Category: Scholarship

Gen-Fed Registration 2022: March 12th

March 10, 2022

R E G I S T R A T I O N  F O R  G E N – F E D   V I R T U A L – 2 O 2 2

A drawing for the remaining seats plus 20 waitlist names will be held online live on Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am Pac./11 am Mtn./12 pm Cent./1 pm EDT.  We originally planned to host that publicly, but due to privacy concerns, the link will only be shared with those persons who signed up for a chance at registration. Thank you for your understanding.

If you are one of the over 100 requests we received for the remaining seats, please check your emails and your spam folders for the link.  Attendance is not required to gain a seat.

A total of 30 seats will be drawn for registration and 20 waitlist names, in case of cancellations. The drawing will be completely randomized, we want to make this as fair as we can.

Good luck!

Rebecca & Cinda

 

Register Now for Gen-Fed 2022: March 1 to March 7

March 1, 2022

R E G I S T E R   N O W   F O R   G E N – F E D   V I R T U A L


 

Read the following carefully before registering:

  • Gen-Fed will be held virtually Monday, August 8th through Saturday, August 13th. Classes run everyday 10 am to 6 pm EST, except Saturday which ends at noon.
  • Registration will stay open until Monday, March 7th at 6 pm Pac./7 pm Mtn./8 pm Cent./9 pm EDT.
  • The applicants’ names will be put in a drawing throughout that week, therefore the day and time of application will not determine place in line for a seat.
  • A drawing for the remaining seats (once we know how many of the current students will stay), plus 20 waitlist names will be held online LIVE on Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am Pac./11 am Mtn./12 pm Cent./1 pm EDT.  We will post the link for that a few days before here at this website news page.
  • By registering, you accept the responsibility to pay the institute fee by check or money order of $575.00.
  • Note: Due to limited seating, it is Gen-Fed policy to not allow persons to re-take Gen-Fed again for 5 years.

Please use the airtable link here to register: https://airtable.com/shrYzeJRCxg5M7Zwn.

For your information (and anticipation!) the classes and events you can expect for the virtual session:*

  • Pre-Class Videos: History of NARA & Understanding Accessioning; Ordering Records; Using Finding Aids
  • The National Archives’ Catalog by archivist Claire Kluskens
  • NARA’s Records—Coast to Coast by archivist Trevor Plante
  • Q&A with NARA Archivists
  • NARA Records in Other Online Sources by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • US Immigration & Nationality: Beyond Basics with Marian L. Smith
  • Blasting Brick Walls with Legislative Records by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • Mining Land Entry Records with Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA
  • Basic Military Records at NARA by archivist John Deeben
  • Pension Records at the National Archives by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL
  • Reward for Service: Bounty Land Records by Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA
  • Introduction to the Records of NARA Fort Worth by archivist Jenny Sweeny
  • Records of Archives II: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Records by Archives Staff
  • Records of Archives II: Federal Civilian Agency Records by Archives Staff
  • Introduction to the Library of Congress for Genealogists by Ahmed Johnson & Staff
  • Underused Sources at the National Archives by Debra Hoffman, PLCGS
  • Unique Map Holdings by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • Researching Enslaved African Americans in Federal Records by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG
  • Introduction to Federal Records Documenting Native Americans by Kenneth W. Heger, PhD
  • Court Records: Making a Federal Case Out of It by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
  • BCG Board Certification: Your Questions Answered with LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG
  • Busted, Bankrupt, Banged Up: Stories in Federal Court Records by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
  • Introduction to the Daughters of the American Revolution Library by Elizabeth Ernst
  • …and throughout the week: 1) hands-on practice exercises dealing with many of the records we learn about, 2) each student signs up for a 20-minute personal session with a archival records specialist, 3) one each personal military consultation with specialist Jonathan Webb Deiss, and 4) each student is promised 2 record pulls (within reasonable limits!) once the Archives opens. (*sessions subject to change)

We can’t wait to see you there!

