NOTE: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered. Please click on the Supplies tab for details.

A professional or serious minded genealogist needs to perfect core skills to help them achieve success whether they conduct research for clients, lecture, or write. These skills include source citation, transcription and writing. In the field of genealogy there are some texts that are considered the standard by which professionals are judged―these include Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace by Elizabeth Shown Mills, Dr. Thomas Jones’ Mastering Genealogical Proof and the Board for Certification of Genealogists’ Genealogy Standards. These books help prepare the professional or serious minded genealogist for the day to day work of writing, analyzing and preparing information for themselves or the clients that they come in contact with. Books like Professional Genealogy “offers benchmarks by which they can advance their skills and place their businesses on sounder footing.”

In this course the student will study portions of some of the above mentioned texts and complete assignments and exercises to better understand the key elements taught within its pages.

One student’s experience:
To hear a student discussion regarding their experience with this course, please click here. (This is a large file and may take a minute or two to download.)


Course Content

Module 1