Research Like a Pro® Study Group
with Diana Elder, AG® and Nicole Dyer
RLP 7 will begin Wednesday, March 3, 2021 and meet every week for 9 weeks. This session meets at 12 pm Mountain Time for 90 minutes. This is one hour earlier than we have done it in the past.
Registration ends March 1.
Schedule
3/3/21 Lesson 1: Objectives, pedigree analysis, and file organization: Learn how to analyze your family tree for possible research opportunities, then how to focus your research with an objective. Get started with a file organization and protocol system.
3/10/21 Lesson 2: Timelines, review previous research, and create source citations: Gather previous research and extract all clues from the records you already have. Study the elements of a good source citation and learn to create your own.
3/17/21 Lesson 3: Analysis of sources, information, and evidence: Learn how to analyze the sources you have gathered and understand information and evidence labels.
3/24/21 Lesson 4: Locality research: Study jurisdictions, boundary changes, record availability, and discover the importance of understanding context.
3/31/21 Lesson 5: Research planning: Learn to make a focused plan that will guide you to the best sources to answer your research question.
4/7/21 Lesson 6: Research logging: Discover how to organize your findings using a research log.
4/14/21 Lesson 7: Research reports: Learn how to track your research progress and write up preliminary conclusions in a research report.
4/21/21 Lesson 8: Copyright, proof arguments, and publication: Explore how to create proof summaries and arguments for completed research and publish your work. Learn about copyright and fair use.
4/28/21 Lesson 9: Final steps, productivity, and education: Learn about adding conclusions to your family tree software, becoming more productive, and creating a genealogical education plan.
Weekly Lesson Format
Regular 90 minute sessions are led by Diana and Nicole and held virtually via Zoom. Each session will include:
-20 minute Q&A about the previous assignment
-60 minute lesson taught by Diana and Nicole
-10 minutes Q&A about the next assignment
Lessons and question/answer sessions will be recorded for review after the session.
Peer Group Sessions and Mentors
Optional peer group sessions are an opportunity for participants to meet with 4-6 other participants to discuss their projects. The peer group session will be facilitated by a mentor. Mentors are genealogists who have experience with the RLP process. Each participant will be assigned to a mentor who will give feedback on all of their assignments throughout the study group.
The peer group sessions meet two days before the regular session for 30 minutes. The purpose of the peer group session is to discuss your personal project and experience completing the assignment. Mentors will also be completing a project during the study group. Their role is to facilitate the discussion during the peer group session. They will share their experience with the assignment as well. Any questions that come up during the mentor sessions that can’t be answered by other participants or the mentor can discussed during the Q&A period of the regular session. Peer sessions are not recorded.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor and receiving complimentary registration for the study group, please go to our mentor application page here: RLP Study Group Mentors.
Time Commitment
This is a fast-moving, time-intensive study group. You will have five days to work on each assignment, except report writing, which you will work on in both assignment #7 and #8. The time you will spend on assignments will depend on the difficulty of your objective and how much time you need to spend learning to use technology. For easy objectives, expect to spend about 10-15 hours per week, or about 1-2 hours per day. For more difficult objectives, you may spend 15-20 or more hours per week. When you choose your objective, please take into account how much time you have to spend on the assignments and the difficulty level of your chosen objective.
Peer Review and Feedback
Plan to spend 1-2 hours each week on peer review. After you turn in your assignment, you will have one day to review your assigned peers’ work and give them constructive comments. You will be assigned to give feedback to four people each week: three participants (that rotate each week), and your mentor. The purpose for peer review is twofold: (1) to learn from the work of others and (2) to provide helpful comments to others. We will create a feedback schedule that shows your assigned peers each week. It is critical that you complete your assignment on time and that you give feedback to your assigned peers. Past participants in the study group say that the peer review is one of their favorite parts of the experience.
After you register, you will be asked to sign a participation agreement stating that you agree to complete your assignments and participate in peer review for three people each week. We will also ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement stating that you will not share private information about living people mentioned in your peers’ work.
You will receive feedback from three participants and your mentor on each weekly assignment. Diana and Nicole will give feedback on assignments 3, 5, and 8: timeline/analysis, research plan, and the final report.
