What is TIGR?

Educational opportunities for genealogists come in a variety of forms, from one-day workshops or multiple-day conferences to webinars and online tutorials. Conferences provide a wide variety of diverse topics delivered in a one-hour lecture format. In-depth genealogical education on an institute level is extremely popular for genealogists who want an immersive educational experience.

The Texas State Genealogical Society’s institute, TIGR, promotes learning in an instructional classroom atmosphere, taking each attendee’s skills to another level. A course coordinator and instructors lead students for five days in the same classroom on a progression of topics on the same subject, Texas Research Essentials or Advanced Southern Research Techniques. This format provides a hands-on learning experience during the week along with great discussions with your instructors and classmates.

In contrast, the TxSGS Family History Conference is designed to allow attendees to craft their own learning experience, traveling from lecture room to lecture room and choosing which subject to hear that hour from a menu of lectures each session. Your schedule is unique, exposing you to many subjects at various levels each day. National conferences are four days while the TxSGS Conference is three days. Local seminars or workshops are typically one day with a one well-known speaker who gives four lectures.

Prior to the launch of TIGR, institutes were available only in Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, or Atlanta. TIGR brings the institute experience to Texas, making this intense learning experience more convenient to researchers in the Southwest. In addition, TIGR’s inclusion of a unique course on Texas research addresses a critical need for genealogists researching complex Texas records. TIGR’s popularity has prompted the addition of a second high-quality weeklong course, Advanced Southern Research Techniques, led by internationally recognized instructors.

What can you expect at TIGR?

Your week of learning will be shared with students that have the same passion for genealogical research as you. Each course features hands-on learning in a friendly atmosphere that leads to socializing during meals or in the evenings.

All instructors are experienced genealogical researchers and lecturers. Along with case studies, discussions, and problem solving exercises, their expertise will enhance your learning experience (Please see the Faculty page for biographies of faculty and staff.). While bringing a variety of viewpoints and backgrounds to the shared institute experience, TIGR students all share a passion for genealogical research and discovering how to conquer “brick wall” challenges.

TIGR – Class of 2017