More than 30 million Americans have Irish Ancestry, and many of us have ancestors who were affected by the Great Famine of 1845-1852. During this time, many relied on Ireland’s Poor Law Unions, which centered around a workhouse where people could labor to receive temporary relief from their poverty. 

For more than two centuries, the familiar image of the Irish country house has been one of dishevelment and decay. Historic houses across Ireland are being rediscovered and brought back to life as family homes. Join author and architectural historian Robert O’Byrne as he discusses some of these properties and tells the stories of their decline and recovery.

Few people in American history have collected art on such a voracious scale as J.P. Morgan. But the famous Gilded Age banker didn't just buy in quantity, he also had a very sophisticated eye. Whether viewed as a robber baron or an enlightened philanthropist, Morgan's contribution toward making the United States a center of world class art collections is undeniable.

In this online lecture, Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert will discuss how to research your colonial ancestors and determine if—and how—they may have served the cause of the American Revolution.

Join the Jewish Heritage Center for an exclusive online program in which historian Dr. Jonathan Sarna and shoe designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Stuart Weitzman will explore the vital role of the Massachusetts shoe industry in the Jewish immigrant experience of the 19th and 20th century. 

Featuring Stuart Weitzman in Conversation with Dr. Jonathan Sarna

When it comes to Colonial New England research, there is a gold mine of published resources to explore. As a group, early New Englanders are perhaps some of the most studied people on the planet! In this online lecture, Robert Battle, editor of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, will discuss essential published resources for colonial research in the region.

Whether your ancestors arrived at Jamestown, on the Mayflower, or came over in the years following, the majority of us with colonial ancestry hope to trace our family trees back to England. In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will highlight key records and resources available to help you in your search—including published genealogies, compilations, indexes, websites, and more.

German immigrants first arrived to American shores in large numbers in the late 17th century, and today nearly 45 million Americans have German heritage. Join Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure as she shares her go-to published resources for German family history research in America.

Finding information about New York ancestors can be tricky. In this online lecture, Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert will discuss go-to repositories for research in the Empire State—including the New York State Library and Archives, the New York Public Library, and more.