Research Like a Pro study group
with Diana Elder, AG®
Schedule
Registration for the next study group will begin August 2019.
Session Topics
Pedigree analysis and objectives: Learn how to analyze your family tree for possible research opportunities, then how to focus your research with an objective.
Reviewing previous research and analyzing source information: Learn how to analyze the sources you have found and extract all of the possible data from them.
Location research: Study jurisdictions, boundary changes, and discover the importance of understanding “where” an event occurred.
Research planning: Learn to make a focused plan that will guide you to the best sources that will answer your research question.
Source citations: Study the elements of a good source citation and learn to create your own.
Logging your research: Discover how to organize your research using a research log and source citations.
Writing up your research: Learn the many ways you can share your research, how to write a simple proof summary, and discover the best option for any research scenario.
Organization, productivity, and education: Discover new ways to organize your genealogy documents, become more productive in your work, and boost your genealogical knowledge.
How it works:
After you pay for the study group, I will contact you with further information and answer any questions.
One-hour study group sessions will be held via Zoom meetings from the comfort of your home computer.
Following the session, I will share a private link for you to view the recorded session at any time.
Before each session you will have access to a webinar to view in preparation for the session topic.
Each session will consist of discussion on the topic with practical practice and time for questions.
Following each session, you will complete an assignment on your own research problem.
You will receive feedback on your research assignment from me and two study group members.
You will give feedback on the research assignment to two study group members.
To receive advance notice of the next study group, click the link below and subscribe to the special study group email list:
Sign up for Study Group Email List
Peggy Sorrell –
As a participant in the first Research Like a Pro study group, I learned much about the research process. The assignments were meaningful and guided me to learn new skills. I found the collaboration with other study group members enlightening, both in their feedback, but also in seeing how they approached the same assignment, often with different results. Diana and Nicole were very interested in each individual and their project, and offered insightful and helpful suggestions. I would recommend this class to anyone who is a “newbee” or “seasoned” researcher — there is something to be learned by all!
Kaye Shelley –
I just completed my Research Like A Pro group session and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has a project that needs to be tackled. It would have taken me a long time to get around to completing my project had it not been for the group experience with Diana and Nicole. I learned how to define my objective and work on it regularly, where to look for sources, the value of locality searches, and to effectively use my time by implementing a research log. (I’m now a research log convert!) When I had questions, Diana was there for clarification. Collaborating with others in the group was amazing, and helped me see there are many ways to approach an objective. By having homework assignments, I immediately put into practice the skills I learned; learning by doing works for me. Thanks Diana and Nicole for this valuable experience. One of my greatest personal discoveries is I can do things I felt I didn’t have the skill level to do.
Mary Beth Mueller –
I wanted to be more efficient in writing up my research but not willing at this point to take a longer course. When you read Diana’s blog you will see the quality of her writing and she is a great teacher too. I’ve learned more than I realized and going forward I have a process to help me research and write up my finding. The class is fun and you learn a lot.
Sherri Hessick (verified owner) –
I highly recommend the Research Like a Pro Study Group to anyone who wants to develop or to improve an organized research process. We come away from each session with homework assignments relevant to our own research project. Diana provides real-life examples of the work she asks of us and we are expected to provide feedback to other members of the study group. Seeing how others interpret the assignments to fit their research projects is extremely valuable. I must admit that I was not excited about doing one or two of the assigments, but when I finished them I saw how valuable that step was to the successful completion of my project. This class is well worth the time and effort, and you will be amazed at the progress you will make on your personal research project at the end.
