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Archiver > APG > 2008-01 > 1199818996


From: "Elizabeth Shown Mills" <>
Subject: [APG] Professional "training" (was Definition of a GeneticGenealogist, etc.)
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 13:04:35 -0600
In-Reply-To: <000001c8520c$4319ab20$6401a8c0@genienut>


Daniela wrote:
>A few days ago, I said that I would ask the molecular genealogist at
Sorenson Genomics for some definitions. Here is what she said:
>"Genetic Genealogist: A genealogist who has been trained to apply DNA
testing to genealogical scenarios
>"Molecular Genealogist: A biologist who has been trained to apply DNA
testing to genealogical scenarios


It is interesting that both of the definitions created by Sorenson Genomics
includes the word "trained" as the primary verb. By comparison, there are
still a number of genealogists who resist including that word as a
fundamental for our own profession. In doing so, some point to the rareness
of college or university degree programs that lay out a formal course of
"training"--as though, for want of easy availability, our profession should
not require training at all. From that context, one might consider the
prevalence or scarcity of academic programs that "train" a biologist to
apply DNA testing to *genealogical* research principles and methods.

In resisting the application of the term "trained" to a definition of
"genealogist," are we perhaps defining unrelistically what constitutes
"training" in our field? Are members of this list affiliated with an entity,
agency, or organization that has created a definition of "genealogical
training" or has enunciated a set of requirements that, in its view,
constitutes appropriate or adequate training for a career in genealogy?

Elizabeth

------------------------------------------------------

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG
_Evidence: Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian_
(the "briefcase edition")
_Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts
to Cyberspace_ (the "desktop reference edition")
_QuickSheet: Citing Online Historical Resource, Evidence Style_
_Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers,
Writers, Editors, Lecturers & Librarians_


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