Genealogy is more than just tracing family trees; it’s about telling the stories of our ancestors. As a genealogy blogger with a passion for education, you have a powerful tool at your disposal, case studies.
In this blog post, I’ll show you the significance of using case studies in your genealogy education.
There are many genealogy institutes for continuing education. One in particular is called SLIG, Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. You can read more about SLIG and other institutes here.
The course I took was called DNA Dreamers: Integrating DNA Evidence to Resolve Complex Cases. This was an advanced DNA class. Outside of a few purely instructional classes, most of the week was centered on case studies. Each teacher set up a problem, then we were witness to their thinking and strategies on how to solve it.
I enjoy this way of learning…by example. Here are some ways case studies can help your educational journey:
Learning By Example
- Genealogy case studies offer a practical and tangible way for you to learn research techniques.
- They let you practice research skills with real-life scenarios.
- Working with actual cases helps you analyze historical records and pull out relevant information.
- You learn to assess the reliability of various sources encountered in case studies.
- Through case studies, you improve your research methods and adapt strategies to different situations.
Critical Thinking Skills
- You develop the ability to critically evaluate and interpret evidence presented in case studies.
- Case studies show you how to form and test hypotheses, an important step in genealogy research.
- You learn to apply logic to connect pieces of information and draw accurate conclusions.
- Writing accurate source citations makes you pay attention to details.
Integration Of New Technology
- Case studies involve using online repositories and digital archives, allowing you to see new resources to use in your research.
- Integration of DNA evidence in case studies may lead you to new ways to make discoveries.
- You become proficient in using genealogical databases and software tools.
- Case studies allow you to see the growing world of technology crucial in the evolving field of genealogy.
My Favorite Places For Case Studies
One of my favorite places to learn is Legacy Family Tree Webinars. At $49 per year, it is by far the best value for genealogy education. There are many classes built around case studies here.
You may be thinking of YouTube as another fantastic place to learn and it is, but case studies may be hard to find.
I suggest looking at individual websites of genealogists such as Family Locket by Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer, and Historic Pathways by Elizabeth Shown Mills. They give many examples from start to finish.
Finally
Seeing how others solve their genealogical problems is invaluable. Whatever form of education you choose, consider adding case studies. Learning from others who are where you want to be can be a powerful way to grow.
Genealogy tip: If you write a case study, present it to a local genealogy or historical society. They are always looking for presenters and you will learn even more by teaching about how you discovered answers to your research question.
If you want help telling the story of your ancestors, set up a free consultation with me. I’d love to help. Just click below to set up a time to chat.
