So… you remember yesterday I mentioned that I was a survivor of Course 4 at the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), right? And you’re still reading this blog today, hmmm? That means you must have at least SOME interest in figuring out the ins and outs of all this law stuff as it affects genealogical research, yes?
Have I got a deal for you!
On this coming Tuesday, the 17th of January, 2012, starting at 11:30 a.m. Central Standard Time, you can register for this year’s IGHR Course 6 — Advanced Library Research: Law Libraries & Government Documents. IGHR this year starts June 10 and runs through June 15 at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama.
This course, usually called “GovDocs” for short, has all kinds of goodies in its curriculum. Here’s just a handful of the session topics:
Court & Legal Records: An Overview for Genealogists
Genealogy of a Law
Mining the Court Reporters
Law in Print
Civil Law Concepts & Genealogy
Students get hands-on experience with research in a law library and a TON of information on the many different flavors of government documents that can so enrich a family history. If you don’t take this course in 2012, it won’t be offered again until 2014. So if you’ve got the time, and the interest, GO! Tuition alone is $405; there are options to stay on campus or off and a meal plan is available to all.
The whole IGHR course line-up has some stellar options this year, as always, and a more basic course, more advanced course, or more subject-focused course may be more up your alley. The course list for 2012 is:
1. Techniques and Technology
2. Intermediate Genealogy and Historical Studies
3. Research in the South, Part I
4. Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis
5. Writing and Publishing for Genealogists
6. Advanced Library Research: Law Libraries & Government Documents
7. Virginia’s Land & Military Conflicts
8. Researching African-American Ancestors
9. Military Records Research III: 1821-1919
10. Tracing Your English Ancestors
Things to remember:
Registration for all IGHR courses opens Tuesday, but it starts at different times for different classes. Check the time for the class you want.
All IGHR class sizes are limited and REGISTRATION FILLS UP FAST. If you want to go, be prepared to start trying to register right when registration for the class you want opens and to keep trying. There’s a guide to registration available online so you can understand the process in advance and be ready to go.
Course 4 has prerequisites and if you register for the course but don’t have one of ’em, you have to submit a paper by March 1, 2012 or your registration will be cancelled.
Much more info is available online at the IGHR website.
So… will you be at IGHR this year?
Judy, I’m so envious of everyone who will get to be at IGHR this year — especially those in the GovDocs course. I took it a few years ago and learned a ton. But I could easily go back and take it again and get even more out of it. There is so much to learn that one week just skims the surface and I’m sure I’ve forgotten a good chunk of it by now. A refresher course is in my future, I think, but not this year.
IGHR is a fantastic experience no matter what course you take. It’s not just about the course, but about being around so many people playing at the top of their game. They inspire you to do your best work, to look harder and deeper, to think more carefully, to recognize assumptions as just that, and to analyze and correlate records more thoroughly.
Wish I could be there this year. Lucky you if you’re going back!
Sorry you’re not going to be going this year, Barbara! I’m hoping to be able to go (not necessarily for this course, since I suspect I could teach most of it, given my day job!) — there’s just so much to learn!