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From: "Mary E. Petty - Heirlines, Inc" <>
Subject: Re: [TGF] A transitional-genealogist's viewpointonProfessionalGenealogy
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 23:01:54 -0700
References: <BAY132-W6A5D332879BE716751A8A92280@phx.gbl><27329362.4671202571603612.JavaMail.root@mbs4.homesteadmail.com><007701c86b51$8a3744a0$6801a8c0@MAMA><844E4DA6285C43CFBBF02E864E3529AA@MissysOffice><00ad01c86b63$675ad700$6801a8c0@MAMA><E1JNyjU-0006Se-Pv@elasmtp-masked.atl.sa.earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To: <E1JNyjU-0006Se-Pv@elasmtp-masked.atl.sa.earthlink.net>


Dear Carolyn,

It is exciting times we live in - I think it is great you are offering a program to teach the all important core basics of professional genealogy. I believe we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg for such programs and know that the best is yet to be. What a great age to be in professional genealogy research services. !

Congratulations!



Sincerely yours,

Mary E. Petty, B.A.
==============================================================
Ancestors are the People of History. Do you know who yours are?<br><br>Let the Professionals at HEIRLINES Family History & Genealogy find your ancestry!
1-800-570-4049 ▪ www.heirlines.com ▪ PO Box 893 ▪ Salt Lake City, UT 84110

-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:] On Behalf Of Carolyn Earle Billingsley
Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 4:04 PM
To:
Subject: Re: [TGF] A transitional-genealogist's viewpoint onProfessionalGenealogy


>At 03:33 PM 2/9/2008, you wrote:
>... But I do not feel it is too late for our industry to
>professionalize to set the way for the future and grandfather in
>those qualified practitioners. In 1969 I had a friend in his mid
>40's who went back to medical school because he wanted to be a
>doctor. I have a girl friend who is in her 50's who just earned
>her MD. Going to school, following the professional route is open
>to everyone who wants the professional designation. Profession by
>its very definition is exclusionary. If you want the designation -
>do what it takes. This includes Professional Genealogy as well!
>Sincerely yours, Mary E. Petty, B.A.


And that's why I think the new program at Akamai University can play
a crucial role in this professionalization. Moreover, since so many
come to our profession while earning a living in another industry, at
least originally, it's a plus that this education can come via
distance learning. So any of you who are interested in
"transitioning" through education and training yourself with a
structured program that can allow you to work toward a degree in
genealogical studies (either a BA or an Associates Degree or merely
by taking a few courses), here is some of the information:

I am now the Program Director for the BA in Genealogical Studies at
Akamai University. It is still developing, but we already have a
varied range of courses and instructors. I'll be adding more courses
and instructors as quickly as possible; I'm making every effort to
find the best qualified instructors to teach the most useful courses
for your needs. Not everybody wants or needs further education, but
this opportunity represents a major step forward in the discipline of
genealogy for those who have a desire for such an education.

Although the web site is being constantly updated with changes (and
all the changes and additions have not yet been made), please take a
look at
http://www.akamaiuniversity.us/BachelorofArtsinGenealogicalStudies.html .

You can also follow links to see what is involved in receiving an
Associate's Degree in Genealogical Studies. Even better, if you're
not quite sure, you can take one course or several courses that
appeal to you or that you think will be useful to you in your work,
without signing up for one of the degrees--although signing on for
the full program is the least expensive option overall.

Not only are there courses in genealogical subjects, but there are
also courses in history, anthropology, sociology, and other fields.

These classes are taught via distance-learning, one-on-one. I
currently have four students, on different schedules that suit their
individual needs, and we communicate through a variety of online
methods, as well as telephone conferencing at the completion of each
assignment. So no matter where you live, you can enroll at Akamai and
complete courses or a degree.

One of the great things about the program, and one that will give you
a head start, are the transfer credits available from several
genealogical and historical organizations that conduct quality
programs eligible for transfer credit at Akamai, satisfying some of
the credit requirements for the major field.

Genealogy methods courses and successfully completed examinations
that are eligible for transfer from the following reputable schools,
institutes, and BCG Board Certifications include: the University of
Toronto, Samford University, Brigham Young University, National
Genealogical Society, University of Washington-Seattle, Genealogy.Com
University, National Institute on Genealogical Research, Bellevue
Community College, and the Board for Certification of Genealogists.
Please inquire about other eligible transfer credits.

If you would like an individual analysis of how many
activities/courses you could receive credits for and how many more
courses/credits it would take to earn your degree, please contact me.

Among other offerings (including my own), we're pleased to have Donn
Devine, JD, CG, CGI, onboard as an instructor in two initial offerings:

GEN 203: Essential Legal Concepts for Genealogical Analysis (3 credits)
This course provides the foundation for effectively using legal
documents as sources for genealogical evidence. Students will learn
the legal concepts and terminology that will enable them to recognize
the genealogical significance in deeds, wills, indentures, contracts,
court actions and other legal records, as well as the cautions to be
observed in using that content to resolve problems of kinship or
individual identity. (Author and Instructor: Donn Devine);

GEN 206: DNA as Genealogical Evidence (2 credits)
Tests are now available at affordable prices that reveal
genealogically significant characteristics of individual samples of
DNA, the component of every living cell that contains the genetic
code. This is a valuable new type of evidence, and when properly used
in conjunction with traditional record evidence, can help bring
resolution when documentary evidence is inconclusive. This course
will introduce students to appropriate uses of DNA as a resource for
their own research, focusing equally on the extent to which currently
available tests can confirm or nullify other evidence of kinship or
identity, and on their limitations for those purposes. (Author and
Instructor: Donn Devine)

And any of you having at least an MA in a field associated with
genealogy (history, anthropology,etc.) or a PhD, MD, EdD, JD. etc., I
invite you to inquire as to opportunities for teaching a course or
courses at Akamai University. I am trying to develop a comprehensive
slate of courses in order to turn out truly educated genealogists,
whether they've been doing work in some of the many genealogical
fields for years or are just starting out.

Please contact me directly with any questions. Regards, Carolyn

Carolyn Earle Billingsley, PhD

APG Board
Program Director Akamai University BA in Genealogical Studies
Samford University's IGHR Coordinator, Course 3: Research in the South
Adjunct Faculty, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, History Department

2100 Pleasant Grove Road, Alexander, AR 72002-9154; 501.847.0114
www.cebillingsley.net
http://cebillingsley.blogspot.com/

********
Legal Statement as required by law: Akamai University is legally
established by school charter and is operating in good standing as a
degree-granting institution under the laws and regulations of the
United States of America and the State of Hawaii. Akamai University
is not accredited by an accrediting agency or association recognized
by the US Department of Education. Akamai operates as a nonprofit
tax-exempt institution of higher learning for the purpose of
providing advanced studies, research and service worldwide.

http://www.akamaiuniversity.us/aboutus.html has links to the following:
<http://www.akamaiuniversity.us//pdf/ArticlesofIncorporation.pdf>Articles
of Incorporation
<http://www.akamaiuniversity.us//pdf/IRSTaxExemption.pdf>USA Letter
of Nonprofit Status
<http://www.akamaiuniversity.us//pdf/HawaiiStateTaxExemption.pdf>Hawaii
Tax-Exempt Status
<http://www.akamaiuniversity.us//pdf/AkamaiCOGS2008.pdf>Certificate
of Good Standing




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