Blog

Date: 14 Dec 2023
Time: 8:00pm - 9:30pm EST
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Professional genealogists deal with sensitive issues all the time: family secrets; data impacting living people; copyright, and more. Navigating the ethical challenges can be daunting, especially since the consequences of an ethical breach can be devastating. In few other fields is success or failure as dependent on a good reputation as in this field, and an ethical violation can ruin that reputation. This updated review of the fundamental rules of genealogical ethics and the particular ways in which the professional genealogist can run afoul of ethical standards is designed to help keep us on the ethical straight-and-narrow.

This event is open to APG members only. Register at https://www.apgen.org/events/webinar-judy-russell-right-wrong-or-it-depends-ethics-for-the-professional-genealogist

About the Presenter:
Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist ®, is a genealogist with a law degree. She writes, teaches, and lectures on various genealogical topics, providing expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. A Colorado native with roots deep in the American South on her mother’s side and entirely in Germany on her father’s side, she holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC, and a law degree from Rutgers School of Law-Newark. Before she retired, she worked as a newspaper reporter, trade association writer, legal investigator, defense attorney, federal prosecutor, law editor, and, for more than 20 years, as an adjunct member of the faculty at Rutgers Law School.

She is a member of APG, NGS, and numerous state and regional genealogical societies. A recipient of the Silver Tray Award from the Utah Genealogical Association and the 2017 Award of Excellence from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, she now serves as a member of the NGSQ editorial board. An internationally-known lecturer and course coordinator and faculty member at numerous genealogical institutes, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists ®. Her award-winning blog appears at The Legal Genealogist® website (https://www.legalgenealogist.com).

The nomination period for APG’s annual awards has closed.  Thank you to all who nominated. Winners will be announced at the APG Annual Meeting and Awards Presentations, on 7 December 2023, at 2 pm Eastern time.  Members can register at https://www.apgen.org/cpages/annual-meeting

The 2023 Professional Management Conference (PMC) was a big success!

Next year’s conference will be held 19-21 September, 2024. Stay tuned for more information on the location in the near future.

Through our awards program, APG honors our members' outstanding contributions to the organization and to the field of genealogy. Members can now submit nominations for several awards, listed below. The deadline for nominations is 1 November 2023.

● Laura G. Prescott Award for Exemplary Service to Professional Genealogy —
This recognizes a career devoted to uplifting fellow genealogists and improving their career circumstances and opportunities, and dedicated service to professional genealogy.

● Kathleen W. Hinckley Professional Achievement Award — This award is given to highlight a record of exceptional professional achievement with contributions to the field of genealogy through individual excellence and ethical behavior.

● Certificates of Appreciation — These certificates are awarded in recognition of outstanding, continual, or unusual contributions to APG, by a member or a non-member.

For more information about the awards including criteria, eligibility, selection process, and to access the nomination form, please visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards.

Honorees will be selected from among the nominees by the APG Awards Committee and recognized at the APG Annual Meeting on 7 December 2023 at 2:00 p.m. ET. (Visit https://www.timeanddate.com for worldwide time equivalents.)

Time is running out for you to save money on your 2023 Professional Management Conference (PMC) registration! Take advantage of the early bird discounts before they end on 17 September 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. In-person registrants save $75 with the early bird rate and virtual registrants save $15.

Attending the 2023 PMC, Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career, is a smart investment in your future. The speakers at the 2023 PMC will share innovative business practices and ideas you can implement immediately to directly benefit your career. It’s a great opportunity to network with genealogy pros from all over the world.

Remember, the early bird deadline closes on 17 September 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, so register now!

Register to attend PMC In Person -
https://whova.com/portal/registration/apghy_202310/

Register to attend PMC Virtually -
https://whova.com/portal/registration/apghy_202310/8y0wgkzq

APG is pleased to announce Luis Ariel Rivera of The Bronx, New York, USA, as this year’s winner of the APG Young Professional Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to students or young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 who aspire to a professional career in genealogy. The scholarship includes registration for the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) 19–21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a stipend to defray the costs of travel and lodging at the conference.

Rivera specializes in Puerto Rican genealogy, inspired by his own family’s roots on the island. His personal research also focuses on the French territorial islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, the regions of Andalucía and Mallorca in Spain, and using genetic testing to help piece together the untold stories of his ancestors. He is a member of the Sociedad Puertorriqueña de Genealogía, the National Genealogical Society, Comité March du 23 Mai 1998, and APG.

Rivera has completed Boston University’s 15-week Genealogical Research Certificate Program, ProGen’s 14-month study group program, and recently completed GenProof’s 8-week study group program. He earned both his bachelor’s degree in Russian and his master’s degree in Spanish Linguistics at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont.

For more information about APG’s awards, visit www.apgen.org/cpages/awards.

