My genealogy certification materials came in the mail this week. As promised, I will talk about the results.
1. Duration of Review
- Judge 1: received 21 August 2008; mailed 23 September 2008.
- Judge 2: received 25 September 2008; mailed 10 October 2008.
- Judge 3: received 8 November 2008; mailed 31 December 2008.
- E-mail notification of certification: 1 January 2009.
2. Ratings
This is my breakdown of “Excellent” vs. “Satisfactory” ratings in the 30 standards and 23 requirements under review.
- Judge 1: one standard “Excellent”: four requirements “Excellent” (all for the kinship-determination project)
- Judge 2: eleven standards “Excellent”: six requirements “Excellent”
- Judge 3: ten standards “Excellent”: five requirements “Excellent”
3. Problems
Judges 1 and 3 provided the most specific comments about errors. Both of them pointed out that I twice referred to David instead of (the correct name) Daniel in my applicant-supplied document analysis.
Judges 1 and 2 did not like that the client report did not clarify how many hours I was allowed. (I mentioned in the report that I was under a time constraint.) In this particular case, my client had paid me up front for another research problem and asked that I use a remaining amount to answer another question. I have since changed my report format to include the number of hours allotted to a problem. I should have included an explanatory note to the judges about that.
4. Judge 3
Judge 3 had the most critical comments but also gave a glowing review of my application.
“Minor Concerns” include:
- One grammatical error.
- An omission in the applicant-supplied document abstract.
- Lack of an explanation of where to find an unpublished book.
- Two number 13s in a numbered list (lucky me).
- Transcription should have included a sketch of a plat recorded with a deed. A description of the plat in brackets is insufficient.
- Again, a sketch of the plat should have been included with the document abstract.
- Full citation not included on client report source document. I neglected to do this on one census record. (The full source was in my report but not on the document.)
- Long and complex case study should include tables or lists to help visualize some elements of the argument.
After all that, this: “Mr. Graham has submitted an application which demonstrates his vast knowledge and understanding of Georgia records and law. His research plans are comprehensive and his analysis of the records is to be commended. This is one of the finest applications that I’ve had the opportunity to evaluate.”
5. Conclusion
Until now, I thought I would feel relief with the successful application. Instead, I have a strong sense of something just beginning. Now I have to use my certification and work to maintain it.
But, to begin, I’ll start by framing my certificate and figuring out how to use the BCG stack-a-ribbon.
15 comments↓
1 Randy Seaver // 16 Jan 2009 at 1:42 am
Paul,
Well done! congratulations on a great achievement. I can only marvel at the dedication and effort that you and others put forth to become a CG.
When are you going to put a feed on this blog so that readers can get your posts easily?
Regards — Randy
2 Amy McDaniel // 16 Jan 2009 at 9:17 am
Congratulations, Paul, and thank you for writing about your experience.
Amy McDaniel
Chantilly, VA
3 Janet Iles // 16 Jan 2009 at 9:38 am
Congratulations on receiving your CG. Thanks for sharing this information. It will be very helpful for others wanting to become certified as a genealogist.
4 Kathy Gunter Sullivan // 16 Jan 2009 at 10:54 am
Heartiest congratulations, Paul. Thanks for sharing your experience. You knocked the ball out of the park–way to go!
I am struck by your insightful thought “Instead, I have a strong sense of something just beginning. ”
Kathy
a CG in Charlotte, North Carolina
5 Barbara Schenck // 16 Jan 2009 at 1:24 pm
Congratulations, Paul. I admire your hard work and dedication and, like you, think it’s just the beginning of many more discoveries and challenges you’ll face. Thanks for reminding us of that!
6 Elizabeth Shown Mills // 16 Jan 2009 at 1:49 pm
Paul,
Having used your assistance in the past, I’m inclined to agree with the ratings of your three judges.
The most meaningful observation that you made about the *process*, IMO, is your conclusion:
“Until now, I thought I would feel relief with the successful application. Instead, I have a strong sense of something just beginning. Now I have to use my certification and work to maintain it.”
With this mindset—and the desire for growth that is fueling your pursuit of more education—you have much to offer the field.
7 Cathi Desmarais // 16 Jan 2009 at 5:25 pm
You inspire me, Paul! Thank you for sharing your experience. Congratulations!
8 Carolyn Stopinski Miller // 16 Jan 2009 at 5:33 pm
Thank you!! for sharing your wonderful comments about your certification portfolio. I am working toward my certification this year too and it is helpful to hear what kinds of comments you received. Thank you for sharing with us “wanna-be” genies.
9 Rondina P. Muncy // 16 Jan 2009 at 6:32 pm
Congratulations, Paul, and thank you for sharing the feedback that you received from the judges.
10 Kathryn Larcher // 17 Jan 2009 at 12:56 pm
Hearty congratulations for this accomplishment, not just receiving the CG, but a significant number of ‘excellence’ ratings.
For those of us testing the water it is invaluable to have this kind of feedback on the process; thank you for sharing it with the APG mail-list.
And judging from the quality of your postings here, I’m sure the future will give you plenty of opportunities to show your expertise (by flaunting your stack-a-ribbon?)
11 Allen McClain // 17 Jan 2009 at 3:24 pm
Congratulations, Paul! Thank you for sharing your experience. I aspire to become a board-certified genealogist as well. Quite a number of your lecture topics that you have listed are of interest to me. Looking forward to reading about your achievements in your future aspiration.
12 Joyce Griffith // 25 Jan 2009 at 6:28 pm
Congratuations, Paul! Thank you for sharing this part of the process with us.
13 Pam Sayre // 29 Jan 2009 at 9:05 pm
Paul, I knew you were special when Linda first introduced us at the Georgia Archives (or was it NARA-SE?). No question you had what it takes to be certified; you’ve proved that by your understanding of this being “just the beginning.” May I suggest that you wear that ribbon proudly, along with your new BCG pin, at the NGS conference in Raleigh in May?
14 Mary Collins // 25 Mar 2009 at 6:44 pm
I would also like to add my congratulations and ask a question. On the document you were transcribing, was there a drawing of the plat or did the judges want you to add it as a clarifying element?
On another topic, relating to your red-light district research, you might enjoy a book called “The Dying Crapshooter’s Blues” by David Fulmer. It is a mystery or sorts set in 1920’s Atlanta with gamblers, musicians and fancy ladies as characters. This author has other novels set in New Orleans’ Storyville.
15 Lisa Rex // 6 May 2009 at 5:16 pm
Thank you for sharing, Paul! It’s interesting to read the first-hand account of the certification process. Did you keep track of how many hours you spent working the certification application and reports?
I’m pretty close requesting the CG application myself, but I will get it scares me slightly, plus I’ve had some other interesting work kick off!
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