We’re thrilled to announce the next chapter in genealogical education at Family Locket: the Research Like a Pro Institute! Building on our successful foundation of study groups, workshops, and webinars, the RLP Institute represents our commitment to providing hands-on and rigorous genealogical education. Our first course is about merging and separating identities, taught by Jan Joyce, CG, CGL, AG.
What Are Institute Courses?
Institute courses are the gold standard of genealogical education – either week-long intensive deep dives or multi-week programs that go far beyond typical workshops or webinars. These courses offer:
- Deep dives into complex topics with multiple sessions building upon each other
- Rigorous coursework including pre-course preparation and homework assignments
- Hands-on application with real-world case studies and exercises
- Extended learning periods that allow concepts to truly take root
- Advanced practitioners bringing hands-on expertise to every session
Think of institute courses as the genealogical equivalent of graduate-level seminars. They’re designed for researchers ready to tackle the field’s most challenging problems with sophisticated methodologies and proven analytical frameworks.
This blog post was written with the help of artificial intelligence.
What is the Research Like a Pro Institute?
The Research Like a Pro Institute is the new educational venture from Family Locket Genealogists, co-owned by Diana Elder, CG, and Nicole Elder Dyer. Building on our proven success in teaching the Research Like a Pro methodology, we are now hosting multi-week, institute-level courses designed for advanced genealogical education.
These rigorous programs are crafted to help intermediate genealogists take their research to the next level, providing the sophisticated knowledge and hands-on practice required to either become a professional genealogist or simply develop and apply professional-level skills to their own family history projects. The RLP Institute is where committed researchers master the complex analytical frameworks needed to solve genealogy’s toughest problems.
Our Inaugural Course: Merging and Separating Identities
We couldn’t be more excited that our first institute course addresses one of genealogy’s most pervasive challenges: identity resolution. “Merging and Separating Identities: Strategies and Tactics to Solve” will be led by Jan Joyce, CG, CGL, AG – a board-certified genealogist known for her innovative approach to genealogical education.
Why This Topic Matters
If you’ve ever struggled with ancestors who share common names, lived in the same communities, or seem to appear and disappear from records mysteriously, you understand the frustration of identity confusion. Was your John Dyer the one who married Mary Long in 1842, or was that his cousin? Did your ancestor really move three times, or are you following multiple people?
These aren’t just annoying roadblocks – they’re fundamental challenges that can derail entire research projects. One merged identity can corrupt generations of a family tree, while incorrectly separated identities can leave crucial connections undiscovered.
My Experience Teaching Identity Resolution
I had the privilege of being one of the instructors in this course with Jan Joyce when it was previously offered as a week-long course at the GRIP Genealogical Research Institute. I developed a specialized Airtable base specifically designed for merging and separating identities – adding custom fields, views, and formulas that help researchers systematically track identity indicators and correlate evidence across multiple individuals.
It was rewarding to see students adopt these tools and watch their confidence grow as they tackled cases they’d previously thought unsolvable. Many of you already use my Research Like a Pro Airtable research log templates, and I’m excited that this course allowed me to expand those tools with features tailored to identity resolution challenges. The combination of Jan’s methodological expertise and these practical digital tools creates a powerful framework for solving identity cases.
We are excited to offer the Merging and Separating Identities course as a multi-week course this time – which allows participants to practice the techniques taught in a more realistic timeframe.
What You’ll Learn
This comprehensive course addresses identity challenges through multiple proven approaches, from identity profiling to spreadsheets and offline methods.
Identity Profiling
You’ll learn to systematically gather and organize descriptors – those crucial biographical, geographical, social, and familial characteristics that distinguish one person from another. Rather than relying on names and dates alone, you’ll build comprehensive identity dossiers that paint complete pictures of individuals.
Research Methodologies
The course covers an arsenal of analytical methods including:
- Timeline construction to track individuals through time
- Onomastic analysis (the study of naming patterns)
- Geographic mapping to visualize movement and residence patterns
- FAN club identification to leverage associates and neighbors
- Contextual research to understand historical circumstances
- Negative evidence collection to prove what didn’t happen
Modern Tools and Traditional Techniques
What sets this course apart is its integration of both time-tested methods and cutting-edge technology. You’ll work with:
- Spreadsheet techniques for data organization
- Visualization methods to identify patterns
- AI platforms for enhanced analysis
- Traditional paper-and-pen correlation methods
Course Structure and Commitment
This institute course offers multiple sessions of in-depth instruction, complemented by:
- Pre-course preparation using a Common Data Set (10-20 hours recommended)
- Interactive workshops throughout the course
- Hands-on exercises with real genealogical records
- Applied case studies demonstrating successful resolution strategies
The beauty of working with a Common Data Set is that all students examine the same collection of records, allowing for rich discussion about different approaches and interpretations. You’ll receive these materials one month before the course begins, giving you time to familiarize yourself with the cases.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for intermediate to advanced researchers who are ready to level up their analytical skills. You should be comfortable with:
- Basic genealogical research methodology
- Spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets, or similar)
- Online database navigation (FamilySearch, Ancestry)
Don’t worry if you’re not an expert in these areas – basic familiarity is sufficient. The course focuses on applying these tools to identity resolution, not teaching software basics.
About Your Course Coordinator
Jan Joyce, a board-certified genealogist, brings a unique blend of expertise to this course. She has developed several groundbreaking educational programs including the “Assemblage” course at SLIG and the innovative Document Work Workshop. Her research spans multiple states and countries, giving her firsthand experience with the identity challenges faced by researchers at all levels.
Jan’s teaching philosophy emphasizes practical application – you won’t just learn theory, you’ll walk away with fillable templates, reference guides, and analytical tools you can immediately apply to your own research.
Looking Forward
The launch of the Research Like a Pro Institute represents our commitment to advancing genealogical education. As the field evolves with new technologies, methodologies, and resources, we need educational opportunities that match this sophistication. Institute courses provide the time, depth, and rigor necessary to truly master complex genealogical challenges.
While we don’t have additional institute courses scheduled at this moment, the potential for expanding our curriculum is exciting. Identity resolution is an ideal starting point, and we look forward to exploring what other advanced topics might benefit from this format in the future.
Ready to Resolve Those Identities?
If you’re tired of wondering whether you’re following one ancestor or three, if you’re ready to confidently merge or separate identities with evidence-based analysis, this course is for you. You’ll emerge with not just solutions to specific cases, but a robust methodology you can apply to any identity challenge you encounter. Click the link below to register:
Register for Merging and Separating Identities
The Research Like a Pro Institute is here to transform how we approach genealogy’s toughest challenges. We can’t wait to see the breakthroughs you’ll achieve when you master the art and science of identity resolution!
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