Genealogy Education is a key part of learning how to do family research in a way to help you learn the skills needed to find your ancestors and the clues they left behind. As I researched to see what educational opportunities there were for those who wish to enhanced their skills, I was amazed to see what was available. Some did have a fee, but quite a bit was FREE and available to do in our own homes. Here are some of the things I learned are available.
Books

• Professional Genealogy by Elizabeth Shown Mills
• The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val D. Greenwood
• Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills
• BCG Genealogical Standards Manuel
• The Handybook for Genealogists by Everton
• Books about your ancestor’s locale
• History books about the time period you are researching

Conferences

• Conference on Family History & Genealogy
• RootsTech
• Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR)
• Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)
• Boston University
• National Institute on Genealogical Research (NIGR)
• Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)
• National Institute for Genealogical Studies, Side note: I took their Social Networking course and really enjoyed it; learned quite a bit!
• Family Tree University
• The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (IHGS) - Canterbury, England

Webinars

Casefile Clues by Michael John Neill

Technology

• LDS Tech (enter genealogy in search box) - Check out the DOWNLOADS
• FamilySearch Tech Tips
• Family History Technology Workshop

Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter, National Genealogical Society, NGS Home Study Course, BYU Free Courses, Magazines, Quarterlies & Journals

Conferences

• Federation of Genealogical Societies
• National Genealogical Society
• International Black Genealogy Summit
• Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society

Genealogy Cruises, ProGen Study Group, NGSQ Article Study Groups

Other Resources

• Blogs (GeneaBloggers)
• History Books & Websites
• TV Shows & Reruns (videos)
• Who Do You Think You Are?
• Finding Your Roots
• Faces of America
• Roots

Genealogy Slideshare submissions, Podcasts, BlogTalkRadio

Volunteer & Mentoring

• As you help others, you learn about their locales
• Different resources (census, documents, etc)
• Teaching skills
• Library - what do they have to offer
• Be a Mentor to someone
• Find someone to Mentor YOU….

College Courses

• English: Writing up your research papers or articles; consider a Creative Writing class
• Speech: Lectures and interviewing skills
• Science/Geography/Map skills: Learning about the Earth and what times were like when/where your ancestors’ lived; helping to plot cemetery locations
• History: Wars, Epidemics, Laws of the time, County/State histories of US, Immigration
• Business & Accounting: For those who are Professional Genealogists or taking clients, this will help you in the bookkeeping part and organization of your business; learning the tax laws for your area.
• Foreign Language: Helping to read foreign documents and Vital Records; writing a letter requesting information properly
• Religion courses: Taking a course in the dominant religion of your ancestry will give you insight in what research documents may be available and where to get them.

BYU Ancestor’s, Case Studies

FamilySearch

• Inferential Genealogy by Tom Jones
• U.S. Courthouse Research by Christine Rose

Genealogy Tip - Even if you can not attend a conference or lecture, review the list of topics. That topic is what the conference feels researchers need. Who are the speakers? They are some of the leaders in the genealogical community! See if they have a blog, written a book, presented a Webinar and learn from them!

Skills to learn:

• Transcribe & Abstract
• Old Handwriting
• Research reports
• Interviewing
• Citations
• Analyzing what you find
• Networking (Social Media)