Technology
We will be using the following tools during the study group and suggest that you become familiar with them. Any time you can spend learning how to use these tools prior to the study group will aid your use of them for assignments. Check your welcome email for videos to watch to help you learn more about these tools.
–Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets: Research project document, reflection journal, final report, citation template
–Airtable: Timeline, research log, FAN club list
We will also be using the above listed tools’ collaboration/commenting features for peer review. Some guidance will be given for getting started with these tools after you register as well as during the course.
Note about Google Drive: We will not be giving support about how to convert Microsoft Word into Google Docs or sharing Microsoft Word documents on Google Drive. If you are comfortable doing this on your own, that’s fine. However we encourage everyone to create their documents in Google Docs for ease of sharing and peer review.
Instructors
Diana Elder, AG
Diana Elder AGⓇ is a professional genealogist accredited in the Gulf South region of the United States. She serves as a Commissioner for The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). Diana is the author of the bestselling book, Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide and the creator of the Research Like a Pro study group and e-Course. Diana and her daughter, Nicole Dyer are the hosts of the Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast and share research tips on their website, FamilyLocket.com.
Nicole Dyer
Nicole Dyer is a professional genealogist, lecturer, and creator of FamilyLocket.com and The Research Like a Pro Genealogy Podcast. She is the co-author of Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist’s Guide. Nicole speaks at genealogy conferences and events including RootsTech and the National Genealogy Society Conference. She is the secretary and publicity chair at the Pima County Genealogy Society. She specializes in Southern United States research and enjoys incorporating DNA evidence into her research.
Email List
Two Research Like a Pro Study Groups are held per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. The fall study group focuses on DNA. To receive advance notice of registration opening and early bird sales, click the link and subscribe to the special 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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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!
Julie Gontarek –
I just loved being a part of this course. I learned so much about the correct way to do research. I loved having regular assignments that kept me motivated as well as being a part of the online sessions. I will be using what i have learned in this class going forward – especially the general idea to have an objective and work towards that objective with a detailed plan. What i learned about locality research, research logs and citations was amazing as well. Thanks to Diana and Nicole for such a wonderful course!
Payton James-Amberg –
I highly recommend the RLP study group course. I had previously bought the book, and attempted the method with some success; however, l ran out of steam somewhere around learning about source citations. Having a class structure, and accountability was helpful. Having the instructors, and our class mentors, to ask questions of and receive feedback from, was key to getting through the points that I knew were important for quality research, but were complicated and intimidating. I also learned a lot from reviewing classmates’ work. Our study group was occurring just as the pandemic hit, and I was unable to do any research outside my house. Making a research plan under challenging conditions was critical. I was able to quickly focus on what I COULD do now, and put other ideas in my future research plans, and still make good progress because I was focused. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this class. I feel that it was a very good investment in my education, and fun! I may do it again!
Susan L Morrison –
This was a great course. I have listened to Diana and Nicole for about a year. A few months in I purchased their book and read it thoroughly. Then I started at the beginning and tried to go through the book on my own. This didn’t work for me. I needed more structure and accountability in my research. I also had questions that came up for me right away, and without the class I had no one to ask. The beauty of the course was that instantly I was in touch with like-minded people. Fellow students provided great support and feedback. I really appreciated the mentor sessions. All of the mentors were so great and gave me very helpful answers to my questions. I especially want to compliment my own mentor, Heather Robb ,who was so patient with me in my ignorance of Google Sheets and Docs! Thanks, Heather, I couldn’t have done this without you! And thank you to Diana and Nicole who managed through Covid 19 and even earthquakes. I don’t know how you two do so much, but it’s very inspirational. I will be telling my genealogy friends all about this great class.
Deb Levinson –
This study group was fantastic – a must take course. After several years of chasing shiny little objects, collecting documents, wasting time and showing very little progress, this course provided me with the tools, processes and knowledge needed to develop and write a well thought out research project and actually have an answer to the question that I was asking. This “must take” course uses a multi-prong approach with lessons, webinars, interactive group sessions, member feedback from fellow study group members, mentors and instructors. Thank you Diana, Nicole, mentors and fellow course members for all of your suggestions and support, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Well, I’m off to organizing my work, being more productive, fulfilling my genealogy education goals and developing my next genealogy research project. Thank you again!!!
