22-27 June 2025, Virtual Courses 13-18 July 2025, In-person Courses (Pittsburgh, PA)

GRIP Genealogy Institute

Great Connections Research Skills In-depth Learning People-Centered

GRIP Genealogy Institute

GRIP Genealogy Insittute is “the” event for genealogists and family historians who want to develop their skills while meeting new friends in a collegial and collaborative community.

What is the GRIP Genealogy Institute?

The GRIP Genealogy Institute provides extensive week-long instruction on various genealogical topics. There are two GRIP programs, virtual and in-person options, which offer focused instruction in courses with eighteen class sessions taught by experts. This in-depth format offers students an immersive, high-level education designed to advance their research skills. Students can choose a course topic focusing on methodology, genealogical records, geographic regions, or ethnic groups. Additional practicum experiences allow the student to test their skills and advance their knowledge.

Features of the GRIP Genealogy Institute

GRIP offers two separate program options. 2025 Course offerings include a selection of 17 different courses to choose from. Students choose one course for the week:

Nine Virtual courses offered from 22-27 June 2025

Eight in-person courses offered from 13-18 July 2025

Courses are tailored to build skills and enrich the knowledge base of intermediate and advanced genealogists. Each course session is designed and taught by recognized genealogical subject matter experts. Each year, the programs feature our most popular courses and exciting, new, never-before-offered courses.

Course registration includes:

Eighteen class sessions held over five days (for virtual or in-person courses)

Limited class sizes allowing for concentrated time with faculty and fellow students

An electronic syllabus for personal use

Class interaction and networking with fellow students and instructors

Attending the GRIP Genealogy Institute will help researchers:

  1. Achieve a deeper mastery of a subject that cannot be acquired by simply watching webinars or attending conference presentations.
  2. Explore a comprehensive range of records to assist in solving genealogical research questions.
  3. Learn from professional instructors with decades of expertise researching specific topics or regions.

Students have an option to participate in the virtual or in-person versions of GRIP (or both). Participating in the virtual program offers greater accessibility for individuals with busy family or work schedules, as it eliminates the need for travel and associated expenses. The in-person program allows students to break away from home distractions for complete immersion in the educational experience.

 

For more information about GRIP and the immersive experience it offers, we encourage you to read the article titled “NGS Introduces GRIP Genealogy Institute Program for 2024,” authored by Terry Koch-Bostic, FNGS, and Angela Packer McGhie, CG, featured in the January 2024 issue of the NGS Magazine, Volume 50, Number 1.

Benefits of Attending the GRIP Genealogy Institute

What can I expect from attending GRIP? All courses are designed to help researchers stay current with the latest developments in the field and expand their breadth and depth of knowledge through a learning experience that aids students in absorbing, comprehending, and retaining information. This knowledge can be applied in both their personal research or professional work.


What is the GRIP Genealogy Institute?



Features of the GRIP Genealogy Institute



Benefits of Attending the GRIP Genealogy Institute


“GRIP has been described as summer camp for genealogists. It truly is! As both an attendee and instructor, I can’t think of a much better place to be for new networking and learning opportunities. Many of my best collegial relationships began at GRIP.”

– Angie Bush, GRIP Instructor

GRIP 2025 Course Lineup

Full list of courses

Click on Course for details

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

Sold Out2024-21
Proving Kinship Reliably with and without DNA

Thomas W. Jones, PhD, CG®, FASG

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

2025-01
AI & Genealogy: Innovations in Family History

Stephen J. Little & Mark D. Thompson

2025-02
Chinese American Genealogy: Silver Linings

Grant Din, MA

2025-03
From Results to Revelations: Making DNA Fun Again

Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

2025-04
Inclusive Genealogy: Navigating Complex Family Trees

Carly Morgan, JD

2025-05
Irish Research III: Ireland Law & Government

David E. Rencher, AG®, CG®, FUGA, FIGRS

2025-06
Beyond Digging Deeper: Sources, Methods, and Practices

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG®, FMGS, FUGA

2025-07
The Spirit of the Inland Seas: Research in the Great Lakes Region

Cari A. Taplin, CG®

2025-08
Marching Off to War: A Case Study Approach to Military Research

Michael L. Strauss, AG®

2025-09
Merging & Separating Identities: Strategies and Tactics to Identify and Solve

Jan Joyce, DBA, CG®, CGL(SM),AG®

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

2025-10
Advanced DNA Evidence

Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

2025-11
Advanced German Research

F. Warren Bittner, MS

2025-12
Legal Landscapes: Mapping Family History Through Law Library Records

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG®, CGL(SM) & Rick Sayre, CG, CGL, FUGA

2025-13
Mining and Extraction: Building Skills with the Coal Industry

Cecelia McFadden

2025-14
Navigating the Genealogical Research Process: Advanced Strategies for Success

Julie Cahill Tarr, AG®

2025-15
Pennsylvania Land Proprietor and Commonwealth Land Records

Gerald H. (Jerry) Smith, CG®

2025-16
Navigating the Past P1: Migrations on North American Waterways, 1825-1925

Pamela J. Vittorio

2025-17
Practical Family History Writing: Preserve and Share Your Stories

Kelli Jo Bergheimer

Download Schedule

Join the National Genealogical Society to get the best pricing and access to fabulous benefits like the NGS Quarterly, NGS Magazine, FORUM, and NewspaperArchive by Storied.

