... to foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners, and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard ...

Purpose

Incorporated in 1964, BCG is an independent, not-for-profit certifying body that is nationally and internationally recognized. BCG promotes ethics and standards through its certification program and publications. These publications include Genealogy Standards; The BCG Application Guide; OnBoard, its newsletter; and SpringBoard, its blog. BCG also promotes ethics and standards through skillbuilding lectures at national conferences, through seminars, and through webinars.

Certification results from evaluation of work samples in a portfolio submission. For each certification category, BCG requires different materials. Applicants are evaluated on standards for documenting, standards for researching, and standards for writing. Three to four evaluators independently assess each application. Certification says a practitioner has met the rigorous standards for knowledge and competence of the field.

Learning Center

Understand the concepts and strategies that produce quality genealogical research that stands the test of time. Learn from resources available in the BCG Learning Center: webinars, journal and magazine articles, books, and blog posts.

Take advantage of hiring a Board-Certified Genealogist® by searching in the directory. BCG's associates know the records in their areas of expertise. They are able to research thoroughly, cite properly, analyze and correlate evidence efficiently, deal with conflicting evidence, and write a clear and convincing conclusion.

Those who hold a Certified Genealogist® credential have demonstrated their competence in research, analysis, kinship determination, and reporting skills. Using the resources here to learn about working to standards and experience may lead to a desire to validate this competence by acquiring the CG® credential. The process is explained.

BCG News

BCG releases a new Application Guide effective 1 July 2025. The new guide incorporates the application details for the new two-part process for certification. For more details, click here.
BCG Board

Congratulations to Jari Christopher Honora and Scott Wilds who will continue their service and Jenny Rizzo Irwin, Carolyn Ladd, and Kelley Conner Lear who will join the BCG board after the October meeting.
New Associates

Congratulations to new associates Andrew Quackenbush of Ontario, Canada; Susanna Richards of Switzerland; Janna Heuer of Standardsville, VA; Patricia R. Reed of Wheat Ridge, CO; Geraldine Knatz of Long Beach, CA; Kay Bauman of Oklahoma City, OK; and Lorraine Blanton of Oxnard, CA.
Associate News

Congratulations to Jennifer Zinck for earning the CGL credential.

Congratulations to BCG associate Amy Larner Giroux, PhD, CG®, CGL®, who was recognized by university presidential appointment "for distinguished performance, outstanding contributions, and exceptional service at the University of Central Florida,” and was awarded the title of Associate Director Emerita, in the Center for Humanities and Digital Research, College of Arts and Humanities.

Congratulations to J.H. "Jay" Fonkert for being awarded the honoric title FMGS for his long and continuing service to the Minnesota Genealogical Society.
Associate News

Mary O'Brien Vidlak of Williamsburg, VA; Julia Bagwell of Henderson, CO; Angela Packer McGhie of Laurel, MD; Rachal Mills Lennon of Bethpage, TN; Dawne Slater of Salt Lake City, UT; Piper Roberts Oneto of Hedgesville, WV; and Elyse Hill of McDonough, GA, successfully renewed their credentials.