The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History Announces Course Tracks and Instructors for 2012 British Institute

WESTMINSTER, Colo., 12 March 2011—The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History today announced its course lineup for this year’s British Institute. This weeklong, intensive institute will be held from 8–12 October in Salt Lake City. This year’s host hotel is the Radisson Downtown, located two blocks from the Family History Library. Registration is now open and class size is limited.

The Institute offers four tracks taught by expert genealogists:

• Records and Strategies for Beginning English Research
  Judy Jones, AG, CG
  Join us as we learn about the records and strategies needed to begin research in England. This class will begin by teaching a strategy for 19th and 20th century research, then study the three basic records needed to find families in that time period. From there it will expand to those records needed to find supporting information, including maps, gazetteers, probate, and reading handwriting.

• From Simple to Complex: Applying Genealogy’s Standard of Proof to Your Work
  Tom Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA, FNGS
  Genealogical statements and conclusions achieve credibility when they meet standards for proof. Participants will learn how to use widely accepted standards to measure their genealogical work’s accuracy and to assess the work of others.

• British Military, Its Regiments and Records
  John Kitzmiller, II, FSG (England); FSA (Scot); AG, Heraldist – Heraldry Society of Canada (2nd level) & Heraldry Society of London (2nd level)
  Why take this course? The answer is many of the population were involved in these entities throughout time. There is a high probability that somewhere you have a military-connected ancestor. The British military course will cover a wide variety of records that will assist you in tracing your military ancestors. We will discuss the records of military personnel for the outlined time period which are centered (or held) at the regimental level. This means that one must know the regiment (pre-1881) to be able to trace an ancestor. Post-1881 is a bit different, in that there can be indices available that cover the time period as well as civil records which are critical as an additional locator record. Websites containing military records will also be discussed.

• Advanced Methodology for Irish Research
  David Rencher, AG, CG, FIGRS, FUGA
  This course was first introduced in 2011 and will again focus on the methodologies needed for successful Irish research. New record sources and strategies will be introduced for 2012 with a review of best practices. Learn how to frame your tough Irish genealogical problems, develop a sound strategy and sharpen your analytical skills with these advanced methods. You’ll also enjoy the richness of the Irish collection of the Family History Library and explore some of the lesser known records of this vast resource, a must stop before leaving for Ireland.

“The Institute is in its 12th year and, as always, we design the program with the goal of helping students overcome the challenge of researching their British Isles from a distance,” said ISBGFH President Ann Wells. “We are excited to offer this panel of expert instructors and range of courses that would apply to beginner, intermediate, or advanced students.”

Registration Information

More detailed information on the institute can be found at the ISBGFH’s Web site http://www.isbgfh.org. You can register online, or print, fill out the application and mail to ISBGFH, PO Box 350459, Westminster, CO 80035-0459. If you have any questions, please e-mail admin@isbgfh.org. When registering at the Radisson Downtown Salt Lake, ask for the British Institute conference rate.

About The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History

The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History has been around a long time–longer than it takes to say the full name. Many of us who have been involved for years talk about “ISB” not only for convenience, but because the nickname suggests what the organization is—small, practical and friendly.

ISB got started in 1979 due to the efforts of several people who saw the need for an organization that would help genealogists tracing the origins of their British Isle emigrant ancestors. Thus it is no surprise that the members of ISB live all over North America and overseas.

The Society continues to evolve but it retains its original purpose. ISB is here to help members overcome the challenges of researching British Isles roots from a distance. See http://www.isbgfh.org for more information.