Educational experiences by our experts, at your convenience
Whether you're just starting to explore your family history, or you're a seasoned researcher looking to gain new skills, American Ancestors offers a variety of online seminars in topics across the field of genealogy. Now, you can enjoy some of our most recent and popular courses at your convenience, including recorded lectures, handouts, activities, and more. Any course you purchase will be accessible through your American Ancestors account for the foreseeable future—course materials do not expire. Choose a course below and start learning today!
On Demand: Building Your Genealogical Skills
Take your research skills to the next level! Whether you are new to genealogy, want to refresh your skills, or learn best practices, this course will help you get the most out of your family history research.
On Demand: Researching Colonial New England Ancestors
As a group, 17th-century New Englanders are arguably one of the most studied groups on the planet, and thus descendants are blessed with a multitude of resources. This five-week course will discuss the settlement of and migrations within New England, how to locate and utilize original and published records, and strategies for breaking down brick walls. This course will cover the colonial period (1620–1776) in the area of what is today Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Available for purchase until:
Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Piecing Together the Story: Analyzing Records and Drawing Conclusions
Learn how to slow down and scrutinize each record you find! Our genealogists provide resources, strategies, and in-depth examples to demonstrate the rich stories and information that can uncovered when analyzing records.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: "Fatherhood: A History of Love and Power" with Augustine Sedgewick
The whole family will enjoy this exploration of fatherhood, from the invention of this fundamental institution in the Bronze Age through its transformation to the present day. Augustine Sedgewick’s bold and original work of history provides a collective portrait of emblematic fathers who have helped to define how the world should be ruled and what it means to be a man.
Moderated by Michele Filgate
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American Inspiration Author Series
On Demand: Researching Upstate New York Ancestors
Join us for this five-session course and uncover your Empire State roots!
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Curt’s Cabinet of Curiosities: A Journey Through His Favorite Art, Architecture & Memorabilia
Join architectural historian and raconteur Curt DiCamillo for a glimpse at just some of his favorite things. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious about the stories objects can tell, this engaging lecture is sure to delight.
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Art & Architecture
On Demand: When the Record Doesn't Exist: Strategies for Determining Vital Data About Your Ancestors
In this online lecture, David Allen Lambert discusses how to ensure you are doing an exhaustive search, provide information on alternate sources, and how to draw conclusions from multiple sources when a “smoking gun” record doesn’t exist.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Griffin Dunne with "The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir"
Actor-producer-director Griffin Dunne grew up among larger-than-life characters in Hollywood and Manhattan. Don’t miss hearing the story of his family – a New York Times bestseller named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Time, People, and Town & Country magazines.
Available for purchase until:
American Inspiration Author Series
On Demand: Jewels of Scandal & Desire: British Jewelry Collections and Country Houses
Great jewels have dazzled people for millennia, their beauty and value producing respect, deception, love, and betrayal. This lecture explores how the 18th and 19th century British ruling classes, modeling themselves on the ancient Roman Empire, used jewelry to reinforce their positions in society and awe their peers.
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Art & Architecture
On Demand: Beyond the Grave: Uncovering Life Stories from Death Records
This five-session online seminar provides a detailed overview of death records through this lens of uncovering stories. We’ll discuss civil death records and substitutes; last wills and testaments; funeral, burial, and cemetery records; and more.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: For Those Who Served: Military Research From Colonial Conflicts to World War II
In this five-session online seminar, you will learn the tools, tips, and strategies to research veteran ancestors who served in colonial conflicts, the American Revolution, War of 1812, American Civil War, World War I, and World War II.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Researching in New England Town Records: 17th through 19th Centuries
In this five-session online seminar we’ll explore these important resources for New England researching in the 17th through 19th centuries and demonstrate how you can get the most out of these records for your family history.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Discover Your Revolutionary Roots: Researching Patriot Ancestors
Did your ancestors fight to win America’s independence? Join us for an engaging lecture that unlocks the tools, records, and strategies needed to trace soldiers of the colonists' cause.
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On Demand: Writing History: Rick Atkinson Talks with Ryan J. Woods about American History and The Revolution Trilogy
As we mark the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, the celebrated historian Rick Atkinson will explore the people, passions, and battles that ignited and sustained the war. In conversation with Ryan J. Woods, President and CEO of American Ancestors, he will also share insights on the process of researching and writing histories, including The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780, the latest book in his Revolution Trilogy.
In Conversation with Ryan J. Woods
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American Inspiration Author Series
On Demand: Origins and Migrations: Where Did They Come From, Where Did They Go?
Our ancestors moved near and far seeking economic opportunities, religious freedoms, and closeness to family. These mobile ancestors, however, are notoriously difficult to research. We might have an ancestor in our sights and then—poof!—they’re gone; or we may have an ancestor for whom we have no idea of where they came from. In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will offer several strategies for discovering ancestral origins and future movements.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Getting Organized: Research, Files, Findings
Taking the time to organize your research, results, and files as you go will give you more time for productive research. This online seminar will provide you with several tips, tools, and best practices for organizing your research and results at every step of your family history journey.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: All My Worldly Goods: English Royal Weddings
Going back as early as the wedding of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152 and up to the rebirth of pageantry with the 2011 ceremony of Prince William and Kate Middleton, this lecture will feature a slice of English history with lots of glamour and great stories!
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Art & Architecture
On Demand: Broadcast History and "Desi Arnaz: The Man Who Invented Television" by Todd S. Purdum
Join us on a journey into entertainment history with Desi Arnaz’s biographer Todd Purdum and two experts on the evolution of television programming. Learn more about the visionary, trailblazing Cuban American who brought laughter to millions as Lucille Ball’s beloved husband on I Love Lucy and left a legacy that influences American culture to this day.
Available for purchase until:
American Inspiration Author Series
On Demand: Leveraging Tech Tools in Family History Research
Technology has revolutionized family history research—allowing us to access billions of records from the comfort of our homes and to store and organize countless files digitally. Watch lectures and step-by-step demonstrations to help you take advantage of our recommended websites and tools!
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Researching Women in the American Revolution
Men were certainly not the only ones affected by—or involved in—the American Revolution. Women boycotted British goods, produced home-spun cloth and supplies for soldiers, and some even took to the battlefield. This presentation will look at women’s role in the fight for American Independence and how to research your female ancestors during this period.
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On Demand: "Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour" with Mark Haddon
From the acclaimed author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time comes a brilliantly written, darkly funny, lavishly illustrated memoir exploring the complexities of family life and art. The award-winning author Claire Messud joins Mark Haddon for a discussion of Leaving Home and memoir writing.
Available for purchase until:
American Inspiration Author Series
On Demand: Finding Irish Ancestors: A Guide to Civil and Church Records
In this five-session course, you will learn how to move past brick walls and discover new generations of Irish ancestors.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Finding the Elusive Maiden Name
Learning about your female ancestors and their families is dependent on knowing her maiden name. Unfortunately, all too often we find women listed by their married names only or that their maiden name is simply not recorded. In this online lecture, learn what records are most likely to provide this information and gain important strategies for finding that elusive maiden name.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
On Demand: Classical Architecture & Decorative Arts in British Houses, Part I
In this first of a two-part webinar Curt DiCamillo will take us on a grand tour of Britain’s most glorious classical style houses and their luscious interiors.
With Curt DiCamillo
Art & Architecture