Overview | Preparing | Applying | Testing Process | Application [PDF]¹

Preparing for the AG^® Examination

• If you desire to apply for the examination, you should feel comfortable with your chosen area of specialization and have a good knowledge of the records of that area. You should also have at least 1000 hours of research experience in that geographical area.

• No formal classes in genealogy are required, but they may be helpful and can be credited toward the hours required for an AG credential. Classes are available at several universities and local family history societies throughout the world.

• If the credential is desired for a non-English speaking area, you must have a working knowledge of the native language of that country. Part of the test for countries whose language is other than English will be given in the principle language of the country.

• Each applicant is required to sign an agreement with ICAPGen^SM that they are willing to adhere to high ethical and research standards and to abide by a "code of ethics," a copy of which will be given to the applicant before being tested.

• Every applicant will complete the AG Test Application [PDF]¹ obtained from ICAPGen. Submission of the application indicates the applicant feels qualified to be accredited. The application must include a complete research project detailing the applicant’s findings covering the immediate families of four generations of a lineage (single line of ascent or descent) within the geographic region or ethnic group for which testing is requested. The project must include:

  1. A pedigree chart showing at least a four-generation lineage, prior to 1900, in the area to be tested, which the applicant has personally researched.

  2. A list of sources searched (such as a research log or calendar) showing both positive and negative searches.

  3. Well-documented family group record forms for each of the four families considered in the report.

  4. A well-written report, stating each step taken to find and document the ancestry, and why it was taken. The report should also include recommended searches for future research and discuss the probability of success of such searches.

  The four-generation requirement means that four successive generations of the submitted lineage must have lived in the area being tested at least some time during each of their lifetimes, and prior to 1900. Hence an ascent lineage may begin with a person born in the 1890s and whose great-grandparent (and the intervening generations) lived in the same testing area (even for a brief time).

  The 1900 guideline helps ensure that the applicant’s research ability covers a broad time period, prior to the memory of living persons. The four-generation requirement helps indicate that a researcher can use a variety of records, and can properly identify and link persons into multi-generational families. These are precisely the criteria most potential clients are seeking when they hire a genealogist.

Current Areas of Testing

Current areas of testing include the geographical areas of United States, British Isles, Scandinavia, Canada, Pacific Area, Latin America, Continental Europe.

United States

• New England Region (covering Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
• Mid-Atlantic Region (covering Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland)
• Midwestern Region (covering Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin) (Missouri is in both the Mid-South and Midwestern Regions
• Mid-South Region (covering Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri) (Missouri is in both the Mid-South and Midwestern Regions), Mid-South African American (NEW), Mid-South American Indian (NEW)
• Gulf-South Region (covering Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas), Gulf-South African American (NEW), Gulf-South American Indian (NEW)
• Great Plains Region - available Winter 2008 (will include Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas)
• Mountain West Region - available before Spring 2008 (will include Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming)
• Pacific States Region - projected Summer 2008 (will include Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington)

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British Isles

• England
• Ireland
• Isle of Man
• Scotland
• Wales

Scandinavia

• Denmark
• Finland
• Norway
• Sweden

Canada

• Canada (General)
• French Canada

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Pacific Area

• Australia

Latin America

• Mexico

Continental Europe

• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Switzerland

Helpful Hints

You may wish to consider the following ways in which you may further prepare yourself for accreditation:

• Get as much practical experience in your geographical area as possible.

• Consult with experienced researchers in your chosen area of specialty.

• Consider research courses such as those at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah available (either as a resident, or by correspondence). Also distance-education courses at colleges or technical schools.

• There are often other community and/or family history programs in your area that provide classes or other help. In fact each year ICAPGen sponsors its own conference with excellent instructors to help aspiring genealogists. The What's New area will keep you informed about such conferences.

• The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is sponsored by the Utah Genealogical Association every January. The Institute’s objective is to provide the best possible educational opportunity for genealogy students, with instruction focused on the needs of intermediate to advanced researchers. This opportunity includes homework assignments, time for personal research, and is an excellent time to become familiar with the Family History Library prior to applying for accreditation.

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Overview | Preparing | Applying | Testing Process | Application [PDF]¹