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Archiver > APG > 2007-01 > 1169054909


From: Bruce Bumbalough <>
Subject: Re: [APG] Whippersnappers
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:28:29 -0800 (PST)


I just looked at the course offerings in family hsitory at BYU and saw the courses themselves are still available. There just isn't a piece of paper that says you have a certificate in family history. I suppose syaing additional study in family history at BYU woiuld be almost as impressive as saying hold a certificate in family history.



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Bruce Bumbalough
Watauga, TX



----- Original Message ----
From: Stephen Yautz / SMY Historical Services <>
To: Christine Sweet-Hart <>; APG List <>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:42:15 AM
Subject: Re: [APG] Whippersnappers


Hi Christine, Fellow APG Listers,

I concur completely! I'm also one of those in the "under 40" set, with two children under 5.

BYU offered a certificate in Family History, which required 18 credits of coursework, which was able to be done online until recently. It would have been perfect for me, but I also know there are other options to consider that could fit into our hectic lifestyle.If BYU is no longer offering the online study option, I'll just go back to the drawing board in my research into online coursework-- options for which, as you know, are somewhat limited at this time.

As someone who studied and completed the requirements for a degree in history almost 20 years ago, it would have been advantageous for me to know that establishing myself as a professional genealogist back then was a real career option with my background. The advice I received for careers open to me and my fellow history majors was usually to either teach history, or to go to law school. Excellent ideas, but what about other options? With this experience in mind, I feel that we need to do is get the history departments at colleges in the country on the bandwagon through some sort of informational campaign. Maybe we'll eventually see them offer specializations in family history/genealogy for history majors at campuses nationwide!

I might have to wait a few short years before more online educational opportunities become available. Considering I'll be in the field for another 25 years or so until I retire, there's plenty of time for me! That is, if we as a professional community address this issue seriously, and make some crucial changes to attract younger folks into our field. And, thanks to Sharon's article, we now have national recognition of this issue for our professional community.

And, yes, this means that we must listen to the younger members in the field, or anyone else who might have some ideas that could bring in some more of those "whippersnappers.". We just have to find a way to get the "stubborn old guard" to be open to change and suggestions. With a little time and persistence on our part, I think we all will come around and find a way to accept younger people into our profession with the open arms and support that will be needed for them to thrive. I'm confident that we will be successful, since APG recognizes that drawing younger people into our profession is problematic, and is now creating dialogue, if the last several postings are any indication of what is to come. This, to me, is a huge step in resolving this issue.

Just my two-cents' worth on the topic.

Regards,

Steve

Stephen Yautz
SMY Historical Services
Genealogy/Historical Research/Archives Management
348 Somerset Street, Suite 15
Stirling, New Jersey 07980
Tel. (908) 626 - 0841
Email:
Website: http://www.smyhistory.com



----- Original Message -----
From: "Christine Sweet-Hart" <>
To: "'Kenneth Aitken'" <>; "'APG List'" <>
Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 10:28 AM
Subject: Re: [APG] Whippersnappers


> Hi Ken --
>
> I too read Sharon's article with interest. As one of those
> "whippersnappers" it has been a long road trying to obtain some credibility
> with the "older set". I have been doing genealogical research since 1983
> and since 1992 for clients. I completed and received my certification in
> April 2005 and am now in school working on my degree in history/art history
> (original degree is in business). I have been very fortunate to obtain
> mentoring from several Greater Boston APG members whom I cornered and begged
> for help. :-)
>
> My frustration with this field stems from the lack of opportunities that
> will fit in with the lifestyles of most of the under 40 set. In other
> words, most of us are getting married, having babies, and working on careers
> apart from genealogy. We would love the opportunity to take part in many of
> the institutes and trainings that are offered. However, leaving family
> during the week to travel somewhere by plane is not feasible for most,
> especially when there is vacation time to be scheduled, day care to be
> found, kennels to be rented, etc. etc. With all of this technology, can we
> not schedule institutes that will teach on-line? Most universities now
> offer entire degree programs on-line as well as their brick and mortar
> counterparts. Can we not do the same?
>
> Christine Sweet-Hart, CG
> www.pastmassters.com
> www.pastmassters.blogspot.com
> Dedicated to the rediscovery of and reconnection to Massachusetts history
> through research, documentation, and preservation.
>
> CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for
> Certification of Genealogists used under license after periodic evaluations
> by the Board.
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [mailto:] On Behalf
> Of Kenneth Aitken
> Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 12:51 AM
> To: APG List
> Subject: [APG] Whippersnappers
>
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> Since I read Sharon Tate Moody's presidential message in the December APGQ,
> I thought about what she said carefully, Sharon, I support without
> reservation the committee's work revising promotional material to reflect a
> younger imagine. I was sorry to learn that this was not universally well
> received.
>
> As an old dog in this career, I am very concerned about the creating of new
> cadre of young educated and eager professional genealogists. The time has
> come to take the steps to create this new wave, even if we have to retrain
> newly graduated history scholars at places like Sanford, and the Salt Lake
> Institute, NIGR, and National Institute for Genealogy Studies in Toronto.
> There are in our membership numerous genealogists seeking mentors or someone
> to apprentice to. Many of these have academic training, but needs to be
> refined, as Sharon had her journalism skills, refined by old school
> newspaper man. Let's get on with it. I would like to purpose some sort of
> grant or scholarship fund be created to provide assistance to perspective
> professionals, now attending college or university, so they can attend one
> of those previously mentioned training opportunities. I'll be willing to
> support such adventure aims at those under 35 still attending college.
> Let's think about it.
>
> Regards,
> Ken
> --
> Kenneth G. Aitken, MLS
> Family History Education Services
> Member,
> Association of Professional Genealogists
>
> Check out my blog!
> http:// www.genealogy-education.com
>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
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