Genealogy Chat

Well, mgnv, I didn't want a Strathclyde course any more than a Toronto course. Yes Strathclyde has a core reading list, but did you notice that four or five of the books (all essential) were Scottish?

I don't mind touching on Scottish history at all, or even Toronto history, but as I have no relatives in either of those areas, it all seemed a bit much.

Margaret

I'm not too surprised re lack of comment on Strathclyde - there's no mention of Toronto either:
http://www.genealogicalstudies.com/

I think it's really an artifact of this board's readership. I'm sure if you'ld posted on a more Scottish board, you'ld have gotten comments on Strathclyde. I did look at the literature from U of S, and was pleased to find they had a core reading list in their Genealogy Course Handbook - I'll have to check some of those books out.

Thanks mgnv, all worth thinking about.

Think I'll go with the IHGS course.

Suprised no-one has yet mentioned the Strathclyde course at all.

Margaret

Although I've had no experience with either of these courses, nor with any formal genealogical training, I have had a fair amount of experience with at-home learning, starting with my 15 yo daur - she did a year at a high school that had a sort of outward-bound program, so they did one semester of camping, etc., then one semester of academics. The academics was a bit limited, so we had her do her French for the year by correspondence. Later, my wife decided to complete her degree - she'd interrupted that to marry me (that was how it was when we wed). She still had 1 y to do - abt 11 courses (so she'ld qualify for some cert too). With a combination of summer schools, evening classes and correspondence, she did this in 3-4 y. I decided to train myself up to a research level mathematician - I had done some math at uni.

All the above took a really, really substantial commitment of time. and all had a big impact on the family. (Actually, mine didn't as we'd separated by then, and the kids were grown up, but it would have done barring the separation). My wife found it very hard at first, just getting into the right mind-set, even though she had strong family support.

In view of my ex's hard time starting, I'm wondering if Sreven's implicit suggestion of the Open course might be worth considering. Of course, against this one would have to set her drive to finish what she'd started, and probably in your case, not wanting to see all that money go to waste.

I do think a formal course is a better option than my self-directed approach. As it stands, I have significant gaps in my math, even compared to an undergrad. Of course, I can choose what I research, so that's not really a problem for me, but in genealogy, one gets whatever ancestor pops out of the woodwork - here's hoping he's not Scottish so you'll never have to tell a brick-layer from a square-wright when the wind blows north-north-west.

Charlie and the IHGS lit I saw both mentioned fellow students. My wife also had class lists with phone #s and email addy's. I think it really helps to chat over stuff with fellow students. I know in my own case, I've got half a dozen co-authors I've never met in person, but it really helps to bounce ideas around, and get multiple inputs (pretty much what's happening on this thread). It also does sort of impose some deadlines for me, as I can't keep them waiting indefinitely, e.g., for my input on the changes a referee would like to see, or to draft my section, etc.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide.

Thanks for your comments. I might not progress as fast as I hope, but I do have the time, I have a semi-legal background and have already pored over lots of old handwriting.

Wish me luck.

Margaret

Hi Margaret,
I work full-time as a nurse and have a busy family so it can be a struggle, they recommend up to 3 years but you can take up to 5 years. The lectures vary in difficulty depending on the subject, experience etc. the last lecture i struggled with as it had a lot of legal terminology etc. which I found difficult to get my head around. The paleaography is taking a while too but more because it takes more time to decipher the old hand writing etc. and trying to do it correctly.
I would reccommend the course though.
Carol
It would help if I could spell as well lol xx

Well for me it is purely because I have to fit it around family commitments. When I started the course I expected to be far further forward at this stage and I am sure if the 'unexpected' hadn't happened (at frequent intervals) I would have been :-)

I did have a problem with two lectures that required visiting a, or my case two, record offices and I had a wait of five months before I could actually get there so that hasn't helped.

It also has alot to do with my learning style. I do more background reading than is probably neccessary, make notes, reread, make more notes and then finally write the essays. Then.... Rewrite the essays because I have found I have gone off on a tangent and not actually answered the question!!! Mind you I am getting better at that.

The flexibility of the course timewise is really what attracted me to it in the first instance as I knew I wouldn't enjoy it if I felt under pressure to complete assignments.

Chris

Hi Carol and Chris

I wonder how much time you have available to spend on the course, as your current progress indicates is is going to take a while to complete. I know the blurb suggests allow 3 years, but I have time on my hands following early retirement, so the Strathclyde course lasting 6 months is quite a contrast it seems. Not that I am in any hurry, but is there any reason other than lack of available time that you are "only" on lecture 8?

Margaret

I'm doing the IHGS course too and by coincidence am on lecture 8, palaeography, like Carol!....But it has taken me two years to get there.

Certainly not an easy or cheap option but I have certainly learnt alot and thoroughly recommend it.

Chris

I'm 18 months into the IHGS one--its really good and I'm learning loads. I'm not saying it's easy, cos that it isn't once you've got past the initial couple of lectures!! and you're dead right it isn't cheap but you can do it in monthly payments of £50-75. You get a tutor and on-line support from staff at the IHGS and fellow students. Most good libraries have good access to the reccommended reading or can order for you, I make selective purchases as well, usually from Amazon as you can buy reasonably priced 2nd hand books. I'm doing palaeography at the moment and they give you one of the recommended reading books with that lecture.They also do short couses and tutorial weekends (too far for me I'm afraid). Whatever you choose to do you have to give the commitment to the work, even when you want to bash your head against a brick wall. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
Carol

I am considering extending my knowledge to more than record-hunting by taking a course in Genealogy. There are no short courses in my locality and I'd rather do something more substantial. A qualification isn't essential, but if one is on offer it might give me added incentive.

There are two courses available on-line. One is with the University of Strathclyde, is six months for their Post Grad Certificate, seems very structured with strict deadlines (which I like) but has a lot of emphasis on Scottish genealogy. The other is with the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies. Less structured, take your own time, but does not have a Scottish bent, their Advanced Certificate is equivalent to the Strathclyde PG Certificate.

Neither is cheap.

Has anyone tried/considered either of these courses and do you have any comments to make?

Margaret