Nervous Nelly...

 As most of you know, I have been attending BYU-Idaho (online classes), working towards a bachelor's degree in History with a minor in Family History. I've finished all the required courses for History, which has earned me a bachelor's degree; however, since my Family History degree is more detailed, I am graduating in the Spring of 2023. 

In my final semester ( this fall), I am taking Directed Geographic Speciality - the dreaded 499R or what is referred to as the Capstone and submitting the project I am working on to ICAPGEN for my accreditation and to earn the Accredited Genealogist status. 

The guidelines for the Four-Generation project in the class are the same as the ICAPGEN Four-Generation Project. However, I do not have to add the documents to the report I am submitting to the professor, but I have to submit them to ICAPGEN after my semester. I am downloading all the pertinent documents and transferring them into a separate PDF document. 

Why so astringent? The purpose of the ICAPGen Four-Generation Project is to test an applicant's ability to conduct research based on a well-defined objective and report all research findings, analysis of evidence, and conclusions based on that evidence, as if to a client. In this report, both for my capstone and for ICAPGEN, I have to properly apply the following relevant context to the research objective:

• Historical
• Geographical 
• Legal 
• Methodological 
• Social 

The second level is a written test that tests document interpretation and general questions on the knowledge of history, geography, methodology, records, etc. It also includes questions specific to the chosen region. 

The third level includes one section of the written exam, which tests skills in data analysis, research planning, methodology, and report writing and concludes with an oral review. 

I have chosen the Southeastern region, and the family I have chosen is my ex-husband's maternal line, the Arrington family.

 

Why you may ask? When my ex-husband and I were married, I found his maternal family to be the epitome of the American family.  His grandmother (granny) told me the story of three brothers who immigrated from England and settled on the Isle of Wight, Virginia. I thought about how the family faced obstacles immigrating from England to the Americas. Then migrating years later from Virginia to Georgia. While this story always stuck out in my mind, I took it with a grain of salt; because she was ninety-two years old at the time. However, through the 20+ years, the three brothers remained elusive. I did come to the conclusion that I would never find the truth. 

However, recently as if there was help from the other side of the veil, a book titled "Arrington Pathway Home" by Rick Arrington appeared in my searches. When reading the chapters on the Isle of Wight, Va, Arthur Arrington's name appeared; however, I discounted it because it did not fit in the ancestral naming pattern.[1] But as I continued to read, the names Willliam, Benjamin, Sarah, and John Arrington surfaced. These were names that repeat within four family generations. The family naming pattern still continues to this modern day.  

While it will be a lot of work, I am hopeful that I will ace my last semester! But, I regress I am still a nervous nelly. 

Above is a photo I took at Aunt Mary Ellen's (center in pink) birthday party. From left to right, Berry Arrington, John Arrington, Mary Ellen Templeton (Arrington), Marion (Bud) Arrington, Mildred Ashby (Arrington), and Daniel Arrington. 

[1] Arrington, Rick. 2018. Arrington Pathways Home. Berwyn Heights, Md.: Heritage Books. Pg 479-484.