National Genealogical Society
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) was founded in Washington DC in 1903. Its mission is to serve and grow the genealogical community by providing education and training, fostering increased quality and standards, and promoting access to and preservation of genealogical records. The headquarters are now in Arlington, Virgina, and it is run by a board of directors consisting of elected officers, eight directors, and a past president.
Education has always been a key part of the NGS, both to advance the knowledge of their own members and to inform the American public about all aspects of genealogy. The NGS publishes the renowned National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ) and the NGS Magazine four times per year. Members may also read or subscribe to the free blog, UpFront with NGS.
NGS holds an annual conference, to bring expertise and support to genealogists around the USA. Their home study course has been available for many years and now online learning options are available.
NGS approached Pharos to work with them to create a course which shows those with British ancestry how to "leap the pond" and discover their roots in the British Isles. Pharos was chosen as a course provider due to the experience of its instructors, the reasonable cost to students, and its location in the UK.
The Course:
My British Isles Origins: When and How do I Cross the Pond?
When you are ready is the logical answer to the title question but that suggests only that you must find your migrant ancestor first. That is important; however, preparation for "crossing the pond" involves many steps, some of which can, even should, begin before you find the ancestor who stepped ashore.
This 4 week course concentrates on the period from 1600 to 1830. It helps you complete the collection of information in the USA, describes migration movements from the British Isles to America, and discusses sources and strategies for British Isles research in two sections, 1600 to 1712 and 1713 to 1830.
The course offers a mix of history, population study, sources and research strategies. Its primary objectives are to present practical guidance for launching research into the British origins of immigrant ancestors and to offer help on building contextual knowledge of migration patterns and history, at national and local levels.
The course instructor is Sherry Irvine. Sherry has taught courses on English, Scottish and Irish research, and on British migration within and beyond the British Isles.
The cost of this course is $65 with a 15% discount for NGS members. All NGS members need to access the members' area of the NGS website to find how to get your 15% discount.
Biographical Note
Sherry Irvine, BA (History), MSc., Courtenay, BC, Canada
Sherry has been teaching and lecturing about family history for over 25 years. She has taught for college adult education and credit programs. She has lectured in five countries, and since 2001, has been teaching British research methods online. She is a founder and director of Pharos Teaching and Tutoring, a UK online teaching company.
Sherry's genealogical background includes operating her own business for 11 years, a bookstore and research service. She sold the business to concentrate on writing, teaching and lecturing. Sherry is the author of books on English, Scottish, Irish and Canadian research. For several years she taught courses on English and Scottish research methods and led the study tours to Britain for Samford University's Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research.
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