at the FHL until they kicked us out each night or I collapsed (usually both), I didn’t write much about my experiences at the time. There was just too much going on. I think my excitement shows, though, in my post Striking Gold in Salt Lake City. Even now, I marvel at the care Paula showed in mentoring her class of intermediate genealogists—most of whom had been researching for years—through some lesser-known resources and locality-based strategies.

Why do I bring this up now, at the end of summer, long after my week there? Because with back-to-school vibes in the air, it’s the perfect time to think about registering for SLIG 2013, which is slated for January 14-18. Paula will be offering Focus on Localities again this year (she alternates it every other year with Focus on Families). But that’s only the start of your options at SLIG. Eleven tracks, each featuring talented and dedicated instructors, are being offered, and any one of them would make a good choice.

For the scoop on SLIG 2013 courses, accommodations, registration, and other details, see my article Becoming a Brighter Genealogist in Salt Lake City in the current issue of The In-Depth Genealogist newsletter. (Oh sure, you could go straight to the UGA website, but I hope you’ll enjoy the article first!) In it, I also talk about the 2012 British Institute, which is coming up in October and is still accepting registrations. I haven’t had the chance to personally attend the British Institute yet, but with the high caliber of their instructors, you can’t go wrong.

So if you’re yearning to go back to school, too, you might consider spending a week in Salt Lake City. I know I’d love to go to SLIG again. Now where’s that Magic School Bus when I need it?

--Shelley

Joseph B. Sanborn and Mary Jane Smith Sanborn: Tombstone Tuesday

Loudonville Cemetery sits on a serene hillside in the heart of Loudonville in Ashland County, Ohio. This monument in the older section of the cemetery marks the final resting place of Joseph Beverly Sanborn, born March 6, 1810, in Chichester, New Hampshire, and his wife Mary Jane Smith Sanborn, born September 16, 1810, in New Hampshire.(1) Joseph B. Sanborn was a schoolteacher in Loudonville for many years.(2) Buried with them is their son, George P. Sanborn, who died at 11 years old.

The inscription reads:

JOSEPH B. SANBORN

MARCH 6, 1810

MARCH 8, 1882

HIS WIFE

MARY JANE SMITH

SEPT. 16, 1810

MARCH 19, 1870

GEORGE P. SANBORN

DEC. 30, 1833

SEPT. 25, 1845 (3)

Joseph B. Sanborn was my husband’s great-great-great-great-uncle.

(1) For Joseph B. Sanborn’s birth date and place: William H. Jones, Vital Statistics of Chichester New Hampshire 1742-1927 (Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, 2000), p. 35. For Mary Jane Smith’s birth place: 1850 U.S. Census, Hanover Township, Ashland County, Ohio, population schedule, p. 126B (stamped), p. 252 (written), dwelling 71, household 71, J.B. Sanborn; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 June 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 658.

(2) 1860 U.S. census, Loudonville, Ashland Co., Ohio, population schedule, p. 177 (stamped), p. 197 (written), dwelling 1358, household 1401, Joseph B. Sanborn; digital image, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com: accessed 24 June 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 930.

(3) Joseph B. Sanborn, Mary Jane Smith, and George P. Sanborn tombstone, Loudonville Cemetery, Loudonville, Ashland County, Ohio; photographed by Shelley Bishop, June 2012.

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A Shy Smile for the Camera: Wordless Wednesday

Wilma Steele, about 1921, Columbus, Ohio

I love old candid photos. Maybe that’s because so many tend to be posed and stiff. Although a bit out of focus, this one captures my grandmother’s shy smile. I’m estimating she was nearly 5 years old here. Why was she the subject of attention that day? Was it September 23rd, her birthday? Or was it, as I suspect, her first day of school? Either one might explain why the adults are in the background, rather than with her in the picture. Too bad the photographer cut their heads off, though!

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15 Websites for Genealogy Education

Would you like to sharpen your genealogy research skills? Learn more about a particular topic? Take your research and writing skills to a whole new level? With back-to-school season at hand, now is the perfect time to think about your goals and opportunities for genealogy education.

We're fortunate to live in an age of plentiful choices, with more options for learning than ever before. Some are short and oriented to a particular topic. Others are designed as longer, more structured programs. Some are free or available at nominal cost, while others require a considerable investment. Institutes and conferences usually involve travel. Skill-building sites, on the other hand, allow you to learn at home any hour of the day. They all fill a niche in the growing demand for quality learning opportunities.

