Professional organizations establish communities with common activities. Membership can bring perks like discounts on event registration or funding for professional activities. Genealogical research is a community that ranges from scholarly historians to professional consultants to amateur hobbyists. No matter the level of involvement, joining a professional genealogy group can provide insights to research methods, establish best practices, and offer valuable learning opportunities.
One such organization for genealogists in the United States is the National Genealogical Society. NGS is a non-profit organization, founded in 1903 in Washington DC and currently headquartered in Virginia. The NGS mission is:
To serve and grow the genealogical community by providing education and training, fostering increased quality and standards, and promoting access to and preservation of genealogical records. (NGS, n.d., Interested in Family History?)
The National Genealogical Society has several publications, including National Genealogical Society Quarterly, NGS Magazine, NGS Monthly (a digital publication for members), and the UpFront with NGS blog. The website provides information and educational resources for the community plus a curated collection of paid courses and books for purchase.
Check out this video from NGS on the value of being part of a larger community of professional activity (NGSGenealogy, 2011):
References
National Genealogical Society (NGS). (n.d.). National Genealogical Society [website]. Retrieved
NGSGenealogy. (2011, January 1). The Value of NGS: Connections [video file]. Retrieved from