APG digitises 40 years of Journal content

From the Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org):

APG Digitizes All 40 Years of Its Journal
Association of Professional Genealogists Digitizes All 40 Years of Its Journal

Members May Now Access More Than 5,000 Pages of Professional Genealogy Content

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., 11 November 2019 - In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of its founding, the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) announced it has digitized all 40 years of its member publications. Beginning in 1979 with typed and photocopied newsletters, the professional publication for its members has evolved to its present Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (APGQ). Comprising more than 5,000 pages, the archive of APG publications spans topics of interest to genealogists, from running a business to attracting clients.

"The APGQ is the longest-running publication dedicated to the genealogy profession, said Mary Penner, CG, managing editor. "Its fascinating to see how the profession has evolved over the past 40 years and to see how many of the articles are just as relevant today as they were when they were written. This digital archive is an unparalleled resource for our members as they strive to make their businesses successful and serve the genealogy community. It also helps preserve the history of APG."

The future of the profession has long been a topic of discussion, as evidenced by early articles such as, "What is a Professional Genealogist?" and "Is there a Future in Professional Genealogy?" For APG's 10th anniversary in 1989, the APGQ reprinted an earlier article from Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG, FNGS, FUGA, "Genealogical Quality is Not a Professional Concern Only."

"What a wonderful way to celebrate our fortieth anniversary!" said APG President Billie Stone Fogarty. By preserving and sharing the wisdom of our members through the years concerning this wonderful field of professional genealogy, we can see how our field has evolved and we can also focus on the core elements that combine to make genealogy both art and science. Our heartfelt thanks to Mary Penner for her hard work which made this gift a reality."

A comprehensive index of all APG publications is freely available on the APG website.

Chris

Order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. My next Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course starts 4 November 2019 - see https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

APG free webinar series for 2019

The Association of Professional Genealogists (https://www.apgen.org) is running a series of free webinars.

Are you interested in a possible career as a professional genealogist? Want to learn how the pros approach genealogy research or tackle tough ethical situations? The APG's live webinars are open free to the public.

The lists of webinars is available at https://www.apgen.org/webinars/, with the first having an Irish flavour:

Share, Connect & Grow: Developing a Content Strategy for Your Genealogy Interests
Presenter: Laura Colleran
Monday, January 21, 2019
2:00p.m. EST

Registration required: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6872865061397542145

Being 'found' on the internet is rarely pure happenstance. It is likely that a person is looking for something specific (content) and undertakes a unique digital journey to find it. Creating content that enables you to engage with your target audience in a meaningful way is a key element of any modern digital marketing strategy. Storytelling, testimonials, partnerships, blogs and guest writers are all part of the content creation plan implemented by Ireland Reaching Out in recent years. This webinar will include information about developing the plan, creating the content, and promoting it online.

About the Presenter: Laura Colleran is the Programme Manager with Ireland Reaching Out, an Irish Diaspora engagement programme, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Heritage Council of Ireland. A previous member of the Irish Diaspora herself, she moved back to Ireland in 2013, having lived and worked in Italy for 11 years. Her professional background is in advertising and marketing, and she has worked with Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett and Coca-Cola. She has also lectured marketing and brand management at the Institute of European Design in Turin.

NB: For more on Ireland Reaching Out visit https://www.irelandxo.com

(With thanks to the latest Irish Family History Centre Newsletter via email)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Illegal adoptions in Ireland

I have been contacted by professional genealogist and APG member Fiona Fitzsimons, of Dublin based firm Eneclann (www.eneclann.ie), who has asked me to share an article she has written on the background to the historic adoption scandal currently playing out in the Republic of Ireland, and offering advice for those who may need it. (Fiona has also published the story on the Association of Professional Genealogists Britain, Ireland & the Isles Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/APG.BII/):

So...

So, post-Referendum, and with little or no pause, Ireland is straight into another scandal where women’s reproductive rights are/ were stage-centre. This time, it’s all about adoption.

In 1952 legal adoption was introduced into Ireland by an Act of parliament (the Dáil). From this date, records of all legal adoption are held by the Adoption Board.

This last week evidence that illegal adoptions took place in Ireland after 1952 has come into the public domain.

Tusla, the child and family agency issued the following statement.

