Genealogy Course
Adult Education students awarded NUI Certificates in Genealogy, UCD February 2005
Since 1989 the undersigned has been conducting classes in Genealogy/Family History as part of the Adult Education Programme of University College Dublin (UCD), the only course of its kind in the country. Foundation classes currently on offer at the Belfield and Blackrock Campuses are Genealogy: Module 1, running from September to December, and Genealogy: Module 2, running from January to April. While being practically based and designed to assist participants to trace their own ancestry, the courses also lay stress on principles and standards in genealogy, and the importance of the academic or scholarly approach to the subject. Topics dealt with in Module 1 include principles of genealogy, placenames and surnames, record repositories, location and use of census, civil, valuation, church and other records, computers and the Internet, and preparation of documented pedigrees. Module 2 deals with more advanced sources, including wills, deeds, memorial inscriptions, estate papers, pre-1700 sources, and introduces heraldry and other disciplines allied to genealogy.
Students may opt to attend as 'Audit' participants only, that is, listening and learning, or alternatively they may enroll as 'Credit' students who also submit work for assessment and accreditation. Students who complete Modules 1 and 2 and are interested in further study have the option of enrolling for more advanced Modules in succeeding years. Topics covered in Modules 3 and 4 include heraldry, Gaelic genealogies, Anglo-Norman genealogies, palaeography, archives, genetics, local history, the Irish Diaspora and settlers in Ireland. Topics covered in Modules 5 and 6 include research methods, memorial inscription transcriptions, studies of the pedigrees of the Gardiner and Guinness families, the electronic library, Presidents of the USA of Irish descent, Irish Chiefs, examination of the careers of some leading Irish genealogists and heraldists, publishing, and genealogy as a profession. A National University of Ireland Certificate in Genealogy/Family History, graded at Level 7 of the National Framework of Qualifications scale, will be awarded to credit students who complete classes over three years and submit written work to the required standard. The former Diploma in Genealogy/Family History is being phased out.
For information on enrolment, fees, etc, apply to UCD Adult Education Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, telephone (01) 716 7123, or visit the website at http://www.ucd.ie/adulted/. While a majority of those taking the courses are Irish, visiting students from abroad are always welcome. General queries on the genealogical courses can be e-mailed (remove SPAMOUT from address) to the undersigned. The following are links to some articles which give a flavour of the classes at various levels:
Beginner's Guide to Tracing Irish Ancestors
Eamon de Valera's Father Vivion Juan de Valera
American Presidents with Irish Ancestors
Sean
Murphy MA
August 2009