Introducing a New Course: Foundations in Family History

 

National Genealogical Society Introduces New Course
Foundations in Family History

Today NGS launched Foundations in Family History, a new online course designed for genealogy hobbyists and intermediate researchers. This course was developed to give each family historian a solid foundation in the research skills needed to find and evaluate records for their family and to build their family tree—generation by generation.

The course consists of three parts with eighteen lessons which build on one another. Students will learn how to examine sources and develop a research plan. The course demonstrates how online resources and published family history sources can impact students’ research. Also featured are

• a step-by-step process for using, locating, and evaluating genealogy records;
• practical applications to apply lessons to personal family research;
• case studies and citations that illustrate how to put lessons into action; and
• complementary NGS Magazine articles and videos.

Foundations in Family History is the ideal course for the DNA test taker who wants to create a family tree to connect with matches; the genealogy enthusiast who wants to take their family history knowledge to the next level; or the librarian or archivist who wants to learn more to assist their patrons. This course, along with a new certificate course for more advanced researchers coming later in 2022, replaces American Genealogical Studies.

For more information and to enroll, visit NGS Foundations in Family History.

NGS Introduces New Course: Reading Old Handwriting

 

NGS Introduces New Online Course: Reading Old Handwriting

The National Genealogical Society introduced today the newest course in its Continuing Genealogical Studies series, Reading Old Handwriting. This illustrated course is essential for everyone researching their family tree. It offers family historians tips to understand hard-to-read handwriting in documents such as wills and deeds. Its practice exercises teach how to read and interpret handwritten land records, probate files, and, of course, your ancestors’ personal letters.

NGS Education Director Angela McGhie states, “…the ability to read old handwriting is a foundational skill for understanding many of the documents family historians discover in their research. Being able to read old handwriting is the first step in interpreting genealogically relevant facts. Our new course Reading Old Handwriting complements NGS’s course, Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting Genealogical Documents, which was released in June 2020.”

The course guides genealogists through ten modules. Every module has multiple hands-on exercises to help family historians develop expertise in reading documents from a variety of locations and time periods. Course author Carla S. Cegielski is a freelance genealogical researcher and author of the Tech Tips column in the quarterly NGS Magazine.

For more information and to register, visit Reading Old Handwriting on NGS’s website.

RootsMOOC is Coming -- Free online intro to genealogy course

RootsMOOC [Massive Open Online Course] is a free, open, online course and a friendly introduction to family history research in the U.S. using commonly available sources. The staff at the State Library of North Carolina’s Government and Heritage Library will help you learn about the most useful sources, tools, and techniques for getting your research off the ground. By the time you’re finished with this course, you’ll have a good start on your own genealogy research and you will know how and where to keep digging.

Participants in this course will have the opportunity to complete an ancestor chart, conduct interviews with family members, and share their own research progress with fellow participants. You’ll be challenged to go beyond the sources that are available online, identify local genealogy societies and libraries in your area, and connect with experts who can help you wherever your search takes you.

This project is created by Wake Forest University’s Z. Smith Reynolds Library and the State Library of North Carolina and was made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

More information:

RootsMOOC is broken up into five two-week modules, each opening in sequence (not all at once):

• Introduction & orientation
• Getting started & staying organized
• Tapping into the US Census
• Using state & local resources (ex: local history room, public library, university archives, state libraries and archives etc.)
• Understanding & using of digital collections

Sign up here.

The course has no graded activities and no deadlines. As new modules open, all previous modules and their discussions remain active, so participants can go back to previous modules if they fall behind.  You can spend as much or as little time as you want on each module. It is really up to the participant. There is no set time to “meet” but the course and discussions will be open from March 23, 2015 – June 1, 2015.

Through video interviews, tutorials, discussions, and structured learning activities, we’ll learn the very basics of genealogy research, such as the best places to get started, how to stay organized, and what kinds of documents and search tools you’ll encounter along the way. We’ll all share our research progress and help each other overcome roadblocks as we share our best tips and tricks in the online discussion forums. Librarians, archivists, and other experts from North Carolina and around the United States will be participating right alongside us, answering questions and pointing us all in the right direction.

If you’ve been looking for a place to get started on your family history research, RootsMOOC just might be the thing you’ve been waiting for. We can’t wait to get started!

If you are unfamiliar with the concept of MOOCs this YouTube video is quite helpful, 

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog. Any opinions expressed by guest authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of NGS.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Unless indicated otherwise or clearly an NGS Public Relations piece, Upfront with NGS posts are written by Diane L Richard, editor, Upfront with NGS.

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The National Genealogical Society Introduces New Course: Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors

ARLINGTON, VA, 16 DECEMBER 2014: The National Genealogical Society announced today the release of its newest Continuing Genealogical Studies (CGS) course: Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors. Developed by military records expert Craig Roberts Scott, CG, FUGA, the new course expands on NGS’s offerings for teaching military research strategies, and helps achieve NGS’s goal of providing quality educational opportunities to the genealogical community.