Here are 15 of the top websites for genealogy education today, grouped by type:

Study at Home Programs

Boston University Programs in Genealogical Research

      http://onlinecourselearning.com/bu/genealogyonline/#

Family Tree University

      http://www.familytreeuniversity.com/

National Genealogical Society educational courses

      http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/educational_courses

National Institute for Genealogical Studies

      http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/

ProGen Study Group

      http://www.progenstudy.org/

Genealogy Institutes

British Institute
      http://www.isbgfh.org/
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh

      http://www.gripitt.org/

Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research

      http://www4.samford.edu/schools/ighr/

National Institute on Genealogical Research

      http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~natgenin/

Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy

      http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?eid=4

Websites for Skill Development

Board for Certification of Genealogists skillbuilding articles

      http://www.bcgcertification.org/skillbuilders/index.html

Evidence Explained: Elizabeth Shown Mills

      https://www.evidenceexplained.com/

FamilySearch Learning Center

      https://familysearch.org/learningcenter/home.html

National Conferences

Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference

      http://www.fgs.org/conferences/

National Genealogical Society Conference

      http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/conference_info

RootsTech

      http://rootstech.org/

(Update 10/6/12) And here’s a bonus list of sites for webinars:

Genealogy Webinars

Ancestry.com webinars

       http://www.ancestry.com/cs/us/videos

Association of Professional Genealogists webinars

       Blog: http://apgen.org/blog/

       Members’ archives: log in, click “Professional Development”

Dear Myrtle webinars

       Blog: http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/

       Webinar archives: http://blog.dearmyrtle.com/p/webinar-archive.html

GeneaWebinars (calendar and announcements)

       http://blog.geneawebinars.com/

FamilyTree Magazine webinars

       http://www.shopfamilytree.com/expert-webinars

Illinois State Genealogical Society webinars

       http://www.ilgensoc.org/cpage.php?pt=227

Legacy Family Tree webinars

       http://legacyfamilytree.com/Webinars.asp

Michael John Neill webinars

       http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars.htm

RootsMagic webinars 

       http://www.rootsmagic.com/webinars/

Southern California Genealogical Society webinars

http://www.scgsgenealogy.com/JamboreeExtensionSeries2011.htm

Utah Genealogical Association webinars

       http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=11 

While this is by no means a comprehensive list, I truly believe there’s something on here for everyone, from beginners to advanced learners. Your time will be well spent no matter which options you choose.

So sit down and browse awhile. Think about what you’d like to learn, and how. If the time isn’t right to make a long commitment right now, try a short course, and consider the longer one for the future. The important thing is to keep learning. Genealogy is a field of continuous education. Even highly esteemed professionals will admit they’re still learning. I know I certainly am!

And once you’ve decided on something and signed up, treat yourself to a visit to an office supply store to buy some new supplies. After all, there’s nothing like an empty binder, a package of tab dividers, and fresh highlighters to get you in the mood to go back to school.

(Note: I write a column called Gen Ed for The In-Depth Genealogist digital newsletter, where I discuss many of these genealogy education options in more detail. Check out the archives for more information.)

Come to the Dublin Irish Festival for Genealogy Help

If you’re within striking distance of Central Ohio this weekend, be sure to visit the Dublin Irish Festival, which is celebrating its 25^th year. As the second largest Irish festival in the nation (after Milwaukee, according to The Columbus Dispatch), it’s a lot of fun, with live music and Irish dancing on seven stages, as well as good food, events, and shopping. As an added benefit, you can get free help with your questions about U.S. and Irish genealogy.

Three exhibitors will be handling queries at the ever-popular Genealogy Tent all weekend:

Dwight Radford—Dwight is a knowledgeable, friendly professional specializing in Irish and Scots-Irish research, in addition to African-American genealogy. He has helped me quite a bit with my husband’s Northern Ireland ancestors in previous years. If you have Irish ancestors in your family tree, I highly recommend having a few questions in mind to ask him.

Irish Roots Café—Michael O’Laughlin is a prolific author and publisher of Irish resource books, including surname books for every county in Ireland. His exhibit space is always a hub of activity. While writing this, I noticed that he hosted Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak on episode #10 of his popular Irish Roots Café podcasts. Copies of his books will be available for browsing and purchase.