Media Statement re St Patrick’s Guild adoption records 
29 May 2018: Tusla – Child and Family Agency has identified at least 126 instances of incorrect registrations of birth in the records of St Patrick’s Guild. The registrations in question relate to births between 1946 and 1969 and were discovered as a result of Tusla proactively undertaking significant work to scan St Patrick’s Guild records and identify instances of incorrect registrations. http://www.tusla.ie/

Tusla’s statement concerning 126 cases is only the tip of the ice-berg. As early as 1956 over 500 cases of illegal adoptions were known. The issue of illegal adoptions was openly debated in the Dáil, by Maureen O’Carroll of the Irish Labour party (incidentally, mother of comedian Brendan O’Carroll, aka Mrs. Brown). See https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/removal-of-those-children-definitely-illegal-ocarrolls-mum-told-dil-in-1956-36967348.html

Falsifying records, or making no record in the first instance, has had and continues to have, catastrophic consequences: it places a huge obstacle to the person adopted from tracing a birth mother/ father; it likewise prevents birth parents from tracing their children.

Many readers will have seen the film Philomena with Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. But there are hundreds of other similar stories out there. (see https://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/getting-back-to-his-roots-after-american-adoption-as-a-boy-30218730.html)

So how can we as family historians/ genealogists assist in tracing Irish children in these circumstances?

Here’s some guidelines:

Records were kept for the greater number of children in Ireland (26 counties corresponding to the Irish Republic) raised in care/ fostered from the 1920s.

Where an illegal adoption has taken place after 1952, records are not usually held by the Adoption Board.

What records were made were usually controlled by the Adoption Agencies (like St. Patrick’s Guild), or by the individual homes. The greater part of these records known to have survive, are part of the AIRR collection.

The A.I.R.R. (Access to Institutional and Related Records) Project is a central index to records of children raised in care in Ireland between the 1930s and 1990s.

Even where records have been falsified, there is often some note to this effect made at the time of the event. This is how Tusla uncovered the 126 cases.

These records are held by two Irish State agencies. A person directly affected, or their next of kin, can apply for access to these records.

The A.I.R.R. records are accessible through the Department of Health and Children.

Phone: A.I.R.R. 00 353 1 635 4190 or 1 635 3030

In addition, the Health Service Executive operates a Tracing Service that has greater coverage of the records of infant hospitals, mother-and-baby homes, adoption societies, and a large number of registers of private nursing homes. The earliest records date from the late 1890s.

Phone: H.S.E. Tracing Service: 00 353 1 8976858

If you have been directly affected by this and would like advice, please contact us. We can’t take individual cases, but are willing to act as guides, directing you to sources and contacts.

(With thanks to Fiona Fitzsimons)

Chris

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

New social media channels for local APG chapter

Following my earlier post concerning a CPD event I participated in with the Association of Professional Genealogists (see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/how-to-stand-out-from-crowd-developing.html), I've been contacted by Fiona Fitzsimons with news of some further developments for the local chapter - namely its new social media channels, which are now up and running. Here's the message:

The APG Britain Ireland and the Isles chapter of APG are delighted to tell you that with a little help from our friends, we've set up social media channels for the chapter:

Twitter: @APG_BII (www.twitter.com/APG_BII)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APG.BII/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpw0pqciqhkw3GJbalffBw

It should facilitate our being able to come together online, and is the first step towards more, and better networking. Details of the next webinar/ discussion for CPD will follow shortly.

(With thanks to Fiona)

Chris

Needing a Christmas present for a family history obsessed love one (or for yourself)?! For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

How To Stand Out From The Crowd – Developing a Personal Brand

On November 9th 2017 I took part in an online CPD event for the Britain, Ireland and the Islands Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (https://www.apgen.org), entitled How To Stand Out From The Crowd – Developing a Personal Brand. Hosting and steering the conversation was Fiona Fitzsimons from Dublin based Eneclann (www.eneclann.ie), and interviewed alongside me was Cork based Lorna Moloney (Clans and Surnames www.clansandsurnames.com, and The Genealogy Radio Show).

We had a fascinating discussion in what was an all Ireland bash (although I'm based in Scotland!), in which we covered a range of issues about how we have both tried to create careers for ourselves in this mad auld genealogy world within which we reside, and in which we provided various takes on how things are changing around us.

The discussion is now freely available online on YouTube at https://youtu.be/FvK_Ow7H5C0, and presented here for convenience:

Further CPD sessions from the APG are being planned - to join the organisation, visit the website at https://www.apgen.org.

(With thanks to Fiona, Lorna, and the APG)

Chris

Needing a Christmas present for a family history obsessed love one (or for yourself)?! For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

APG Announces New Officers, Board and Committee Members

From the Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org):

Press Release - APG Announces New Officers, Board and Committee Members
Association of Professional Genealogists Announces New Officers, Board and Committee Members:

Billie Stone Fogarty [M.Ed]M.Ed. Named President for Second Term to World's Largest Professional Organization for Genealogy

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo., 11 November 2017 - The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) has announced the results of its election for new officers, board members, and nominating committee members. The APG membership elected four officers and six at-large board members for two-year terms (2018-2019). Two nominating committee members were elected for one-year terms. Those elected were:

Executive Committee (two-year term)

President: Billie Fogarty, MEd, is a full-time professional genealogist who has served the genealogical community in several capacities, including as APG president since 2016. She aims to continue the commitment to the important tasks initiated last term, including the launch of a new website and the implementation of the member education requirement.

