Corpus Juris: Advanced Legal Concepts for Genealogy
- 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
This course is held January 25-29, 2027, daily from 8am-4pm Mountain Time.
Course Coordinator:
Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA
Additional Faculty:
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA
Forrest R. Hansen, JD