You already love genealogy. There is a good chance you enjoy teaching others the research skills you have learned doing you own research. Why not gain some recognition for your professionalism and become an accredited genealogist?
If you ever though about getting your accreditation or simply wondered about the process then Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: Plus 100 Tips to Ensure Your Success by Karen Clifford is for you. The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists grants genealogical accreditation based on the knowledge, training, and integrity of the researcher. Other organizations and schools provide credentials and degrees, but essentially all have the same requirements. This guide covers what you need to know to succeed. This book,
- “Outlines the benefits of being a credentialed genealogist
- Describes the knowledge and basic research skills expected of a professional
- Broadly examines the experience, testing procedures, and application processes required to apply for a credential
- Focuses on preparing for accreditation with self-assessment tests, assignments, and personal insights”
The book will take the practitioner through the accreditation process. Assignments give the reader a chance to practice key skills, including, report writing and exercises in analysis. Suggestions for further readings provides direction to additional information for developing key skills. Through sample records, documents, and standard forms, the researcher can practice the needed skills to gain professional accreditation. If accreditation interests you, or you simply want to understand the process before hiring a professional, this book will help.
Learn about Becoming an Accredited Genealogist: Plus 100 Tips to Ensure Your Success, available from Family Roots Publishing; Price: $19.55.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Why This Book was Written
- The Need for Credentials
- Institutions Granting Credentials
- Benefits
- Advertising
- Advancement
- Certificate
- Confidence
- Contributions
- Credentials
- Earnings
- Ethics
- Something for Everyone
- Suggested Reading
Chapter 2: Public Expectations of a Professional Genealogist
- Basic Knowledge
- Thoroughness
- Primary Records
- All Reasonable Sources
- A Broad Range of Records
- A Complete Review of Available Records
- Adjoining Jurisdictions
- Collateral Relations
- Clearly Convincing Evidence
- Professional Development
- Report Writing
- Summary
- Suggested Reading
Chapter 3: The Accreditation Process
- Overview of the Accreditation Process
- Prerequisites
- Research Experience
- Paleography
- Ability to Evaluate Pedigree Problems
- Knowledge of Available Records
- The Application
- Directions
- Code of Ethics
- Statement of Goals
- Education and Training
- Hands-on Experience
- Areas of Accreditation
- United States
- British Isles
- Scandinavia
- Continental Europe
- Canada
- Pacific Area
- Latin America
- Subject Areas of Testing
- Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
- American Indians
- Demonstration of Skills
- Other Languages
- Practical Experience
- Demonstration of Knowledge
- Universal Records
- LDS Compiled Sources
- The International Genealogical Index (IGI)
- Ancestral File
- Family History Library Catalog
- Family Group Records Collection
- How to Prepare for Accreditation
- Aids
- Genealogy Training Courses
- English Grammar and/or Composition Courses
- History Courses
- Sources
- Written Components
- Oral Exam
- Self-Analysis
- Applying for Accreditation
- Suggested Reading
- Assignment 1: Sample Accreditation Application
Chapter 4: Are You Ready to Apply for Accreditation?
- Evaluating Your Skills
- Assignments
- Suggested Reading
- Major Research Guides
- Documentation
- Paleography
- Report Writing
- Pedigree Analysis
- Major Sources
- Family History Library and Other Collections
- To Learn Techniques
- Computer Usage
- Assignment 1: Pre-test
- Answer Bibliography
- Assignment 2: Preparation of a Report
- Assignment 3: Pedigree Analysis
- Assignment 4: Summarizing Research Results
Chapter 5: Report Writing
- Benefits and Pitfalls
- Items in the Report
- Grammar and Spelling
- Methods and Sources
- Source Citations
- Variety of Sources
- A Checklist for the Report Writing
- Practice Report Writing Skills
- Conclusion
- Assignment 1: Knowledge of Sources
- Assignment 2: Abstracts and Transcripts
- Assignment 3: Analysis of Primary Sources
- Assignment 4: Analysis of Secondary Sources
- Assignment 5: Source Citations
- Suggested Reading
Chapter 6: Practical Exercises in Analysis
- Critical Analysis
- Substitutes
- Evidence as it Pertains to Genealogy
- Using Repositories
- Assignment 1: Pedigree Problems
- Stories
- Southern States Problem
- Eastern States Problems
- Midwestern States Problems
- New England States Problems
- Assignment 2: Pedigree Analysis
- Assignment 3: Using Repositories
- Assignment 4: Document Recognition
- Assignment 5: Document Transcription
- Instructor’s Analysis
- Student Project
- Document Recognition Answers
- Suggested Readings
Chapter 7: Preparing Research Guides
- Personal Research Guides
- Other Useful Topics
- Preparing a Personal State Guide
- Library Guides
- The State of Delaware—An Abbreviated Personal State Guide
- Overview
- Geography and Topography
- Waterways
- Major Industry and Economic Factors
- Unique features
- Historical Background
- Early Settlements and Migration Trails
- Table 7.1 Railroad Distances
- Prevailing Customs, Language, and Paleography
- Maps and Gazetteers
- Research Strategies
- Conducting research in the 1600s
- Conducting research in the 1700s
- Conducting research in the 1800s
- Conducting research in the 1900s
- Major Libraries and Vital Records Repositories
- Table 7.2 Selected Indexes and Reference Works Available on CD-ROM
- Census records, tax lists and other large databases
- Genealogical Collections, Histories, and Indexes
- Churches Prior to 1900 and Their Repositories
- Genealogical Periodicals
- Guide to Further Sources
- A Selected List of Published Sources on Delaware
- Overview
- Summary
- Assignment 1: Preparation for Your Own Business
- Gather Materials
- Prepare State Guides for Each Specialty State
- Suggested Reading
- Bibliography of State Guides
Chapter 8: Further Educational Opportunities
- Personal Enrichment
- Conferences and Seminars
- Institutes
- Full Semester Classes
- Home Study Classes
- Lectures on Tape
- Periodicals
- Final
- Assignment 1: Practice Letter Describing Experiences
Appendix A: Certification
Appendix B: Hiring a Professional Genealogist
Appendix C: Research Time and Expenses Chart
Appendix D: Checklist for Customer Report
Index