Vice President: David McDonald, DMin, CG, a past APG board member, speaks nationally at conferences and institutes. As vice president, David would like to strengthen APG's place as "the premier voice for professionals in our field."

Secretary: Amy E. K. Arner, a Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit recipient, will continue her work as APG secretary for another term. One of Amy's goals is to increase networking opportunities within APG and the organization's educational efforts regarding good business practices.

Treasurer: Mary Kircher Roddy, CPA, is a professional genealogist, speaker, and writer who has also served as treasurer for several non-profit organizations. She looks forward to collaborating with the board to facilitate interactions among genealogists and answer their needs as professionals in the field.

Board of Directors (two-year term).

Barbara Ball, CG, based in Arizona, is continuing for another term. One of her goals is to "advocate for the genealogists...in areas where access to large archives is difficult and research opportunities can be somewhat scarce."

Valerie Elkins, having recently relocated to Colorado, is continuing for another term. She has a particular interest in "encouraging more involvement and representation for more countries, ethnic groups, and cultures."

Fiona Fitzsimons, located in Ireland, is serving another term on the board. Her core interests for APG are in outreach and education served on the Redistribution, Bylaws, and Members Survey committees.

Benjamin Hollister, from Australia, has served on the board since 2016. He envisions APG "taking a greater role in both international standards and professional development for researchers, as well as supporting members through advocacy and marketing."

Cari Taplin, CG, of Texas, a returning board member, is "committed to supporting continued growth within APG in the areas of education for professionals, improvements in our online presence, and in our work with records preservation."

Katherine R. Willson lives in Michigan. Her vision for APG is "the formation of an outreach committee to pair interested APG members with local Veterans Administration hospitals for the continued recording of lineages, histories, and narratives for all US veterans nationwide."

2018 Nominations Committee

Melanie Holtz, CG, is a Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit recipient based in North Carolina. She is an "advocate for professionalism within the field of genealogy, mentorship, and expanded educational offerings within the organization."

Elizabeth O'Neal of California has served on nominations committees for several organizations and feels that "board members should always be approachable and should reach out to members to learn how they can best be served." She would like to see APG "continue to embrace technology with its educational offerings and webinars, and continue to increase communication with members and chapter officers via social media channels."

"APG is fortunate to have a strong and diverse group of dedicated genealogists willing to volunteer their time to move our organization forward," said APG President, Billie Stone Fogarty. "As we welcome those returning and newly elected, we also thank those board members retiring from board service; Catherine Desmarais, CG, Sandra Ball, CPA, Sharon Atkins, Helen Daglas, Clarise Soper, CG, Christine Woodcock, and Vicki Wright."


About the Association of Professional Genealogists
The Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org), established in 1979, represents more than 2,700 genealogists in various genealogy-related businesses. APG encourages genealogical excellence, ethical practice, mentoring, and education. The organization also supports the preservation and accessibility of records useful to the fields of genealogy and history. Its members come from all [U.S]U.S. fifty states, Canada, and forty other countries. APG is active on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

(With thanks to the APG)

Chris


My next 5 week long Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course commences Nov 6th 2017 - details at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.

Rejoining the Association of Professional Genealogists

Earlier today I took part in the first of a series of new planned CPD sessions by the Association of Professional Genealogists (www.apgen.org) Britain, Ireland and the Isles chapter, where I was interviewed alongside fellow genealogist Lorna Moloney (Merriman Research & Training Ltd) by Fiona Fitzsimons (Eneclann) about various aspects of working as a professional genealogist. Thanks to both Lorna and Fiona for what was a great session, and to those who attended and asked questions.

I was previously a member of the APG a few years ago, but did not renew my membership as back then it seemed very much US centred and focussed, and I wasn't really sure what I was getting for my money. However, with the Britain, Ireland and the Isles chapter now established and offering activities on this side of the pond, I'm delighted to say that I've finally signed up again today as a member.

Absolutely nothing about the services I currently offer will change, but readers may wish to note that APG members adhere to a Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, which you can find detailed at https://www.apgen.org/ethics/index.html. 

Chris

My next 5 week long Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course commences Nov 6th 2017 - details at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.