Plan your genealogy education goals for 2017-2018! You have approximately 9 months to take your genealogy education up a grade level, so let’s get started. Here are a few tips and ideas you might incorporate in your genealogy educational goals for the new school year!
If your children or grandchildren haven’t started school yet, they likely will in the next week. I always sit down with our kids and discuss their educational goals for the year. Over the last 5 years, I have also shared with them my own educational goals for the school year. Summer time is crazy, but when the new school year starts, I feel motivated to increase my knowledge.
Free Classes and Webinars for Genealogy Education
The Family History Library classes and webinars for September and October have just been posted. These classes are offered to those at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and those who wish to attend virtually from anywhere in the world. Once you find a class you are interested in, click on the title of the webinar for that day. They recommend you enter the webinar about 15-20 minutes before the start time.
Here’s a quick sampling of what’s in store for September. (The image is not hyperlinked.) You can see the entire list for September and October here.
You can also enjoy weekly free webinars on Wednesday’s at Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Coming up next week on 6 September, Geoff Rasmussen teaches “Top Tech Tips for the Technologist and Genealogist.”
Take a Continuing Education Class in Genealogy
There are so many options for continuing education classes in genealogy. From graded course work to DIY, you can find just about anything that your needs require. I took the NGS Home Study Course some years ago. It is now titled American Genealogical Studies and they even have scholarship opportunities. This online, cloud-based class covers all the basics and a bit more of the intermediate and advanced methodologies as well.
A class I am looking into for my continued education this year is the Boston University for Professional Education Certificate in Genealogical Research. This course work provides the student with ample research opportunities and many practical genealogical problem solving skills. A plus is the emphasis on writing reports which is fundamental in preparing for certification or accreditation.
Have Your Cake and Eat it Too: Plan A Trip to RootsTech 2018
And last, but certainly not least on anyone’s list, consider planning a trip to RootsTech 2018. I can’t think of a more fun way to get all your genealogy education for the year and see all the new innovations in our genealogy community with like minded people! With over 200 sessions and topics that span the levels and interests of all genealogists, there are sure to be many sessions you will consider a must-see. Spending time in the Expo hall will introduce you to what’s new on the horizon in computer tech, genealogy software, and much more.
RootsTech is the biggest genealogy conference in the world. Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, registration opens on September 20th. Mark your calendars and take advantage of exclusive early-bird pricing that will be available for a limited time only. However, I wonder if you would be interested in getting a free pass to RootsTech 2018? Of course you would! The Genealogy Reporter is an Ambassador for RootsTech and will be giving away one free pass to the conference. Be sure to follow us here on the blog, on our Facebook page, on Twitter, and on Instagram to get the details for entering to win the free pass. Also, my genealogy colleagues and fellow Ambassadors are also giving away passes for RootsTech 2018. Here are just a few of their blogs (in no particular order) for you to check out!
Cheryl Hudson Passey at Carolina Girl Genealogy- Amy Johnson Crow at Amy Johnson Crow
- Melanie McComb at The Shamrock Genealogist
- Jill Ball at GeniAus
- Lara Diamond at Lara’s Jewnealogy
- Caitlin Gow at Genealogically Speaking
- Amy Ohms Archibald at Revealing Roots and Branches
- Tami Osmer Mize at Conference Keeper
- Laura Wilkinson Hedgecock at Treasure Chest of Memories
- Rachel LaCour Niesen at Save Family Photos
- Taralyn Trost Parker at Keep Moving Forward With Me
- The team at Legacy Tree Genealogists
- Ruth Blair at The Passionate Genealogist
- Ellen Thompson-Jennings at Hound on the Hunt
- Linda Stufflebean at Empty Branches on the Family Tree
What’s on your genealogy education plan for the new school year? It always helps to have some accountability. Reach out to me in the comments below. I would love to hear what you are working on!
Thank you for including me on your list.
I am planning to attend RootsTech, complete the Boston University program in the Spring, and step up my time spent on studying from a few select books and watching webinars in areas I need to develop further. I have also added more classes to my teaching schedule to help me grow. Good luck with your plans Amie!
You to Amberly!