APG is pleased to announce Adrienne Abiodun of Tampa, Florida, USA, as the winner of the inaugural Kenyatta D. Berry African American Research Scholarship.

The scholarship, which recognizes an aspiring professional with a significant interest in developing a career in African American genealogy, is named for former APG President Kenyatta D. Berry, in recognition of her extensive contributions to the field of genealogy, especially African American genealogy and enslaved ancestral research.

Abiodun is a professional genealogist and a staff genealogist with Legacy Tree Genealogists. Her personal and professional genealogical pursuits span two decades, with areas of expertise in African American genealogy, Deep South U.S. research, lineage societies, and genetic genealogy. She is a member of APG, the Florida Genealogical Society, Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (also serving as a Board member), the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also the current president of her local Children of the American Revolution society. Abiodun strives to make genealogy down-to-earth, fun, and attainable by anyone interested in their family history.

The scholarship includes registration for the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) 19–21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a stipend to defray the costs of travel and lodging at the conference.

For more information about APG’s awards, visit www.apgen.org/cpages/awards.

On July 27, 2023, APG submitted comments to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration’s Freedom of Information Act Advisory Committee in support of the Model Determination Letter recently published by the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS). The letter instructs agencies to provide thorough explanations to requesters about things such as how searches were done, or which specific exemptions are being invoked. Based on experiences of APG members, the Association made suggestions for additional ways in which agencies can provide valuable information. Read the comments here: https://silkstart.s3.amazonaws.com/f2f3cafa-3733-4a87-918d-e68dfba1d862.pdf

Date: 14 November 2023
Time: 5:00–6:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Visit www.timeanddate.com for worldwide time equivalents.

Genealogical research reports communicate research results, analysis, and conclusions in a clear, efficient, useful, and accurate way. Learn what it takes to develop a research report that meets standards in the field using different formats and including all necessary components. The discussion will focus on use, different formats, presentation of findings, documentation, and professional appearance.

This event is open to APG members only. Registration information is coming soon.
Please check www.apgen.org under Events/Calendar of Events for updated registration
links.

About the Presenter: Melissa Johnson is a board-certified genealogist with thirteen years of experience as a practicing professional genealogical researcher. Her practice specializes in family history research on New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, British, Irish, Italian, and Eastern European families, as well as forensic genealogy; using DNA to solve difficult genealogical problems; unknown parentage; genealogical writing, editing, and publishing; and genealogical education. Melissa’s work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, including the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, and Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey.

Melissa has previously served as editor and a columnist for NGS Monthly. She is the author of the “Adoption and Misattributed Parentage Research” chapter in Debbie Parker Wayne’s Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies. For eleven years, Melissa served as reviews editor for the APG Quarterly. Melissa has designed genealogical courses on a variety of topics for several institutions and organizations, including Boston University, the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, the Institute for Genealogy and Historical Research (University of Georgia-Athens), the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh, and New Jersey Family History Institute. She is Program Director for Boston University’s Genealogy Studies programs. Melissa has served as a board member, trustee, and on executive boards of several genealogical organizations, and as a mentor in the ProGen Study Group.

Date: 11 October 2023
Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Visit www.timeanddate.com for worldwide time equivalents.

The varied work of a professional genealogist involves many different audiences across a range of media. Accessibility matters: ensuring your outputs are suitable for users with disabilities and sensory impairments is paramount. In this seminar, presenter Dr. Sophie Kay will explore practical tips, tools, and training to support you to meet a range of visual, neurological, and auditory needs, whether you’re producing a presentation, writing a report or blog post, or building a website. Examine the implications for accessible provision within the researcher-client relationship and discuss how accessibility can be realized when working and marketing in a digital world.

This event is open to APG members only. Registration information is coming soon. Please check https://www.apgen.org under Events/Calendar of Events for updated registration links.

About the Presenter: Dr. Sophie Kay is a professional genealogist and geneticist at Khronicle and an Associate of AGRA. She is also the “Ancestry and Genealogy Expert” for the UK’s popular “Time Team” archaeology television series. A former cancer researcher, Sophie attained her D.Phil. in Systems Biology from the University of Oxford in 2015, where she also trained in DNA extraction and analysis. Sophie is an experienced educator, international speaker, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She teaches historical mapping techniques and research methodology at Pharos Tutors, and is the tutor in DNA and Genetic Genealogy at the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. She is the creator of the #OccupationOfTheDay hashtag on Twitter, and tackles all manner of family history subjects on her blog, The Parchment Rustler, at www.parchmentrustler.com.

Date: 12 September 2023
Time: 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Visit www.timeanddate.com for worldwide time equivalents.

Join Alec Ferretti, chair of APG's Advocacy Committee, as he discusses how APG has been working to lobby for the interests of genealogists worldwide, and how all genealogists can — and should — be involved in advocacy efforts.