Rebecca & Cinda

 

Registration for Gen-Fed 2022: March 1 to March 7

February 21, 2022

GEN-FED 2022 WILL BE A VIRTUAL SESSION

As much as we hope that the National Archives may be open in August, we fear it may not be as open as we wish or that it may be forced to close again just as we are ready to start classes.  So it is with an abundance of caution (and disappointment) we make the decision to hold Gen-Fed virtually again.  Our instructors’ and students’ safety is our primary consideration.

  • Gen-Fed will still be held Monday, August 8th through Saturday, August 13th.
  • A registration link will be posted to this website, here at Gen-Fed.org News on Tuesday, March 1st. The link opens that day at 6 am Pac./7 am Mtn./8 am/Cent./9 am EDT and it will stay open until Monday, March 7th at 6 pm Pac./7 pm Mtn./8 pm Cent./9 pm EDT.
  • The applicants’ names will be put in a drawing throughout that week, therefore the day and time of application will not determine place in line for a seat.
  • A drawing for the remaining seats (once we know how many of the current students will stay), plus 20 waitlist names will be held online LIVE on Saturday, March 12th, at 10 am Pac./11 am Mtn./12 pm Cent./1 pm EDT.  We will post the link for that a few days before here at this website news page.
  • The price for Gen-Fed will remain the same as it has since 2020: $575.00 for the week.

Our next most important consideration, besides safety, is the quality of instruction. While none of us can really predict what will happen about closings, we can certainly predict the excellence of our instructors’ talents, no matter the situation.  As a precursor, here are the classes and events you can expect for the virtual session:*

  • Pre-Class Videos: History of NARA & Understanding Accessioning; Ordering Records; Using Finding Aids
  • The National Archives’ Catalog by archivist Claire Kluskens
  • NARA’s Records—Coast to Coast by archivist Trevor Plante
  • Q&A with NARA Archivists
  • NARA Records in Other Online Sources by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • US Immigration & Nationality: Beyond Basics with Marian L. Smith
  • Blasting Brick Walls with Legislative Records by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • Mining Land Entry Records with Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA
  • Basic Military Records at NARA by archivist John Deeben
  • Pension Records at the National Archives by Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG, CGL
  • Reward for Service: Bounty Land Records by Angela Packer McGhie, CG, FUGA
  • Introduction to the Records of NARA Fort Worth by Archives Staff
  • Records of Archives II: U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Records by Archives Staff
  • Records of Archives II: Federal Civilian Agency Records by Archives Staff
  • Introduction to the Library of Congress for Genealogists by Ahmed Johnson & Staff
  • Underused Sources at the National Archives by Debra Hoffman, PLCGS
  • Unique Map Holdings by Richard G. Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA
  • Researching Enslaved African Americans in Federal Records by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG
  • Introduction to Federal Records Documenting Native Americans by Kenneth W. Heger, PhD
  • Court Records: Making a Federal Case Out of It by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
  • BCG Board Certification: Your Questions Answered with LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG
  • Busted, Bankrupt, Banged Up: Stories in Federal Court Records by Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL
  • Introduction to the Daughters of the American Revolution Library by Elizabeth Ernst
  • …and throughout the week: 1) hands-on practice exercises dealing with many of the records we learn about, 2) each student signs up for a 20-minute personal session with a archival records specialist, 3) one each personal military consultation with specialist Jonathan Webb Deiss, and 4) each student is promised 2 record pulls (within reasonable limits!) once the Archives opens. (*sessions subject to change)

Please stay safe and well everyone. We hope to see you there!

Rebecca & Cinda

 

Update on Gen-Fed 2022

February 1, 2022

The big question in my emails all month has been “When does registration start for Gen-Fed 2022?”

The answer is: hopefully soon.  The wave of different variants of the COVID virus and rates of inoculation have changed the dynamic this year, but it is still too soon to tell if we can have Gen-Fed in person at NARA in Washington D.C., or if we should hold it virtually.  So we ask you to wait patiently with us a little more.