Rondie Yancey –
I solved a long-standing family mystery using the research methods Diane provided. I certainly became a research log enthusiast when I saw how much using the log helped me with this solution. Each lesson demonstrated how much more efficient and effective my research could be, and I would recommend this class to anyone who seriously wants to improve their skills. I have been doing genealogy for over 20 years, but this class helped me on to a new level
Amy Urman (verified owner) –
The instructor and small class size make learning easy. I took this course to brush up on my report writing skills. Diana and Nicole are very encouraging I felt like a weight being lifted off my shoulders- that would be the weight of self doubt. I feel much more assured of myself and my skills. Diana shares her research techniques and thought processes. She provides wonderful examples that are easy to follow along. Her lessons and reading assignments provide guidance to make researching faster and easier. I enjoyed seeing the assignments of others taking the class. It was interesting to see what they were researching, how they were researching, and what their outcome was at the end of the class. Diana and Nicole make an outstanding team and I would recommend taking the class to anyone who wishes to better their research and writing skills.
Melody Daisson (verified owner) –
I really enjoyed this class. I learned the value of timeline analysis, research planning, and research planning. I liked researching with a plan, and I successfully met my research objective. I enjoyed sharing ideas about research with Diana, Nicole, & other group participants. I took the study group while planning a wedding and I felt very satisfied that I was able to continue working on my research during a very busy time of life. I highly recommend this class to anyone.
Donna Martin (verified owner) –
The Research Like a Pro class exceeds expectations. I came into the class with some basic research skills and very poor methodology. I finished the class with some new research skills and a solid framework for planning, documenting, reporting, and organizing my genealogical research. Diana Elder and her daughter, Nicole Dyer, are both knowledgeable and supportive, promoting an atmosphere of congeniality and collegiality. I learned so much from them, but the design of the class also allowed me to learn a lot from others participating in the class. If you are looking for an economical way to improve your genealogical skills, Research Like a Pro is money and time well spent.
Sandi Hartvigsen (verified owner) –
The title of this study group is Research Like A Pro. At the end of the study group you definitely feel you can research like a pro. Diana and Nicole take you through the process of tackling one of your own research questions. It goes through the research process in a clear and logical manner. Feedback from other study group participants was very positive and helpful. I have a good start on tackling a difficult research project of finding a maiden name. I feel more confident in my ability as a researcher and writing a research report. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who has a passion for genealogy.
DeAnn Ellingson (verified owner) –
This study group session has been amazing. Great knowledge was gained about organization and productivity as I followed Diana Elder’s instructions, used her templates, and completed the required homework. Working with others in the session, I also learned from them too. Now that the session is over, I hope as I use Diana’s ideas shared in our study group: making a locality guide, creating an ancestor timeline, writing down background information, using a research log complete with citations, choosing five sources to use for a research project, and writing as I go, that they will become automatic for me.
Michelle Mickelson (verified owner) –
Diana is a knowledgeable professional with the heart of a teacher. With my former limited experience, I have now gained a solid foundation through hands on research and detailed encouragement in methodology, understanding and organization. She thoroughly covers all the bases and quickly responds to questions or concerns. I learned how to find clues for those elusive relatives and through good writing principles and expert tips, I can share my discoveries in a clear and concise way. My frustration from online trees transformed into useful navigation of those very sites! Diana and Nicole together, create a fun and positive environment where everybody learns. Even the experts in our class learned new information and improved upon their skills! I recommend this class to everyone who cares to do genealogy RIGHT!
Alison Greve-Prongay (verified owner) –
If you are hitting a brick wall in your genealogy you must take the course “Research Like a Pro”. Diana and Nicole are a mother and daughter team who will teach you. I have taken a few other classes in genealogy but this class was the best class I have ever taken. This class will help to break those brick walls down. The best session that we all loved in class and so will you is the “Locality.” Not that I didn’t enjoy the other classes but this one it appeared that everyone enjoyed working on it. I am sure you will also enjoy that class as much as I did. If you are on the fence about taking this course please do not hesitate and just take it. I just think this course is worth it. What you come away with is the knowledge that you will get those brick walls down. You also might figure out you will have to change your objective on how to achieve that goal of yours. The important thing is you have the confidence to complete those brick walls because now you have the knowledge on how to remove the brick walls. You also will have two wonderful, kind teachers that will help you to achieve your goal. Thank you ever so much Diana & Nicole for all of your help.
