The Genealogist’s Research Report, by Nancy A. Peters, CG, CGL

The Genealogist’s Research Report, by Nancy A. Peters, CG, CGL

Excerpted from: Nancy A. Peters, “Research Reports,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed., Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards(Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 417-450. Genealogists conduct research. They must then communicate the results. Professional researchers are judged not only by the outcome of their investigation, but by how well they present their findings through their primary work product—the research[…]Read more

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The Researcher’s Guide. 4th Edition Reviewed in St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly

The Researcher’s Guide. 4th Edition Reviewed in St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly

If you profited from reading Mr. Greenwood’s sage advice on land records and don’t as yet own a copy of his book, you may wish to read the following review from the Winter 2018-2019 issue of the St. Louis Genealogical Society Quarterly. The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy. 4th edition. By Val D. Greenwood. Baltimore:[…]Read more

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Two Rules to Break in Genealogical Research

Two Rules to Break in Genealogical Research, by Elizabeth Shown Mills

“The Name’s the Same” Rule: Identifying people is a significant challenge for historical writers—particularly people who played minor roles in an event or lived low-key lives. When we encounter records that bear the right name, in the right place and time, it is tempting to assume the record applies to our person of interest. The[…]Read more

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Copyright vs. Plagiarism vs. Fair Use

Copyright vs. Plagiarism vs. Fair Use, by Judy G. Russell, J.D., CG, CGL

Excerpted from Judy G. Russell, “Copyright and Fair Use,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed.,  Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 149–72. COPYRIGHT VS. PLAGIARISM Copyright and plagiarism are distinct concepts. The major differences are these: Copyright is a legal construct that takes the form of exclusive rights held by the copyright[…]Read more

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Handling Secrets & Sensitivities When Writing Family Histories,

Handling Secrets & Sensitivities When Writing Family Histories, By Michael J. Leclerc, CG

(Excerpted from Michael J. Leclerc, “Crafting Family Histories,” Elizabeth Shown Mills, ed.,Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2018), 519–44.) Writing family histories is one of the most meaningful ways we can communicate the results of our research to our family members and even ourselves. Our projects can be large or small.[…]Read more

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Meeting Lineage Society Requirements: Part 2

Meeting Lineage Society Requirements: Part 2, Standards

By Barbara J. Mathews, CG, FASG, and Darcie Hind Posz, CG(Excerpted from Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards) NB: Part One of this article covering lineage society membership, which appeared in the October 19 issue of “Genealogy Pointers,” covered the process of completing a lineage society application. Part Two picks up with the crucial process[…]Read more

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“Creating a Research Plan to Solve Our Research Problem,” By Laura Murphy DeGrazia, CG

Whatever the research problem, once we have carefully analyzed everything we have accumulated and are confident that our starting-point data is sound, we can move forward with the development of a work plan for productive research. Research plans offer prioritized, detailed lists of relevant sources that should provide information to resolve the stated problem. We[…]Read more

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Assessing Genealogical Sources

Assessing Genealogical Sources—Part 2

By Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG  From time to time we have excerpted portions of the extraordinary book, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards. Edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, one of America’s most respected genealogy authorities, and written by eighteen leading experts on the substance of genealogical research, Progen PPS is a priceless[…]Read more

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New England Historic Genealogical Society Bestows Prestigious “Coddington Award of Merit” upon Elizabeth Shown Mills

New England Historic Genealogical Society Bestows Prestigious “Coddington Award of Merit” upon Elizabeth Shown Mills

Earlier this month, the New England Historic Genealogical Society presented Elizabeth Shown Mills with its distinguished Coddington Award of Merit. The award is named after John Insley Coddington, who, after Donald Lines Jacobus, is considered the dean of 20th-century American genealogists. The Codington award recognizes significant accomplishments and contributions in the field. Elizabeth Shown Mills,[…]Read more

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Meeting Lineage Society Requirements: Part 1

Meeting Lineage Society Requirements: Part 1

By Barbara J. Mathews, CG, FASG, and Darcie Hind Posz, CG(Excerpted from Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards) Societies exist for the sake of their society—not necessarily for the sake of genealogy. Each lineage and hereditary society has a different objective, mission statement, and purpose. Because criteria for applications are not one-size-fits-all, we need to[…]Read more

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Professional Genealogy

Original Version of PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGY: Relevant as Ever!

Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills and published in 2001, is a manual by professionals for everyone serious about genealogy. This book is sometimes referred to as Progen I, to distinguished it from the 2018 book, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards, also edited by Mrs.[…]Read more

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Assessing Genealogical Sources

Assessing Genealogical Sources—Part 1

By Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG  From time to time we have excerpted portions of the extraordinary book, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards. Edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, one of America’s most respected genealogy authorities, and written by eighteen leading experts on the substance of genealogical research, Progen PPS is a priceless[…]Read more

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