Looking For My Roots

Enhancing My Genealogy Journey Through Education

Over the past six months, I have taken a couple of genealogy classes through Salt Lake City Community College, and the experience has been both enriching and transformative. These classes, priced at $425 for an eight-week all-online format, offer a structured approach to genealogy research and writing that has significantly impacted my work.

The Structure and Value of These Classes

The coursework demands time and effort, with no scheduled live meetings but plenty of reading, video lectures, discussion board interactions, and weekly essay assignments. One key aspect that I appreciate is the importance of deadlines—if assignments aren’t submitted on time, they aren’t graded, and you miss out on feedback. This feedback, in my opinion, is the most valuable part of the courses.

These classes are not easy, but they are highly rewarding. Not only are they more affordable than many other genealogy courses, but they also provide structure and discipline, helping me stay focused on my genealogy research. In fact, they have motivated me to be more intentional with my research and writing.

Upcoming Class: Genetic Genealogy

My next class, Genetic Genealogy, starts on March 18th. As DNA testing has become an invaluable tool in genealogical research, I am excited to deepen my understanding of how to interpret results and integrate them into my research. This is a field that continues to evolve, and I look forward to leveraging genetic data to solve family mysteries.

The Joy and Challenge of Genealogy Research

Like many genealogy enthusiasts, I know the thrill of searching FamilySearch or Ancestry.com, clicking through records, and suddenly uncovering a connection—it feels like striking gold! Since my retirement, I have been deeply focused on writing and compiling family histories for my relatives from Rincón, Puerto Rico. However, before taking these classes, my writing was overly factual—pages filled with names, dates, census records, and birth certificates, but lacking the compelling narratives that bring ancestors to life.

The Impact of the Writing Life Stories Class

One of the most transformative courses I took was Writing Life Stories. Coming from a background in tech and data science, I often approached genealogy with a heavily analytical mindset. This class challenged me to step out of that perspective and embrace storytelling. I learned to add depth, emotion, and context to the lives of my ancestors, making their stories more engaging and meaningful. This is a skill I hope to continue developing, and I plan to take another storytelling-focused class in the future to strengthen this muscle further.

Introduction to High-Tech Genealogy: A Deeper Dive

Currently, I am completing WTGN001 – Introduction to High-Tech Genealogy. While I have been using Family Tree Maker and Ancestry.com for over 20 years, I saw this class as an opportunity to expand my knowledge and familiarize myself with other genealogy software tools. However, I quickly realized that this class offers much more than just learning new software.

One of the most valuable lessons has been understanding the professional and rigorous process of genealogy research—learning how to maintain research logs, create proper citations, and compile detailed research reports. More importantly, it reinforced the genealogical research process, ensuring that my findings are well-documented and credible.

Beyond Personal Research: Aiming for Publication

While my primary goal is to create a comprehensive family history for my relatives, I also have aspirations to publish my research in a genealogical journal or magazine. These classes have helped me refine my methodology and approach, making my work more structured, credible, and engaging.

Final Thoughts

Genealogy is more than just a hobby—it’s a way of preserving and honoring the past. Through these courses, I have not only gained new research skills but also developed a deeper appreciation for storytelling. I look forward to continuing my genealogy education and sharing more about my journey with others passionate about uncovering their roots.

Have you taken any genealogy courses? What has helped you improve your research and storytelling skills? I’d love to hear about your experiences!