Class Syllabus: Genealogy 101
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Online
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Self-Paced / Online
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Course Description
 Genealogy is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. According to some experts, nearly 75% of Americans are interested in discovering their family history. There are many reasons for this: some people are interested in learning more about their heritage, others want to preserve their family's history for future generations, while still others become involved as a means of spending time with older relatives. Whatever the reason, based on the number of books, web sites, and software programs devoted to this topic, there is widespread interest that continues to grow.
While taking on the task of researching your family tree can appear – and in many cases actually be – a daunting task, it is far from impossible. Thanks to the increasing availability of information online, many people can easily conduct a great deal of their research from the comforts of their own home. In this course, we will present tips and strategies for beginning the process of constructing your family tree. In addition to describing the various records and sources available for finding information, we will help you to understand some basic genealogy terms and tools. We will also discuss the steps that you can take to permanently preserve your family's records and history. Course Requirements
The course is open to everyone. No art experience required.There are no required books. All material will be given online and through netlinks. You'll need a high school reading level though.
Course Topics
Lesson 1 – Introduction
- Definition of genealogy
- Why are people interested in genealogy?
- Basics of information sources – online vs. actual records
Lesson 2 – Getting Started
- Creating a plan for conducting research
- Figuring out what information you are looking for
Lesson 3 – Where to Begin
- Making the most of what you already know
- Tapping family members for information
- Interviewing family members and others
Lesson 4 – Types of Records – Part 1
- Vital Records
- Church records
- Family records
- Census records
Lesson 5 – Types of Records – Part 2
- Immigration
- Military
- Land
- Newspaper
- Cemetery
- Wills and Estates
Lesson 6 – Online Sources
- List and description of the most helpful online resources
Lesson 7 – Learning from Others
- The value of online discussion forums and lists
Lesson 8 – Documenting Your Findings
- Picture Taking
- Voice recordings
- Written notes
Lesson 9 – Avoiding Common Mistakes
- A list of the most common mistakes made by those conducting genealogical research and how to avoid them
Lesson 10 – Dealing with Dead Ends
- How to break through roadblocks
- When can a professional help?
- Spotting scams
Lesson 11 – Special Situations
- Adoption
- African-American
- Jewish
- Native Americans
Lesson 12 – Keeping it all Organized
- Filing Systems
- Software
- Preserving records
Lesson 13 – Family Histories
- Writing a family history
- Publishing a family history
Course Materials
All the course material required to complete this course is included.
Grading Policy
Each lesson will include a practice assignment and lesson review quiz that will directly apply what you have learned.
Students will successfully complete this course with 70% or better. Learning Outcomes By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Describe how to begin the process of researching your genealogy.
- Describe where to look for clues.
- Describe where and how to find official records kept by local municipalities, churches, and other entities.
- Describe using technology to connect with other people that have information you need.
- Describe how to avoid common mistakes.
- Summarize how to write and publish your family history, and
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
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