As promised, here is the proof argument that I submitted for my ProGen39 course (.pdf format). If I decide to pursue certification, I will not be using this as part of my portfolio so I’m sharing it with you all. Constructive criticism welcome!
I’ve been doing research on the surname “Shultz.” I thought I had seen all possible versions of its spelling.
Nope.
Found “Shoulch” on a census.
Today, I got this:
Wow. Just…wow. I also tested my Mom and Dad. No surprises with Mom. Dad’s showed up 3% Scandinavian. DNA testing is very fascinating. I wonder if I’ll ever find my Italian ancestor.
In MuzeNews, I am the proud grant-writer of my second successful grant! I also just had a lovely 132nd Annual Meeting of our historical society. You read that right…132 years. We are the oldest continually operating historical society in Indiana. Our Museum doors have been open 117 years. Needless to say, I am a very proud executive director!
In mid May I’ll be attending my DAR State Conference, and, in late June, I’ll be attending a genealogical research institute in an area of the U.S. where I will have the opportunity to do family research. I finished my research report for my ProGen39 course, and I’ve begun another one for some pro bono research I’m doing.
This year is turning out to be a ROCK STAR!!!
I have successfully written my first grant! (With two more in the wings!) I’m so excited about this and the assistance the Museum is receiving with these funds…we will be able to purchase the needed software to create a virtual exhibit *and* electronically catalog our entire collection! We are very thankful to the Henry County Community Foundation for their time and consideration in reviewing our grant paperwork and supporting our project. The value added to the Museum with this grant is truly priceless!
I’m also busy with my DAR Chapter Regent duties…preparing for our second meeting. I held a Constitution Day event and volunteered at The Wall That Heals program in a nearby town in our county. What an honor!
Also just had my second meeting with my ProGen39 ladies…we’re down to 6 from 8…will surely miss the two who are unable to join us as they had so much knowledge to bring to the table. I’m working on my Evidence Analysis assignment right now. I chose someone not known to me and not related; her headstone at the cemetery is right next to my grandparents and great-grandparents and I’ve just always wondered who she is. Let me tell you, learning her story has been a challenge! That’s great though; she’s helping me become a better genealogist!
I’ll close with a painting (artist Charles Kennard) of an old toll gate and covered bridge in a town called Knightstown, neither of which are still standing. This was related to some research I was doing about covered bridges in our county, none extant. My guess is covered bridges were just commonplace before iron truss bridges came into being, and no one really thought to take photos of them…at least in Henry County. We have this painting and two photos of one bridge located just west of Dublin, IN (said to be the first covered bridge on the National Road in Indiana). That’s it! I patiently await the day when someone finds a cache of photos that their ancestor, who loved covered bridges, took, and they then graciously donate them to us…patiently awaiting that day!
I’ve added two new starts to my new job position: DAR Chapter Regent and the first meeting with my ProGen39 group. Both happened within days of one another. These two positions plus my executive director position at the Museum are my three main projects to tackle for the foreseeable future.
This gavel was handed down to me as Chapter Regent. Our chapter just celebrated its 90th anniversary last year. What an honor to hold this in my possession until the next Regent takes over. I also received the Big Bag o’ Stuff that I have yet to inspect!
Officers: Me, Stacey, Rose Marie, Georjean, and Marianne
A beautiful rose in bloom with my office at the Museum in the background. Three days before, it was just a bud. It will take me longer than three days, but I hope to grow just as wondrous as it in the future.
My ProGen study group will last a year…an intensive course in preparing oneself to become a professional genealogist. This is a peer-reviewed group that includes a lawyer, a teacher, and others with great experience. We all want to become better genealogists and hold ourselves accountable for completing assignments, providing valuable feedback on others’ assignments, and attending a monthly chat. In my case, I don’t have time to take on clients, but I am able to assist many folks researching their east-central Indiana roots. I want to provide that service at the highest level possible so they may find their genealogical story. If I feel I am successful at this endeavor, I will most likely seriously consider BCG certification, though I would prefer to attend a genealogical institute before attempting certification. An institute, you say? Why yes! I’ll explain about those in an upcoming post since it will be something I explore for my educational plan assignment.
