Genealogical Standards Are for Everyone
Have you heard about genealogy standards? Are they important? How can you learn more about them? Here is a website that collects educational material on genealogy standards.
With the new Millennia, the Board for Certification of Genealogy developed the The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual.[1] That book had three broad categories of standards: research, teaching, and professional development. Within the research category are separate subheadings on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), collection of information, evaluation of evidence, and genealogical writing. Teaching standards have subheadings for lecturers, teachers, and writers.
Recently the Board for Certification of Genealogy published an updated version of the standards manual. Genealogical Standards contains a set of statements about what constitutes "good" genealogical work. It does not define perfection. As individuals we strive to improve our work both through education and through experience. Our understanding of the standards comes along with us. Just as we improve our knowledge base for work, we can improve our knowledge base for quality in our genealogical practice. This website contains lists of sources through which we can develop a greater understanding of the standards and how they apply to our personal work.
Links where people state that genealogical standards are for everyone:
Carolyn L. Barkley, "Genealogical Standards - Building Blocks of the Profession," Genealogy and Family History, posted 18 March 2011; http://www.genealogyandfamilyhistory.com/?p=569 : accessed 19 May 2012.
Michael Hait, “The Genealogical Proof Standard: it's not just for professionals,” Planting the Seeds: Genealogy as a Profession blog, posted 20 February 2012 (http://michaelhait.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/gps-not-just-pros/ : accessed 19 May 2012).
National Genealogical Society, "Genealogical Standards and Guidelines," National Genealogical Society; http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ngs_standards_and_guidelines : accessed 19 May 2012.
Kimberly Powell, "Genealogical Standards: Rules to Live By," About.com Genealogy blog, unknown posting date; http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa071400a.htm : accessed 19 May 2012.
Cyndi's List includes genealogical standards as one of its categories. For access to many links on this topic, please refer to: http://www.cyndislist.com/standards
With the new Millennia, the Board for Certification of Genealogy developed the The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual.[1] That book had three broad categories of standards: research, teaching, and professional development. Within the research category are separate subheadings on the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), collection of information, evaluation of evidence, and genealogical writing. Teaching standards have subheadings for lecturers, teachers, and writers.
Recently the Board for Certification of Genealogy published an updated version of the standards manual. Genealogical Standards contains a set of statements about what constitutes "good" genealogical work. It does not define perfection. As individuals we strive to improve our work both through education and through experience. Our understanding of the standards comes along with us. Just as we improve our knowledge base for work, we can improve our knowledge base for quality in our genealogical practice. This website contains lists of sources through which we can develop a greater understanding of the standards and how they apply to our personal work.
Links where people state that genealogical standards are for everyone:
Carolyn L. Barkley, "Genealogical Standards - Building Blocks of the Profession," Genealogy and Family History, posted 18 March 2011; http://www.genealogyandfamilyhistory.com/?p=569 : accessed 19 May 2012.
Michael Hait, “The Genealogical Proof Standard: it's not just for professionals,” Planting the Seeds: Genealogy as a Profession blog, posted 20 February 2012 (http://michaelhait.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/gps-not-just-pros/ : accessed 19 May 2012).
National Genealogical Society, "Genealogical Standards and Guidelines," National Genealogical Society; http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/ngs_standards_and_guidelines : accessed 19 May 2012.
Kimberly Powell, "Genealogical Standards: Rules to Live By," About.com Genealogy blog, unknown posting date; http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa071400a.htm : accessed 19 May 2012.
Cyndi's List includes genealogical standards as one of its categories. For access to many links on this topic, please refer to: http://www.cyndislist.com/standards
Ethics
Understood in all of the discussion about standards is that we move with the greatest respect and regard for ethics. Without this regard for honesty, it would not be possible to apply standards to our work. Without integrity, we can never stand on solid ground.
The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists' Code of Ethics can be found at http://www.icapgen.org/professional-ethics/code-of-ethics/
The Board for Certification of Genealogists' Code of Ethics can be found at: http://www.bcgcertification.org/aboutbcg/code.html
The Association of Professional Genealogists' Code of Ethics: http://www.apgen.org/ethics/index.html
The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists' Code of Ethics can be found at http://www.icapgen.org/professional-ethics/code-of-ethics/
The Board for Certification of Genealogists' Code of Ethics can be found at: http://www.bcgcertification.org/aboutbcg/code.html
The Association of Professional Genealogists' Code of Ethics: http://www.apgen.org/ethics/index.html
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[1] Board for Certification of Genealogist, The BCG Genealogical Standards Manual (Orem, Utah: Ancestry, 2000). It can be ordered online http://bcgcertification.org/catalog/index.html .
This website was prepared and is maintained by Barbara Mathews. To the extent that is copyrightable: © 2012 Barbara Mathews, All Rights Reserved.
Last updated 14 March 2017. My website for my professional work is at www.DemandingGenealogist.com.
Image of book stack courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Last updated 14 March 2017. My website for my professional work is at www.DemandingGenealogist.com.
Image of book stack courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net