Happy New Year from the Virtual Institute!

Happy New Year from all of us at the Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research!

It’s time to close the books on 2016. We’ve had a busy year, as have all of our instructors!

In September the National Genealogical Society announced the publication of Genetic Genealogy in Practice, its latest book release, written by Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD, and Debbie Parker Wayne, CG. This year Blaine also wrote The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy, published by Family Tree Books.

Blaine has one upcoming Virtual Institute course: “The Essential Copyright Guide for Genealogists.”

On 6 June, partner Catherine W. Desmarais, CG, renewed her Certified Genealogist credential and began her second term as APG’s vice-president.

On 1 January Billie Stone Fogarty, M. Ed., began her first term as President of the Association of Professional Genealogists.

On 9 July Michael Hait, CG, CGL, renewed his Certified Genealogist credential and earned the Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL) credential. On 9 October Michael was re-elected to a second three-year term on the Board of Trustees of the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

In November Jean Wilcox Hibben, PhD, MA, CG, and her partner Gena Philibert-Ortega hosted the 2016 “Gena and Jean Genealogy Cruise,” a four-day Mexican cruise with two days of genealogy presentations.

On 22 September Melanie D. Holtz, CG, received the Grahame T. Smallwood Jr. Award of Merit from the Association of Professional Genealogists for her years of service to APG and her commitment to promoting professional development. In October she launched a new part of her business and now offers ancestral tours in southern Italy and Sicily.

Angela Packer McGhie, CG, earned the Certified Genealogist credential in January. In July Angela was appointed a trustee of the BCG Education Fund.

In October Donna Moughty led an annual research trip to Ireland, with stops in both Dublin and Belfast.

In June and July Elissa Scalise Powell, CG, CGL, and her partner Deborah Lichtner Deal organized the milestone fifth year for the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh. For the second year, GRIP was presented with two separate weeks of courses at LaRoche College. And for the first time, the Virtual Institute of Genealogical Research sponsored an evening lecture and broadcast it as a live webinar simultaneously!

In September Craig Roberts Scott, CG, FUGA, led the 3rd Annual Heritage Books Genealogy Conference and Cruise through the Caribbean, featuring speakers (and Virtual Institute instructors) Paul Milner; J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA; and himself, among others.

On 7 January 2016 the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society announced that D. Joshua Taylor would become the President of the society, effective 1 February. On 17 May the third season of Genealogy Roadshow premiered on PBS, with Josh continuing his hosting duties.

Be sure to support our instructors and their work by checking out some of their past courses—recordings are available for sale in the Virtual Institute Store.

We’ll be announcing our 2017 courses soon with more exciting news to follow. Be sure to subscribe using the button on the right so that you don’t miss a thing!

Have a happy and prosperous 2017!

Cathi, Michael, and Melanie