Franklin County Genealogical and Historical Society—this group, my local society, will field all types of questions about U.S. research and resources. We’ll have packets to hand out on starting your family history search, and computers to show visitors how to find information online. While most of the people who visit our booth have a casual interest or are newcomers to genealogy, we also get people who have already done some research and pose more challenging questions. We welcome them all with individual consultations. 

Between the three exhibitors, we usually have a crowd around the tent, and frequently a line for consultations. It’s fun and interesting work. One of my most rewarding experiences last year was talking to a girl of perhaps 12 or 13 years old. I suggested she start by asking her older relatives for help in filling out family group sheets and a pedigree chart. She came back the next day with some pages neatly filled out, eager to know what to do next. It’s neat to plant those seeds, even though you can’t see how or when they might sprout.

If you come to the Dublin Irish Festival on Sunday, August 5, be sure to stop by and say hi to me at the Genealogy Tent. And if you think you stand a chance in the “Best Legs in a Kilt” contest that afternoon, may the luck of the Irish be with you!

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And the GRIP Goes On...

It’s been a jam-packed couple of days here at GRIP. Every hour brings new information, discoveries, and connections. I know I’m not alone when I admit to feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the material I’m learning and trying my best to absorb. Fortunately, it’s a supportive environment, and we’re all in good company. Great company, actually. Before I collapse, I’ll try to share a few highlights from Day 2 and Day 3 in Advanced Research Methods.

Tom Jones has a way of making even the most academic subjects seem riveting, and Documentation was no exception. After clarifying that a footnote is not the same thing as a citation, he demonstrated how to craft a footnote containing multiple citations. It makes perfect sense when he explains it. How he can get a roomful of genealogists laughing over footnote placement either shows his extreme good humor or our extreme geekiness, or both.

Claire Bettag had us on the edge of our seats, listening and watching and writing and thinking just as fast as we could through three amazing presentations. I’ll tell you, she knows the National Archives inside and out, and makes no bones about the amazing treasures to be found there—if you know how to find them. She’s a dynamo of information. We learned that to find the free, downloadable Descriptive Pamphlets (DPs) that will help us locate items of interest at NARA, we should click on “Order Online,” then “Buy Reproductions and Microfilm,” and finally “View Publication Details.” Nowhere are the words Descriptive Pamphlets mentioned (yes, that’s our tax dollars at work).

Her discussion on Government Documents took us behind the scenes to see how congressional records since the first U.S. Congress in 1789 have been preserved and organized—and how they might help us find rich information about individual ancestors. A homework assignment gave us the chance to follow a bill granting compensation to an individual through the various legislative processes (I’m happy to report I tracked it all the way through).

Claire Bettag and Elissa Scalise Powell

In her lecture on Federal Land Records, we learned that some of the cash entry files on the Bureau of Land Management’s General Land Office website are potential genealogical goldmines. Post-1840 cash files might actually be Preemptions, and 1862 and later cash files may be Homesteads, both of which are usually loaded with personal and family information. But there’s no way to tell that from the BLM website, so you just have to order the file and keep your fingers crossed.

Rick Sayre led us through Military and Pension Record Strategies with a discussion of resources and search techniques. He stressed we need to understand America’s wars, the records they generated, and the laws governing military benefits in order to study our veterans and their families. I appreciated his explanation and case study of how to process a Civil War pension file. Now to apply that to the three pension files I have waiting at home.

He also talked to us about Rural and Urban Map Strategies. This is an area where the Library of Congress Maps and Geography web pages really shine. It’s amazing to see the amount of detail some of these maps offer. Of course, that’s only one of many helpful websites for obtaining historical maps.

Tom Jones reclaimed the podium to discuss Census and Name-List Strategies. He pointed out that it was more common for families to be listed twice than to not be listed at all in a census. If a family isn’t found in an index, that usually indicates we need to broaden our search, or browse the census page by page—a good strategy in any case.

Finally, his Tax-Roll Strategies left us all fantasizing about the breakthroughs we might make if we successfully correlate and compare the tax lists from every year, without skipping the one that might reveal a key relationship. And did you know that Darby is the Irish name for Jeremiah?

Whew! I’m beat. If you’d like to read more about what our class has been up to, I highly recommend the posts from some of my talented classmates:

Chris Staats at Staat’s Place

Becky Wiseman at Kinexxions

Cathi Becker Wiest Desmarais at Stone House Historical Research

But first, wish me luck with my homework!

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Inaugural Day at GRIP

GRIP Announces 2013 Course Schedule