People applying to become a Genealogical Record Searcher must prepare a report related to a research problem of their own choosing, in order to demonstrate their ability to locate genealogical sources, to do research, to cite or document sources, and to provide copies and prepare abstracts of documents.
People applying to become a Certified Genealogist must prepare and submit a work sample (limited to twenty pages) demonstrating their ability to research, analyze, organize, record, and footnote a family history. Each complete work sample is assigned to three evaluators who grade it and offer comments concerning its strengths and weaknesses.
Candidates who complete a satisfactory work sample are invited to sit for a written examination testifying to their knowledge of genealogical research. The examination is graded and, in an interview, the work sample and written examination are discussed and suggestions for further study are offered. The Institute's Code of Ethics is reviewed and signed by the candidate, fees are paid and certification follows.
Applications, work samples,
and examinations may be written in either English or French. Experience
suggests that the entire certification process, from preliminary application
to the receipt of a certificate, requires approximately one year.
Deadlines are not imposed for submissions or examinations, and each applicant
may proceed at his or her own convenience. The certification process
is not intimidating. Genealogists experienced in researching primary
or original record sources, secondary or printed sources, and in analyzing
and evaluating genealogical facts, and who have learned to cite or footnote
sources, generally have little trouble with either the work sample or the
written examination.
The following descriptions
make clear the difference between Genealogical Researcher and Certified
genealogist, while noting important qualities that they have in common.
Everyone wishing to become a Certified Genealogist should read both
sections carefully.
A Genealogical Record Searcher must understand the use and location of birth, marriage, death, immigration, church, land, probate, court, school, military, municipal, and township records, and the various other kinds of genealogical records used in compiling a family tree. This researcher must be able to read old handwriting, to comprehend what is written, and to cite or document carefully and accurately the source of every record consulted.
A Genealogical researcher must prepare
and submit, to his or her client, a neatly typed, error free, businesslike
report indicating the records searched, provide proper citations, and stating
the results. Reported also must be those consulted records that did
not yield anything useful, and suggestions must be made concerning likely
sources for further profitable research. The candidate must be able
either to provide copies of documents requested by the client, or to prepare
abstracts (including mentioned names, facts, and dates of the records.
The Genealogical Record Searcher must, in all research and client-related
activity, be completely ethical.
A Certified Genealogist must
have a sound knowledge of genealogical, biographical and historical books
and of other secondary sources, as well as being familiar with available
genealogical finding aids appropriate to their research. He or she
must be able to locate and use a wide variety of original or primary records
and be familiar with genealogical abbreviations, terminology, and language.
The applicant should be able to read old handwriting, and, in relation
to his or her area of expertise, have a general knowledge of history, geography,
place names, occupations, and spelling and language variations.
A Certified genealogist must
also be able to analyze and evaluate genealogical facts and to reach a
sound and well-balanced conclusions concerning their applicability to research
problems at hand. Candidates must be capable of explaining conflicting
information and of offering suggestions to resolve it. A Certified
Genealogist must be prepared to be ethical, always, in dealing with
clients and with archival institutions.
A Certified Genealogist must be able to demonstrate his or her ability to prepare a well-planed and organized genealogy that places the clients family within its proper geographical, historical, and social context, that contains the genealogical facts discovered, and that presents a clear lineage. This genealogy must be neatly arranged according to either Burke Peerage or the New England Register method, or in some other acceptable format. Record sources must be fully cited, footnoted, or documented and the family history must be typed without typographical, grammatical or spelling errors.
The point evaluation system indicates to the individual applicant, and to the Institute's evaluators, whether the applicants qualifications are sufficient. To become a Genealogical Record Searcher, the applicant must have at least seven points. To become a Certified Genealogist, at least fourteen points are required, with at least two coming from each of the three evaluative categories.
The applicant must attest that the information in the preliminary application form constitutes an accurate representation of eligibility for certification by the Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes and, also, the applicants understanding that, if the application is accepted, the applicant shall be required to submit a work sample and to complete a written and oral examination. The application must be signed, dated and mailed to the Institute, accompanied by the preliminary application fee. If an applicant's credentials are acceptable, a formal application and the payment of a certification fee will be required.
Those wishing to apply please write to the registrar at the address given. Responses will be made by regular mail within six to eight weeks.