Blog 149: Reflection: Genealogical Education

By Vernon M. Herron

     My formal training in various disciplines includes the ministry, grantsmanship, counseling, strategic planning, public speaking and genealogy. It is about this latter discipline which I wish to reflect in a series of articles.

     We begin with the concept of genealogical education. Many persons want to research their family history but hardly know where or how to start; no clues, maybe a few “hear- says” which have been handled down from previous generations, or by the interruption of slavery. No longer can excuses be tolerated for slipshod research which does not stand the test of verification. The best way to begin is with a process called genealogical education.

     There are many manuals, textbooks, workshops and seminars which explain the intricacies and pitfalls of genealogical investigation. You might want to note Jacobus’ Genealogy as Pastime and Profession, Doane’s  Searching for Your Ancestors, Williams’ Know Your Ancestors, Stevenson’s Genealogical Evidence, and Greenwood’s The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy.

     I gave these books to our newly crowned family griot some time ago. I assume that she has read them. Make friends with good books, friends, they will never leave you.

     And now, in its continuing effort to educate the public concerning the importance of genealogy and family history, and to demonstrate the correct methods of research, the National Genealogical Society, through its Education Committee,  has developed  an excellent home study course on genealogical research. I took that course and finished three months ahead of schedule. I highly recommend this study to all. 

  

Contact information:

National Genealogical Society

Education Committee

4527 17t Street North

Arlington, Virginia 22207

703-525-0050

     In addition to completing the basic course in American Genealogy, I have attended numerous workshops and seminars including study in Paleography (the study of describing or deciphering ancient writing) and Writing Family History. So whenever the opportunity comes to enhance your genealogical education, go for it. You will enjoy moving from the “unknown to the known.”

     Once, I received communication from a gentleman with the following symbols behind his name: C.G., F.A.S.G., F.N.G.S., F.G.S.P., and F.T.S.G.S.  I researched the meaning of those letters and found the following areas of specialization.

A.G. Accredited Genealogist

C.G. Certified Genealogist

F.A.S.G. Fellow American Society of Genealogists

F.N.G.S. Fellow National Genealogical Society

F. G. S. P.   Federation of Genealogical Societies of PA

C. A. L. S. Certified American Lineage Specialist

C. G. R. S. Certified Genealogical Record Searcher

C. G. L. Certified Genealogical Lecturer

C. G. I. Certified Genealogical Instructor

C. A. I. L. S. Certified American Indian Lineage Specialist  

C. I. L. S. Certified Indian Lineage Specialist

     Those symbols taught me that “a good genealogist is one who will base his work on primary sources and not on flights of fancy.” Likewise, please know that “genealogy is a field of study based on the scholarly use and interpretation of documentary evidence.”

     Let us begin!