This 4 session course covers genealogy process and problem-solving. We will not be discussing specific places and sources in order to focus on the methods we’ll be discussing. Participants should have a basic understanding of records and sources in the areas where their ancestors and problem people lived. Course is aimed at advanced beginner or intermediate level genealogists. Presentations and discussions are made/given by Michael John Neill. Registrants will be able to download lectures to view at their convenience. Discussions are held weekly.
Actual lectures are video downloads with handouts. Sessions are zoom meetings where there’s discussion of the lecture and time for questions. Zoom meetings will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.
Preliminary session
An introduction to the class.
Session 1
The Four-Step Problem-Solving Process.
We will talk about the four steps of the Problem-Solving Process (understand, plan, execute, and evaluate) and how they apply to genealogical research. The understanding stage is the more crucial and the most involved and we’ll spend most of our time on it as there are several aspects to it. Planning, executing, and evaluating are important as well and will also be discussed in this session.
Session 2
Obtained a Document–Now What?
We will discuss citation, transcription, abstraction, extraction, analysis, comparison, chronology integration, and filing in this session. There’s more to a document than simply obtaining it.
Session 3
Analysis Concerns
We will discuss concepts such as:
- Do you have the same person?
- Purpose of original document
- Reliability of the document and the information it contains.
- Who is the preceived informant?
Session 4
Is Your Process the Problem?
In our last session, we will look at a variety of “tried and true” approaches that can lead to more frustration than solved problems. We’ll focus on a variety of misconceptions, processes that can lead to confusion, and ways to reduce the chance of self-created brick walls.
AI
Students will be encouraged to use AI responsibly in this course where appropriate. We are not having a session in this course on AI specifically. AI does not replace cognitive portions of the research process but can initially assist with some mundane and tedious parts (transcription, extraction, and citation creation). Students do not have to use AI, but we will definitely not suggest AI for the “thinking” portions of this class.
Homework
There will be optional homework.
Sessions:
- 14 Oct-preliminary session
- 21, 28 October and 4, 11 November-regular sessions
- 18 November-wrap up session
Lectures will be downloaded.
