Staying Healthy at SLIG

It sometimes feels like SLIG is an incubator for illness  (We’ve all heard the stories of the year of SLIGNESS). When you bring together a large group of people from various places around the world, sitting for five days in rooms together, it’s only natural that some crud goes around. I’ve been fortunate that I have not gotten sick at SLIG – but every year, about two days after I get home, I get really ill and crash for at least two weeks!! Happens every year and I haven’t figured out why.
Through the years, I’ve heard a variety of tips from people about staying healthy and thought I’d share what I’ve heard.

• Start by staying healthy on the plane. It’s been suggested that you make sure the blower above you is turned off since it’s just blowing re-circulating (I.e. germy) air on you. Makes sense but of course the other passengers have their blowers on blowing that germy air around.
• If you are really concerned, wear a mask. Some folks bring a mask to wear in SLC. If there is an inversion, the air quality can be bad  and a mask may help. This is especially important if you have any respiratory issues.
• Drink lots of water. The climate is drier than many of us are used to.
• You are also in a higher altitude than many of us are used to so walking can sometimes be a challenge. Just take things easy and tell your walking partners to slow down.
• Some folks take extra Vitamin C .
• Bring along a small humidifier for your room.This has really helped me a lot.The hotel also has a few room sized humidifiers available for rent.
• Make sure you have plenty of unscented lotion and lip balm. (Please be considerate of others and wear unscented only.)
• Wash your hands!!! WASH YOUR HANDS!!! WASH YOUR HANDS!!! (Use a hand sanitizer too.)
• Get plenty of rest. Don’t try to cram everything into the week. I will sometimes come back to my room during lunch and take a short nap. It helps keep my energy level up. I also make sure I’m trying to get to bed at a decent hour.
• Remember that for most of us there is a time change so plan to let yourself get used to the different time zone. I find arriving a couple of days early to work in the library really helps me. By the time SLIG starts, I am pretty used to the time change.
• Eat healthy.
• If you are sick, wear a mask and keep your distance from others please.
• If you get sick and need some assistance, please reach out to the SLIG staff.

Things happen during the week – someone might need a trip to the dentist or urgent care or whatever. Local folks can direct you to the nearest drug store (just a couple of blocks away), or recommend a dentist.
Here’s hoping we all have a fun, healthy SLIG experience.

SLIG–Four Months Out

While there are still  four months until the start of the 2020 Salt Lake Institute of genealogy, it’s never too early to start thinking about things that need to be done in advance. I’ve made my list. What’s on yours?

COURSE PREPARATION

I want to be prepared for my course so I’ve looked through the course information to see if there are any recommended readings or prerequisites. I’m taking Barbara Vines Little’s Virginia course. There aren’t any recommended readings but I have a couple of Virginia books on my shelf that I will try to read.

Some courses will have assignments or items that you will be asked to complete prior to arriving in Salt Lake City. Last year I got an unexpected assignment about two weeks before. It was a really interesting assignment but I hadn’t planned on it and so felt a bit rushed in completing it. This year I hope to have all my prep work done in advance so that if an assignment comes my way, I can complete it without feeling rushed.

VIRGINIA FAMILY INFORMATION

My other goal is to go through all the various families I’m researching and pull out all the Virginia relatives and their locations. I’ll be sure to find those locations on the map so I can pay special attention when those areas are discussed in the course.

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY PREP WORK

Most of my tasks revolve around the amount of time I have to spend in the Family History Library. This year I have about four full days which should give me enough time to get things accomplished.

As I am now officially “on the clock” (for BCG certification), my priority will be making a list of resources I need to look at that will help with Portfolio. While the FHL is busy digitizing their microfilms, the books in the library can provide an invaluable resource so I’ll concentrate on books. I will have a detailed and prioritized  list of items that I need to check on.

By taking my time in my SLIG preparations, I’ll be able to get the most out of my course and be able to spend my time wisely at the FHL What are some of the things that are on your list?