This event is free and open to the public. Register to attend at
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BHYw51ttSWGs91FkMHwv5g

About the Presenter: Alec Ferretti is a New York City-based professional genealogist specializing in the genealogy of 20th-century immigrants to the United States. He works for the Wells Fargo Family & Business History Center and is a graduate of NYU and LIU’s dual master’s program, with degrees in archives and library science. He is the President of the New York Genealogy & Technology Group, an informal organization that meets bimonthly to discuss topics brought forth by members. He is also on the board of Reclaim the Records, a nonprofit dedicated to wrangling public records from restrictive government agencies.

APG is pleased to announce the creation of the Kenyatta D. Berry African American Research Scholarship, which recognizes an aspiring professional with a significant interest in developing a career in African American genealogy. The scholarship is named for former APG President Kenyatta D. Berry, in recognition of her extensive contributions in the field of genealogy, especially African American genealogy and enslaved ancestral research.

Applicants wishing to be considered for the inaugural scholarship must complete an application by 10 July 2023 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. For scholarship criteria, eligibility, details on the selection process, and to view the online application, visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards-kenyatta-berry-african-american-research-scholarship. 

The scholarship is open to both APG members and non-members and will be presented at the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC). The scholarship includes one registration for the PMC and reimbursement of up to $1,000 USD for hotel and travel expenses when attending the PMC in person. The scholarship recipient will be notified in advance.

Whether you are just beginning your career or if you are a seasoned professional, the program at the 2023 Professional Management Conference (PMC) has content that will help you “Refresh, Reset, Refine Your Genealogy Career.”  Registration is now open! View the in-person and virtual program details and pricing information at https://www.apgen.org/cpages/2023-professional-management-conference.

Join professional genealogists from all over the world in Salt Lake City from 19-21 October (and virtually on Whova) for this year’s PMC. The conference will open on Thursday morning with a welcome from APG President Annette Burke Lyttle, followed by our keynote address “Reset, Refresh, Refine...and Smell the Roses” delivered by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL. Known by many as “The Legal Genealogist,” Judy is a genealogist with a law degree and an educator who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. Judy will share her inspiring story of resetting and refining her genealogy career many times over – and why it is so important to stop and smell the roses.

PMC presentation sessions will be 75 minutes each — a 60-minute presentation allowing in-depth exploration of topics, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer period. Closed captioning will be available for virtual presentations.

Three in-person workshops will take a deep dive into practical topics: Planning a Year's Worth of Social Media Content in One Workshop, with Carly Lane Morgan, J.D.; Planning for Profit, with Rhonda Lauritzen; and Crafting Compelling Genealogy Presentations with Cathie Sherwood. Workshops are an additional fee and space is limited.

Professional genealogists from all over the world will gather this October in Salt Lake City (and virtually) for the 2023 Professional Management Conference, Reset Refresh Refine Your Genealogy Career. APG is pleased to announce that Judy G. Russell, JD, CG^®, CGL^℠,will deliver the keynote address at this year’s conference.

Known by many around the world as ‘The Legal Genealogist,’  Judy G. Russell is a genealogist with a law degree, and an educator who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. Judy will share her own inspiring story of resetting and refining her own genealogy career many times over—and why it is so very important to stop and smell the roses.

In addition to the keynote presentation, in-person attendees will have 22 sessions included with registration, in addition to networking events; virtual registrants will have access to 11 sessions (plus the live stream of the keynote). Workshops will be available each day for an additional fee (limited spaces available).

Do you know a young genealogist with a bright future? Encourage them to apply for the APG Young Professional Scholarship! The scholarship is awarded to students or young professionals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have a significant interest in genealogy and a strong interest in developing a professional career in the field. 

Applications for the 2023 Scholarship are due by 1 June 2023. For eligibility, judging criteria, and a link to the application, visit https://www.apgen.org/cpages/awards-young-professional-scholarship. 

The scholarship winner will receive a complimentary registration for the APG Professional Management Conference (PMC) and reimbursement of up to $500 for hotel and travel expenses when attending the PMC in person. The 2023 APG PMC will be held 19-21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and virtually on Whova.

The APG Advertising Sales Manager is an independent contractor (non-employee), who reports to the Executive Director (ED), and works in cooperation with the editors of APG publications. The Advertising Sales Manager will be compensated $200 per month and receive a 20 percent sales commission on ad sales, paid on a quarterly basis. The position also includes complimentary registration to the National Genealogical Society conference in 2023.

The Advertising Sales Manager is responsible for procuring advertisers for publications of the Association, managing advertiser relationships, and maintaining records of advertising revenues.

