PRESS RELEASE
19 AUGUST 2005

Contact:
Kathleen W. Hinckley, CGRS, Executive Director, Association of Professional Genealogists
P.O. Box 350998, Westminster, CO 80035-0998
Phone 303-422-9371, fax 303-456-8825, e-mail admin@apgen.org

Prepared by: Richard F. Robinson, CGRS, Information Officer,
Association of Professional Genealogists, e-mail dick.robinson@apgflorida.org

PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGISTS FORM
CHAPTERS IN ALABAMA, GEORGIA

Genealogists in the deep South are rising again, forming ranks, and fixin’ to win a war to find elusive ancestors. From Alabama to Georgia and down into Florida, family history professionals have formed statewide groups the past two years, part of the worldwide network of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG).

Most recently, The Alabama Chapter of APG was established as APG’s 23rd chapter. Its organizer, Susette Cook of Branchville, Alabama, says the group was formed to support members, promote high professional standards, educate the public in family history, and help preserve access to historic records in the state. “We only have a handful of members now but we will grow and may hold our first meeting, which will be open to the public, in Birmingham in November,” she said.

APG members may be researchers, writers, lecturers, librarians, family historians, enthusiasts or in fields related to family history. They have the knowledge to do professional-quality work for hire or for themselves. Many members help clients find their ancestors, while others prepare to “turn their skills into a vocation,” according to Cook. APG members agreed to follow the APG Code of Ethics and join the international organization first and then local chapters. For more information, visit the APG Web site at apgen.org or the Alabama site, http://alabamachapter.tripod.com/index.htm.

In March of this year, Georgia members received a charter for the formation of the Georgia Chapter (http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Egaapg/index.html), with Linda Woodward Geiger, CGRS (Certified Genealogical Records Specialist), CGL (Certified Genealogical Lecturer) of Jasper, Georgia, as chairman. Meetings are featuring speakers on such topics as "Using Georgia Laws to Assist in the Interpretation of Evidence” and “Mapping Communities.” In 2004, the Sunshine State members started the Florida Chapter, whose president is Richard F. Robinson, CGRS, of Boynton Beach, Florida.

APG, established in 1979, is the leading worldwide professional organization of genealogists and related professionals with more than 1,600 members.