Registration opens Wednesday, February 17

There’s sure no excuse for not getting a first-class genealogical education in 2021.

No reason to feel left out when all your friends post what they’re learning.

Because everything is still virtual in 2021, and not having to travel opens lots of doors to lots of folks who — before — might not be able to attend one of what The Legal Genealogist calls the “camps for genealogists.”

So if you missed out on January’s weeks of “winter camp for genealogists” offered by the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, no worries. There are lots more options for expanding your genealogical horizons, and the first of this year’s “summer camp for genealogists” classes — two weeks of sessions at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) — will open for registration Wednesday, February 17!! (not the 27th, darned fat fingers…), at noon Eastern time.

GRIP is going into its 10th season this year, with two week-long sessions (20-25 June 2021 and 11-16 July 2021). Co-directors Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and Deborah Lichtner Deal have a terrific line-up of courses offering in-depth immersion for each of these sessions, and one of these is bound to be just what you’re looking for.

Registration for both the June and July sessions opens on the same day — Wednesday, February 17 — but at different times. Registration for the June session opens at noon Eastern time (9 a.m. Pacific), registration for the July session opens at 2 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific).

My own course, co-coordinated with Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, is in the June session. Law School for Genealogists is the foundational course for understanding the areas of law relevant to genealogical research, helping folks learn to use resources created by legal processes and other government actions. From, state courts to federal government records, this course covers the waterfront on legal records we use every day in genealogy. And one of the treats of the course is learning about immigration and naturalization records from the undisputed expert on the topic — retired USCIS Genealogy Program director Marian L. Smith.

If perhaps you’re looking for something a bit different, or the timing for that course doesn’t work for you, here’s what else is available in the two GRIP sessions in 2021:

June Session, 20-25 June 2021:

Practical Genetic Genealogy
Coordinator: Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D.

In this class you will learn from some of the best genealogists in the field of DNA evidence in a setting that allows for interaction, hands-on practice, and cooperative learning. Together we will examine the fundamental aspects of the different types of DNA evidence (atDNA, mtDNA, Y-DNA, and X-DNA), the benefits and limitations of ethnicity estimates, how to navigate the DNA testing company websites, and how to properly use the many third-party DNA tools that are available, among other topics. Throughout the course we will also introduce important themes such as DNA standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard, as well as privacy and ethical issues related to DNA.

Beyond Fundamentals: Hands-on Forensic Genealogy
Coordinator: Catherine Wiest Desmarais, CG

This brand-new course is designed for students who understand the fundamental methodology of forensic genealogy work and wish to gain experience and confidence by practicing real-life cases. The entire week will be “hands-on.” Students will work through probate, real estate, and other case scenarios individually and collaboratively. We’ll add some friendly competition by interspersing quick questions in a lightening round format and close with a game show! [Repeated in July]

Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills
Coordinator: Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, FMGS, FUGA

The class covers 19th through 21st century U.S. records, online resources, and methodology. When we have checked the basic records and done online searches but still have blanks to fill in, we need to gain more leads and do a better job of analyzing the records. We will dig deeper into a variety of records, some that you may have never heard about, and where they may be accessed. During the week there will be several hands-on and interactive activities, small group discussions, and full class interaction. An extensive syllabus including online resources is provided for this course.

Answering the Call of Uncle Sam: Research in Military Records
Coordinators: Sandra Rumble and Jonathan Webb Deiss

This is a brand new course in which attendees will learn about the vast treasure trove of military records, analyze and apply those records to research questions, and tease out the stories of the soldier and his family. Daily case studies, all soldiers & documentation will be provided, will present attendees with the opportunity to analyze extant information for “their” soldier, identify the existence of additional records, identify future research opportunities, and document their discoveries. Case study work may require the use of the internet and online resources; records available only through an archive will be available through online class data storage. Our culminating case study will be a team project with students working in small groups to research several soldiers from a Civil War company and assemble the unit and regiment story.

Beyond the Golden Door: Immigrants to the U.S.A. after 1890
Coordinator: Rich Venezia

Recent immigrant ancestors often came to the United States of America to seek their fortune – or simply, better lives for their family. This course aims to dissect a host of records related to these recent immigrants, many of which are federal records housed at the National Archives or with other government agencies. It will be an in-depth exploration into these various record sets, why they’re useful, and how to access them. It is intended to be an advanced look at how to research deeply and learn even more about the lives and times of our recent immigrant ancestors. This course is not ethnicity-specific, and will include examples about and record sets related to immigrants to from all over the world.

The Spirit of the Inland Seas: Research in the Great Lakes Region
Coordinator: Cari Taplin, CG

This is a new intermediate-level course at GRIP and will take students through genealogical and historical research in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. This inland waterway was vital to the westward expansion of both countries, as well as a resource for defense, commerce, shipping, and travel. The fluidity of the boundary between the two nations created a mingling of the people living along the border territories, states, and provinces. Researchers often find their border-dwelling ancestors with ties in the other country. Before more stringent border crossing requirements were put into place in the mid 1890s, our ancestors easily worked, shopped, worshipped, and visited friends and family across the border. This course will cover the history, geography, methodology, and record sets––both U.S. and Canadian––that family historians need to research ancestors in this region.