Updates to research room policies at NARA are found at https://www.archives.gov/coronavirus.  If NARA does take a large group, we still do not know if they will take our full capacity of students (so we do not know how many yet to register if we go in person).  If we are there in person, be prepared that the current NARA vaccination status rules state that researchers/students will have to be fully vaccinated and sign an attestation form. Or unvaccinated researchers/students must bring a negative COVID-19 test, see: https://www.archives.gov/research/news/faqs-research-room-reopenings.

We will do our next update and hopefully make a decision by President’s Day, February 21st.  As with last year, if Gen-Fed is virtual this year, those who already have a seat will be allowed to defer to another year. Whatever does happen, we have the most amazing staff of instructors and archivists to make your learning a success.

Thank you,

Rebecca & Cinda

 

Gen-Fed Alumni Announces 2022 Scholarship

December 9, 2021

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) Alumni Association is sponsoring the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship in 2022. The Gen-Fed Alumni Association’s purpose is to promote, conduct, and foster education, research, study, and analysis related to genealogy and to disseminate information and support other similar undertakings.

Richard S. Lackey (1921–1983) of Mississippi was a leader in the drive to improve the professionalization of the genealogical community. In addition to lecturing and teaching, he was an author/compiler of standards for genealogical writing, and of Mississippi source material. His work exemplified the highest standards of competent research and scholarly citation of sources. His books Cite Your Sources: A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records (1980) and Write it Right (1983), co-authored with Donald R. Barnes, promote proper documentation of sources within family histories and genealogical papers. At the time of his death, Richard was President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®.

The scholarship is awarded annually to an experienced researcher active in a paid or volunteer position which directly benefits the genealogical community. This year the scholarship will award $1000, which covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), and partly defrays hotel and/or meal costs. Provided the public health situation allows it, the Gen-Fed Alumni Association will also provide dinner at the Gen-Fed Alumni Banquet on Friday night, Aug 12, 2022, where a check for the amount less tuition will be presented to the recipient.

Nancy Calhoun, our 2017 scholarship recipient says, “Receiving the Lackey Scholarship has not only benefited me but also the genealogy and local history staff at Muskogee Public Library and the patrons we assist. We never know what people are going to request. The training received will assist us in being better equipped to search out that information in the vast collections of National Archives.”

For more information about the Institute, visit www.gen-fed.org. The application can be downloaded from the Scholarships page.

All applications and additional attachments must be submitted in PDF format, combined in one file. The completed application form and attachments should be emailed to Jonathan

  1. Deiss at jdeiss@soldiersource.com with “Lackey Scholarship 2022” in the subject line. The PDF file name should include your last name and first initial, such as “DoeJ Lackey Scholarship 2022 Application.”

 A complete application must be received by midnight, (EST) 31 December 2021. The winner will be notified by 15 February 2022. Other applicants will be notified shortly after that date. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Aug 8–13, 2022.

Gen-Fed Alumni Announces 2022 Scholarship

September 27, 2019

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) Alumni Association is sponsoring the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship in 2022. The Gen-Fed Alumni Association’s purpose is to promote, conduct, and foster education, research, study, and analysis related to genealogy and to disseminate information and support other similar undertakings.

Richard S. Lackey (1921–1983) of Mississippi was a leader in the drive to improve the professionalization of the genealogical community. In addition to lecturing and teaching, he was an author/compiler of standards for genealogical writing, and of Mississippi source material. His work exemplified the highest standards of competent research and scholarly citation of sources. His books Cite Your Sources: A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records (1980) and Write it Right (1983), co-authored with Donald R. Barnes, promote proper documentation of sources within family histories and genealogical papers. At the time of his death, Richard was President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists®.

The scholarship is awarded annually to an experienced researcher active in a paid or volunteer position which directly benefits the genealogical community. This year the scholarship will award $1000, which covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), and partly defrays hotel and/or meal costs. Provided the public health situation allows it, the Gen-Fed Alumni Association will also provide dinner at the Gen-Fed Alumni Banquet on Friday night, Aug 12, 2022, where a check for the amount less tuition will be presented to the recipient.

Nancy Calhoun, our 2017 scholarship recipient says, “Receiving the Lackey Scholarship has not only benefited me but also the genealogy and local history staff at Muskogee Public Library and the patrons we assist. We never know what people are going to request. The training received will assist us in being better equipped to search out that information in the vast collections of National Archives.”

