FAQ - ProGen Study Group

ProGen Study Group Frequently Asked Questions

Who participates in the ProGen study groups?: The ProGen groups are made up of professional genealogists, individuals working to become professional genealogists, and other serious researchers who want to do professional level research. Each member has unique experiences and skills that they bring to the group.
What does the ProGen Study Program cost?: This program was created as a cooperative learning model. There is no fee charged to participate, but members are expected to be dedicated to the program and work to make their group a positive learning experience for everyone. It is not fair to members who work hard to complete their assignments if other members are not also actively participating in assignments, feedback, and discussions.
How many people are in each study group?: Each of the ProGen study groups has approximately thirty participants. They are divided into smaller peer groups of five to eight people to meet in online discussions and to review each other's work.
How do I join the next ProGen study group?: Read the participation requirements on the Join Waiting List page. If you determine that you have the time and would like to join the next group then follow the instructions on that page.
How long do I have to complete each assignment?: Generally, the assignments are posted on the first of each month and due on the last day of the month.
How long does it take to complete the assignments?: Most participants can complete the assignments in four to six hours. Some assignments, such as evidence analysis, research reports and writing business plans, take longer to complete.
What do I need to do to earn a Certificate of Completion?: In order to earn a Certificate of Completion in the ProGen Study Program you need to complete all of the practical assignments. Participation in monthly discussions and reviewing the work of group members is also expected.
What do I do if I can not complete an assignment on time?: Contact your group leader and tell him/her that your assignment will be late. We understand that personal situations arise, but as this program functions best when everyone is participating we ask that you make every effort to meet deadlines.
What do I do if I can not attend a group discussion?: If you have a conflict for one of the online discussions please contact your group leader ahead of time. You can arrange to meet with one of the other discussion groups for one month, or write up your answers to the discussion questions and submit them to your group.
Where can I get a copy of Professional Genealogy?: The book is available from Heritage Books at heritagebooks.com. If you are a member of The Association of Professional Genealogists you can get a 15% discount by using the coupon code available on the members only section of apgen.org.
What happens at the ProGen events?: We get together at national and regional genealogical conferences and institutes to meet in person and network with colleagues. Sometimes we meet for dinner, and other times we gather and visit. We have ProGen ribbons so that it is easy to identify other group members.
What is the NGSQ Study Group?: The NGSQ Study Group is another group that meets in monthly on-line discussions. This group studies scholarly articles from the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. The purpose is to examine the evidence and methodology used in the case study. Each participant is asked to read the article several times making notes about the sources, research process, and analysis used to solve the problem. The group then meets together to discuss the reasoning and proof argument presented in the article.

If you are interested in joining one of the NGSQ Study Groups, please e-mail Angela Packer McGhie