Tag Archives: Family History

Accreditation, Education, Family History, Genealogy, ICAPGen, Testing

Who is ICAPGen?

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Who we are

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGenSM), is a globally recognized, fully independent non-profit credentialing organization dedicated to advancing professional excellence in genealogical research and reporting.

A Board of Commissioners comprised of both elected and appointed AG professionals oversees the organization, and ICAPGen remains fully independent of any other organization. Its primary credential award is the Accredited Genealogist® (AG®) credential, with a secondary designation for Accredited Genealogist LecturerTM (AGLTM).

What the Accredited Genealogist credential means

The AG credential recognizes experience and expertise for research in specific geographical regions. Expertise is evaluated through a series of rigorous written and oral examinations. Candidates who demonstrate depth of expertise, ethical practice, and mastery of regional research standards, meeting stringent competency benchmarks, they are awarded the AG credential and designated research experts in that region. The credential provides clients and the public with confidence in their professional capabilities and commitment to industry best practices.

What the Accredited Genealogist Lecturer credential means

The AGL credential recognizes experience AG professionals who demonstrate excellence in both subject matter and presentation skills. Candidates must hold an active ICAPGen accreditation and have a consistent track record of delivering high-quality genealogy lectures at a variety of skill levels and venues.

Where we are

Our Accredited Genealogist professionals can be found worldwide. Each has proven research expertise in one or more of 10 United States regions and 34 different countries, with more accreditation regions coming soon.

What we know and do

Those who hold the AG credential have demonstrated knowledge of the key sources, history, geography, methodologies, and language of their region of interest and know how to access those records, wherever they exist, whether it is through personal onsite research, correspondence with repositories, or through a representative onsite.  They are also proficient in the use of digitized original sources online. Accredited Genealogist professionals possess skills to transcribe and abstract handwritten documents, analyze and interpret evidence, and communicate research results in quality written reports.

Additionally, AG professionals who also hold the AGL credential have demonstrated clear instruction, logical organization, effective visual aids, well-documented materials, and responsive teaching practices in outstanding genealogy presentations covering multiple skill levels in a variety of venues.

Where we test

Exams are primarily held at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. For those who prefer to test elsewhere, a proctored exam may be arranged at a local facility. All Oral Reviews are conducted through videoconferencing.

For more about our history, the accreditation process, regions of accreditation, and more, please visit our website: ICAPGen

Accreditation, Application process, Education, ICAPGen, Skillbuilding, Study Groups

Setting Goals to Reach Accreditation: Seven Strategies for Success

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By Alice Childs, AG®

Hand drawing a business diagram with the process from vision through strategy and execution to success. ~iStock photo

If you are reading this, you have probably set a goal to become an Accredited Genealogist® professional – or are at least considering the idea. I became an official Accredited Genealogist professional in March 2022. This came after many hours of research and preparation, but it was well worth the time spent, and I learned a few things about the process along the way. While the overarching goal to become accredited can seem daunting, breaking the larger goal into specific smaller goals will ensure your path to success. Here are seven strategies to consider:

1. Become familiar with the accreditation readiness assessment, which will guide your activities and preparation. Included are requirements for a certain number of hours of education and research, with specific guidelines for the number of hours to spend in records for your region. You will need experience with relevant repositories and websites and writing research reports. The culminating activity will be the submission of your Four Generation Project.

2. Set a reasonable goal for when you would like to submit your Four Generation project. First, determine the number of research and education hours you need and how much research you still need to complete for your Four Generation Project. Next, divide the total number of hours needed by the number of hours you can commit to spending per week. This will tell you when you can reasonably expect to be ready to submit your project.

3. Begin tracking your hours. You will not need to submit a time log to ICAPGenSM. You will simply check the boxes on the Accreditation Readiness Assessment certifying that you have completed the required number of hours. Consider creating a spreadsheet with columns for each area in which you need hours – records for each state, nationwide records, education activities, etc. Record the total number of hours you will spend in each area in the header of that column. Create a formula so that hours are automatically totaled at the bottom of each column. Use a tool like Toggl to track your time accurately.

4. Focus your research and education. Ensure that you are working on research projects that use the important record types for your region. Go beyond websites and begin requesting records from important offline repositories in your work. If you don’t have ancestors who lived in parts of your region, consider asking friends and neighbors if they have ancestors from that area, or simply access a probate or census record from a locality in your region and begin researching someone mentioned in that record.  Seek out books, classes, and other educational opportunities that will help you learn more about researching in your region of specialization.  Education that focuses on methodology is also essential.

5. Create a Personal Reference Guide. Gathering resources for research in your area into one place has several benefits. First, as you create the guide, you will be solidifying your knowledge about your region of specialization. Next, you will be creating a library of articles and quick reference guides that will be of value to you during all future genealogical research. Finally, because the Written Exams are open book, your personal reference guide will be something you can quickly consult during the timed tests.

6. Practice writing client reports. Even if you aren’t actively working as a professional, consider writing a formal report after every twenty hours of research. The more you can practice writing now, the better prepared you will feel when it is time to write your Four Generation Report and take the third Written Exam segment.

7. Be sure to include enrollment in the ICAPGen Study Groups in your plan. The time to apply for the Four Generation Study Group is when you have reached the following milestones:

  • You have chosen your accreditation region and have completed the required number of hours for researching in that region.
  • You have completed most of your research for at least one generation of your Four Generation Project.
  • You have developed high-intermediate or advanced research skills.
  • You have experience writing research reports.

You can apply for the Test Prep Study Group after successfully completing the Four Generation Study Group and submitting your Four Generation Project. Or, you can apply after successfully passing the Four Generation Project.

Taking these steps will ensure that you are well on your way to reaching your goal of becoming an Accredited Genealogist professional. Best of luck to you as you begin or continue your journey!

Alice’s original article is published on her website, Genealogy Now.