About ProGen Study Groups

The History of ProGen

2007 to 2008 . . .  The Beginning

In 2007, a study group was formed to review articles published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. That initial NGSQ study group experience led Lee Anders to the idea of a peer study group using the first edition of Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Editors, Lecturers, and Librarians, edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, as the study focus.
 
The core group began by studying a chapter or two each month and discussing it. About six months in, Lee Anders had some health issues and Angela Packer McGhie stepped up to create assignments and manage the group. Word spread about the popularity of this first group, and others wanted to join. A new group was started and named ProGen 2.

Technology Using Basecamp

By the time ProGen 3 was formed, participants realized that something exciting was taking place, and that technology could support their efforts. The Basecamp communication platform was adopted at that point as a way to submit assignments, share information, administer the program, and facilitate the monthly text-based chats.
 
Each month's assignment was distributed through Basecamp. To prepare for monthly “chats,” study group members wrote up their answers to each of the assigned chapter discussion questions. Group members would then meet each month in a designated “chat room” and as each question was asked "live" during the monthly hour chat, participants posted their answers in a group text meeting. Subsequent discussion ensued via text chat.
 
Interest continued to grow among those who wanted to study from the book Professional Genealogy and 3-5 new groups were organized each year. They are managed by a team of dedicated volunteers including Angela McGhie and then Rebecca Koford as the administrator, over 30 Certified Genealogists®  and Accredited Genealogists® that serve as mentors, ProGen alumni that serve a new group as coordinators, and many who have stepped up to be their discussion group leaders.

Angela's Vision

Over the years, some suggested that Angela convert ProGen into a profitable venture by charging higher fees, but the program is built on volunteers and colleagues helping each other to learn and develop business and writing skills. The fee has always been (and remains) nominal, covering only the costs of administering the program. At less than $100, ProGen is the most accessible virtual genealogy education available. Angela has steadfastly stood by what this independent education opportunity means to the aspiring genealogist.
 
As technology developed, the ProGen groups converted to live video meetings instead of text chats. This has helped participants get to know each other better and feel more comfortable offering monthly peer feedback on assignments. ProGen participants enjoy the advantage of interacting and getting to know each other “in person.” The opportunity to network and build relationships is often cited by ProGen alumni as a core benefit of the ProGen study program.

ProGen Alumni

Ashley Gonzalez

ProGen Study Groups, Inc.

Organizational Structure

ProGen is run by a group of volunteers at every level of the organization. The board of directors serve voluntarily, as do the other ongoing volunteers. Each group's administration - comprised of the mentor and coordinator - are also volunteers who generously donate their time to the education process so embraced by the ProGen heredity.

Legal Structure

ProGen is a non-profit entity registered in the state of Maryland as ProGen Study Groups, Inc. It was formally incorporated on 15 May 2020.

Connect With ProGen Study Groups

Our alumni, current students and fans stay connected with ProGen through our Facebook Page. You can too!  Check us out HERE

 

 

Credits

  • 2020 Logo Design – Samantha Koford
  • 2020 Curriculum Review Team:  Pam Anderson, Shannon Green & Cyndy Richardson
  • Website Development – Reed Powell
  • 2021 Locality Guide Procurement Team - Carolyn Williams, Barb Bombaci & Peggy Jude
  • 2021 Coordinator Tracking Sheet Development - Katie Crichton
  • 2021 Source Citation Updates - Shari Crandell
  • 2021 Onboarding Video Creation - Tamara Hallo

 

Donations

  • Suzanne Hoffman in honor of her ProGen 46 group, mentor Shannon Green and coordinator Kristine Smets

ProGen Alumni

Peggy Lauritzen
Peggy Lauritzen
Peggy Lauritzen
Peggy Lauritzen

Board of Directors

Angela Packer McGhie, CG®

Founder, Director and Past Program Administrator

Click on video to the right to watch Angela talk about the history of the ProGen program.

Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®, CGL(SM)

Director and Past Program Administrator

Click on video to the right to watch Rebecca talk about the history of the ProGen program.

Jan Joyce, DBA, CG®, CGL(SM), AG®

Director and Program Administrator

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Current Administrative Volunteers

Katie Crichton

Secretary

Katie Crichton
Nutley, NJ
ProGen 45
ProGen 53 Coordinator
Nicole LaRue

Application Manager

Nicole LaRue, CG®
Arnold, MD
ProGen 3 ProGen 11 Coordinator ProGen 43 & 52 Mentor
Kristin Dennis

Events Manager

Kristin Dennis
Santa Fe, TX
ProGen 66
ProGen Logo

Volunteer

We often have single projects for which volunteers would be great. If interested contact us via
the CONTACT US page

Current and Past Administrative Volunteers

 

Name ProGen Group Position Dates
Lee Anders ProGen 1 Founder April 2008 - July 2008
Allison Bowers ProGen 45 Zoom Coordinator September 2020 - 2021
Stephanie Cardin ProGen 18 Secretary February 2018 - March 2020
Carla Cegelski ProGen 2 Webmaster May 2013 - 2020
Kathie Crichton ProGen 45 Secretary May 2021 - Present
Fran Ellsworth ProGen 9 Wait List Work Reviewer November 2015 - 2019
Shari Fenley ProGen 1 Wait List Work Reviewer November 2015 - 2019
Debra Hoffman ProGen 1 Board Member January 2015 - 2019
Robbie Johnson ProGen 37 Secretary March 2020 - April 2021
Jan Joyce ProGen 25 Program Administrator
Board Member & Vice President		 March 2020 - Present
December 2020 - Present
Rebecca Whitman Koford ProGen 4 Program Administrator
Board Member & Board Secretary		 January 2015 - December 2020
January 2015 - Present
Nicole LaRue ProGen 3 Application Manager August 2011 - Present
Angela Packer McGhie ProGen 1 Founder
Program Administrator
Board President & Treasurer		 July 2008
July 2008 - December 2015
July 2008 - Present
Lynn Parent ProGen 31 Events Coordinator 2014 - February 2021
Kim Thurman ProGen 46 Events Manager 2021-2023

Description of ProGen Volunteer Roles in Each Group

ProGen Mentor

Each ProGen group has a mentor who is either a Certified Genealogist® or an Accredited Genealogist®. The mentor guides a ProGen study group by participating in monthly group discussions, providing expert guidance, and sharing comments on each topic. Each mentor is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists or the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.  See the carousel below for the names of all ProGen mentors and coordinators along with their ProGen group numbers.

ProGen Coordinator

Every ProGen group also has a coordinator. The coordinator manages a ProGen study group of about 30 members who are divided into three discussion groups. The Coordinator monitors participation and reviews assignments to ensure engagement levels are met. Each coordinator is an alumnus of ProGen Study Groups.

ProGen Discussion Leader

Each student enrolled in a ProGen Study Group will take a turn as a Discussion Leader. The Discussion Leader moderates monthly discussions in a his/her own group of approximately eight study group members by asking the predetermined questions on the monthly calls and keeping the conversation moving.

Past Mentors & Coordinators

ProGen 1

2008-2009
Coordinator: Angela Packer McGhie, CG®
Mentor: Elissa Scalise Powell, CG®

ProGen 2

2008-2010
Coordinator: Debbie Parker Wayne, CG®
Mentor: Stefani Evans, CG®

ProGen 3

2009-2011
Coordinator: Janis Walker Gilmore
Mentor: Craig R. Scott, CG®

Heartland ProGen 1

2009-2010
Associated with the APG Heartland Chapter

Coordinator: Char Mitts
Mentor: Sharlene Miller, CG®

ProGen 4

2009-2011
Coordinator: Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®, CGL®
Mentor: Marty Hiatt, CG®

