The Cherokee Heritage Documentation Center, in association with Illuminated Learning, now offers an online course in Cherokee Genealogy. This is the only course of it's kind available anywhere. For less than the cost of hiring a genealogist you can turn a pleasurable pastime into a career. The professional genealogist is both a detective and a historian. It is an incredibly interesting and rewarding occupation.

This Native American Genealogist program will help you develop the skills you need to be successful. It was designed by industry professionals, distance learning experts, and tribal members. Illuminated Learning is a leading provider of education services for adult learners and institutions. The step-by-step online materials make the topics easily understandable without the need of reading a stack of textbooks.

No experience is needed to begin, and you can advance as fast as you want. Mentors are available whenever help is needed.This online program offers you the flexibility to study at your own pace from your home or office while retaining a level of structure that will help you stay on track. This is a great way to ease into a new career while still being able to take care of other obligations in your life!

Online interactive courses are completed on our website. Each course consists of:

• Objectives that identify what you will learn in each module.
• Eye-popping streaming video clips that detail various tasks.
• Step-by-step lessons.
• Terms and abbreviations.
• Self-grading quizzes that reinforce what you have learned.
• Sample documents, photos, maps, wills and other valuable material for reference.
• A myriad of resources including tutorial videos.

You will learn to:

• Trace a family tree.
• Gather clues and information from papers, photos, documents and family heirlooms.
• Transcribe, abstract, and comment on the genealogical value of historical documents.
• Locate documents pertaining to Cherokee tribal history and genealogy.
• Create research plans, reports, and case studies
• Search the Cherokee rolls.
• Glean information from Indian and pioneer interviews
• Create pedigree charts
• Research wills, birth, marriage, death records, land deeds and immigration records.
• Understand the history of the Cherokee people.
• Complete a narrative genealogy, narrative lineage, narrative pedigree, and case study.
• Know the potential and limitations of DNA testing.
• Abide by the Genealogist's Code of Ethics

Total tuition: $360 Certificate awarded. Course starts January 4, 2010 Enrollment limited to first 50 students. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it