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Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy

This course will be available soon
  • Description
  • Curriculum

This course offers students an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the rich research resources of the law, including those generally available only at law libraries or by subscription. Students will work with legal records and sources, gaining a better grasp of legal history and its implications for research as well as the skills to find and apply the law to solve genealogical problems. Individual sessions will focus on specific legal disciplines (criminal, civil, probate and the like) and students will have the opportunity to use the resources of a major law research service.

Monday, January 25

8:00-8:30am: Class Introductions
8:30 – 9:45am: Introduction: An Overview of Legal Systems and Records

Instructor: Judy Russell

10:15 – 11:30am: The Civil Law Difference: An Overview

Instructor: Forrest Hansen

1:00 – 2:15pm: Legal Research I: Understanding Statutes and Session Laws 

Instructor: Judy Russell

2:45 – 4:00pm: Legal Research II: Finding and Using Statutes and Session Laws

Instructor: Judy Russell

Tuesday, January 26

8:30 – 9:45am: Legal Research III: Computerized Legal Research

Instructor: Judy Russell

10:15 – 11:30am: Genealogical Implications of Slavery’s Legal History

Instructor: LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson

1:00 – 2:15pm: Notarial Records in Civil Law Countries

Instructor: Forrest Hansen

2:45 – 4:00pm: Family Law Records:  In-Depth Review of the Scope of Family Records

Instructor: Judy Russell

Wednesday, January 27

8:30 – 9:45am: Legal Research IV: Appeals Courts and their Records

Instructor: Judy Russell

10:15 – 11:30am: Legal Research V: Digests and Reporters

Instructor: Judy Russell

1:00 – 2:15pm: Law Library I: Virtual Introduction to Law Library Resources

Instructors: Judy Russell and LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson

2:45 – 4:00pm: Law Library II: Hands On Exercises with Virtual Law Library Resources

Instructors: Judy Russell and LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson

Thursday, January 28

8:30 – 9:45am: When the Church Says Yes (or NO!): Church Law for Genealogists

Instructor: David McDonald

10:15 – 11:30am: Prestatehood Legal Research-Tools and Strategies

Instructor: David McDonald

1:00 – 2:15pm: Probate Records: Hands On

Instructor: Thomas Jones

2:45 – 4:00pm: An Act for the Relief: Finding and Using Private Laws

Instructor: Judy Russell 

Friday, January 29

8:30 – 9:45am: Homework Review

Instructor: Judy Russell

10:15 – 11:30am: In the Poor House: Legal Records of Debt

Instructor: Judy Russell

1:00 – 2:15pm: Becoming American: A Deeper Look at Immigration and Naturalization Records and Their Laws

Instructor: LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson

2:45 – 4:00pm: Criminal Records: From Prosecution to Parole

Instructor: Judy Russell

coming soon