Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the FamilySearch Family Tree and how to add your conclusions in a way that meets the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). We go through each of the 5 elements of the GPS and discuss the opportunities in the tree to provide source citations, reason statements, and written conclusions. Links How to Improve the FamilySearch Family Tree by Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard BCG Ethics and Standards –...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the second portfolio element for certification: development activities. In this element, you list the genealogy-related activities that helped you prepare for certification and share how they helped you. We discuss several educational opportunities and how they help you learn more about genealogy standards, records, and methodology. Links Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) – website Educational Activities – Board for Certification of Genealogists website with list...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about copyright and plagiarism for genealogists. Have you ever wondered what the rules are for using others’ work? When is it ok to use works whose copyright may have expired? How can you know if sharing something in your family history book or blog is fair use or not? Come listen to our discussion of these important topics. Links Plagiarism and Copyright for Genealogists by Diana...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to find clients as a professional genealogist. We share all our marketing tips, from content marketing to networking with other genealogists. Listen in as we discuss our experience in finding clients. If you would like to see all our tips in written form, be sure to download our handout below. Links 10 Ways to Get Clients – Marketing Tips for Professional Genealogists – link to...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to deal with the documents you acquire in your research. For client projects, we typically arrange the documents that correspond with a research report into a PDF file with each image copy labelled and a citation attached. We discuss how to do this with Canva and Word. We also discuss downloading images, naming protocol, organization, copyright, and workflow. Links How to Create a Digital Document...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about managing your family trees. Do you have your tree on several websites as well as your software program? How many places do you need to put your tree? Join us as we discuss the purpose behind sharing a family tree online, having a working tree, and using trees as tools for DNA research. Links 3 Reasons to Have Personal Genealogy Software and How to Choose by...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about using RootsWeb and FamilySearch Genealogies to view family trees that users have uploaded to the internet. These resources are helpful in your “literature survey” – the search you do at the beginning of a research project to determine what has already been uncovered about a research subject. Join us as we discuss our experience with using these free family tree platforms to search and share our...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about portfolio element four: the research report prepared for another person. To apply to the Board for Certification of Genealogists you must submit a research report that meets standards. You cannot submit a report that focuses on your own ancestors. Listen in as we discuss the requirements, best practices for reports, and the rubrics for grading this portfolio element. Links Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) BCG...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about creating layered citations for images found on the four major genealogy websites: Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and Findmypast. We discuss how to separate the digital layer from the physical layer, and the five elements of a source citation. We discuss what element to lead with and how to find the details you need to include. Links Peeling Back the Layers: Online Source Citations Part 1 – by...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about a case study Diana wrote about the father of Mary French. Determining the maiden name and parents of a woman born in the late 1700s is one of the most difficult genealogical undertakings. Because women were not mentioned in many of the records of the era, few sources exist to prove their parentage. Combine that with record loss and the task becomes even more difficult. Descendants...