In addition to his role as CEO and President of Heritage Books, Inc., Craig Scott has spent decades honing his military research expertise and teaching these skills within the genealogical community. He has coordinated military courses at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and Samford University's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research in Birmingham, Alabama. His books include Understanding Revolutionary War and Invalid Pension Ledgers 1818-1872 and Pension Payment Vouchers They Represent, and The "Lost" Pensions: Settled Accounts of the Act of 6 April 1838.

In this eight-module cloud-based course, Scott introduces numerous U.S. based records related to those who fought for independence, including compiled service records, prisoner of war records, and pension files. He will also teach strategies to identify and locate information about ancestors who lived at the time of the Revolution.

 

Researching Your Revolutionary War Ancestors is available to NGS members for $45.00 and to non-members for $70.00. For additional information or to purchase the course, visit the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/researching_your_revolutionary_war_ancestors.

The NGS Continuing Genealogical Studies courses are designed for both beginners and established genealogists who wish to focus on a specific topic and put their ensuing knowledge to work quickly. The courses allow individuals to complete genealogical coursework at their own pace and from the convenience of their own homes.

Two other cloud-based CGS courses are also offered:

• Introduction to Civil War Research
• Genetic Genealogy, The Basics

In addition to the CGS courses, NGS also offers several courses from its American Genealogical Studies (AGS) series, including:

• The Basics
• Guide to Documentation and Source Citation

Advanced AGS courses in a new series called Beyond the Basics are currently in development. This cloud-based series is scheduled for release in 2015 and will complete American Genealogical Studies, which replaces the NGS Home Study Course, the standard in genealogical education for decades.

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists.

 
 

 

My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? Pharos Course Starts 9 Jan 2014 -- SIGN UP NOW!

Adriatic -- one of the ships that my emigrant ancestors took to "Cross the Pond!"

The National Genealogical Society proudly announces a strategic partnership with Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd of the UK to present My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? This four-week online learning course begins 9 January 2014 and is designed to show genealogists with British ancestry how to “leap the pond” and discover their roots in the British Isles.

The four week course, My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond?, offers students a mixture of history, population study, sources, and research strategies. Its primary objectives are to present practical guidance for launching research into the British origins of immigrant ancestors and to offer help on building contextual knowledge of migration patterns and history, at national and local levels.

This course concentrates on the period from 1600 to 1830 and covers:

• Find Your Immigrant Ancestor
• When, Where From, Where To and Who?
• 1713 - 1830: Indexes Sources and Strategies
• 1600 - 1712: Indexes Sources and Strategies

Click here to access the full course syllabus.

NGS Members Discount: Members registering through the NGS member’s only website, receive a 15% discount. This brings the cost of the course to $55.25.  

The presenter is Sherry Irvine, BA (History), MSC, CG, of Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. Sherry, a favorite lecturer across the United States, is an established teacher and lecturer of family history with over twenty-five years of experience. Further biographical information is available here or at Pharos http://www.pharostutors.com/.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Grandparents and grandchildren -- oh the stories they can tell ... a way to celebrate National Family History Month

Here's my mom with her father, paternal grandmother and paternal great grandmother -- I wonder if when she was older, if she interviewed any of them?
Copyright 2013 Diane L Richard

As we celebrate Family History Month, let’s talk about some ways to take advantage of this month-long focus on family + history.

Let’s start with opportunities for children and grandparents (or great grandparents or even parents) to engage and learn the stories of the older generations.

I was reminded of this when I read One listened, one spoke, two drew closer in my local newspaper in August.

The Legacy Project’s National Listen to a Life contest as mentioned in the article is currently underway.  Full details are here.

In fact, a high school project is what got me started with my own personal genealogy research, please read this post on Upfront with NGS, Dreading the Family Tree Assignment to see my first family tree.  Unfortunately, my grandparents lived in England and Virginia at the time – equally un-accessible back in the 1960s!  Though I wrote letters to my Gran (in England), I didn’t know enough to ask the right questions and hence didn’t always get the most detailed responses. Though, when I did visit her, I also found the same reticence to talk family .  The same was very true for my Grandma who lost her mother as a child, her husband while young, and had a father commit suicide.  Talking about the family was a non-starter.

Fortunately (and I was thrilled) when my kids were in Girl and Boy Scout troops, they each worked on a merit badge that was about family.  Because of that, they interviewed (via e-mail) their three surviving grandparents (who live across the country) and learned some really neat stuff.  With so many templates out there on questions to ask, it is now easier than ever for grandchildren to interact with their grandparents. One such list to get you started is Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews:

What to Ask the Relatives (Kimberly Powell, About.com Genealogy).  And, feel free to vary from those listed.  The key is to remind the grandchildren to not ask questions that can just be answered Yes or No!

Nowadays with all the technology, even if grandparents and grandchildren don’t live near one another, they can still conduct an interview and record it.  Read Recording Interviews When You Are NOT in the same room? What's a Genealogist to Do? for some suggestions on how.

Might such an interview lead us to the next generation of genealogists?  My high school assignment got me started and then after college I picked up the reins and I haven’t looked back since!

