TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-L Archives

Archiver > TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM > 2007-12 > 1198122895


From: "Sharon Gayle" <>
Subject: [TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM] FW: Introductions
Date: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:54:55 -0600




Elizabeth,

May I quote you on the following, but put it into bullet format for my
readers? I run a blog for people working towards certification. We have no
CG mentors for the group, just a group of lost children, supporting each
other and "holding each other's hands as we grope our way through the
darkness."



ESM said:

That's a decision that varies according to individual need, Angela. A U.S.
researcher who has not taken the NGS Home Study course (or its equivalent
elsewhere) would likely benefit from Lloyd Bockstruck's Intermediate
Genealogy course (Course 2). Someone who wants to specialize in military
research, for example, would benefit greatly from one of the courses that
feature Craig Scott or Rick Sayre. Someone who *has* taken the NGS Home
Study course and wants to strengthen their skills as a problem-solver
typically signs up for my Course 4 (Advance Research Methodology and
Evidence Analysis). Someone who has done all that and feels a need to
develop their writing skills would sign up for Tom Jones's Professional
Writing class (Course 6). Those who want guidance with building a sound
professional practice would turn to Elissa Powell's Professional Practice
class (Course 6 in alternate years). Etc.



Sharon Gayle

-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of

Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 2:02 AM
To:
Subject: TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM Digest, Vol 1, Issue 13







Today's Topics:



1. Educational preparation (Angela McGhie)

2. Re: Introductions (Elizabeth Shown Mills)





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



Message: 1

Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:29:13 -0500

From: "Angela McGhie" <>

Subject: [TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM] Educational preparation

To:

Message-ID:

<>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1



Thanks again Elizabeth!



I am grateful for your educational preparation suggestions and it is good to

know that I am on the right track.

I have "Professional Genealogy" and am studying each chapter. I do lurk on

the APG list and checked today to read the comments on mentoring. I am

grateful to you, Barbara and Elissa for your clarification and guidance.

You are long distance mentors to us all.



You mentioned that some IGHR courses would be better preparation for

certification. Could you let us know what those are?



Angela





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



Message: 2

Date: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:46:25 -0600

From: "Elizabeth Shown Mills" <>

Subject: Re: [TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM] Introductions

To: <>

Message-ID: <007d01c841fa$1db41630$>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"



Christy wrote:

>As far as I am concerned your input would be ideal. I have to admit that

seeing you posting on this list is akin to seeing the Beatles in their day.

:) Will flattery get me everywhere? But seriously I think it is so

wonderful that you are willing to help others coming up the ranks.





Thanks, Christy, for the kind words, but I'm immune to flattery <g>. What I

love (whether I'm sitting in my BCG chair or my personal one) is to see an

inquisitive mind, to hear a researcher explain the depth to which they

probed a problem, and to meet other genealogists who insist upon drawing

their conclusions from quality evidence.





Lee asked:

>In addition to the [suggestions made in an earlier posting] what other

advice would you give to someone who is unable to participate in a formal

program? And do you have any recommendations for how one might make the best

of an independent study situation?



Lee, let me think on this overnight. A few comments are below, but your

question needs more than this.





Angela added:

>You mentioned that some IGHR courses would be better preparation for

certification. Could you let us know what those are?



That's a decision that varies according to individual need, Angela. A U.S.

researcher who has not taken the NGS Home Study course (or its equivalent

elsewhere) would likely benefit from Lloyd Bockstruck's Intermediate

Genealogy course (Course 2). Someone who wants to specialize in military

research, for example, would benefit greatly from one of the courses that

feature Craig Scott or Rick Sayre. Someone who *has* taken the NGS Home

Study course and wants to strengthen their skills as a problem-solver

typically signs up for my Course 4 (Advance Research Methodology and

Evidence Analysis). Someone who has done all that and feels a need to

develop their writing skills would sign up for Tom Jones's Professional

Writing class (Course 6). Those who want guidance with building a sound

professional practice would turn to Elissa Powell's Professional Practice

class (Course 6 in alternate years). Etc.



At BCG, we find ourselves often reminding applicants that there is no

one-size-fits-all model. The same is true for educational preparation.

Because there are so few formal programs in genealogy, we all learn in bits

and pieces and we all have serious gaps in our learning, but only we know

where those gaps are--until and unless we submit work samples to

more-seasoned genealogists for peer-review. Short of that step (which is

really what the certification portfolio is all about), the only way to fill

those is to try to critically assess ourselves against the learning

opportunities that are available (by subject, reputation, and by expertise

of the instructor) and then decide which options would give us the most

"bang for the buck."



Elizabeth



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

---

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, Ombudsperson

Board for Certification of Genealogists







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







End of TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM Digest, Vol 1, Issue 13

**************************************************************

This thread: