Creating a Research Plan to Solve Our Research Problem

By Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG Excerpted from Laura Murphy DeGrazia, “Problem Analyses & Research Plans,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed.,  Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 295–316. Publisher’s Note: Last week we ran an excerpt from Laura Murphy DeGrazia’s chapter, “Problem Analyses & Research Plans,” published in Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice &[…]Read more

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Genealogy Analysis

“Assessing Genealogical Information,” By Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG

The following article was excerpted by Elizabeth Shown Mills, editor, from Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), pp. 265–92. Genealogists think about the information they find and what it might say or imply about the past. They assess both information and the sources that contain the information. These assessments usually[…]Read more

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DNA Testing: Ethical Considerations

DNA Testing: Ethical Considerations

By Blaine T. Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D. & Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL Excerpted from Bettinger & Russell, “Genetics for Genealogy,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed., Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 361–90. Millions of people have voluntarily undergone DNA testing. Probably millions more would do so if they were not[…]Read more

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Analyzing Genealogical Research Problems

Analyzing Genealogical Research Problems

By Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG Excerpted from: Laura Murphy DeGrazia, “Problem Analyses & Research Plans,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed., Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 295–316. “Effective problem analysis requires a thorough understanding of three key issues. First, we must know the available sources for that problem—their accessibility, arrangement, content, and varying[…]Read more

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Reaching Genealogical Conclusions: Hypothesis, Theory & Proof

Reaching Genealogical Conclusions: Hypothesis, Theory & Proof By Elizabeth Shown Mills

The following essay concerning the nature of genealogical proof was excerpted by Elizabeth Shown Mills from her book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. 3rd ed. Rev. (2017), p. 17. In it, Mrs. Mills explains the difference between genealogical proof, theory, and hypothesis and offers a cautionary point lesson that any researcher[…]Read more

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genealogy evidence

“Reasoning from Evidence,” by Thomas W. Jones, PH.D., CG, CGL, FASG

“Genealogy Pointers” continues with its practice of excerpting sections from Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Progen PPS), edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. Today we have lifted the beginning pages of Chapter 12, “Reasoning from Evidence,” which was prepared by Dr. Thomas W. Jones. We are sure you will agree that even in these scant[…]Read more

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October New Publications from Genealogical.com

Author Vernon Skinner, Jr. has added to his long list of publications, marking him as among the most prolific writing for us. Mr. Skinner has prepared three new titles in his series of abstracts of the Debt Books of the Provincial Land Office of Maryland, in this case covering Anne Arundel County. Please read on[…]Read more

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Genealogy Citing Image sources

Citing Derivatives & Imaged Sources: The Basics, by Elizabeth Shown Mills

The following essay was excerpted from Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, 3rd ed. Rev. (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2017), p. 47, by the author, expressly for “Genealogy Pointers.” “The range of materials and media in use today defies standardization. When we examine a publication to define the elements that need recording,[…]Read more

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COPYRIGHT BASICS

COPYRIGHT BASICS, by Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL

Elizabeth Shown Mills, editor of the reference work, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Progen PPS), recently chose and edited a number of selections from Progen PPS for publication in “Genealogy Pointers.”  We hasten to stress that while the author of each selection is a professional genealogist, each selection should interest anyone who is serious[…]Read more

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National Genealogical Society Quarterly Review

Professional Genealogy and RD 900 earn Kudos from National Genealogical Society Quarterly

The June 2019 of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), arguably the most influential journal in the field, has given “thumbs up” to Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Progen PPS), edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills; and The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants to the American Colonies, Quebec, or the United States who were Themselves[…]Read more

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PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGY. PREPARATION, PRACTICE & STANDARDS (PROGEN PPS) ELIZABETH SHOWN MILLS, EDITOR

Another Glowing [Albeit Funny] Review for PROGEN PPS

We are gratified to have received a consistent stream of positive reviews for Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (PROGEN PPS), edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills. The latest review, written by Bobbi King for Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, the most widely read genealogy e-zine on the Internet, appeared on September 25.  We’ve re-posted it in[…]Read more

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