Love genealogy but looking for something more?

Do you love genealogy?  The hunt is addicting and success is even more exhilarating. But sometimes it can be frustrating too.  There reaches a point when genealogists need something more.

For me that came in the form of the ProGen Study group.  This study group allows genealogists to work in small groups to expand their knowledge, thus sharing and growing with their peers, all the while learning about genealogy from the "master source" - Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills.  The project is coordinated with the very able leadership of genealogist Angela Packer McGhie.

Now don't get scared away that it says Professional Genealogy.  You can participate even you don't want to take clients.  Perhaps you'd just like to higher level skills to track your ancestors.

When I participated in ProGen I believe it was ProGen 5.  Each group session is numbered based on which "generation" of the group it is.

So what makes ProGen so great?

Well, it's the people.  Each group is small, say around 6 people. Each group also has a leader and there is a moderator who is typically a Certified Genealogist.  Every month the group reads a chapter from the book Professional Genealogy and then there is an assignment to complete based on the chapter.  Later in the month the participants get together online for a discussion of the chapter and the assignment.  Since this is a peer-based program assignments are shared with each group member so that they can comment and learn from each other.

I found the interactions with the other group members to be one of the most satisfactory parts of the program.  I developed a wonderful group of colleagues. And the discipline of reading and completing an assignment each month enriched my genealogical skills.

So if you are looking for something more head over to the ProGen website to find out further information.  When I took the class it was free.  I have heard that they are now charging $38 but there is no indication of that on the website.