Join NGS

Course Coordinators

click picture to read bio of coordinators

Stay Tuned for the Registration date for 2025!

Register Now

What students are saying about GRIP Genealogy Institute

  • I love networking and making friends to collaborate with!

    Jeanette Sheliga

    Jeanette Sheliga

  • It is an educational opportunity unlike any other.

    Kristin Britanik

    Kristin Britanik

  • It was so delightful to dig into social history for an entire week. So much fun!

    Sunny Morton

    Sunny Morton

  • I have attended GRIP for 11 Years!

    Deborah Kitco

    Deborah Kitco

2024 Tuition and Dorm Packages

Virtual Week Tuition Via Zoom

$550 NGS Members $585 Non-Members
  • Electronic Syllabus
  • Basic Dropbox/Zoom Training
  • Tech Host in each class
  • Session recordings
  • Optional Evening Sessions
  •  

Register 20 Feb 2024

In-Person Week Tuition at LaRoche University, Pittsburgh, PA

$550 NGS Members $585 Non-Members
  • Electronic Syllabus
  • Basic Dropbox Training
  • Welcome Dinner and Program
  • In-person classroom experience
  • Optional Evening Sessions
  • Free Wi-Fi on campus

Register 20 Feb 2024

Dorm Package LaRoche University, Pittsburgh PA

$525 Private Room $405 Shared Room
  • In-room Private Bath
  • In-room Mini Fridge & Microwave
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Includes 14 meals (B/L/D)

*all prices are per person. Shared room based on double occupancyRegister 20 Feb 2024

Have questions? Email grip@ngsgenealogy.org.

Latest News

Reminder: Zoom host naming contest ends in one week>

Who’s Your Roomie?>

What’s in a name? (Hint: $100)>

Did you sign up for a shared room in Pittsburgh?>

Want to be a Zoom room host?>

See More News >

ksexton@ngsgenealogy.org

April 23, 2024

GRIP Guides Wanted – 2024

Join us in shaping the future of our Institute! We thrive on the dedication and passion of volunteers like you, who help us achieve our highest potential. Our virtual week is an incredible experience, and we’re seeking seasoned “techies” to join our team. Below is a brief overview of the duties, responsibilities, and schedule. We […]

Read more...


General

/



0 comments

Matt Menashes

March 2, 2024

Reminder: Zoom host naming contest ends in one week

Did it slip your mind amidst the hustle and bustle of RootsTech? We’re already halfway through the contest period for a new Zoom room host moniker. As a reminder: Zoom Host Naming Contest! Enter as many times as you like. Avoid names that are in use or have been used before (ex: Hive Minder, Zoomies, […]

Read more...


General

/



0 comments

Matt Menashes

February 26, 2024

Who’s Your Roomie?

Planning to share a dorm room during GRIP? Super–you’ll find the option available during registration. Whether you have a roommate lined up or prefer a shared room but need someone to fill the other bed, we’ve got you covered. Early each week, we’ll send an email to people who requested a shared room during the […]

Read more...


2024 GRIP,General

/



0 comments

Matt Menashes

February 23, 2024

What’s in a name? (Hint: $100)

Let’s face it. “Zoom room host” is a booooring title. We need something with more panache. More personality. More flair. So let’s come up with something, shall we? Welcome to the Zoom Host Naming Contest! Enter as many times as you like. Avoid names that are in use or have been used before (ex: Hive […]

Read more...


General

/



0 comments

Matt Menashes

February 19, 2024

Want to be a Zoom room host?

Now that we’re four years past the initial COVID lockdowns, most genealogists (experienced and aspiring) are familiar with Zoom; those who participated in any of the major U.S.-based institutes after January 2020 certainly know it well and, in most cases, have become adept at using various tools provided on the platform. It was helpful to […]

Read more...


General

/



0 comments

Read our blog

Partners/Sponsors/Volunteers

A huge thanks to all our amazing partners, sponsors, and volunteers. We couldn’t have GRIP without you!

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

If your company or organization is interested in sponsoring GRIP this year, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a quick email and we’ll get right back to you with some more information and our sponsorship brochure.

Request Now

Join Our Community

Feel free to reach out to us via our social profiles

© GRIP Genealogy Institute. All rights reserved.