Curriculum

The Genealogical Principles Course is designed for beginners and less experienced genealogists who want to deepen their genealogy skills or gain formal research skills. It’s ideal for those who primarily use online tools, such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org and want to expand their knowledge of public records and foundational genealogy standards. This course is also well-suited to librarians or individuals helping others with genealogical inquiries.

You’ll learn essential skills such as effective research methods, document interpretation, and applying the Genealogical Proof Standard. The Genealogical Principles Course is also perfect for those looking to explore their personal family history or gain a structured introduction to the field.

You’ll engage with multimedia lessons, including self-paced videos and live online sessions. Weekly modules cover essential topics like evaluating research accuracy, resolving conflicting information, and conducting DNA research.

• Key concepts and terminology in genealogy
• Research planning and organization
• Public records research, including census and land records
• Introduction to DNA and its application in genealogy
• Basics of lineage and identity resolution

• Perform effective and accurate genealogical research.
• Apply basic principles of the Genealogical Proof Standard.
• Confidently search and interpret public records and other historical documents.

Week One
Define genealogy and study elements of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to determine how an individual’s identity is defined with information, sources, and evidence.

Week Two
What data from popular websites should you trust? Recognize and analyze conflicting information.

Week Three
Work with a published document and test it—does it meet the GPS? Correlate information to resolve identity problems.

Week Four
What elements make up a good proof argument? Examine a well-cited article that meets all standards.

Week Five
What can you learn from free and paid websites? Discuss an identity problem and its solution with records created by formerly enslaved people after the Civil War.

Week Six
Develop timelines, design a research plan, and evaluate a written report to see if it meets standards.

Week Seven
Introduction to DNA and ethnicity. Compare the major genetic genealogy testing companies and understand which might work best for your research.

The Genealogical Practicum Course is for those who have foundational knowledge in genealogy, either through completion of the principles course or through prior experience. It’s an excellent fit for genealogists ready to apply their skills to real-world scenarios, especially those preparing for advanced research roles or professional certification or accreditation.

This course focuses on real-world case studies, offering practical experience in research planning, documentation, and analysis. Ideal for those transitioning from the Genealogical Principles Course or for professionals seeking to strengthen their genealogical work products, the practicum emphasizes in-depth research and professional reporting.

Guided by experienced professional genealogists, you’ll progress through five research cases, each focused on different regions and time periods. Each module starts with a live session where the instructor introduces the case, and feedback is provided on your written work throughout the course.

• Strategic research planning and methodology
• Documenting research findings with precision
• Preparing family histories and proof discussions
• Using proof discussions to solve complex research problems
• Writing professional-level genealogical reports

• Create well-documented genealogical work products that meet industry standards.
• Develop advanced research strategies and organizational techniques.
• Analyze and interpret historical documents to solve complex genealogical questions.

Before enrolling, we strongly recommend students complete a placement assessment or have prior training.

Case One: Research Planning
Learn how to approach a research problem by analyzing the starting point information, identifying available sources, and then developing a comprehensive research plan that identifies specific details about the sources to be searched.

Case Two: Research Logs
Learn to methodically record key information about the collections searched, the sources that have been examined, information extracted from those sources, and the evaluation of that source in the context of a research problem.

Case Three: Genealogical Compilations
Learn about genealogical compilations to organize familial relationships and document kinship within a family. Students will work on a case that involves research focused on placing individuals correctly within a family and will develop a genealogical summary showing their work.

Case Four: Proof Discussions
Learn strategies for developing proof discussions and conduct research on a case that requires the development of a proof argument to answer the research question.

Case Five: Research Reports
To wrap up the course, students will learn best practices for developing genealogical research reports and will resolve a case by presenting their findings and conclusions in report format.

The Genealogical Research Certificate is tailored for experienced genealogists seeking advanced training. It is particularly beneficial for those beginning to prepare for certification through organizations like the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) or International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). It can serve any dedicated researcher interested in mastering complex genealogical challenges, including advanced DNA analysis and forensic genealogy.

Through rigorous coursework and direct feedback from certified genealogists, you’ll learn how to handle complex research projects, analyze difficult sources, and produce high-quality genealogical reports.

The program includes five modules covering genealogical writing, advanced evaluation of evidence, and professional standards. Many students have found this course to be excellent preparation for certification with the BCG or accreditation from ICAPGen.

• Advanced genealogical research techniques
• Complex record analysis and correlation
• Professional standards and ethical considerations
• Research planning and implementation for challenging genealogical problems

• Gain mastery of advanced genealogical research techniques.
• Begin to prepare for professional certification or accreditation.
• Produce expert-level reports and proof arguments.
• Confidently apply formal genealogical standards in your research.

Before enrolling, we highly recommend students complete a placement assessment or have prior advanced training.

The course includes the following five modules:

• Module 1: Genealogical Methods
• Module 2: DNA as a Genealogical Source
• Module 3: Evidence, Evaluation, and Documentation
• Module 4: Genealogical Writing
• Module 5: Forensic Genealogy

Genealogical Methods
This module focuses on understanding the essential techniques and methodologies required to effectively tackle intricate genealogical challenges. During the course, you will develop logical reasoning and critical thinking skills and will have the chance to apply these to real-world case studies. Focus is placed on understanding the research cycle; uncovering identities and making links between generations through affiliations; and applying genealogical theories and problem-solving strategies. Throughout the module, technological tools, particularly the internet, are placed in perspective and thoroughly explored.

DNA as a Genealogical Source
This module will explore and provide an overview of DNA testing, including Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing; ethics with regard to the use of DNA; and how DNA test results can be used as evidence to solve genealogical problems. The discussions will also include concepts of maternal and paternal haplogroups and how haplogroups can place ancestry in the broader context of human history.

Evidence, Evaluation, and Documentation
The module can be viewed as a three-legged stool, where citations make up one leg and the other two legs are evidence and evaluation—or the process of proof. Evidence and its evaluation are the key focus, and all else flows from that. Without a good understanding of a source, we can’t compose a good citation. If we don’t analyze information and evidence carefully, we risk incorrect conclusions or insurmountable brick walls. When building a case in a narrative format, elegant writing and technically correct citations won’t compensate for poor analysis.

Genealogical Writing
This module emphasizes the importance of writing for critical thinking, communicating research findings, and meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard. Students will learn the essential role of writing in the research process and delve into strategies and best practices for organizing their results into coherent written form. This module also offers the opportunity to study and gain experience with the appropriate formats and objectives for each of the three primary genealogical work products—research reports, proof arguments, and narrative compilations.

Forensic Genealogy
This module provides practical examples, intriguing cases, and in-class problem solving that define the parameters of ethical forensic work. Generally the most lucrative of the genealogical specialties, forensic research is done for legal purposes, often at the direction of an attorney, law enforcement, or the Department of Defense. Exercises include tracing heirs for probate, finding living individuals, and identifying unknown parentage through autosomal DNA.