Methods and Sources in Practice

“The course surpassed my expectations. I have had huge take-aways from each and every session. I am looking forward to attending next year.”

“This course was great. I have a background in historical research but genealogy is just different enough to matter. I loved learning from experts. Rebecca was SO thorough and explained everything so well. This is an excellent course for total beginners like me and yet still managed to help students with slightly more experience.”

“Rebecca and the rest of the team, thank you so much for this incredible course. I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and I feel like a completely different person now.”

“I would highly recommend Rebecca Koford as an instructor for IGHR Course 1 (or any course). She does just as well teaching complex subjects as she does the simpler concepts of beginning genealogy. This course was excellent for both beginning and intermediate genealogists.”

“Wish I took this course sooner.”

“Despite researching for several years I felt I needed to go back to basics and learn how to research and organizing. And boy did this course fill in the gaps! More helpful than I expected.”

Core Course One –
Methods and Sources in Practice

About the Course

  • Maximum: 25 students
  • Virtual classrooms using Zoom
  • Lectures will be recorded and available to view for one month after the end of the course
  • All courses come with a digital syllabus
  • Students will receive a digital certificate upon course completion

Course Faculty

Description

This course focuses on genealogical research strategies, organization, core record groups, analysis, in order to put them into practice. It is a foundational course to give you tools to begin or re-invigorate your research with classes including early American handwriting, developing research plans, land records, behind the scenes with censuses, court records, probate, church, and military records. We utilize hands-on workshops and analytical challenges throughout the week. Classes are taught by experts in the field; no prior genealogical experience is necessary.

Prerequisites, textbooks, and other student information

Course prerequisites:

Ability to navigate the internet.

Course requirements:

Students must sign up for free accounts with https://www.familysearch.org/ and https://mdlandrec.net/ for use during the course.

We will work with cameras on (except when eating, etc.). This course is designed for maximum interaction and workshopping.

Required books:

Christine Rose, Courthouse Research for Family Historians: Your Guide to Genealogical Treasures, 2nd edition (2019).
Val Greenwood, The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 4th ed. (2017)

Recommended books:

Christine Rose, Courthouse Indexes Illustrated (2006).
Genealogy Standards, 2nd edition revised, Board for Certification of Genealogists (2021).
Thomas W. Jones, Mastering Genealogical Documentation, NGS Special Publications (2017).

Course Schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time)

Monday, July 27
10:30 – 11:00 Orientation & Welcome (Koford)
11:00 – 12:15 Advances in Genealogy & Research (Koford)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Organizing Research & Project Management (Koford)
2:00 – 3:00 Lunch
3:00 – 4:15 Introduction to Land Records (McGhie) 
4:15 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 Reading & Practicing Early American Handwriting (Koford)
Tuesday, July 28
10:30 – 11:00 Assignment Review (Koford)
11:00 – 12:15 Behind the Scenes in Federal, State, & Other Census Records (Koford)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Introduction to Law for Genealogy Research (Koford)
2:00 – 3:00 Lunch
3:00 – 4:15 Working with Cemeteries & Funeral Homes (Koford)
4:15 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 Newspapers & Urban Research (Koford)
Wednesday, July 29
10:30 – 11:00 Review of Assignment (Koford)
11:00 – 12:15 Introduction to DNA (Stanbary)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Overview of Military Records: Revolution to World War I (Koford)
2:00 – 3:00 Lunch
3:00 – 4:15 Vital Resources: Birth, Death, & Marriage Records (Koford)
4:15 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 More than Just Wills: Probate Records (Koford)
Thursday, July 30
10:30 – 11:45 Understanding Courthouse Records (Koford)
11:45 – 12:15 Walking the Courthouse: A Virtual Tour (Koford)
12:15 – 12:45 Break
12:45 – 2:00 Workshop: Researching at the Courthouse (Koford)
2:00 – 3:00 Lunch
3:00 – 4:15 Introduction to Church Records (Hoffman)
4:15 – 4:45 Break
4:45 – 6:00 Maps & Gazetteers (Kashuba)
Friday, July 31
10:30 – 11:45 Oral Interviews & Family Treasures (Koford)
11:45 –12:00 Break
12:00 – 1:15 Workshop: Organizing is Analyzing (Koford)
1:15 – 1:30 Break
1:30 – 2:45 Researching Full Circle: Writing About Family (Koford)