IGHR - Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research
IGHR is an annual week-long institute for genealogy education, held via Zoom during the last week of July. Each course costs $545. What is IGHR?
In 2026, we will also have once a week courses are also offered. Learn more at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) is an annual week-long educational institute for genealogists. It differs from a genealogy conference in that attendees register for one course for the entire week, thus allowing them to delve into a specific topic or methodology more deeply than what a typical conference might allow. Hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, IGHR attendees travel from across the country and around the globe to attend the popular institute. It's important to understand that IGHR is not just for individuals whose research involves Georgia or southern ancestry. The institute is for genealogists of ALL backgrounds and skill levels from beginning to advanced. It educates hobbyists and professionals alike. Traditionally IGHR enrolls about 400 attendees each summer. 2021 attendees were from 45 states, Canada, & the Netherlands. Established in 1962, IGHR is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary! You can view 2022 course offerings at https://bit.ly/3koLLDZ.
We at IGHR wish all of you such a Happy Thanksgiving!
11/26/2025
Ready for some structured genealogy education in 2026 to build a firm foundation? IGHR offers three core methodology courses that can now be completed in 1-1.5 years. Start wherever you're at: Course One and Course Three are offered during IGHR Week (July 7-31, 2026) and Course Two is once-a-week in the fall (October 15-November 12). $545 per course ($50 discount for GGS members). Learn more at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-2026/
11/25/2025
The Internet has been such a gift for genealogists...but do you really know how to use research repositories? Maybe you suspect there's more to it than you know? Cyndi Ingle of Cyndi's List is coordinating the IGHR 2026 course for you! Offered Saturdays, March 12-April 16, 2026. $545 ($50 discount for GGS members). Seven expert instructors! Check out the detailed description and schedule and register at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/repositories/.
11/24/2025
"Genetics for Genealogists: Fundamentals of DNA" is for anyone who wants to get a firm foundation in DNA research before moving forward, whether you're a beginner or have been going it on your own. Offered on Saturdays, March 14-May 2, 2026. $545 ($50 discount for GGS members). Registration is open! https://ighr.gagensociety.org/dna/
11/23/2025
IGHR 2026 Registration is open for ALL COURSES! Choose from six full-time courses during IGHR Week (July 27-31) and six once-a-week courses. Learn more and register at: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-2026/.
11/22/2025
Registration for IGHR 2026 is OPEN! Choose from six courses during IGHR Week (July 27-31) and six once-a-week courses throughout the year. Subjects include genealogy methodology, DNA, land records, and Scottish, African American, New York, South Carolina and Southern cessions/territories research. There’s something for everyone and every level! Check out the course list and register at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-courses/.
11/22/2025
IGHR 2026 registration starts today (Saturday, November 22) at noon ET! Visit the IGHR 2026 website to choose your course(s), read our policies and deadlines, and watch a short registration video. https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-2026/. Registration for each course ends on a sliding basis: one month before each course begins.
11/21/2025
IGHR 2026 registration OPENS TOMORROW, Saturday, November 22, at noon ET! (That's right, at NOON ET. We've heard our West Coast friends!) Choose from 12 courses: six during the traditional IGHR Week (July 27-31, 2026) and six once-a-week courses offered at other times. Visit the course page (https://ighr.gagensociety.org/ighr-courses/) to choose your course(s). To register, click the green registration button on the course page and fill out the form. Questions? Email ighrregister@gagensociety.org or call (470) 837-0529. See you on Saturday! Registration for each course ends on a sliding basis: one month before the course starts.
Cyndi Ingle's popular "Repository Research: From Website to Doorway" returns to IGHR 2026 Thursdays, March 12-April 16. Improve your ability to use repositories in a course coordinated by the creator of Cyndi's List! With seven expert instructors, you'll explore the ins and outs of repository research. Registration opens this Saturday, November 22, at noon ET and closes March 16, 2026. Learn more about the course at https://ighr.gagensociety.org/repositories/. (Click on the green registration button on that page and enter your email address to receive a reminder email.)
11/19/2025
IGHR 2026 starts off with a bang on March 14th with Genetics for Genealogists: Fundamentals of DNA! Coordinated by Patti Lee Hobbs, this course will set your feet firmly on the path to DNA success. It meets once a week each Saturday from March 14, 2026, through May 2, 2026 (7 weeks total, skipping April 4). Registration opens this Saturday, November 22, at noon ET and runs through February 14, 2026. Find out more at: https://ighr.gagensociety.org/dna/. Click on the green registration button on that page and enter your email address to receive a reminder email.)
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The Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR) is an annual week-long educational institute for genealogists. It differs from a genealogy conference in that attendees register for one course for the entire week, thus allowing them to delve into a specific topic or methodology more deeply than what a typical conference might allow.
Hosted by the Georgia Genealogical Society, IGHR attendees travel from across the country and around the globe to attend. IGHR is not just for individuals whose research involves Georgia or southern ancestry. The institute is for genealogists of all backgrounds and skill levels from beginning to advanced. It educates hobbyists and professionals alike. Traditionally IGHR enrolls about 300 attendees each summer.
IGHR 2019 will take place Sunday, 21 July 2019-Friday, 26 July 2019 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens, Georgia. Be sure to come a day early on Saturday, 20 July 2019, for our FREE Family History & Genealogy Expo sponsored by FamilySearch. Registration for 2019 courses opens Saturday, 2 March 2019, with a rolling schedule. Visit ighr.gagensociety.org for details such as course descriptions, tuition price, accommodations, etc.
IGHR’s history is more than fifty years old. Established in 1962, the institute’s first session was held at Howard College––now Samford University––in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded by Elizabeth Wood Thomas, the institute was originally known as the Willo Institute of Genealogy.
Through the years, the institute has greatly evolved. What began as a simple two-day event with forty students quickly expanded into a well-respected institute for serious genealogical researchers. Within three short years, IGHR became a week-long event that took place each June and the name changed to the Institute of Genealogy.
Under the leadership of directors such as F. Wilbur Helmbold and Jean Thomason, attendance and course offerings grew as did the institute’s reputation in the genealogy community. The tremendous growth and success of the institute eventually meant it needed to move to a larger campus; consequently, after fifty-four wonderful years in Alabama, IGHR moved to its current home––the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel in Athens, Georgia––under the leadership of past-director Laura Carter, MLIS, SLIS, MEd. This current facility allows for all classrooms, food, and most hotel accommodations to be under the same air-conditioned roof. Additionally, IGHR attendees benefit from access to the world-class libraries of the University of Georgia, including its law library and special collections libraries.