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Disclaimer – The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy has provided me a discount on my SLIG 2020 tuition for my participation as a SLIG ambassador. The opinions expressed are my own.

If You are A SLIG first-timer!

I was pretty nervous the first time I went to SLIG – almost four years ago. I did not know anyone, although I knew my instructor Paula Stuart-Warren. A friend had also connected me, via Facebook, with someone else who was a first-timer and taking the same course.
I had been to Salt Lake City once before so had a bit of an idea of what to expect. But I landed in a snow storm, traffic was snarled and shuttles were cancelling. Fortunately, my shuttle was still running. I got in with one other person – who was going to the same hotel. Turns out she was going to SLIG, was in the same class and it was her first time too. We got to the hotel, checked our luggage and trudged through slush to spend the afternoon at the library. It was fun to know someone before class started – and we’ve been friends ever since. We’ll be in the same class again this year! (That Virginia course is going to rock!)
So what if you don’t know anyone? Once you’ve registered for a class, make sure you join the Facebook SLIG attendee group. Look for others who will be in your course and try to get to know them virtually before you get there.
Once you are there, be sure to introduce yourself to people. Most genealogists seem to be introverts – until they get in an environment like SLIG where you are surrounded by fellow genealogists.
If you are looking for someone to eat with, ask around in your class. Invite yourself along. Find fellow genealogists in the restaurant and ask if you can join them. Also, be sure to go to some of the SLIG events where you can meet others too.
I guarantee you will be overwhelmed. Pace yourself and be sure to get plenty of sleep (unless you have those nasty homework assignments). I often take the lunch break and go up to my room and take a short nap. But whatever you do, take the time to enjoy the whole experience. 




Disclaimer – The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy has provided me a discount on my SLIG 2020 tuition for my participation as a SLIG ambassador.  The opinions expressed are my own.

SLIG Registration Opens July 13, 2019

What is SLIG? Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, otherwise known as SLIG, is a week long institute, sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Society, held in Salt Lake City, Utah.In 2019, SLIG Academy was added – a second week of courses aimed at more professional genealogists (or those who want to be a professional).

What is an institute you ask? Well, it’s an in-depth course on a specific topic. Course coordinators develop the course, bring in other instructors and deliver five days of interesting material that will bring your research to a new level.

What courses are offered at SLIG?  Courses change every year – there are some repeats, some offered every other year – and some brand new courses like the 2020 course being offered on Chinese Ancestry. Where else can you get that kind of an education?

Why should I go? First, you will learn tons!!! Second, you’ll meet a lot of interesting people. Third, you’ll have fun and lastly, you can spend the entire week talking about genealogy without people’s eyes glazing over.  And a bonus – you can spend some time at the best genealogy library around – the Family History Center mothership – just down the road from the SLIG hotel.

Am I ready for SLIG? Courses list prerequisites, if any. Check those and see if you are ready for the particular course you are interested in. If you have questions about whether you are ready, ask. Read the course description carefully. Some courses have homework, some of it optional. I’ve always found that I get more out of a course if I do the homework.

What do I do next? Check out the courses being offered. You can find them listed by clicking here . On the left column, click on SLIG, then SLIG 2020 Courses and look at the courses offered. Be sure to click on Read More at the bottom of each course description for a more in-depth schedule of that course. You’ll see what areas are being covered and who the instructors are. While you are on the SLIG site, be sure to check out the other info about SLIG, lodging and registration.

When can I register? Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. MDT on July 13th. Be sure you have created your account beforehand and are ready to register. Some classes fill up really quickly so it also helps to have a fall-back class, just in case you can’t get into your first choice. (You can add yourself to the wait list if you really want a specific, filled class. People do drop out for various reasons.)

Hotel Registration. You will also be able to register for a hotel room at the Hilton. While it’s not necessary to stay at the Hilton (and lots of people don’t), it’s really convenient to be able to just head downstairs when it’s time for class. (And you can sneak up to your room for a quick nap at lunchtime.)

SLIG staff, course coordinators, and people who have been to SLIG are always willing to answer questions!!