Lisa Fair (verified owner) –
This class was wonderful. I do a lot of searching for my relatives, this class teaches you how to research your relatives and move forward in building your family’s history. Each session focuses on a step in the research process. It brings focus and some discipline into the research that I really needed. In my case, I did not find the answers I was looking for, but, I have discovered several additional items to research that hopefully will lead to solving my objective.
I’ve taken other online genealogy courses, this was by far the best combination of online, homework and in-person. I really enjoyed the discussions of each topic, the interaction between Diane, Nicole and the other class members was really helpful. I will definitely continue to use the Research Like A Pro process to work on those brick walls! This class was well worth the money.
Simona MacAngus –
I’m thinking the study group may reveal to me whether I have the discipline to rework myself and my haphazard research practices towards obtaining certification as a genealogist. At almost 76 I’d have to hurry and really do have bad habits as a document gatherer rather than an organizer, compiler and writer-upper. I do have a graduate degree (MBA, specialty in finance/real estate) so had the oomph & tenacity once upon a time.
Bonnie Andersen –
Diana and Nicole are true teachers! This course has been very worthwhile. I have learned the methodology of a professional researcher. Reviewing the work of others has also been enlightening. It has broadened my thought process and has opened up my mind to new ways of research. Before I started this process, a research log, source citations and locality guides were seldom something I used. But now, they are indispensable! Thank you to Diana and Nicole for your kindness and encouragement.
Alice Childs (verified owner) –
The Research Like a Pro study group was such a valuable experience for me. I am currently pursuing accreditation, and participating in this group helped me gain knowledge and confidence in my skills as a researcher. I had previously purchased the Research Like a Pro book and had been working on becoming a better researcher on my own, but being guided by Diana one step at a time and receiving feedback from Diana, Nicole, and the other members of the group really helped me learn much faster. As I look back over my assignments I am excited about what I have learned and the progress I have made. My completed report has given me such a sense of accomplishment. Thank you Diana and Nicole for your teaching and mentoring. I recommend this course to anyone who would like to develop professional research skills.
Cheri Weakley (verified owner) –
My family history research goal for 2019 was to learn how to use a research log. A Google search revealed the Family Locket website. Learning about Diana & Nicole, reading the digital book, and listening to their podcasts convinced me I found an amazing logical step-by-step research method, so I signed up for the study group. Diana’s lessons, the live study group sessions, and peer feedback on homework assignments enriched everyone. Diana & Nichole’s love of teaching shines throughout this course. This is the best 16 week research course. Everyone interested in genealogy should take Research Like a Pro.
Margie Beldin (verified owner) –
I had been looking for something to help me learn the proper way to research culminating in a research report. I knew that name gathering was not the proper way to do genealogy and I had been doing that long enough. I was disappointed when Paula Stuart Warren no longer taught Intermediate Research at SLIG but luckily a friend told me about the Research Like a Pro course. I had only recently learned about the podcasts and was hooked, listening to them over and over. So, I had a feeling the course was what I was looking for. I decided to jump in and do the study course so that I would be accountable for my assignments and work. This was a great way to learn proper genealogical research. I liked the pace. SLIG was too much info in too little time, but RLP allowed breathing room and time to think while getting the assignments done. Diana and Nicole are very patient and willing to help; the class participants were also great, giving wonderful feedback and never once making me feel that I had done something wrong or inadequate. It was also a challenge to critique others because sometimes I didn’t think I knew enough to say anything, but, surprise, I had learned and felt confident in commenting on others’ work. I am soooo glad I took this course and hope that I can continue growing and learning because of this wonderful foundation. I still listen to the podcasts over and over (while walking my dogs each morning). I will miss the biweekly meetings but look forward to the Office Hours to be able to ask questions and get answers. Thanks for a wonderful 15 weeks!