Tools & Strategies for Tackling Tough Research Problems
Coordinator: Kimberly Powell

This hands-on workshop/practicum for high-intermediate to advanced genealogists delves deeply into methodologies, strategies, and best practices for solving complex genealogical problems. The focus is on methodology rather than records, explored through a mix of lectures, interactive case studies, and applied learning opportunities. Since good research requires practice, this course will incorporate a variety of exercises and guided participation designed to help enhance your learning. We want you to go home feeling confident that you can apply what you have learned to your own tough research problems!

Mastering the Art of Genealogical Documentation
Coordinator: Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG

Documentation lies at the heart of respectable genealogy. Without clear and complete citations to supporting sources no family compilation or report can be credible. Therefore, all serious genealogists document their work. Students taking this course will learn how to understand their sources well enough to describe them. Then they will learn how to apply that knowledge to crafting citations. This hands-on course will help students gain understanding of how to create conventional citations with artistry, clarity, completeness, conciseness, and competence. [Repeated in July]

July Session, 11-16 July 2021:

Advanced DNA Evidence
Coordinator: Blaine Bettinger, Ph.D., J.D.

Do you want to take your DNA expertise to the next level? Are you interested in publishing genealogical conclusions that include DNA evidence? Do you need a refresher or want to learn about the latest developments in the world of DNA? Then this the course for you! In this course we will examine advanced applications of atDNA, mtDNA, X-DNA, and Y-DNA. We’ll also review new third-party tools, methodologies, and company tools. We will also discuss the role and application of DNA standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard and review the privacy and ethical issues related to DNA. Also, during the week, we will work on a practicum-like case study in which you will try to solve the mystery before the end of the course! Throughout the week we will feed you new evidence for the case study, to help push you to the finish line!

Reading, Transcribing, and Abstracting Old Documents
Coordinator: Carla S. Cegielski, MSLS

To understand genealogical records, genealogists need to be able to read the handwriting in original records. Reading old handwriting, along with transcribing and abstracting are essential skills for the genealogist. This course is unique in that it will teach the student how to read old handwriting in a hands-on, social, interactive environment. Participants will progress from reading old handwriting to transcribing and abstracting documents. Each concept, while introduced and explained in a lecture environment, is immediately followed by a practical hands-on assignment. A basic library of assignments (with answers) allows the beginner to progress through documents of increasing difficulty. More advanced students will be challenged with more problematic assignments.

Walking in Penn’s Woods: Pennsylvania Research
Coordinator: Amy E. K. Arner

Have ancestors who lived or passed through Pennsylvania? Not familiar with the idiosyncrasies of Pennsylvania records? Then this intermediate course is for you! Students are expected to have some experience with original records such as deeds and probate files since the course will focus on these and other commonly-used record types. There will be hands-on exercises in class and optional homework assignments to help you gain experience. If you want to know more about the lives of your Pennsylvania ancestors, join us for five days of digging deeper into the wealth of resources that await you in Penn’s Woods.

Ireland and Northern Ireland Genealogical Research (formerly Part I)
Coordinator: David E. Rencher, AG, CG, FUGA, FIGRS

Participants will acquire a solid foundation for their Irish research, whether just beginning, or they’ve been working at their Irish ancestry for some time. This class covers various Irish records from the 16th to the 20th centuries. Online resources as well as all the major Irish record repositories are covered in this in-depth look into the source materials available to identify and link your Irish families. This course is entirely different than Irish Research, Part II, presented last year.

Essential Tools and Strategies for African American Research
Coordinator: Deborah A. Abbott, PhD

Whether you know or suspect you had enslaved ancestors or not, this foundational course teaches the importance of mastering the tools, techniques, and strategies needed for difficult research which affects all populations. Learn how to identify, access, and analyze a variety of record sources appropriate for successful research for all populations. Case studies and examples showcase African American genealogical research with techniques and skills which can be utilized by all researchers.

Get Your Hands Dirty! A Workshop in Land and Property Records
Coordinator: Kimberly Powell

The emphasis of this intermediate to advanced course is a hands-on approach to solving genealogical problems with land and other property records at the local, state, and federal level. Short teaching sessions will be interspersed with plenty of interactive learning and hands-on, practical problems to allow you to practice what you are learning for better understanding. No homework will be assigned so that you can spend your free time applying what you’ve learned in class to your own research (or attend evening sessions or enjoy time with friends)!

Mastering the Art of Genealogical Documentation
Coordinator: Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG

[Repeated — see June]

Beyond Fundamentals: Hands-on Forensic Genealogy
Coordinator: Catherine Wiest Desmarais, CG

[Repeated — see June]

Because — as usual — this line-up is so solid, class space is going to go fast. If you want in, you need to be ready to go when registration opens Wednesday, February 17, at the time set for the session and class you want.

There are registration instructions on the website that you’re going to want to read through in advance so you can be ready to go when registration opens and even a set of registration strategies to review. But because a countdown timer has been installed on each registration page which will go automatically at the “zero hour” to the registration management system you won’t have to watch the clock, hit refresh, or otherwise fear that you will miss the “opening bell.”

Good luck getting into the course you want!

Cite/link to this post: Judy G. Russell, “Get a GRIP for 2021,” The Legal Genealogist (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog : posted 15 Feb 2021).