Certificates Certifications and Degrees: they are all the same thing…right?

It seems that there is some confusion in the world concerning credentials for genealogists.  Hard to believe isn’t it, but, never the less I had the unfortunate experience of going through a credentialing nightmare, more than once.  After I shared my experience with a few friends I noticed a startling trend.  They all had also experienced the same thing: having a group they spoke to assume they were something they were not.

Honestly, it wasn’t like I tried to hoodwink anyone.  I was booked to speak at a local community lecture series along with a variety of other speakers from other backgrounds.  The organizer asked that I provide my name as I wanted it printed and a short biography.  No problem!  Then I saw the program “Shannon Combs-Bennett, Certified Professional Genealogist.”  I called and explained that I am not I felt uncomfortable with that label. The certification groups here in the US were proprietary and if they wanted to show I was "for real" to use the credentials (QG, PLCGS) listed in my email signature.  That should be it, right?

Well, it wasn’t.  Three days before the lecture I was sent a printed copy of the program.  There, in big letters “Shannon Combs-Bennet, Certified Genealogist.”  The blood drained from my face.  I called the organizer, she truly didn’t understand what the problem was.  I understood, the coordinator was not in the field and was not sure why I was complaining.  What made it worse, the woman who created the program is a genealogist and knows me.  She told the program coordinator that I was a Certified Genealogist because she remembers when I took the Boston University program and thought that meant I earned a certification.  Oh dear, what a big misunderstanding.

The more people I talk to the more I found confusion and uncertainty concerning certificates, certifications, credentials, and the like within our community.  While I don’t believe anyone in the community intentional tries to hoodwink anyone else if you are not “in the know” it does get quite confusing. 

To try and explain all the possible variations a person in the genealogical world could come across I have listed the alphabet soup you may see on a name badge or lecture handout.  In addition, I threw in common certificate programs that get confused with professional certifications.

You may see the abbreviations MA, MS, or MSc on someone’s name tag or credentials.  An MS and an MSc are both Master of Science and an MA is a Master of Arts.  We have a diverse group of people in the world of genealogy and many speakers have obtained advanced degrees (including Ph.D.).  They have the right to show it off, particularly if it is in a discipline that directly impacts genealogy research such as history or library science.

The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) is based out of Washington, DC. They are probably the most well know certification body and award the Certified Genealogist (C.G.) credentials to those who successfully complete the qualification process.  BCG also offers a certification in lecturing resulting in a CGL standing for Certified Genealogical Lecturer.

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Genealogists (ICAPGen) is based in Orem, Utah.  It awards an Accredited Genealogist (A.G.) credential to those who successfully complete the qualification process.  Their process focusses on regional certification allowing one person to hold multiple certifications in different areas.  

Brigham Young University offers a Bachelor degree and a minor in family history and Brigham Young University-Idaho offers an Applied Associates (AAS) degree in Family History Research. As a University program, you now have a degree behind your work.  While not a certification, a degree can be more beneficial in the minds of those looking to make this a career.  You may seem more qualified in the eyes of an employer than a person who is self-taught.

The University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland, has several programs for students:

·       On-campus and online 8-week beginning course on genealogy.

·       A certificate and diploma in genealogy primarily designed for those who have never gone to a university before and need to get their feet wet in an academic setting.

·       A Master of Science (MSc) in Genealogical, Paleographic, and Heraldic Studies.

The University of Dundee, in Dundee, Scotland, offers several programs that you can choose from as well:

·       Non-accredited short term courses to give you an introduction to family history.

·       Several accredited courses to help develop your expertise in a specific part of genealogy such as.

·       A certificate and diploma option.

·       A Master of Literature (MLitt), in research.

From Boston University you can earn a Certificate in Genealogical Research through their 15 week online program.  It is an intense program that is similar to a graduate school course in nature.

Another certificate program is the National Institute for Genealogical Studies.  You can take courses al a carte from their course catalog or you can actively pursue one of their 10 certificates.  Upon completion, you are awarded a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) and can use the abbreviation after your name.  The 10 programs currently offered are:

• American Records Certificate
• Australian Records Certificate
• Canadian Records Certificate
• English Records Certificate
• German Records Certificate
• Irish Records Certificate
• Librarianship Certificate
• Methodology Certificate
• Professional Development Certificate
• Scottish Records Certificate

Finally, there are a variety of weeklong institutes that you can attend which offer certificates of completion for attending.  These intensive all-day seminars are wonderful ways to jump your education to the next level.  If you have a chance to attend them I would recommend it!  They are:

·   Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP)

·   Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research (IGHR)

·   Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)

·   Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed, formerly NIGR)

·   Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG)

Hopefully, this not only demonstrated the vast array of programs available, but also what is and is not, considered certification.  While it can be confusing just remember when in doubt ask the person.  No one is going to be upset if you need clarification.  In fact, they should be relieved that you want to make sure you get their introduction right.  After all, they don’t want to tell a group of 75 people they are not a CG.  Which is now on my list of least favorite things I have done as a lecturer.

