Continuing Education in Genealogy: A Lifelong Journey of Discovery

Genealogy is more than a hobby—it is a discipline that blends history, research skills, critical thinking, and storytelling. Like any serious field of study, it requires ongoing education. Records are constantly being digitized, new technologies emerge, and standards evolve. For genealogists at every level, continuing education is not just an option—it’s the key to growth, accuracy, and deeper family discoveries.

Why Continuing Education Matters

New Tools and Resources – From AI-assisted record indexing to DNA testing, genealogical tools evolve quickly. Ongoing education helps researchers stay up-to-date with best practices.
Improving Accuracy – Understanding genealogical proof standards, citation methods, and historical context ensures research stands up to scrutiny.
Expanding Horizons – Specialized workshops introduce new record sets (such as land plats, tax rolls, or immigration files) that might hold the missing link for your family line.

Opportunities

Conferences and Institutes
National events such as the National Genealogical Society (NGS) Conference or regional seminars provide intensive education and networking opportunities. Genealogical institutes like IGHR (Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research) or SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy) offer week-long, in-depth courses taught by experts.
Local Society Programs
Monthly programs, field trips to archives, and guest lectures sponsored by local genealogical societies are an excellent way to learn while building community.
Online Learning
Webinars, virtual conferences, and subscription platforms like Legacy Family Tree Webinars, Ancestry Academy, and FamilySearch Learning Center provide flexible options for learning from home.
Academic and Certificate Programs
For those seeking formal recognition, universities and organizations such as the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) or National Institute for Genealogical Studies offer certificate and professional-level training.

Practical Steps to Stay Current

Set an Annual Learning Goal – Commit to attending one conference, completing one course, or reading a new genealogy book each year.
Diversify Your Studies – Explore records or regions outside your usual focus—learning about a neighbor’s land records or an immigrant community’s church records often leads to breakthroughs.
Practice What You Learn – Apply new techniques immediately in your own research to reinforce knowledge.
Engage in Peer Sharing – Join study groups, workshops, or chapter discussions to exchange ideas with fellow genealogists.

Genealogical Societies

Societies play a vital role in continuing education by:

Offering regular programs, seminars, and workshops.
Partnering with local libraries, archives, and universities to broaden access.
Providing mentorship opportunities, where seasoned genealogists guide newer researchers.
Creating a supportive community where members learn not only from experts, but from each other.

Genealogy is never “finished.” Each record, database, and discovery opens new questions and new opportunities to learn. By investing in continuing education, genealogists sharpen their skills, strengthen their research, and enrich the broader community of family historians.

As a society, we encourage every member to see themselves not just as researchers, but as lifelong learners—because the more we learn, the more fully we can honor and preserve the lives of our ancestors.

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