Capital District Genealogical Society, Meeting & Presentation, 26 June 2021

The Capital District Genealogical Society will hold its June meeting and presentation on Saturday, 26 June 2021. The presentation is an Introduction to Forensic Genealogy and the speaker is genealogist Kelvin L. Meyers.

Details are below: 

Palenville Cemetery History Walk

 

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Review

My online course through Boston University is now complete. Yesterday, I received my grade on my final project and was pleased with my grade. Final grades are not yet sent out however I was able to compute my grade. In the next few weeks I hope to have my certificate in hand after it is mailed out.

The biggest take-a-way that I have and want to pass on to prospective students for the 15 week certificate in genealogy course is to make sure that you have the time to invest in the course. If you do not have "a lot" of extra time, please reconsider enrolling. The course will consume an enormous amount of your time. The reading can be heavy at times but the time involved in the writing and the research assignments is daunting. I estimate that I spent a minimum of 30 hours per week on the course; sometimes more.

Years ago, as an adult and working full-time, I enrolled at the University of Albany to begin studies for my Bachelors and later Masters in History. This was a lot of work and took almost nine years. In my opinion, the BU course was more intensive, demanding, and nerve wracking then when I was a college student. And the the certificate in genealogy course does not carry any college credit nor does it earn you the title of being a Certified Genealogist or CG.

The BU course is taught by genealogy professionals and it will help you become a better genealogist by learning and applying the five-step fundamentals of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) to answer your genealogical question.

    1) Conduct a reasonably exhaustive search for all information

    2) Compile complete citations for each information item

    3) Analyze and correlate information used as evidence

    4) Resolve any conflicts contrary to answering the question

    5) Write a coherent conclusion based on the evidence

Other key learning points include:

    1) Learning about evidence analysis.

            Sources provide information that identify evidence for analysis.

    2) The proper method of writing source citations.

    3) Uses of DNA testing.

    4) Genealogical writing: proof statements, proof arguments, and proof summaries.

I found the course very worth while. Even if you consider yourself a hobbyist genealogist this course still may be for you especially if you wish to up your game in genealogy. My next course of action is to get on the waiting list and enroll in the 14 month ProGen study group.

Presently there are numerous gravestones waiting for me... 

Boston University Certificate in Genealogy Program : Week 12

 Well, I have not posted in quite a while due to the demands of the BU program. Initially I believed that many of the reviews regarding the time commitment for the program might have been exaggerated. The time involved in this is huge. That is if you want to be successful.

There is a little more than two weeks left in the program. Yes, I am still in it. I cannot say that the course was easy. It was not. The instructors want you to succeed but you are working completely on your own.

Was it worth it? Yes, I feel that I will be a better genealogist if I continue to use the methods and practiced that are taught in the course. I am still hoping for that sheepskin.

Earth Day : Cleanup at New Mount Ida Cemetery, Troy, NY

 The City has sent out a press release to schedule annual Earth Day cleanups this year.

Our work in the New Mount Ida Cemetery will be Saturday, April 17th from 9-2pm. We will pile up brush, pick up trash and also bring back the chain hoist to fix or straighten monuments. Or any other projects that come up that volunteers wish to do. The city is giving away lawn and leaf bags. It also sounds like promotional items such as magnets and stickers will be available to hand out to volunteers as well. So we will have to try to get some when we pick up the bags.

Palatines to America German Genealogy Society - NY Chapter Upcoming Presentations

 The Palatines to America German Genealogy Society is hosting two great Zoom presentations on cemeteries. 

• Wednesday, 24 March 2021, 6:30 PM "Lost Graveyards in Germantown, New York" by Tom Shannon, Town Historian for the Town of Germantown, NY.
• Wednesday, 21 April 2021, 6:30 PM "Gravestone Conservation for the Genealogist" by Christopher White, genealogist and gravestone conservator.

Please view this link for Zoom specifics and presentation details. Pre-registration is not required.

The New York Chapter of Palatines to America German Genealogy Society has a Facebook page and a website.

 

Slingerland Vault

 The Slingerland Vault now has its door attached to the vault. It has been a long process to get the vault restored. But it was worth it. Simply, it looks great! Many hands and many donations came in to help get this project completed.

I am not sure what other items are on the list for a final completion, but please view the photo below. Also for a history of this project check the website of The Slingerland Family Burial Vault for more details.