Will ProGen help me decipher this?
Right now, I have no less than four events to plan for, one more step to go in the grant process (and if that goes well I’ll be writing grant #2), preparing my evaluation for the Board, creating a Constitution Week poster, reading three chapters and writing an educational plan for myself, and I’m constantly thinking about 2019.
Whew! Time for some sleep and start all over again tomorrow! I wonder what new thing I’ll learn??
The book on bottom I’ve had for 5 years. The book on top I recently bought.
In 2013, I had a feeling my long-time job at the hospital was going to end. And it did. They outsourced the work I did to a national company, at which they had secured a position for me if I decided to work there. I had no other choice, so I went to work for the national company and began planning for a change.
It took 5 years, but I was able to put medical transcription behind me and move forward with my Muze position. I can’t even tell you the normal lab values for SGOT right now and those used to roll off my tongue!
When I first began planning my career change, I was moving in the direction of becoming a professional genealogist and consultant for this area of Indiana. I did a lot of pro bono work, watched a lot of webinars, attended seminars and conferences, and volunteered at the historical society. One thing I had planned on doing but could never fit into my schedule as it was a 19-month program was a ProGen Study Group. A ProGen Study Group is held virtually and covers the information in the books in the photo (currently, only the top book is being used). You are part of a group of 7 other students and a mentor who is certified by the BCG or accredited by ICAPGen. You work on all aspects of becoming a professional genealogist, from an education plan to business practices to actual genealogical work. That work you do is then peer reviewed. The waiting list is long; I signed up during the spring of 2017 and was first contacted a year later. Since signing up, though, the program was adapted to be just 12 months long. You spend on average 20 hours per month working on assignments.
I was contacted about joining ProGen38. This came at the time I was transitioning into my new role as Muze Executive Director, so it didn’t feel right. On the other hand, it didn’t feel right to leave behind my goal of becoming a professional genealogist either.
So, when the invitation came for ProGen39, I didn’t think twice. I jumped in with both feet and am preparing to begin this journey in September! Maybe, just maybe, I’ll push myself a bit more and go “on the clock” once I complete the course. You fellow genealogists know what I mean! Apply for certification through BCG. A giant step for me but what I’ve been planning for all along!
I’ve had a couple days off from the Muze, and I’ve done the following:
In my downtime, I have been working on:
Every once in awhile, a thought will cross my mind…don’t forget ProGen39!! My mind, it is a’swirlin’!
For something non-work-related, I watched a couple BatDad videos on Facebook. 😀
My historical society took a big leap of faith and approved our entry into the StEPS Program through AASLH (American Association for State and Local History). StEPS stands for Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations. It is a self-guided process wherein history organizations take a good hard look at policy and procedure and their future. We will receive a workbook to work on different aspects of our organization, e.g. mission and governance, audience, and collection. I am very excited about this! We plan on reviewing it through the rest of this year and actively working on what needs attention beginning in 2019.
Drawer from Thaddeus Coffin desk
I am so grateful for the Genealogy Library we have at our historical society (named after Clarence H. Smith, some day soon I’ll tell you more about him). When I began pondering career changes, professional genealogy seemed like the path I wanted to follow. Volunteering at the historical society opened my eyes to the wonder that is our local history. This position as director fulfills my genealogical passion, as well as teaches me unique things about my county. If I don’t learn something new daily, then I consider it a nonproductive day. These new things I learn can come from any nook of the Museum…our oldest book was published in 1789…a child on a tour showed me a new piece of wood in our Thaddeus Coffin desk (made of nearly 57,000 pieces!)…a lovely weed had found its way into our entry pavilion! Even though I’m the executive director of a historical society and museum, genealogy still plays a large role in my life.