The Advertising Sales Manager shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
     ●   Maintain current advertiser relationships and develop new ones through a proactive sales approach.
     ●   Report advertising sales to the Executive Director.
     ●   Provide a quarterly report of advertising sales with calculation of commission.
     ●   Prepare run sheets for the APGQ editor and eNews editor, and PMC syllabus, as required.
     ●   Distribute media kits or flyers to solicit advertising from genealogical and related businesses.
     ●   Encourage members to advertise services to one another through the Quarterly, eNews, and PMC Syllabus.
     ●   Maintain a revenue history of advertisements placed in each issue of the Quarterly and prepare an annual report outlining advertising income by quarter and by advertiser.

Interested candidates should send an introductory letter and resume to APG Executive Director, Michelle Dwyer Cohen, admin@apgen.org, before 5 p.m. on 21 April 2023.

Join APG for our next FREE professional development webinar on 13 April, "Developing, Marketing & Teaching an Online Course: 3 Examples, 7 Decision Points" with Jill Morelli, CG, CGL.

As a teacher of successful (and some not-so-successful) online classes, Jill has learned to engineer and re-engineer a course to make it work for her and for the students. Based on her experience with three different online courses in two different organizations, this presentation will outline some of the pitfalls and rewards of online teaching.

We will review the 7 decision points you will need to address and the lessons learned, whether it's a one-of-a-kind course like the Certification Discussion Group or the Applied Genealogy Institute, with an ever-changing selection of course material. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Even the financial and legal structures of each will be shared. Come learn about what happens behind the curtain!

For more information and a link to registration, visit https://www.apgen.org/events/webinar-jill-morelli-developing-marketing-teaching-an-online-course-3-examples-7-decision-points

APG has submitted comments to the public record opposing the proposed fee hike for access to historical records held by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Genealogy Program, due to the negative impact it will have on members’ small businesses. The full text of APG’s response can be viewed at https://silkstart.s3.amazonaws.com/e8795957-08b5-4319-871e-df7c35d704a4.pdf.

The deadline for comments is Monday 13 March 2023. We urge our members and others in the genealogy community to submit their comments about the impact of the proposed rule on their businesses at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/USCIS-2021-0010-0001.  Comments are welcome from non-U.S. residents.

“APG members utilize USCIS records because these unique primary source documents and testimonies cannot be located in other resources. These records are invaluable, and they help our members do valuable work,” said APG President Annette Burke Lyttle in the comments.

“These fee increases stand to severely cripple genealogists’ ability to execute research…and would impose a severe financial burden on their livelihoods.” Lyttle continued, “APG’s members, including many who are sole proprietors and small business owners, would suffer greatly.”

APG’s comments strongly urge USCIS to: (1) publicly present a plan to fix the program; (2) outline how they intend to work with the National Archives and Records Administration to implement the overdue transfer of records; and (3) permanently shelve the proposed fee schedule increase.

REMINDER:
Call for Presentations Now Open for the 2023 APG Professional Management Conference
Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career

APG’s 24th annual Professional Management Conference (PMC), Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career, will be held 19–21 October 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and virtually on Whova.

APG is now accepting proposals for creative, interactive, and actionable learning presentations to energize and boost attendees’ genealogy careers. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 19 March 2023, so submit your proposal today!

We are seeking new and original presentations tailored to professional genealogists and their businesses. Prospective speakers may submit up to four (4) proposals (presentations, workshops, or panels). Both in-person and virtual presentations will be considered. APG will also consider proposals from non-APG members. Proposals from international speakers are encouraged.

PMC presentations are longer than the traditional genealogy conference format to allow for in- depth exploration of each topic.

     ●   Presentations are 60 minutes, plus 15 minutes for questions and answers for a total of 75 minutes.
     ●   Workshops or Panel Discussions are 150 minutes (2.5 hours) which includes time for activities and class interaction.

Suggested Topics:
Suggested topics focused on the theme Reset, Refresh, Refine Your Genealogy Career include, but are not limited to:
     ●   Accounting and bookkeeping
     ●   Business formation options and resources
     ●   Designing and presenting lectures and courses
     ●   Diversifying your product offerings
     ●   Ethical considerations
     ●   Finding your niche market
     ●   Forensic Genealogy
     ●   Innovative client reporting
     ●   Marketing, brand, and social media strategies
     ●   Mentoring
     ●   Offering packages, pricing, and setting rates
     ●   Project management software and tools
     ●   Safeguarding yourself and your business
     ●   Startup strategies, business planning, and goal setting
     ●   Thinking like an entrepreneur
     ●   Working with a genealogy librarian or archivist
     ●   Writing and publishing

For full details, visit https://apgen.org/cpages/2023-professional-management-conference. The online submission form can be found at https://forms.gle/iEyS8QmBGC7hVgQv9.

Luncheon Presentations: If you or your organization would like to sponsor a luncheon, please do not use the online submission form; instead contact Dawn Carey Henry, PMC Manager at apgpmc@gmail.com.

Deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 19 March 2023.
If you have any questions, please email Dawn Carey Henry, PMC Manager at
apgpmc@gmail.com.