ProGen 5

2009-2011
Coordinator: Debra Hoffman
Mentor: J. Mark Lowe, CG®

ProGen 6

2010-2011
Coordinator: Pam White
Mentor: Patricia O’Brien Shawker, CG®

ProGen 7

2010-2011
Coordinator: Melanie Holtz, CG®
Mentor: Barbara Mathews, CG®

ProGen 8

2010-2011
Coordinator: Sharon Clouse
Mentor: Christina Sachs Humphreys, CG®

ProGen 9

2010-2012
Coordinator: Elizabeth O’Neal
Mentor: Jay Fonkert, CG®

ProGen 10

2010-2012
Coordinator: Karen Matheson
Mentor: Connie Lenzen, CG®

ProGen 11

2010-2012
Coordinator: Nicole LaRue, CG®
Mentor: Claire Bettag, CG®

ProGen 12

2011-2012
Coordinator: Kimberly Powell
Mentor: Craig Scott, CG®

Heartland ProGen 2

2011-2012
Associated with the APG Heartland Chapter.
Coordinator: Char Mitts
Mentor: Sharlene Miller, CG®

ProGen 13

2011-2012
Coordinator: Debbie Hooper, CG
Mentor: Sandra MacLean Clunies, CG

ProGen 14

2011-2013
Coordinator: Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®
Mentor: Linda Woodward Geiger, CG®

ProGen 15

2012-2013
Coordinator: Julia George
Mentor: Sandra M. Hewlett, CG®

ProGen 16

2012-2013
Coordinator: Sharon Clouse
Mentor: Christina Sachs Humphreys, CG®

ProGen 17

2012-2014
Coordinator: Valerie Hansen
Mentor: Christina Sharbrough, CG®

ProGen 18

2013-2014
Coordinator: Laurel Baty, CG®
Mentor: Beverly Rice

ProGen 19

2013-2014
Coordinator: Teresa Scott
Mentor: Craig R. Scott, CG®

ProGen 20

2013-2014
Coordinator: Stephen Buffat
Mentor: Jean Foster Kelley, CG®

ProGen 21

2013-2015
Coordinator: Elizabeth Pelicane
Mentor: Barbara Mathews, CG®

ProGen 22

2014-2015
Coordinator: Clarise Soper, CG®
Mentor: Debbie Hooper, CG®

ProGen 23

2014-2015
Coordinator: Darcie Hind Posz, CG®
Mentor: Laura DeGrazia, CG®

ProGen 24

2014-2016
Coordinator: Carla Cegielski
Mentor: Julie Miller, CG®

ProGen 25

2015-2016
Coordinator: Clarise Soper, CG®
Mentor: Elissa Scalise Powell, CG®

ProGen 26

2015-2016
Coordinator: Stephanie Cardin
Mentor: Nicki Peak Birch, CG®

ProGen 27

2015-2017
Coordinator: Lois Mackin, Ph.D
Mentor: Laurel Baty, CG®

ProGen 28

2015-2017
Coordinator: Cari Taplin, CG®
Mentor: Pamela Sayre, CG®, CGL, FUGA

ProGen 29

2016-2017
Coordinator: Judi Scott
Mentor: Rebecca Whitman Koford, CG®, CGL

ProGen 30

2016-2017
Coordinator:Rachel Popma
Mentor: Melanie Holtz, CG®

ProGen 31

2016-2017
Coordinator: Beth Benko
Mentor: Sandy Clunies, CG®

ProGen 32

2016-2018
Coordinator: Jill Morelli, CG®
Mentor: Patti Hobbs, CG®

ProGen 33

2017-2018
Coordinator: Piper Oneto
Mentor: Harold Henderson, CG®

ProGen 34

2017-2018
Coordinator: Cynthia Kennedy
Mentor: Carol Darrow, CG®

ProGen 35

2017-2018
Coordinator: Deborah Sweeney
Mentor: Donn Devine, CG®, FUGA

ProGen 36

2017-2019
Coordinator: Shannon Green, CG®
Mentor: Jenny Tonks, AG

ProGen 37

2018-2019
Coordinator: Robbie Johnson
Mentor: LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, CGL

