My Boston U Certificate Has Arrived!

I am psyched! My certificate for the Boston University Genealogical Research Certificate which I completed online from here in Chicago arrived this week.  Here it is in all its glory:

Now to find a suitable frame for my office!

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Back To School: Day 100

An update on my participation in the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research online program which began on 13 January 2010.  You can read here about Day 1, Day 20, Day 72 and Day 92.

I am happy to say that I just finished probably the best 13-weeks of education in my adult life.  Yes, school is finally over for me and I am actually a bit sad to see it completed.  Not so much because of the assignments (some were very complex and challenging) but because of the camaraderie developed among the participants - students, professors and teaching assistants - during the semester.  Luckily many of these folks will continue to be involved in the genealogy profession and I look forward to running into them at conferences and other events.

So what genealogy skills have I been able to develop during these past 13 weeks? How has taking the BU course changed the way I look at research and the genealogy industry?

• The course has given me a better understanding of what is required in terms of a skill set to be a professional genealogist.  And even if I didn't want to pursue my CG or become a professional researcher, the course has improved my ability to conduct research and analyze results.

• I can now cite some sources in my sleep - for realz!  In my research log I can now type out US Census citations from memory as well as newspaper articles and more!  For me this is a big deal.

• I research differently - more efficiently and more critically.  I enter the results in my research log and then I add my analysis notes.  I weigh negative evidence and try to resolve conflicts.  I now see the value of the Genealogical Proof Standard and why it should be followed by not just professionals but by anyone serious about genealogy.

• I know where my weaknesses are - the most difficult module for me was Immigration Records.  As part of my continuing education, I need to improve my background in certain types of records and certain ethnicities.  I will probably do this in a variety of ways.

I have so much to say about the BU online course - I'd be happy to answer any questions readers may have.  And don't forget that Boston University will have a booth at NGS 2010 next week - look for them at Booth 216.  Stop by and meet some of the fantastic instructors and other staff involved with the program!

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Reminder!  The next session of Boston University online classes in this program starts on 10 May 2010 and the registration deadline is 23 April 2010.  I highly recommend this class whether you want to become a professional genealogist or you just want to improve your own research skills. Call 1-877-290-9005 or visit the website at http://www.bugenealogy.com.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Back To School: Day 92

An update on my participation in the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research online program which began on 13 January 2010.  You can read here about Day 1, Day 20 and Day 72.

I just finished the Immigration module and it was actually more difficult than I thought.  Here are some details:

• The text - A Genealogists's Guide to Discovering Your Immigrant & Ethnic Ancestors by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack was better than I expected and I know I will be using this in the future.

• The module focused on the "push" and "pull" factors for specific ethnic groups during specific centuries.  Discussions involved the reasons why certain groups came to America and what pushed them from their homelands as well as what pulled them to America.

• There was an African-American Records "self-check" and it was an eye-opener for me.  I don't think you can really appreciate the challenges of doing African-American genealogy research unless you are actually given a case to work on.

In addition, today was the deadline for my repository report.  This assignment was given the first week of the course back in January: go to a local archive or repository and report on the facility, the resources, as well as take a manuscript and document it.  To me this was an important component of an online course: it made sure that participants didn't rely solely on on-line resources and it also ensured that they became familiar with how to work with local resources.  I used the Newberry Library here in Chicago and focused on Welsh immigrants to the Mohawk Valley area of New York, namely Utica.

Today I've started the Professional Genealogist module which lasts for a week and ends next Tuesday, 20 April 2010.  So far the information is very useful in terms of calculating an hourly rate, adhering to a code of ethics and more.  While not all participants in the BU program will go on to pursue genealogy as a professional, the information is helpful to get a sense of what it takes to become a professional genealogist.

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Reminder!  The next session of Boston University online classes in this program starts on 10 May 2010 and the registration deadline is 23 April 2010.  I highly recommend this class whether you want to become a professional genealogist or you just want to improve your own research skills. Call 1-877-290-9005 or visit the website at http://www.bugenealogy.com.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Back To School: Day 72

An update on my participation in the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research online program which began on 13 January 2010.  You can read about Day 1 and Day 20 here.

I have been so immersed in my studies online at Boston University that I've neglected to give a recent update.  To say that the past two modules have been fantastic is an understatement.  Here are some details:

• The Evidence Evaluation and Documentation module - lasting three weeks - was led by Dr. Thomas W. Jones and was probably the most difficult of all the modules so far.

• An accurate description of the module would use phrases such as "exacting," "exasperating" and "enlightening."  How's that for alliteration?

• Let's just say, if you thought you knew how to research and analyze evidence and apply the Genealogical Proof Standard, you don't know it until you work with Dr. Jones.  At times I was barely able to keep up with my classmates but Jones is an expert in this area of genealogy and he patiently guided me and others through concepts such as direct evidence vs. indirect evidence, primary and secondary sources and more.

• Being able to take your research, analyze it and shape a coherent conclusion really is the "meat and potatoes" of what we do as genealogists.  There would be no field of genealogy without following the Genealogical Proof Standard.

• The Forensic Genealogical Research module was fascinating and I found the assignments so intriguing that some nights I just wouldn't go to sleep!  Talk about CSI-type cases!

• The module was led by Melinde Lutz Sanborn and all I can say is: this is the type of educator I want to be when I grow up.  Seriously.  From the minute the module started to the very end, she was attentive in tracking our progress, she held several online chats on Sunday afternoons to discuss case studies, and seemed to be ever-present.