Have the grandchildren in your family interviewed their grandparents?  What worked? What didn’t work?  What was the “neatest” or most “unexpected” thing a grandchild learned?

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Want to learn more about interacting with the blog, please read Hyperlinks, Subscribing and Comments -- How to Interact with Upfront with NGS Blog posts!

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond?

Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd of the UK, in partnership with NGS, is once again presenting My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? This four-week online learning course begins on 18 October 2012 and is designed to show genealogists with British ancestry how to “leap the pond” and discover their roots in the British Isles.

My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? offers students a mixture of history, population study, sources, and research strategies. Its primary objectives are to present practical guidance for launching research into the British origins of immigrant ancestors and to offer help on building contextual knowledge of migration patterns and history, at national and local levels. The presenter is Sherry Irvine, BA (History), MSc, CG, of Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada.

For more information on the course, visit the course web page on the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/pharos_public and checkout the syllabus.

NGS members who register through the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/pharos_public will receive a 15% discount.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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NGS does not imply endorsement of any outside advertiser or other vendors appearing in this blog.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com

Ulster History & Genealogy Summer School 2012

Have Ulster Irish Heritage?  If so, you might consider attending summer school! The Ulster Historical Foundation in partnership with the University of Ulster is presenting such a summer school opportunity.

Last year's summer school attracted a number of overseas visitors including a very welcome group from the East Tennessee Historical Society.

Learn more about this summer school opportunity at www.ancestryireland.com/summerschool.

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About the Ulster Historical Foundation -- is a charity, founded in 1956, with the mission to tell the world the story of the people of Ulster, encourage an interest in the history of the Province,  broaden access to historical records and documents on Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy and to inspire pride in Irish and Ulster heritage and culture.

In pursuit of these aims the Foundation engages in a variety of activities including the provision of a range of genealogical research services, the publication of high quality genealogical, educational and historical books and the organisation of cultural/heritage tours.

Further information on the Foundation and our work is available on our website, www.ancestryireland.com.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com. 

National Genealogical Society Announces Partnership with Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd

Arlington, VA, 9 January 2012: The National Genealogical Society proudly announces a strategic partnership with Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd of the UK to present My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? This four-week online learning course begins 1 March 2012 and is designed to show genealogists with British ancestry how to “leap the pond” and discover their roots in the British Isles.

The presenter is Sherry Irvine, BA (History), MSc, CG^sm, of Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. Sherry, a favorite lecturer across the United States, is an established teacher and lecturer of family history with over twenty-five years of experience. Further biographical information is available at either NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/or the Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd website at http://www.pharostutors.com/ .

Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd was founded in 2005 by Sherry Irvine and Helen Osborn, two professional genealogists who share enthusiasm for helping others journey into the past. Their goal is to teach others the most rewarding ways to search for ancestors in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.

My British Isles Origins: Where and How Do I Cross the Pond? offers students a mixture of history, population study, sources, and research strategies. Its primary objectives are to present practical guidance for launching research into the British origins of immigrant ancestors and to offer help on building contextual knowledge of migration patterns and history, at national and local levels. For more information on the course or to view course visit the course webpage on the NGS website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/pharos_public.

For NGS members who register through the NGS member’s only site, the course is $55.25, a savings of 15% from the full, non-member price of $65.00

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogy education, high research standards, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian, seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, research guidance, and opportunities to interact with other genealogists. Please visit the NGS Pressroom at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/pressroom for further information.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com. 

NGS adjusting the pricing for its American Genealogy Studies courses effective 1 October 2011

The National Genealogical Society will be adjusting the pricing for its American Genealogy Studies courses. Effective 1 October 2011, the price for each course will be $45 for members and $70 for non-members.

Until the end of September all courses will be available at their current rates. The current pricing ranges between $35-38 per course for National Genealogical Society members and between $50-$53 per course for non-members.

The American Genealogy Studies courses include the following:

•             Introduction to Civil War Research

•             Introduction to Religious Records

•             Social Security Sleuthing

•             Special Federal Census Schedules

•             Working with Deeds

•             Transcribing, Extracting, and Abstracting in Genealogical Records

Courses can be ordered online through the National Genealogical Society website at http://www.ngsgenealogy.org or by calling the NGS office at (703) 525-0050 x225.

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copyright © National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300, Arlington, Virginia 22204-4370. http://www.ngsgenealogy.org.

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Republication of UpFront articles is permitted and encouraged for non-commercial purposes without express permission from NGS. Please drop us a note telling us where and when you are using the article. Express written permission is required if you wish to republish UpFront articles for commercial purposes. You may send a request for express written permission to UpFront@ngsgenealogy.org. All republished articles may not be edited or reworded and must contain the copyright statement found at the bottom of each UpFront article.

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Think your friends, colleagues, or fellow genealogy researchers would find this blog post interesting? If so, please let them know that anyone can read past UpFront with NGS posts or subscribe!

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Suggestions for topics for future UpFront with NGS posts are always welcome. Please send any suggested topics to UpfrontNGS@mosaicrpm.com.