Seats Available For These Great Courses!

 If you were on the fence, better register now.

   Immerse yourself in a week in-depth learning experience you won't forget. Our Institute has the best of the best genealogy instructors in the business. For 25 years we have been educating thousands of students to pursue their dreams of becoming a professional genealogist or sharpening their skills for personal pursuits. Meet new friends, broaden your knowledge, and have fun doing it, is what the SLIG experience is all about.

~ Classes Available ~

SLIG 2020

Course 1: Settlers in the New World and Immigrants to a New Nation:
Colonial Times to 1900

Course 2: Guide to Treasures Found in Federal Records

Course 3: Early US Church Records

Course 5: Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy

Course 6: Virginia from the Colonial Period to the Civil War: Her Records, Her People, Her Laws We added a second session and still have a handful of seats available.

Course 7: Maryland: Researching in the Old Line State

Course 8: Chinese Ancestry: Research Methods and Sources

Course 11: Meeting Standards Using DNA Evidence - Research Strategies

Course 12: Researching Like a Professional

Course 13: Applying Standards to Appraise Genealogical Work

Course 15: Technical Writing for Genealogists

Course 16: Guided Research and Consultation

SLIG Academy

Course 1: The Art of Writing Client Reports

Course 2: You're Invited: Public Speaking from Concept to Delivery

Course 4: DNA for the 21st-Century Professional

Course 5: Fundamentals of Forensic Genealogy

Course 6: Writing and Documenting for Peer Review

Course 7: Project Management Essentials for the Professional Genealogist

Don’t wait! Sign up and join us for our silver anniversary celebration!

SLIG Website and information: www.slig.ugagenealogy.org

SLIG registration link: https://sligregistration.ugagenealogy.org

SLIG registration help: https://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/07/registration-and-lodging-final-prep.html and https://slig.ugagenealogy.org/cpage.php?pt=594

SLIG course videos: https://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/2019/07/slig-videos.html

Double DNA Week: A Great Combination

"The practice of genealogy evidence evolves as new developments and technologies emerge." The second edition of Genealogy Standards was created to "keep pace" with emerging practices – most notably adding seven new standards relating to the use of DNA evidence.

Whether personal researcher or client-serving professional, it is imperative that we stay on top of these emerging practices. As it relates to the use of DNA as evidence, two of our more advanced SLIG courses come to mind:

• "Meeting Standards Using DNA Evidence – Research Strategies" with Karen Stanbary
• "DNA for the 21st-Century Professional" with Angie Bush

One course is offered during SLIG 2020, the other in the SLIG Academy for Professionals. Two great courses about how to best use DNA, offered in back to back weeks. Let's take a look at each:

Angie indicates that as professionals, "it is imperative that we be as familiar and comfortable with using DNA test results as we are with using census and vital records." Her course will familiarize students with the resources, tools, and methodologies needed to integrate the use of DNA with traditional document research; and address how to apply DNA to research questions, present information to clients, and ensure an ethical approach. She is joined by Blaine Bettinger and Paul Graham as additional faculty. The course runs during the SLIG Academy for Professionals, 19-24 January, 2020.

Karen specifically developed this new course at SLIG's request to help students understand and implement the newly codified DNA-related standards. Karen and eight other faculty members will introduce previously unsolvable cases – all solved with the use of both DNA and documentary sources. Students may also participate in the "DNA Dreamers," where they will discuss real-life "stuck" cases and consider best next steps. Course sponsorship by FTDNA allows for extended sessions beyond those the normal SLIG schedule. The course runs during SLIG, 12-18 January 2020.

Both programs are held at the Hilton SLC Center, just blocks from the Family History Library. SLIG provides shuttles to/from the FHL after class to help you have time with your own research.

We invite you to come sink your teeth into one or both courses, and make sure you are prepared to meet today's updated standards with DNA evidence.

Josh Taylor Shares Why You Should Attend SLIG

With the multitude of educational opportunities available for genealogists it can be difficult to choose which to attend. While webinars, conferences, and seminars each provide essential elements to your genealogical education, an institute, such as the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) offers a rich and unique experience for every genealogist. 

First, the ability to spend an entire week immersed in a particular subject provides untold benefits, as it enables us to focus on our research as we learn techniques and skills from some of the world's leading instructors. Like a college "short-course" week, SLIG provides an in-depth look a variety of subjects, from Technology to Advanced Methodology. With courses for genealogists of all levels, SLIG can be a solid foundation for beginning genealogists or an added skill set for advanced researchers.

Second, the consistency of highly-skilled instructors in your course throughout the week. Not only do you truly get to know your course coordinator, most courses include a set number of instructors that will be with you throughout the week. This provides an opportunity to develop deeper questions, and in some cases can literally tailor the course to your own research needs. Instructors will provide their own personal knowledge to the course, enriching your experience. Hearing one or two approaches to the same topic can provide you with a deeper level of understanding and more ideas. SLIG is truly a place to learn and expand your genealogical knowledge. 

Third, the small course sizes (usually around 30) provide an incredible opportunity to network with your fellow classmates. Take time to learn about their research and experience, as they might even have some advice for you, or you for them. SLIG certainly offers the ability to collaborate and learn from another other, a unique offering in genealogical education. Most meals are unscheduled, offering the chance to spend a few moments alone or join some of your classmates for a quick bite. Ensure you make the most of this networking opportunity; you might meet a few cousins as well as some lifelong friends.  

Fourth, an added benefit of SLIG is its location - only a few blocks from the Family History Library. This means you have an immediate opportunity to practice what you have been learning in the classroom. The ability for this "hands-on" element of your week in Salt Lake City often helps in retaining the information you are learning each day. Within a few moments after each day ends you can easily find yourself wrapped up in the sources and methods you discovered only moments ago in class. 

Finally, SLIG can often solidify your research goals for the New Year. After spending a week engrossed in family history it is difficult to loose the momentum when you return home. SLIG provides the perfect setting to create your genealogical goals for the year. Many participants leave SLIG with their "to-do" lists ready and can quickly jump into their research when they return home. 

While it might seem a bit overwhelming, SLIG is a week not to be missed for any genealogist. With constant learning and innovative new research ideas, opportunities to network with others, and hands-on research in the Family History Library, SLIG might well be considered heaven for genealogists!

~ D. Joshua Taylor