22-26 June 2026, Virtual Courses 12-17 July 2026, In-person Courses (Pittsburgh, PA)

GRIP Genealogy Institute

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GRIP Genealogy Institute

GRIP Genealogy Institute 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. 2026 Course offerings include a selection of 19 different courses to choose from. Students choose one course for the week:

Nine Virtual courses offered from 22-26 June 2026

Eight in-person courses offered from 12-17 July 2026

Two special courses offered in the Fall 2026

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? test update



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 2026 Course Lineup

Full list of courses

Click on Course for details

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

2026-01
Advance DNA Evidence

Blaine Bettinger, PhD, JD

2026-02
Practical AI For Genealogists: Foundations and First Steps

J. Stephen Little, Jr.

2026-03
Navigating Independence: Researching the Lives of Revolutionary War Ancestors

Cheri Daniels, MSLS

2026-04
Not “Just” Farmers: Records, Relationships, and the Reality of Their Lives

Cari Taplin, CG

2026-05
Digging Deeper: Records, Tools, and Skills

Paula Stuart-Warren, CG

2026-06
Women and Children First!: Research Methods for the Hidden Half of the Family

Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA

2026-07
Marching Toward Change: Reformers, Crises, and Movements that Transformed the 19th and 20th Century America

Katherine R. Willson

2026-08
The Intentional Genealogist: From Chaos to Clarity

Kelli Jo Bergheimer

2026-09
Land, Faith and Family: Navigating Early Ontario and Quebec Research

Lake Hogan, BA, PLCGS, UE

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

2026-10
Genetic Networks: Start at the Beginning

Kelli Jo Bergheimer

2026-11
Advanced German Research

Michael L. Strauss, MA, AG

2026-12
Records Loss: Overcoming Destroyed, Missing, or Non-Extant Records

Kelvin L. Meyers

2026-13
Surrogates and Substitut4es – the 1890 US Census Exemplar

Cecelia McFadden, MISM, M.Ed.

2026-14
Researching Penn’s Colony

Sandra Rumble

2026-15
Advanced Pennsylvania Land Research: Proprietor and Commonwealth Land Records

Sunny Jane Morton

2026-16
Advanced AI Techniques for Genealogists: Expanding Your Research Skills

Mark Thompson

2026-17
Metes & Bounds: Land Platting

Gerald "Jerry" Smith

Session ID
Course Name

Coordinator

2026-18
Genealogical Organization Excellence: A Course for Group Leadership

Matt Weismant3el, MA

2026-19
Genealogy Services for Librarians: Tools, Techniques, and Trends

Kori Robbins, AG

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.

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Course Coordinators

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Registration Opens 03 February 2026!

Virtual Registration begins at 1 PM ET

Pittsburgh In Person Registration begins at 3 PM ET

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

2026 Tuition and Dorm Packages - Coming soon!

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 >

gortega@ngsgenealogy.org

June 8, 2025

GRIP Virtual Evening Sessions

Everyone is invited to join us for our GRIP Evening Sessions. Learn more about  FamilySearch, Ancestry, National Archives, and New York Genealogical & Biographical Society. These sessions are free but do require registration. Register for one or all of the following. Monday – Lynn Turner from FamilySearch – https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/KiN9Ox16SW2S6QA90hJKHQ Tuesday – Christa Cowan from Ancestry […]

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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 […]

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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, […]

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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 […]

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2024 GRIP,General

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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 […]

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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 […]

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

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