Another List: My NIGS American Studies Course Plan

My newest list has to do with my plan of attack for earning a Certificate in American Studies at the NIGS. Forty courses seems overwhelming, but laying a project out on paper always helps me feel more centered and prepared for action-one step at a time.  The courses in blue are those I’ve already completed or I am enrolled in now. With so many electives from which to choose, I’ve put together a preliminary list of what looks most appealing, given my personal family research and areas of interest.

Compulsory (need all 28) American Studies

Basic (B)

1.   Electronic Resources: Using the Internet
2.   Methodology – Part 1: Getting Started
3.   Methodology – Part 2: Organizing and Skill Building
4.   Research from Family History Centers to New FamilySearch
5.   US: Census Records
6.   US: Land Records
7.   US: Religious Records – Part 1
8.   US: Vital Records, Understanding 7 Using the Records
9.   Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program – Part I

 Intermediate (I)

1.   Methodology – Part 3: More Strategies
2.   Methodology – Part 4: Effective Searching
3.   Methodology – Part 5: How to Prove It
4.   US: Cemetery and Mortuary Records
5.   US: Immigration & Naturalization Records
6.   US: Migration Patterns
7.   US: Probate Records
8.   US: Religious Records – Part 2
9.   Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program-Part 2

Advanced Level (A)

1.   Genealogy and Copyright Guidelines
2.   Genetics and Genealogy
3.   Methodology – Part 6: Professional Preparation and Practise
4.   Palaeography: Reading & Understanding Historical Documents
5.   US: Court Records
6.   US: Institutional Records
7.   US: Military Records
8.   US: Newspaper Records
9.   US: Occupational Records
10.   Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program-Part 3

Electives (need 12)

1.   English: Occupations – Professions and Trades (I)
2.   English: Understanding Names in Genealogy (I)
3.   English: Poor Law & Parish Chest Records (I)
4.   English: Land & Property Records including Manorial Documents & Maps (A)
5.   English: Taxes, Lists, Business, Electoral & Insurance Records (A)
6.   English: Court Records-Criminal, Civil & Ecclesiastical (A)
7.   Social Media for the Wise Genealogist (General Elective)
8.   Research: French Canadian Ancestors (General Elective)
9.   Research: Acadian Ancestors (General Elective)
10.   Canadian: Migration Patterns (A)
11.   Canadian: Immigration Records (A)
12.   Researching French Forts of New France (General Elective)

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