© Julie Goucher – September 2020

I hope you all like the new image, it is not a Picasso, but was enjoyable to create. The hardest bit, making sure that I have the little squares nice and tidy. Given that I am clumsy, you can guarantee that I knock the cutting mat, sending little alphabet tiles everywhere! The image reflects the three one-name (Surname) courses that I teach and together, they offer a layered learning approach.

The Introduction course (901) looks at the  first steps of a study, thinking about the types of surnames, the numbers of a study and the history of surnames are just a few of the elements covered. The Practicalities of a One-Name Studies course (903) looks at the practical element of a study, spreadsheets, various software and online trees, plus much more. The last course currently is the Advanced course (902) which looks at, to name a few, surname case studies, plus writing, sharing and getting published.

The courses are either 5 or 6 weeks, all have a weekly chats, with the Practicalities course having a practice week and the Advanced course a reading & research week. The Introduction and the Practicalities course both run twice a year and the Advanced course currently runs once a year. Even though the courses have all run previously, there is always upbeat learning, sharing of material and a camaraderie that Guild of One-Name Studies members will recognise.

For those of you who I might have tempted and are wondering where to start, I recommend you have a look through the numerous surname posts I have written, all of which can be found HERE and download the Surname Worksheet and then read the individual course information, which you can access by clicking the links above. If you have any questions, please do leave a comment.