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Certificate
Family History Research
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> ... Certificates & Degrees Overview > Degree List > Family History Research
BYU-Idaho + BYU-Pathway

The certificate in family history research introduces students to employment options in the genealogical profession and helps them gain the fundamental research skills and knowledge needed to become successful family history researchers, teach family history skills to others, and assist in promoting family history work.

This certificate is offered by BYU-Idaho, with support and resources from BYU-Pathway Worldwide.

people work on family history a man and a woman in Argentina work on family history together

Why choose this certificate?

Family history research training will provide you with the historical context, research skills, and hands-on technical learning required for you to become a competent family historian and genealogist. It also trains you in digital humanities, web publishing, human geography, genetic genealogy/DNA, editing and publishing, with ample opportunity for writing, workshops, and archival experience.

BYU-Pathway has found that certain combinations of certificates lead to better job opportunities. Most degrees have a recommended plan of certificates that will help students increase their income and improve their employment possibilities.

two women family history class students
Looking Ahead
Potential Employment
  • Self-Employment, including researcher for basic research problems, document lookup specialist, or transcriber
  • Entry level staff at information institution
  • With associate degree, possibility for employment as a professional researcher (private or firm), educator, or middle leadership at information institutions.

Alternatively, we recommend searching for jobs requiring the skills obtained in this certificate such as organization, data entry, research, and analysis.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

Outcomes

  • Define a genealogical research problem.
  • Develop a plan to effectively and efficiently solve a basic US research problem.
  • Gather information from documents relevant to a basic US research problem.
  • Analyze evidence on a basic level to reach appropriate conclusions.
  • Record conclusions in standard genealogical formats such as family group sheets, pedigree charts, oral histories, family histories, and personal histories.
  • Teach family history skills to others and assist in promoting family history work.
Certificate of Family History Research
Program Requirements
This certificate builds into the Family History Research associate degree and/or the Professional Studies bachelor's degree.
This is an introductory certificate.
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Certificate
15 CREDITS
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Associate
60 CREDITS
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Bachelor's
90–96 CREDITS
Certificate of Family History Research
Course Code
Course Name
# of Credits
FHGEN110
Family History Research Student Success
1
FHGEN110 — 1 credits
x
Family History Research Student Success
This course will help students understand what is required to be better family history researchers on their own, as ward consultants, as students in the Family History Research program, and as workers in the genealogical field. Students will be better prepared for success in incorporating and sharing high standards of family history work.
FHGEN120
Internet and Computer Skills
3
FHGEN120 — 3 credits
x
Internet and Computer Skills
This course is an introduction to genealogical software, key genealogical resources on the Internet, and the computer search skills essential for genealogical research. This course does not provide instruction in how to use a computer.
FHGEN130
Paleography
3
FHGEN130 — 3 credits
x
Paleography
This online course is an introduction to paleography as it relates to genealogical research. Paleography is the study of ancient writing systems and the deciphering and dating of historical manuscripts. The course focuses on United States records, and introduces you to Old English, German, and Scandinavian scripts found in US and European records. 
FHGEN241
Introduction to Family History Research, Part one: Record Groups and Methodology
3
FHGEN241 — 3 credits
x
Introduction to Family History Research, Part one: Record Groups and Methodology
This online course is an introduction to professional genealogical research principles and basic record groups. The course focuses on solving basic United States research problems using the Research Process. You will learn how to find original sources to answer genealogical questions, record genealogical information using professional standards, analyze information and evidence from key genealogical sources, and organize family history information. The course focuses on United States research. The principles and approaches can apply to worldwide family history research.
FHGEN242
Introduction to Family History Research, Part Two: Analysis of Research Evidence
3
FHGEN242 — 3 credits
x
Introduction to Family History Research, Part Two: Analysis of Research Evidence
This online course is an extension of FHGEN 241. It is a continued introduction to professional genealogical research methodology, evidence analysis, and beginning report writing. Students will learn how to use the Research Process to do the following: use facts, proofs, evidence, and sources to build a case for accurate genealogical conclusions, analyze and weigh evidence to meet genealogical proof standards, cite courses using professional standards, write sound conclusions, and place their ancestors in historical context. The course focuses on United States research. The principles and approaches can apply to worldwide family history research.
REL261
Introduction to Family History
2
REL261 — 2 credits
x
Introduction to Family History
In this course students will learn the doctrines surrounding family history and temple work.  Skills associated with gathering, preserving, researching, and sharing family records, as well as doing temple work for ancestors will be introduced.
For questions about this program, contact BYU-Pathway Support