• Many of the assignments dealt with old photographs and with very little information, attempting to identify people in the photo.  Other exercises involved trying to find living descendants in probate cases.

Now I've just started the Genealogical Research Ethnic and Geographic Specialties module which last three weeks.  So far I am pulling an A as my grade - with about four more weeks left in the program.  I'll check back at the end of the current module.

Reminder!  The next session of Boston University online classes in this program starts on 10 May 2010 and the registration deadline is 23 April 2010.  I highly recommend this class whether you want to become a professional genealogist or you just want to improve your own research skills. Call 1-877-290-9005 or visit the website at http://www.bugenealogy.com.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Back To School: Day 20

An update on my participation in the Boston University Certificate in Genealogical Research online program which began on 13 January 2010.  You can read about Day 1 here.

I forgot how much hard work is involved with education and going back to school after being away for so many years!  I'm really not complaining because I am thoroughly enjoying the BU program.  I wanted to give my readers an idea as to what is involved especially since this course uses an online format.

• I am dedicating about 20 hours a week to reviewing course content, reading from the required texts (see below) as well as completing assignments.

• The course is made up of "modules" that are "open" on specific dates and then "close" at which time you are no longer able to work on the related assignments.

• The first module, 13 January through 19 January, was dedicated to the Foundations of Genealogical Research and taught by Elissa Scalise Powell.  I really enjoyed this module and just when you think you have a good foundation in the field, the materials told me otherwise!

• I am currently working on the second module which runs from 20 January through 9 February, and is entitled Problems Solving Techniques and Technology.  It is taught by Allison Ryall and Joshua Taylor - both are people I've followed in the genealogy field and for whom I have much respect.  Their body of knowledge is phenomenal and they are always available in the Ask The Instructor discussion group or if you email them directly.

• The assignments in this second module have not been easy.  I think I was up until 3 am one morning trying to finish one!  Although there are several assignments which must be finished by the end of the module, we've been asked to stay on a schedule and to complete certain ones by a specific date.  The reason (and it makes sense): there are discussions involved for each assignment and this way you aren't holding up the rest of the class - you can stay in pace with everyone which is necessary especially in the discussions.

• What are the assignments like?  Well I am not going to give specifics but let's say that they range from a) transcribing very old documents; to b) tracing the deeds with all involved parties for a late 18th century property to the present day; to c) reconciling conflicting census information for an immigrant family.

• The required texts include Professional Genealogy, the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual, and a few others.

• I estimate about 22 students from all over the United States and even one from New Zealand!  I find that everyone is supportive in discussions and shares freely especially when it comes to making suggestions and sharing resources - not unlike the rest of the online genealogy community!

• Are you graded on assignments?  You betcha!  You submit the work and after a few days you receive great feedback from the instructor(s) and a number/letter grade.

I hope to have another update next week once I am done with this module and we move on to the Evidence Evaluation and Documentation module.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

GenClass Ceases Operations

[Note: normally I would post this at the GeneaBloggers.com site but right now the site is disabled as I switch to a new hosting company.]

Thanks to a heads-up post by Michael Hait, the African-American Genealogy Examiner for Examiner.com, I've learned that GenClass has ceased operations beginning in 2010.

You can read the explanation in its entirety at the GenClass site, but it appears that most of the instructors - many of whom I've come to know and respect - will be working with the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.

From a personal standpoint, I enjoyed the Jewish Genealogy class that I took with GenClass in November 2009 and I hope that these offerings continue to be accessible to those looking to improve their genealogy skills.

As the on-line genealogy industry matures, it is not unusual to see consolidation in certain sectors including education.  Over the next few years I predict there will be new offerings (just look at the Boston University online class in which I am currently enrolled) as the demand for genealogy education increases - it is a natural progression for those new to genealogy to want to increase their understanding of the field and acquire skills needed for research.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee

Back To School: Day 1

[As some readers may know, I've enrolled in the Boston University Online Genealogical Research certificate program starting Wednesday, 13 January 2010 and running over a 14-week period.  Here is the first in what will be several installments of my observations of the experience.  I will purposely avoid specifics in terms of assignments, reading materials, etc. so as to protect the intellectual property of the course designers as well as the instructors.]

Well, I didn't quite forget that my BU online experience was to start today, but I didn't realize until about 3pm CST that I should login using the BU Vista console and see if any information was available.  And it was.

First, let me say that I had already oriented myself to the console application being used and made sure I understood how to check emails, chat with my colleagues, accept and submit assignments and more.  I'm a bit disappointed that the console will not work properly on the Google Chrome browser (it does work on Firefox and Safari and of course the old standby Internet Explorer), but I haven't let that prejudice me in any way in terms of my experience.  Nor has the use of IE dampened my enthusiasm about this course.

Second, I appreciate the welcome that the instructors and teaching assistants as well as my fellow students have given me.

After the Introductions, I did complete a brief survey about my current genealogy experience, what resources both online and offline I have used, etc.  Very simple, and the survey mechanism was easy to use.  Some resources such as genealogical societies (both online and offlne) were omitted as well as some others such as Genealogy.com and USGENWEB.

I am now working on my first course and on the assignment which is to transcribe a very old document.  Wish me luck and pray that I don't spend most of my time down at the corner drugstore soda fountain listening to bobby-soxer music instead of keeping my head down with my nose in the books.  LOL.

© 2010, copyright Thomas MacEntee