Have you ever attended a genealogical institute?

I am a genealogical institute newbie!  (I did sign up for IGHR for 2019, but then withdrew due to other commitments — a new job, actually.) So, when I did withdraw, I decided I absolutely would sign up for January 2020 SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy) — it’s just too easy for me to slide into “bad habits” (searching instead of researching, mindlessly clicking on Ancestry tree hints, etc. ) unless I give myself regular doses of high-quality learning.

So, here I am back in Salt Lake City for the first time since 1994!  (I can’t believe it’s been that long.)  And it’s snowing, woo-hoo!  (At least it was when I arrived.)  Not a huge change for me, though, even given I’m arriving from Texas, as we had — surprise! — flurries, sleet and a light dusting of snow just yesterday!  

The view from my window

So, this is my first time at a genealogical institute AND my first SLIG.  I’m signed up for Richard and Pamela Sayre’s “Advanced Research Tools: Land Records” class.  While I’ve used Deed Mapper, the BLM site for my ancestors in federal land states (esp. California, Missouri and Indiana), the land tract books on FamilySearch.org, I’m hoping this class will help me get the most out of land records in general and help clue me in on evidence I might be missing.  

I’ve heard nothing but positive things about the Sayres, although I have never attended a lecture or class presented by them before, so I’m looking forward to it.  They lead the class, but there will be other instructors assisting.  

Orientation starts shortly; I hope to meet up with some of my classmates from the BU Genealogical Certificate course I took in 2018 if not tonight, then sometime during #SLIG2020!