Over the past 15 months, I’ve been undertaking the University of Tasmania’s (UTAS) Diploma of Family History. Having done my own research off and on for many years, I considered myself quite knowledgeable. I wasn’t sure how much I would get out of this course. I have been pleasantly surprised with the new knowledge I have gained from the units. Whilst I do know a lot about researching and finding resources I was reminded that there is always something new to learn.
This course is fully online and is very interactive. I commence my last unit next week and will have to work out how to further my genealogy goals following its completion. I really would like to make genealogy my full-time job but am aware of the limitations of this as a profession.
As with all university studies, there were plenty of assignments to be undertaken. The two units I particularly enjoyed were Writing Family History and Writing the Family Saga. I’ve decided that I’m going to add the stories I wrote as part of these units to my blog – so keep an eye out for these. These were very short fiction stories that used people from my tree. In this I utilised genealogical documentation – birth certificates, newspaper articles, war records etc. – and a knowledge of historical events to create a narrative around the individual. I will never know the true stories of my ancestors but being able to weave a story around them based on the footprint they left behind I hope to bring them to life.
The course you took at UTAS sounds very exciting. I love looking into my family history and could see a course like this being very interesting. The two assignments you talked about sounded very exciting. I would love to find out more of my family history as well. Your site is so very interesting, I can’t wait to see what you write next. What will your next topic be about? Keep up the great work.
Regards,
Yvette
Hi Yvette
I LOVED the course and am actually a bit sad I’ve finished it, although this blog is keeping me busy. I am glad you are enjoying my site and I sometimes don’t even know what my next topic is until I write it! I look forward to hearing how you go with your family research.
Regards,
Megan