Bronze on wood trunk I bought today to use for my presentations! “The Trunk of Curiosities”
That is why when I recently received the invitation to join the ProGen Study Group 39 I jumped at the opportunity. I had tentatively set aside my goal of achieving professional genealogy certification through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), but, by signing up and participating in the yearlong ProGen course of study, I believe I might move forward with my BCG goal. We’ll see in a year!
Census record I may use for ProGen or BCG
Thank you to those who voted on the skeleton key poll. What do you think of this one?
Skeleton key on gentleman’s black top hat
For: Ladies 18 and up who are interested in joining the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
Part 1: August 2017 General Overview
Part 2: September 2017 Completing An Application
I’m working on an agenda right now, plus invitations. I have the location and dates nailed down so those are a go! I hope to generate some interest and meet some new ladies.
For Part 1, this is what I have going for an agenda:
And I’m still here! For the past 3 years, I’ve worked as hard as I have been able to to forward my genealogical education and experience. I have to take the next step at some point…certification. I knew I wanted to get my oldest son through graduation before going “on the clock,” and that has now happened.
It’s time. I need to take that next step. I must take that next step.
But, first…
I’ve decided to group my accomplishments and goals under my Four Cornerstones.
<—To refresh your memory! *I need to change my name on that image…oops!
Time to review:
EDUCATION LOCAL HISTORY PROFESSIONALISM RESEARCH
Started this blog on 24 Jun 2014.
Became the county genealogist for Henry County through IGS in August 2015. Local History/Professionalism
Became the newest board member of the Henry County Historical Society & Museum in September 2015. Local History/Professionalism
General public meetings of ECIGA officially began in February 2016 (inclement weather canceled our very first meeting in January 2016). Education/Local History
Attended the IGS Conference in April 2015 and 2016. Attended the Society Management Seminar in April 2015, 2016, and 2017. Education/Professionalism
Became NSDAR member in April 2015, Corresponding Secretary for my chapter 2016-17. Professionalism/Research
Elected Vice President of the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (ICHAP), term begins 1 July 2016. On 1 July 2018, I move to being the President. Professionalism/Education
Attended INDAR State Conference (May 2017). Did it!
Begin genealogical courses through DAR. Completed GEP I, II, and III! Education/Research
What I Want To Accomplish (June 2017-2018)!
Practice writing proof summaries and proof arguments. Have been working on these!
Write article for IGS Quarterly. Working on it!
Complete yearbook for Sarah Winston Henry NSDAR Chapter, 2017. Working on it!
Attend District INDAR meeting (August 2017). Planning on it!
Plan two-part workshop for ladies interested in joining DAR. Happening this summer!
Complete New Horizons course through DAR. Working through that this year.
Order syllabi and/or presentations from FGS 2016 and APG PMC 2016. Planning on it!
Applied for waiting list for an upcoming ProGen Study Group!
Go ON THE CLOCK! MUST DO!!! After ProGen!
Long-Term Goals
Add two more of my ancestors to SCWFI (John Ford and Lyman S. Ford). Still working on it!
Begin working on NSDAR supplemental for William Ballard (born 1715). Need to do!
Finish studies through NGS (got this in under the wire! Signed up for the NGS Guide to Documentation and Source Citation!). Still need to do final course!
Attend FGS Annual Conference in 2018! ECIGA plans to join FGS October 2017!
Attend APG’s PMC (Sept 2016, 2017). Really wanted to go but the Bicentennial Torch Relay goes through Henry County the day after and I don’t think I can squeeze both in. Want to go in 2017 but too expensive (Washington DC). Wait for it to come back around to Fort Wayne!
Join PALAM (Oct 2017). Need to do!
Planning for Henry County Bicentennial in 2022!
Go “on the clock”??? See above!
Apply for First Families of Ohio (James A. Fowler and his wife Elizabeth Devore). Need to do!
Compose my Project Pioneer project for young-at-heart folks in the senior living community to help them get their family trees online at FamilySearch.org. Working on it!
Here’s to another great year!
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