Mastering Mid-Atlantic Research: Resources and Methodologies for ICAPGen Accreditation
Alice Childs, AG®
Content
About this webinar
This presentation provides an overview of essential resources and methodologies for researchers preparing for ICAPGen accreditation in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. Gain insights into record-keeping practices and the unique challenges and opportunities associated with researching in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Learn how to utilize essential repositories and create your own Personal Reference Guide. Whether you're working toward accreditation or simply looking to strengthen your research skills, this session offers valuable tips and guidance to help you succeed.
About the speaker
Key points and insights
Navigating genealogical research in the Mid-Atlantic region—covering Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania—presents a captivating mix of historical complexity and rich archival potential. In this insightful presentation, Accredited Genealogist Alice Childs provides a comprehensive strategic roadmap designed to help researchers overcome regional hurdles and elevate their analytical skills. From tackling late vital record start dates and shifting county boundaries to untangling common surnames and tracking migration paths through major port cities, the webinar demonstrates how to systematically approach complex research scenarios. Whether aiming for ICAPGEN accreditation or simply striving to break through long-standing ancestral brick walls, researchers will discover essential methodologies, legal frameworks, and record collections vital for mastering this dynamic region of American history.
- Strategic Preparation & Personal Reference Guides: Building customized reference and locality guides—containing county formation dates, boundary shifts, repository links, and historical timelines—serves as an essential foundation for organizing research and successfully navigating open-book accreditation examinations.
- Advanced Tech Tools & Analytical Strategies: Leveraging modern technologies, such as full-text optical character recognition (OCR) search for unindexed deed records and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for analyzing pre-1850 head-of-household census data, dramatically streamlines deep record evaluation.
- Regional Dynamics & Ethnic Context: Mastering Mid-Atlantic genealogy requires specialized knowledge of state land state processes, town versus township jurisdictional distinctions, line-war boundary disputes, and key ethnic influences, including early German script and church record extraction.
Unlocking the full potential of these regional research strategies begins with watching the complete webinar presentation. Viewing the video provides detailed visual demonstrations, real-world case studies, and practical examples that reveal how seasoned professionals correlate indirect evidence to resolve challenging genealogical problems. Beyond the video content, genealogists are warmly invited to dive into the comprehensive six-page syllabus accompanying the session. Packed with curated reading lists, state-specific map archives, repository links, and specialized research guides, this syllabus serves as an invaluable reference tool to guide researchers toward long-term success in the Mid-Atlantic region.
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Comments (47)
Today's presentation by Alice Childs, AG was beyond outstanding, thoroughly researched and perfectly presented. What an educational pleasure to have this webinar resource, thank you again for excellence.
I have listened to many of Alice Childs' webinars and presentations over the years, and she is wonderful here. Many of these resources are known to me and used regularly, but nice to hear of a few I have neglected or forgotten about. Thank you for adding her to your list of presenters.
The presenter's information was in-depth and would be useful with all of the ICAPGen regions.
Alice shares such a wealth of resources that I wish I had more mid-Atlantic families! Her explanation is great, though, for finding/creating my own resources in other regions. (There's always more to learn!)
What a GOLD MINE of resources and tips! This will really help in my Pennsylvania research! Bouquets of thanks, Alice!
Alice was a very interesting and knowledgeable speaker. She provided a wealth of information in a short period of time with links to many valuable resources. The handout will be a valuable resource.
Excellent class. Loaded with valuable information.
Alice was so well versed on her topic, and presented more information more efficiently than I thought possible. I will look forward to hearing more presentations from her in the future. I would also like to have her go into a specific case study or two...using the sources that she introduced in a future presentation.