For more information about the Institute, visit www.gen-fed.org. The application can be downloaded from the Scholarships page.

All applications and additional attachments must be submitted in PDF format, combined in one file. The completed application form and attachments should be emailed to Jonathan

  1. Deiss at jdeiss@soldiersource.com with “Lackey Scholarship 2022” in the subject line. The PDF file name should include your last name and first initial, such as “DoeJ Lackey Scholarship 2022 Application.”

 A complete application must be received by midnight, (EST) 31 December 2021. The winner will be notified by 15 February 2022. Other applicants will be notified shortly after that date. The scholarship winner will automatically be accepted for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from Aug 8–13, 2022.

Gen-Fed 2019 Details Announced

November 3, 2018

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) 2018, held July 16–21 at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., was another great week of learning and camaraderie. Attendees used words like exceptional and excellent and amazing to describe the experience but this comment best captures the unique quality of Gen-Fed:

“It was such a privilege to embed ourselves for the week in the nation’s attic.”

Even with a busy program schedule, many participants had tangible research success, as documented on our Tales of Discovery page. Our photo album is here.

The next Institute is set for July 29–August 2, 2019, with an optional visit to the DAR Library on Saturday, August 3. Details are here. Online registration will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Tuition has been set at $550. Two scholarship opportunities are still available: the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship (December 31, 2018 deadline) and the AncestryProGenealogists Scholarship (November 30, 2018 deadline). Read about both opportunities here.

To receive more announcements about next year’s program, enter your email address in the “subscribe” box on the bottom right of the institute website, https://www.gen-fed.org.

Gen-Fed Alumni Announces 2019 Scholarship

October 2, 2018

The Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed) Alumni Association is pleased to announce the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship to support attendance at Gen-Fed in 2019.  The Alumni Association, whose purpose is to promote, conduct, and foster genealogical education, research, study, and analysis, began offering the scholarship in 1984.

Richard S. Lackey (1921-1983) of Mississippi, for whom the scholarship is named, led efforts to professionalize the pursuit of genealogy. In addition to lecturing and teaching, he was an author/compiler of genealogical writing standards and Mississippi source material. His work exemplifies the highest standards of competent research and scholarly citation of sources. His books Cite Your Sources: A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records (1980) and Write it Right (1983), co-authored with Donald R. Barnes, promote proper documentation of sources in family histories and genealogical papers. At the time of his death, Richard was President of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

The scholarship is awarded annually to an experienced researcher active in a paid or volunteer position that directly benefits the genealogical community.  This year the scholarship will award $600, which covers full tuition for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records (Gen-Fed), and partly defrays hotel and/or meal costs. The Gen-Fed Alumni Association will also provide dinner at the Gen-Fed Alumni Banquet on Friday evening, 2 Aug 2019, where a check for the amount less tuition will be presented to the recipient.

The 2018 Lackey Scholarship recipient, Linda MacIver of Boston, said, “Personally for me, this [Gen-Fed Institute] week would not have been possible without the Alumni Association members, who continue to support the Richard S. Lackey Scholarship…. I love teaching [genealogy] beginners!  It is so wonderful to watch the faces when they find that first special piece of research and they are ‘hooked!’…. Yes, we can help to change lives…so go out there and start doing it!”

For more information about the Institute, visit www.gen-fed.org. The application can be downloaded from the Scholarships page.

All applications and additional attachments must be submitted in PDF format, combined in one file.   The completed application form and attachments should be emailed to Gary Zizka at gmzizka@gmail.com with “Lackey Scholarship 2019” in the subject line. The PDF file name should include your last name and first initial, such as “ZizkaG Lackey Scholarship 2019 Application.” 

A complete application must be received by midnight (EST), 31 December 2018.  The winner will be notified by 15 February 2019. Other applicants will be notified shortly after that date. The scholarship winner will automatically be registered for the Genealogical Institute on Federal Records to be held at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., from 29 July – 2 Aug 2019.