Category Archives: ICAPGen member spotlights

ICAPGen member spotlights

Introducing Debbie Gurtler, AG®, accredited for research in Spain and U.S. Mid-South

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Debbie GurtlerDebbie graduated with honors from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Family History. She worked as an intern at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. She has also made research trips to Spain, Virginia, and North Carolina.

She is employed by FamilySearch where she is currently the supervisor of the Missionary Training team at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She is fluent in Spanish. She can also read genealogical documents in Portuguese, Italian, and French.

Debbie serves as a commissioner on the board for the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists and her assignment is webmaster for the ICAPGen℠ website.

Debbie holds two AG® credentials. One is for the United States Mid-South region. She has done extensive research in North Carolina and Virginia. The other is for Spain where she has done research in various parts of the country.

We asked Debbie to share a little bit about her role as ICAPGen webmaster, and also about her areas of accreditation:

What is your role in ICAPGen, and how long have you been serving?

I am the webmaster and a commissioner.  I think I’ve been serving since 2012.

What are some of the responsibilities, opportunities, or challenges in your role?

Maintaining the website and keeping the information current.  Thankfully, I have some great helpers.

What motivated you to pursue accreditation?

I work at the Family History Library and it is required for my job.  I also appreciate that an accreditation acknowledges that I have studied and know what I’m doing.

What are some challenging or unique aspects to researching in your area of accreditation?

One of my accreditations is in the U.S. Mid-South region.  The challenges there are burned counties and changing jurisdictions, speaking specifically of South Carolina. I love reading land records which are vital to early research in this area. My other accreditation is in Spain and the challenges there involve record access. Many of the records for Spain are only accessible in Spain. I love to travel though. 🙂

What advice do you have for those pursuing accreditation?

It seems daunting but if you persevere you’ll make it. Just keep working and studying. Find a mentor to offer you advice and support.

What are some of your goals as a genealogist?

I’d like to create a website for researchers. I’d also like to write a book.

What research projects are you involved with now, or have planned for the future?

I have a couple of client projects I’m working on now. One of which is part of a book to be published for a family.

Debbie has given great service to ICAPGen as webmaster.  We appreciate all her hard work, and the excellent website that serves our organization so well.

ICAPGen member spotlights

Introducing Vona Williams, AG® – Accredited for research in England and Scotland

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Vona
Vona Williams, AG, CG

This month we would like to spotlight Vona Williams, AG, CG®.  Vona is accredited for research in England and Scotland, and has also obtained a Certified Genealogist® credential.  She has been serving as the Renewal Chair for ICAPGen for the past five years.

Vona is a graduate of Brigham Young University in genealogy. She has over 40 years experience as professional genealogist, lecturer and writer. Vona has served as a Reference Consultant and manager in the British Reference Unit of the Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 40 years.

We thought you might be interested to know more about the roles of our Commissioners and Board members, so we asked Vona to tell us a little bit about her duties as Renewal Chair:

What is your role in ICAPGen, and how long have you been serving?
I serve on the Renewals Committee.  It is my responsibility to keep people on track with their renewals.  All renewal applications go through me.  I review everything they submit then I pass the report and research log on to two AG’s that will review and grade the report according to the criteria set forth in the Rater’s Review form.  I then contact the AG to tell them whether or not they passed and if they didn’t pass what they must do to pass.  I have been serving for 5 years.
What are some of the responsibilities, opportunities, or challenges in your role?
It is enjoyable to read the reports of the AG’s and to see how they go about solving the problems they have been given.  It is hard to tell people they haven’t passed but rewarding when they redo their report and they pass.  Because the rules and guidelines changed a few years ago, there have been many AG’s who have had to revise their submission but now it should not be such a big problem because almost every AG has been through the renewal at least once since the changes were made.
What motivated you to pursue accreditation?
 I actually pursued accreditation because my job required it.  I am glad I did.  In fact I accredited in two regions.  It helps you to know the areas you are strong in and the areas where you might need a little more study.
What advice do you have for those pursuing accreditation?
I feel there is great benefit to being accredited.  You can learn, develop greater skills, and have the support of many who are trying to be the best professional genealogists that they can be.
Vona is a great example of someone who exemplifies the professionalism we all aspire to.  Her level of experience and years of service at the Family History Library have been a real asset to ICAPGen, and we thank her!