They call me crazy about education

If you have followed my blog for the last several years you know that I am a student (and blogger) for The National Institute of Genealogical Studies.  Last month was my 2 year anniversary for the start of my work toward a Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies (PLCGS) - American Records.  If I can keep the pace going, I will finish my certificate program roughly this time next year.  40 classes in 3 years.  Yeah….

Periodically I am asked why I am doing this.  Why didn’t I go straight for a BCG or ICAPGEN certification?  Didn’t you take the BU program? Or, the newest, what do you mean you are doing ProGen and this at the same time?! Are you insane?  You have to admit that they are all good questions!  Which has lead me to this blog post.  Maybe I should answer some of these questions.

Didn’t you take the BU program?Yes I sure did, hardest and most rewarding 15 weeks of my life.  It was an awesome feeling getting an A in that course and I learned so much.  The improvement was noticeable from day one in not only my work but my research.  However, just because I successfully complete one learning program doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t continue my education right?  In the fall of 2013 I was only a few years into my genealogy research adventure.  There was still more to learn!

 

What do you mean you are doing ProGen and this at the same time?! Are you insane?There are days when I ask myself the same question.  However, the programs are vastly different and do not overlap.  ProGen is prepping me to be a professional.  The PLCGS is prepping me to be an excellent researcher.  While they will go together in the end I can easily separate out the time and work load for each.  Then there are months when I want to hide in the corner and cry.

 

Why didn’t I go straight for a BCG or ICAPGEN certification?
I have toyed on and off with this notion for several years.  Mainly, I don’t think I have enough work behind me to justify the time commitment or expense of these certifications.  My client base is growing monthly but I still feel too “new” to the scene to make that leap.  It may be that I am struggling with getting the ball rolling, but I really do have a lot on my plate right now.  Commitments have to be consider you know.
  

Also, I was nowhere near ready to submit 2 years ago when I started the PLCGS program.  I had just started to speak and take clients.  While I felt I “knew my stuff” I did not think I was not to the writing level needed to submit a portfolio.  An honest assessment of myself was that I needed to mature into the craft more.
  

Then there is the inner voice who asks “and why do you need it, what will it do for you?” I think of myself more as an educator.  My passion is in speaking and teaching, how will those little letters after my name help me there?  It is something that I am still pondering and investigating. 

In the end, I see this as a great self-paced way to further my education.  While I do have the luxury of working from home and setting my own hours, I am also a mom with kids at home.  I can’t just up and gallivant off somewhere for a week long lecture/conference/symposium without months of planning (with plan B, C, and D in the wings) whenever I feel like it.  Programs like this (and there are SO many more) are one of the ways I keep my continuing education up to speed.

So… what do you think?

Thinking about a PLCGS? Then read this blog!

A year ago I began the 3 year process of obtaining my Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies, or PLCGS, from The National Institute for Genealogical Studies.  40 courses seems huge, but a year in I am on my way and learning a lot!  

In case you didn’t already know I am writing about my experience as a student on The Institute’s blog (which you should check out here).  The blog is a great way for you to get the inside scoop on what each course entails.  Plus the blog has a lot of other information about The Institute including announcements, other student posts and general information a prospective (or current) student would be interested in.

Currently I am working on a certificate in American Records.  Which makes sense because I, well, live in the US.  The Institute offers certificates in 9 other areas though: Australian Records, Canadian Records, English records, German Records, Irish Records, Librarianship, Methodology, Professional Development, and Scottish Records.  I understand that there are more programs being considered too, but you have to admit that is a pretty good selection right now.

It is not necessary to work on a full certificate, you can take classes al ’a carte if you choose.  There are several hundred classes offered from methodology to history all of which aide the student in developing their genealogical knowledge base.  You can see a complete listing of courses offered on The Institute’s website.

If you are interested in my progress then go on out there are read about it! You can read the whole blog or you can select a posted course from the “themed blogs” listed on the right hand menu.  For each course I do an introduction post, 2-3 posts on the modules and then a conclusion post.  After all of the posts are up Gena Philibert-Ortega and I host a chat where anyone (students or not) can ask me questions about the course and my opinions. Even better, if you attend the chat you can get a discount on that course when you register! Live chats are announced on The Institutes blog and twitter accounts as well as via student emails.

As of today these are the courses I have completed and each one is labeled if the posts are up or coming:

Lecturing Skills Including Preparation (posted)

Methodology Parts 1 and 2 (posted)

Electronic Resources: Using the Internet (coming soon)

Demystifying Culture and Folklore (posted)

Skills: Transcribing, Abstracting, and Extracting (posted)

US: Census Records (posted)

English: Occupations – Professions and Trades (posted)

US: Vital Records (posted)

Writing for Genealogy: Articles, Blogs, Research Reports and so much more (posted)

Google for the Wise Genealogist (coming soon) *this is one of the free courses you can register for*

US: Religious Records Part 1 (coming soon)

11 down, taking 2 and 27 left.  I can do this and so can you!

