Aaron Tassin, Constance H. Knox, Jenna Smith, JoEllen Schaffer, Kathleen Willson, Kathy Emmel, Lynn Tenney, SLIG 2018, SLIG experience
Firsties’ Thoughts On SLIG Experiences
January 06, 2018
Are you a first-time attendee–a “firstie–to SLIG? If you are, here
are some thoughts from last year’s firsties. If you are not, perhaps you may enjoy the
enthusiasm for the upcoming SLIG 2018 experience shared with us.
are some thoughts from last year’s firsties. If you are not, perhaps you may enjoy the
enthusiasm for the upcoming SLIG 2018 experience shared with us.
All registering attendees who are returning as second-time attendees were
recently contacted and asked “what [did] you enjoy the most about SLIG
as a first-year attendee?” Here are their answers.
Kathy Emmel. “I have been
involved in genealogy for over 40 years, but I had never attended a
genealogical conference before SLIG 2017. I took Paula Stuart-Warren’s class, Taking Your Research to the Next Level,
and it set me off on an unbelievable genealogy path!
involved in genealogy for over 40 years, but I had never attended a
genealogical conference before SLIG 2017. I took Paula Stuart-Warren’s class, Taking Your Research to the Next Level,
and it set me off on an unbelievable genealogy path!
“After SLIG 2017, I joined several national and local
genealogy societies …, I researched and wrote an article about my family that
was published in The Colorado Genealogist,
the Journal of the Colorado Genealogical Society, … I earned a Certificate in
Genealogical Research from Boston University…and because of a project from that
class, I have been asked to write a two-part series for my local historical
society…. I should also mention that I put myself on the ProGen waiting list. I
would never have done this before attending SLIG!
genealogy societies …, I researched and wrote an article about my family that
was published in The Colorado Genealogist,
the Journal of the Colorado Genealogical Society, … I earned a Certificate in
Genealogical Research from Boston University…and because of a project from that
class, I have been asked to write a two-part series for my local historical
society…. I should also mention that I put myself on the ProGen waiting list. I
would never have done this before attending SLIG!
“I can’t wait to get there!!!”
Jenna Smith. “I accidentally
enrolled in the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum, but I’m so glad that I
did. Everything moved fast and furious, and I was exposed to new research
methods, locations and sources…. We only had to attend ten hours of classes, and the rest
of the work was on our own. I
did love it, [and] I’m excited to come back.
enrolled in the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum, but I’m so glad that I
did. Everything moved fast and furious, and I was exposed to new research
methods, locations and sources…. We only had to attend ten hours of classes, and the rest
of the work was on our own. I
did love it, [and] I’m excited to come back.
“My very favorite part of SLIG 2017 was the people! I loved
hearing how other advanced researchers tackled difficult problems. The
instructors were friendly and approachable, especially Angela McGhie. I learned
so much and felt like I had crammed a semester-long college course into one
intense week.”
hearing how other advanced researchers tackled difficult problems. The
instructors were friendly and approachable, especially Angela McGhie. I learned
so much and felt like I had crammed a semester-long college course into one
intense week.”
Constance
H. Knox. ” I
really enjoyed my week long SLIG 2017 experience. I think one of the
things I like about SLIG, is sticking to one subject all week long and getting
a deep dive into the subject. The pace was perfect, breaks were timed
appropriately… and… well… hello… it’s in the family history capitol of the
world! Therefore, off time was spent
researching at the Family History Library, just a short walk from the
hotel. Loved meeting new friends… just
every minute of it. I’m really looking forward to it. Can’t wait!”
H. Knox. ” I
really enjoyed my week long SLIG 2017 experience. I think one of the
things I like about SLIG, is sticking to one subject all week long and getting
a deep dive into the subject. The pace was perfect, breaks were timed
appropriately… and… well… hello… it’s in the family history capitol of the
world! Therefore, off time was spent
researching at the Family History Library, just a short walk from the
hotel. Loved meeting new friends… just
every minute of it. I’m really looking forward to it. Can’t wait!”
JoEllen Schaffer. “
my first SLIG experience, I took Advanced Genealogical Methods with Tom Jones.
Oh my! The daily assignments were quite challenging, the time they consumed
pretty much prevented me from having a social life after hours, and by the time
I went home my brain was on overload. That being said, this class was the best
genealogy education experience I have had to date and can’t recommend it
enough.
my first SLIG experience, I took Advanced Genealogical Methods with Tom Jones.
Oh my! The daily assignments were quite challenging, the time they consumed
pretty much prevented me from having a social life after hours, and by the time
I went home my brain was on overload. That being said, this class was the best
genealogy education experience I have had to date and can’t recommend it
enough.
“I really enjoy the five-day concentrated classroom experience
more than a conference. The format focuses on a single topic and encourages us
to a level of expertise that wouldn’t be achievable from a single hour session
at a conference.”
more than a conference. The format focuses on a single topic and encourages us
to a level of expertise that wouldn’t be achievable from a single hour session
at a conference.”
Aaron Tassin. “
researchers had spoken highly of the experience and mentioned SLIG
specifically. Two takeaways remain with me today: first, how friendly and inviting everyone at SLIG was, fellow attendees
and instructors alike; second, it was
very interesting to see how others approach the same research problems
differently.”
researchers had spoken highly of the experience and mentioned SLIG
specifically. Two takeaways remain with me today: first, how friendly and inviting everyone at SLIG was, fellow attendees
and instructors alike; second, it was
very interesting to see how others approach the same research problems
differently.”
Katherine Willson. “What I enjoyed most was being able to meet for the first
time those friends & colleagues whom we interact with regularly on Facebook
or on the APG message list.”
time those friends & colleagues whom we interact with regularly on Facebook
or on the APG message list.”
Lynn Tenney. “One
of the guest lecturers in my last year at IGHR recommended SLIG above the
others. And
boy was he was right! The quality of course coordinators, guest lecturers and
subject matter available is superb. The other attendees are just as eager to
learn and have thoughtful discussions. It’s great to be able to learn, not only
from the lecturers but also from fellow classmates.
of the guest lecturers in my last year at IGHR recommended SLIG above the
others. And
boy was he was right! The quality of course coordinators, guest lecturers and
subject matter available is superb. The other attendees are just as eager to
learn and have thoughtful discussions. It’s great to be able to learn, not only
from the lecturers but also from fellow classmates.
And the opportunity to apply new learning immediately using
the resources of the Family History Library just cannot be compared. While I had wonderful instructors and classes at IGHR, SLIG
had equally talented instructors PLUS the FHL, great lodging and an amazing
variety of restaurants available.”
the resources of the Family History Library just cannot be compared. While I had wonderful instructors and classes at IGHR, SLIG
had equally talented instructors PLUS the FHL, great lodging and an amazing
variety of restaurants available.”
So there you have it, firsties–first hand enthusiasm from second year attendees. The SLIG experience is a lot of SLIG fun!
