The Genealogy Club of Newtown will hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 10, when Jeanette Sheliga will present “Getting Acquainted with the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)." The meeting will begin at 7 pm.

The Genealogical Proof Standard is a guideline for establishing the reliability (“proof”) of a genealogical conclusion with reasonable certainty. It is important within the genealogical community for clearly communicating the quality of research performed, such as by a professional genealogist.

GPS is also useful for helping new genealogists to understand what is needed for high-quality research.

It has five elements: exhaustive research within reason; complete and accurate source citations; analysis and correlation of the collected information; resolution of any conflicting evidence; and a well reasoned and coherently written conclusion.

Having a research plan is always a good idea when researching ancestors. Sheliga’s presentation will introduce the Genealogical Proof Standard and will demonstrate how following through the steps will help solve your genealogy research questions, and hopefully bust through some of the brick walls that can put a project on hold.

Sheliga lives in Rockport, N.Y., and has been researching her family tree since 2002. She has proven her ancestry and joined many lineage societies, including National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, First Families of Pennsylvania, National Society Descendants of America Farmers, and National Society of Mayflower Descendants.

In August 2021, she completed the ProGen Study Group 49. She officially started Jeanette’s Genealogy in January 2021, and became president and owner of the Virtual Genealogical Association in January 2022.

Members of the club will receive a link to the Zoom meeting, and should plan to sign in at 6:45 so that everyone can be admitted before the meeting begins promptly at 7 pm.

For further information about the program or becoming a club member, send an email including name, address, phone number and email address by January 8 to genclubnewtownct.secretary@gmail.com.