If you answered yes to any of these questions, Becoming an Accredited Genealogist is the resource book for you!

Why this book, Becoming an Excellent Genealogist? Why not? Isn't that what every family historian or genealogist wants to be? We may not express it with the same terminology, but we all want to be successful genealogists. We want to find more family members and solve those "brick wall" problems that we all run into during our research. That's what an excellent genealogist does--solve tough research problems!Does it matter if you are, or want to be, a professional genealogist? This book is not designed just for professionals, but rather for you. You, as a researcher who has faced those tough problems and wondered, "What have I missed?" Or "What should I do next?"Genealogical research has become one of the most popular pastimes in the United States. As the popularity of genealogical research continues to grow, so does the need for guidance that takes the researcher beyond basic, introductory instruction. Becoming an Excellent Genealogist: Essays on Professional Research Skills provides higher levels of instruction to help you become a more excellent genealogist. This book illustrates how to use sources and information better, develop more advanced research and analytical skills, and learn new methodologies.Brought to you by the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, the essays in this book represent hundreds of years of genealogical experience by some of the best genealogists in North America. Their clear, succinct instruction, illustrated with short examples in these brief, easy-to-read essays, demonstrate key principles to becoming an excellent genealogist. For nearly 50 years, the AG credential offered by the Commission has represented high-quality competency and efficiency of genealogists who have passed rigorous test requirements. The Commission also seeks to educate the public about issues related to excellent and professional genealogy.The Commission is now pleased to present these timeless and important principles and methodologies to serious genealogists, like you. We are happy to share many key concepts of excellent research that have spelled success to other experienced researchers, knowing that you, at whatever skill level you have attained, will benefit from reading this book! Enjoy!

Are you stuck in your genealogical research? Wondering how to make progress on your brick wall problems? Discover the process that a professional genealogist uses to solve difficult cases. Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide shares a step-by-step method using real world examples, easily understood by any level of genealogist; written for the researcher ready to take their skills to the next level.Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide will give you the tools to:- Form an objective focusing your research for an entire project.- Review your research with new eyes by creating your own timeline analysis.- Construct a locality guide to direct your research.- Create a plan to keep your research on track.- Style source citations, giving your work credibility.- Set up a research log to organize and track your searches.- Write a report detailing your findings and ideas for future research.Links to templates give you the tools you need to get started and work samples illustrate each step. You'll learn to execute a research project from start to finish, then start again with the new information discovered. Whether you are a newbie or experienced researcher, Research Like a Pro: A Genealogist's Guide will move the search for your ancestors forward. Start now to learn to Research Like a Pro.

A manual for researchers writers, editors, lecturers, and Librarians.

Designed to inspire and encourage, this comprehensive guide offers a basic introduction to the primary methods and sources used in genealogy work. It shows how to organize and evaluate readily available information, such as documents and photographs, and explores fundamental research techniques such as keeping a research log, interviewing relatives, making charts, citing sources, and using the Internet. Find out how to utilize more advanced methods to obtain information from census reports to cemeteries and more. Suggestions are included for preserving, displaying, and using the findings, along with plenty of photographs, charts, and lists.

Unlock the family secrets in your DNA! Discover the answers to your family history mysteries using the most cutting edge tool available. This plain-English guide (newly updated and expanded to include th latest DNA developments) will teach you what DNA tests are available; the pros and cons of the major testing companies; and how to choose the right test to answer your specific genealogy questions. And once you've taken a DNA test, this guide will help you use your often-overwhelming results, with tips for understanding ethnicity estimates, navigating suggested cousin matches, and using third-party tools like GEDmatch to further analyze your data. The book features: · Colorful diagrams and expert definitions that explain key DNA terms and concepts such as haplogroups and DNA inheritance patterns · Detailed guides to each of the major kinds of DNA tests and tips for selecting the DNA test that can best help you solve your family mysteries, with case studies showing how each can be useful · Information about third-party tools you can use to more thoroughly analyze your test results once you've received them · Test comparison guides and research forms to help you select the most appropriate DNA test and organize your results · Insights into how adoptees and others who know little about their ancestry can benefit from DNA testing Whether you've just heard of DNA testing or you've tested at all three major companies, this guide will give you the tools you need to unpuzzle your DNA and discover what it can tell you about your family tree.

Everyone tracing a family's history faces a dilemma. We strive to reconstruct relationships and lives of people we cannot see, but if we cannot see them, how do we know we have portrayed them accurately? The genealogical proof standard aims to help researchers, students, and new family historians address this dilemma and apply respected standards for acceptable conclusions.

Break through brick walls in your genealogical research Learn how to use innovative methods to unearth hard-to-find ancestors. Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques shows you, step by step, how to uncover elusive details by taking advantage of specialized tools and software programs and using proven best practices for breaking through the brick walls that have hindered your progress. You’ll get professional advice on formulating a research strategy, understanding the details you discover, keeping careful track of your data, analyzing the evidence, and developing hypotheses. Real-world case studies demonstrate how you can apply the systematic procedures presented in this practical guide to your own research--and achieve success! Examine the brick wall in detail to find potential weak spots that can be exploited into a breakthrough Use brute force techniques that leave no stone unturned Obtain exact copies of original records rather than derivative sources Research the family, associates, and neighbors (FANs) of your brick wall ancestor Consult with your family, friends, and colleagues to get a fresh perspective on your research Use crowdsourcing--genealogy societies, online forums, social media, blogs, wikis, and podcasts Apply technological solutions, including DNA testing and specialized genealogical software Get tips on hiring a professional genealogical researcher with the appropriate credentials and references Revisit your brick wall problem after honing your research skills Review your evidence, develop a research strategy, and keep a meticulous research log

Family historians depend upon thousands of people unknown to them. They exchange research with others; copy information from books and databases; and write libraries, societies, and government offices. At times they even hire professionals to do legwork in distant areas and trust strangers to solve important problems. But how can a researcher be assured that he or she is producing or receiving reliable results? This official manual from the Board of Certification for Genealogists provides a standard by which all genealogists can pattern their work.

A Genealogist's Guide to Using Maps and Geography The truth about genealogy is that, although you might believe it has something to do with history, it actually has something more to do with geography. Though of course the names and dates on your family tree are the bread and butter of genealogy, the location of the records is what reveals them. And how better to learn about location than with maps! Maps are a crucial tool in learning about your family history. They can show you how to find a courthouse, where a grave is located, or where an ancestral homestead might be. But maps are much more than that - they can reveal intimate details about the lives of your ancestors. Walk the roads that your forefathers walked with maps! Maps will reveal the clues that you need to locate ancestors that suddenly "disappear." This book will teach you how to use maps to: Find the roads, rivers, and trains that your great-grandfathers used to travel across the country and see where they might have relocated. Discover the ever-shifting boundaries of territories, counties, and towns and learn the alternate places where records might be found. Locate places that no longer exist and uncover the long-lost homes, schools, farms, and more where your ancestors spent their time. Become familiar with all the different kinds of maps, from military to topographic, and how they can assist you in your research. Walking with Your Ancestors is the perfect guide to the under-utilized revelations that are just waiting for you in maps, atlases, and gazetteers. Find out about these fascinating snapshots of history and what they can tell you about the lives of your ancestors today!