ProGen 38

2018-2019
Coordinator: Rebecca Hockaday, CG®
Mentor: Judith Herbert, CG®

ProGen 39

2018-2019
Coordinator: Teresa Kahle
Mentor: Jeanette Shiel, CG®

ProGen 40

2019-2020
Coordinator: Diane Boumenot
Mentor: Melissa Johnson, CG®

ProGen 41

2019-2020
Coordinator: Amy Urman
Mentor: Susan Michael, CG®

ProGen 42

2019-2020
Coordinator: Debbie Smyth
Mentor: 1) Michele Lewis, CG®, and 2) Clarise Soper, CG®

ProGen 43

2019-2020
Coordinator: Cynthia Richardson
Mentor: Nicole Gilkison LaRue, CG®

ProGen 44

2019-2020
Coordinator: Sarah Clift
Mentor: Diana Elder, AG®

ProGen 45

2019-2020
Coordinator: Hilary Swanson
Mentor: Jan Joyce, DBA, CG®, CGL

ProGen 46

2020-2021
Coordinator: Kristine Smets
Mentor: Shannon Green, CG®

ProGen 47

2020-2021
Coordinator: Jamie Mayhew
Mentor: Pam Anderson, CG®

ProGen 48

2020-2021
Coordinator: Mike Bronner
Mentor: Mary Kircher Roddy, CG®

ProGen 49

2020-2021
Coordinator: Emily Richardson
Mentor: Cynthia Turk, CG®

ProGen 50

2020-2021
Coordinator: Susan Julien
Mentor: Elissa Scalise Powell, CG®, CGL

ProGen 51

2020-2021
Coordinator: Heather Kramer
Mentor: Rebecca Hockaday, CG®

ProGen 52

2021-2022

Coordinator: Cyndy Richardson
Mentor: Nikki LaRue, CG®

ProGen 53

2021-2022
Coordinator: Katie Crichton
Mentor: Cinda Baxter, CG®

ProGen 54

2021-2022
Coordinator: Jennifer Dix
Mentor: Debbie Harvey, CG®

ProGen 55

2021-2022

Coordinator: Kerri Tannenbaum
Mentor: Lynn Nelson, CG®

ProGen 56

2021-2022

Coordinator: Kim Thurman
Mentor: Mark A. Wentling, CG®

ProGen 57

2021-2022

Coordinator: Kristin Britanik
Mentor: Denise E. Cross, MSLIS, CG®

ProGen 58

2021-2022

Coordinator: Heather Robb
Mentor: Francine Crowley Griffis

ProGen 59

2021-2022

Coordinator: Deanna Korte
Mentor: Nicky Smith, AG®

ProGen 60

2021-2022

Coordinator: Elizabeth Cotter, MD
Mentor: Lana Leggett-Kealey, CG®, Ph.D.

ProGen 61

2021-2022

Coordinator: Susan Fischer Copple
Mentor: Piper Roberts Oneto, CG®, M.B.A.

ProGen 62

2021-2022

Coordinator: P. Jill Moore
Mentor: Teri Grey, CG®

ProGen 63

2021-2022

Coordinator: Leslie Shaheen
Mentor: Stephanie O'Connell

ProGen 64

2022-2023

Coordinator: Stephanie Carbonetti
Mentor: Linda Debe

ProGen 65

2022-2023

Coordinator: Aleta Utterback, CP®
Mentor: Eva Holmes, CG®, MBA, PMP

ProGen 66

2022-2023

Coordinator: Shannon Musfelt
Mentor: Alice Childs, AG®

ProGen 67

2022-2023

Coordinator: Ariana Franco
Mentor: Maria Wittwer

ProGen 68

2024

Coordinator: Tiffanie Cortazzo
Mentor: Diane Boumenot