Disclaimer: As a student blogger for The Institute I am taking courses gratis in return for writing about each one.  I personally don’t feel this influences my opinions on the courses as  I am very honest and up front with my thoughts on each which I hope you will see on the blog.

Redefining genealogy in the 21st century

Recently I was directed to a post by Kenneth R. Marks titled “I Don’t Wanna be a Genealogist.”   To be honest I was not sure what to expect.  I had read the review on Jenny Davis’s site Attracting 21ster Genealogists and had to read it for myself.  Briefly, in the article Mr. Marks tells his personal research story into genealogy and why the institution that is in place needs to change. 

First off, and this shows just how un-hip I am, I had never heard of the term 21ster.  Sad, but true.  It also appears to be a term only found in genealogy circles as my friends who aren’t into my addiction looked at me like I had grown two heads when I asked them if they had heard of a 21ster.  All the Google searches I did on the term only pulled up genealogy blogs too, that was a clue.  Ms. Davis defines a 21ster as:

Undefined by age, a 21ster has embraced technology and expects to use all sorts of technological tools in their family history research.

My wonderful husband told me that they have a similar concept in the IT world but have not labeled it with such a swanky name.  The world at-large does acknowledge that there are a group of people out there, usually in the 15-35 age range, that are driven by their use of technology.  They are the ones that will whip out the smart phone and do searches, purchases, and correspondences right there.  They are plugged-in and know how to use the tech out there.

In his post, Mr. Marks’s characterization of how to define the current generation of genealogists and family historians struck me.  He stated:

It is my view that neither term fits the current state of ancestor research. In fact, the “new” type of researcher is interested in discovering kinships, relationships, and stories, with an ever increasing interest in old photos, old documents, letters and other artifacts. In other words, both “genealogy” and “family history” apply but neither term satisfies.

I would define myself similarly.  I do enjoy collecting all the ephemera as well as the cold hard facts about people and making connections with others who are researching the same families.  The ability to share and collaborate with others makes you a stronger researcher since you have to be critical of your findings and others as well.  Also, I feel you can’t have a good story with just the raw data.  You need historical, social, and personal stories to really fill out your family saga.  On the flip side I don’t agree that a new term needs to be created.  Why can’t the words genealogy or family history still be used to define what I, and others, do?  We are still tracing our ancestors; just because we are doing it in a high-tech way doesn’t make it any different than those who do it with pencil and paper. 

Mr. Marks experiment intrigued me; however, I am not sure I agree with all of his conclusions.  I know, from first hand-experience, that you cannot do EVERYTHING online in any subject.  Sometimes, you have to go to a museum, archive, specialized library, or even a castle to understand the project you are trying to learn about.  Yes, I have done the castle thing for a project.  Relying on only on-line sources for any research endeavor is tantamount to hamstringing yourself at the beginning of a race.  You will never be completely successful in your research by limiting the types of information gathering opportunities you have.

That being said, do I think that there are places for improvement?  Yes.  Would I like a better online presence from societies, archives, libraries, and the like?  Yes.  Do I expect them to put their entire collection online?  No.  That costs money and resources that many places just don’t have and it is unrealistic to think that everyone can digitize all their images at this point in time.  It would be fantastic if someday in the future we could have everything in the world online, if not for research for pure preservation of the materials, but this is a gargantuan task that I know possibly not be accomplished in my lifetime.  Right now I would be satisfied with an online presence which makes browsing their titles, contacting the correct staff, or how to take advantage of their institution.  All too often I search sites unable to find this information.  In particular my frustration is with many genealogy societies.  It is my opinion that societies have no excuse not to have an online presence with all the free or low cost resources out there to get you started. 

As for the claim that 21sters don't want to be lectured at but worked with... I am not too sure how I feel about that statement. If the presentation is exciting, intriguing, and thought provoking I will be more than happy sit through it. Having someone work with you, in my opinion, is only good in small groups, and rarely online. If you want someone to work with you, you are going to have to get out of your house, off the computer, and meet them somewhere, most likely an archive. How else will you learn? Of course, I do love the smell of musty, dusty old books and the feel of that rag paper in my hands. You won't get that from the computer.

For his conclusions on what it takes to be a certified genealogist, well, it’s not for everyone.  I too have looked at what it takes to get certified and/or accredited.  It is intimidating, but very looks similar to the types of programs for advanced degrees and certifications in other fields.  There has to be a standardization that researchers go through to get that alphabet soup after their name, or else everyone could claim that because they have taken a few free online webinars they are now a professional.  Nothing like that should ever be taken lightly, and just like other areas of study, not everyone needs their Masters or Doctorate to be successful in their chosen fields.  Kudos to those who strive for that, they deserve the perks (what few there are) that come with their hard work and dedication to the field.

Now… off to do some online research.

 

 

photo credit: HikingArtist.com via photo pin cc and Klara Kim