I’ve had several questions about the course Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills that is part of the virtual week of learning via the GRIP Genealogy Institute this June 22-26. Others may need the same information. This is a rather long post, but it should help. I’ve pulled this out of some responses to emails and other discussions with some who have already registered and others who are in the thinking stage. A later post will provide more help on deciding if you are ready for this course.

As the GRIP website states, This may be your course! It covers 19th through 21st century US records, online resources, “hidden” records, analysis, and methodology. This course often serves as preparation for other GRIP courses . . . If you answer yes to any of the following questions, this course is for you.

• Are you past the beginning stages of researching your family history?
• Have you researched online but know there is more elsewhere or that you have missed some resources?
• Do you need a stronger foundation before taking advanced or specialized courses?
• Are you not yet comfortable with in-depth evaluation of documents, deciding what to do next, and delving into less commonly used collections?

When we have checked basic records and done online searches but still have missing details, we need more leads and to do a better job of analyzing records. We will dig deeper into a variety of records, some you may have never heard about, and where they are found. There will be hands-on and interactive activities, small group discussions, and full class interaction.

Why should I participate in an intermediate level course? Even a couple of these reasons provides a reason to take this course.

1.  It’s time to understand more about specific 19th through 21st century U.S. resources.  
2.  Have tough research issues to solve. and not sure where to go next.
3.  Need to gain additional resources as far as vital records, newspaper collections, probate, and even court records involving our families.
4.  Realization that records not found online are needed.
5.  Understand that it’s vital to solid genealogical research to go beyond the basics to learn more about each person, place, and time period.
6.  Have questions about doing more intensive work online and in libraries, archives, and historical societies.
7.  Have a genealogy question that needs a good answer? This is the course for  you. We have the answers or know where to direct you.
8.  Receive an online syllabus of almost 200 pages filled with reminders from the sessions, online resources, “hidden” records, analysis, bibliographies, and methodology.
9.  Indexes and finding aids that not everyone knows about.
10.  Are you past the beginning stages of researching your family history?
11.  Have you researched online but know there is more elsewhere or that you have missed some resources? (Even free ones!)
12.  Do you need a stronger foundation before taking advanced or specialized courses?
13.  Are you not yet comfortable with in-depth evaluation of documents, deciding what to do next, and delving into less commonly used collections?

14.  The wealth of knowledge and experience from the five instructors.

Register soon so you receive an early welcome letter with more information and details for receiving help to solve one of your U.S. research problems. You don’t want to miss this opportunity!

p.s. BONUS. Sessions will be recorded and available through Friday, 10 July 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

 

© 2026, Paula Stuart-Warren. All rights reserved.