Course Detail
Writing Family History Narratives and Other Genealogical Works GEN221
Course Description
Class runs from August 6 - 10, 2012.
Taught by Dr. John Philip Colletta and Dr. Thomas Wright Jones, this course explores a broad range of genealogical writing, including genealogies and family histories, scholarly articles, reports and summaries, and guides and manuals; however, it focuses mainly on the principles and mechanics of writing and publishing narrative family history. Elements of grammar, syntax and vocabulary, forms of documentation, numbering systems, indexing, illustrations and other aesthetic considerations are all discussed and demonstrated with examples. Ways to organize materials, establish historical context and create vivid and engaging real-life stories are addressed. The mechanics of self-, subsidized and commercial publishing are explained, considering the option of publishing on paper or electronically. In-class exercises critiqued by the instructors allow students to apply the concepts taught, while reading assignments culminate in a class discussion of the broad literary possibilities of family history narrative.
Taught by Dr. John Philip Colletta and Dr. Thomas Wright Jones, this course explores a broad range of genealogical writing, including genealogies and family histories, scholarly articles, reports and summaries, and guides and manuals; however, it focuses mainly on the principles and mechanics of writing and publishing narrative family history. Elements of grammar, syntax and vocabulary, forms of documentation, numbering systems, indexing, illustrations and other aesthetic considerations are all discussed and demonstrated with examples. Ways to organize materials, establish historical context and create vivid and engaging real-life stories are addressed. The mechanics of self-, subsidized and commercial publishing are explained, considering the option of publishing on paper or electronically. In-class exercises critiqued by the instructors allow students to apply the concepts taught, while reading assignments culminate in a class discussion of the broad literary possibilities of family history narrative.
Who Should Attend
Genealogists at all stages of the research process will benefit from this course.Prerequisites
* Students should have completed the BU Genealogical Research Certificate Program or have comparable experience.* Familiarity with Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills and Professional Genealogy manual
* Prior to the course, students should read the Writing and Compiling and Editing and Publishing sections of Professional Genealogy manual
Scheduling Details
- * Five days of instruction, approximately seven hours each day with a break morning and afternoon and an hour for lunch.
* Limited on-campus summer housing are also available on a first come, first serve basis for $62.00 per night. Students will be able to check in on Sunday, August 5th and check out will be Friday, August 10th. Please call 617-353-4497 for details and to reserve your room.
Textbooks and Class Materials
- Numbering Your Genealogy, Curran, 2008, ISBN: 97809151566970 required
Producing a Quality Family History, 1996, Hatcher, Turner Publishing, ISBN: 9780916489649 recommended
Evidence Explained, 2nd Ed. 2009, Shown, Genealogy Publishing, ISBN: 9780806318066 required
For more information, please call 1-866-633-9370.