Stacy Ryan –
Participating in this Study Group was an amazing experience! Over the course of several weeks I learned how to use a variety of strategies and tools that taught me how to be more efficient, focused, and productive in my genealogical research. Diana, Nicole, and the Mentors are dedicated to helping others become better genealogists, and it’s fun to see what other study group members are working on and learn from each other. I believe anyone who puts in the work to complete the assignments will take their skills to a new level…regardless of where they begin. To say that my eyes have been opened to approaching genealogical research in a whole new way would be an understatement, and I HIGHLY recommend this program to anyone!
Candy Risher –
I really cannot recommend this course enough if you want to take your research to the next level! Diana and Nicole do an excellent job of bringing the Research Like a Pro content to life, answering questions, and providing additional relevant content to dive even deeper than the book can. The addition of cutting-edge tools and techniques will help untangle even the most gnarly research problems. But the real benefit of this course is having access to peers who are just as passionate about their research as you are willing to take time to look at your work and make suggestions and give feedback. The community that is built through participation in this course is invaluable in a pursuit that is so often solitary.
Diane Minor –
Loved this study group! Diana and Nicole are very organized and the class ran very smoothly. The research tools and process that they layed out for the group were very effective. I have already started to incorporate their ways into my process. I liked the peer review process as well. The mentor and small group meetings for asking questions was very helpful also. Definitely recommend this process and study group experience.
Erin Edwards –
This class is exactly what I needed! Although I have been doing genealogy on my own family for a long time, I recently became familiar with genealogy standards and a more proper process for professional level genealogy. But as a newbie to doing things this way, where to start? Luckily I came across the Research Like a Pro book, which brought me to this website and their study groups and I jumped in. The study group was the perfect way to help teach me a method to do genealogy in a proper way, keep organized, and have a process I could repeat. Diana and Nicole are wonderful and generous instructors, and they created an environment where I felt very supported by them, our study group mentor, and our peers. It was fun, everyone was patient and helpful, and I am ready to sign up to take the DNA version of the study group when it is next offered. I am really thankful for this class and the great foundation it gave me. Thanks!
Robin Goodman –
This study group class was the best learning experience for me. I had never done a study group with peer reviews and the thought intimidated me but it was the most rewarding part of the course. I received constructive and helpful feedback on my Reflection Journal, Airtable, Project Plan, and Report. I enjoyed our weekly discussions with the peer group and our mentor Alice listened to everyone so carefully and guided us where we needed help. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone that is serious about taking the next step in their genealogy learning process.
Rebecca Lambert –
I highly recommend the RLP study group! I can’t think of a better way to gain hands-on experience in genealogical research methods. Nicole and Diana take you through all of the stages of a research project through a series of well-organized steps. I learned so much in just a few months (and broke down a brick wall along the way). I really loved learning from others through peer review, mentorship, and the small group study sessions.
Julia Todd –
I was glad I completed the RLP study group. The tools and information provided enabled me to write my first research report, and has provided me with a better understanding of how to document, research, and prove genealogy relationships. My small study group sessions were a highlight of the course.
Sharon Beesley –
I’ve read books and journals, gone to genealogy conferences, and attended weeklong courses, but nothing has been as productive for me as the RLP study group. My brick wall seemed impenetrable and I had resigned myself to trying to learn the skills that would help me organize my previous research. I got that and more! Following the RLP process, I was able to find a family for my mystery ancestor, opening up more paths for research. The course is well thought out. Diana and Nicole methodically introduced us to skills and products that we focused on for a week at a time. The experience of working with my mentor Melody, ever encouraging and thoughtful, and our peer group was one of the highlights for me, offering a chance to ask questions and discuss projects with people who are interested.
SHARI RUSSELL –
I love the RLP process! This class is great for the the novice as well as the seasoned genealogist. The process works and the skills learned and put into practice is the best way for me to learn. The organization system is invaluable! I love how the process actually improves and streamlines my research. I completed the e-course a year ago and the study group enhanced that learning with the assistance of Nicole and Diana. They are so well organized and genuinely nice. I would highly recommend this course!