“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
- Registration begins November 7, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern
- Registration ends on May 3, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
- Classes begin on Monday, May 17, 2027 and run once a week each Monday through June 21, 2027, skipping May 31st for Memorial Day
- Cancellation Deadline: May 10, 2027
- 2027 tuition: $545 | $495 for GGS members, (see Tuition, Policies, and Deadlines)
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
- Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®, CGL®, Course Coordinator
- Debra A. Hoffman, PLCGS
- Melinda Kashuba, PhD
- Angela Packer McGhie, CG®, FUGA
- Karen Stanbary, MA, LCSW, CG®, CGG®
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). The 2004 version is also fine to use.
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).
2027 Course Schedule (All times listed are Eastern Time)
Mondays, May 17–June 21, 2027, skipping May 31st for Memorial Day
| Date | Time | Session Title | Instructor |
| May 17, 2027 | 10:00 AM | Opening Instructions & Introductions | Koford |
| 11:00 AM | Approaches in Genealogy Research & Finding Proof | Koford | |
| 12:15 PM | Break | ||
| 12:30 PM | Organizing Research & Project Management | Koford | |
| 1:45 PM | Lunch | ||
| 2:30 PM | Reading & Practicing Early American Handwriting | Koford | |
| 3:45 PM | Break | ||
| 4:00 PM | Finding Records of Birth, Death, & Marriage | Koford | |
| May 24, 2027 | 10:30 AM | Assignment Review & Discussion | Koford |
| 11:00 AM | Understanding Courthouse Records & A Virtual Tour | Koford | |
| 12:15 PM | Break | ||
| 12:30 PM | Probate Records: More than Just Wills | Koford | |
| 1:45 PM | Lunch | ||
| 2:30 PM | Workshop: Researching at the Courthouse | Koford | |
| 3:45 PM | Break | ||
| 4:00 PM | Behind the Scenes in Federal, State, & Other Census Records | Koford | |
| May 31, 2027 | Skipping this week for Memorial Day | ||
| June 7, 2027 | 10:30 AM | Assignment Review & Discussion | Koford |
| 11:00 AM | Newspapers & Urban Research | Koford | |
| 12:15 PM | Break | ||
| 12:30 PM | Introduction to Land Records | McGhie | |
| 1:45 PM | Lunch | ||
| 2:30 PM | Maps & Gazetteers | Kashuba | |
| 3:45 PM | Break | ||
| 4:00 PM | Working with Cemeteries & Funeral Homes | Koford | |
| June 14, 2027 | 10:30 AM | Assignment Review & Discussion | Koford |
| 11:00 AM | Introduction to DNA | Stanbary | |
| 12:15 PM | Break | ||
| 12:30 PM | Introduction to Church Records | Hoffman | |
| 1:45 PM | Lunch | ||
| 2:30 PM | Introduction to Law for Genealogy Research | Koford | |
| 3:45 PM | Break | ||
| 4:00 PM | Overview of Military Records: Revolution to World War I | Koford | |
| June 21, 2027 | 10:30 AM | Assignment Review & Discussion | Koford |
| 11:00 AM | Family Interviews & Treasures | Koford | |
| 12:15 PM | Break | ||
| 12:30 PM | Workshop: Organizing is Analyzing | Koford | |
| 1:45 PM | Lunch | ||
| 2:30 PM | Researching Full Circle: Writing About Family | Koford | |
| 3:45 PM | Break | ||
| 4:00 PM | Closing Remarks: Your Future Genealogy Journey | Koford |
