![\"Family-History-Through-the-Alphabet\"](\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-pmSdbIZ6tSA\/URsluvxg-SI\/AAAAAAAAH-Y\/mBZk2kDmPts\/Family-History-Through-the-Alphabet6.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"Family-History-Through-the-Alphabet\\"")
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For 26 weeks I will take you on a family history journey through the alphabet, one letter at a time.\u00a0 I have decided that each post will be educational in nature, focusing on topics related to resources, methodology, tools, etc.\u00a0 Although the challenge is complete, there are still some people who are finishing up and Alona, the host, is encouraging others to participate anyway.\u00a0 Additional information on the challenge, can be found at Take the \u2018Family History Through the Alphabet\u2019 Challenge<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Books<\/strong><\/p>\n Genealogical & Historical Societies<\/strong><\/p>\n I highly recommend finding a society in your local area where you can attend their programs and meet other genealogists.<\/p>\n Nearly all of the state and national societies (speaking from a U.S. perspective) have an annual conference.\u00a0 Some are one day, while others are multiple days.\u00a0 There are usually several different speakers and presentations to choose from, covering a variety of topics.\u00a0 There are plenty of local societies that also hold small conferences or workshops.\u00a0 These are usually one-day events and may have one speaker present a few different lectures.\u00a0 In almost all cases, you do not have to be a member to attend these conferences\/workshops.\u00a0 You may get a discounted rate if you are a member, though.\u00a0 To learn about what\u2019s coming up around the world, take a peek at a new website called Conference Keepers<\/a>, which includes all types of events from local society programs to national multi-day conferences.<\/p>\n Webinars<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition, you can also check out GeneaWebinars<\/a>, which is a blog and calendar of upcoming webinars.<\/p>\n Higher Education and Continuing Education Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n Institutes<\/strong><\/p>\n National Genealogical Society Education<\/strong><\/p>\n Social Media Networking<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s amazing what you can learn from a 140-character tweet on Twitter, when following others who are interested in genealogy and history.\u00a0 In the last 20 minutes, I saw some of the following tweets:<\/p>\n Facebook and Google+ are very similar, but with different terminology.\u00a0 In Facebook, you are \u201cfriends\u201d with people, while with Google+ you have people in your \u201ccircles.\u201d\u00a0 In Facebook, you can join \u201cgroups,\u201d in Google+, they\u2019re \u201ccommunities.\u201d\u00a0 Whichever network you prefer, the idea is the same, to connect with people, be it family, friends, colleagues, or people who share your interests (such as genealogy!).\u00a0 And be sure to join groups\/communities related to genealogy.\u00a0 This is a great place to learn, as well as get to know other genealogists.\u00a0 Here are some groups you might be interested in:<\/p>\n
\n![\"e\"](\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-svXQj1dg6SQ\/URsluxqtq7I\/AAAAAAAAH-g\/Sl_7TgF8w7g\/e4.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"e\\"")
Educational opportunities abound in the world of genealogy!\u00a0 These opportunities have always been around in the form of books, local society programs, conferences, community education programs, etc. But with the advances in technology, there are even more opportunities available.\u00a0 In this post I will share a variety of educational opportunities that you can take advantage of.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/-bu3inlZ_G3Q\/URslvRLG1II\/AAAAAAAAH-o\/Gt4iKZQwzug\/MP900448290%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"\\"")
There are so many books out there on how to research your family history.\u00a0 From books for beginners, to general genealogy research and practices, to using the internet, to specific topics such as land records and cemeteries\u2014there\u2019s tons!\u00a0 I wrote about books for the letter B in this challenge, so I\u2019m not going to repeat the same thing here.\u00a0 Instead, please refer to the post Family History Through the Alphabet \u2013 Books<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"society\"](\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-zFbKocvASS8\/URslwDdIdnI\/AAAAAAAAH-w\/ZWW3Bq5hjmw\/society%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"society\\"")
These societies are all about preserving the past and educating its members.\u00a0 Societies can be found at varying levels, such as towns, counties, states, regions, and countries.\u00a0 Societies offer a variety of educational opportunities, that may include any of the following:<\/p>\n\n
![\"MP900442327\"](\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/-Is3-rSvDAWI\/URslwp0KmuI\/AAAAAAAAH-4\/S8Axhv4OP5Y\/MP900442327%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"MP900442327\\"")
Webinars are live presentations that you can attend via the internet.\u00a0 They have become very popular in the genealogy community and there are plenty to choose from and many are free to attend.\u00a0 In some cases a recording of the webinar is available for purchase on CD or as videos to members of the host society.\u00a0 Here is a listing of the vendors, societies, and individuals who currently provide webinars.<\/p>\n\n
![\"MP900411749\"](\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/-UeHhuaTR_KE\/URslxB57uSI\/AAAAAAAAH_A\/efzd4Sspotk\/MP900411749%25255B24%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"MP900411749\\"")
<\/strong>I only know of three programs that fall into this category (if you know of others, please share them in the comments of this post).\u00a0 There is one formal program, that offers a traditional degree.\u00a0 The other two are considered \u201ccontinuing education\u201d programs that are affiliated with a university and offer a certificate program.\u00a0 You might also find courses or certificate programs offered at a community college in your area.<\/p>\n\n
![\"MP900405166\"](\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/-fieP6EFsFpE\/URslxbFw45I\/AAAAAAAAH_I\/lFTgAA_jbYs\/MP900405166%25255B25%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"MP900405166\\"")
Institutes are an intense, week-long, hands-on learning experience.\u00a0 Instructors are experienced researchers who a prominent in the genealogical community.\u00a0 Typically, there are several tracks to choose from, picking one that you follow throughout the week.\u00a0 Below are links to the various institutes.<\/p>\n\n
![\"MC900439254\"](\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/-BRPhoH5_YhU\/URslx_OQDdI\/AAAAAAAAH_Q\/CK8TpoIV1oM\/MC900439254%25255B11%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"MC900439254\\"")
The National Genealogical Society offers a variety of educational opportunities.\u00a0 All are available to members and non-members, except for the Family History Skills, which is only available to members for free.\u00a0 Below are all of the current offerings from NGS:<\/p>\n\n
![\"MC900341835\"](\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-UUVo5uLLHoM\/URslyIq6NdI\/AAAAAAAAH_Y\/j72EmMg9zDI\/MC900341835%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"MC900341835\\"")
I hate to say it, but if you\u2019re not participating in some form of social media, you\u2019re missing out on a great education opportunity that\u2019s completely free.\u00a0 Some people are on every social media network available, but the three that I think are most important to the genealogist, in terms of education, are Facebook<\/a>, Google+<\/a>, and Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
![\"Businesswoman](\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/-zai86QuuO40\/URslygz8K9I\/AAAAAAAAH_g\/9JyeNG0vXm4\/MP900446464%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800\" "\\"Businesswoman")
The following educational opportunities don\u2019t fit into any specific category above, but are just as important.<\/p>\n