17th-Century English Research
Join us for a special five-week course with Genealogist Else Churchill of the Society of Genealogists—the premiere and largest genealogical society in the UK—and explore English roots prior to 1700. Else will provide practical research strategies, an overview of essential and lesser-known resources, and illustrative case studies to take your research to the next level.
This course includes five 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth Q&A sessions with the instructor.
Else Churchill is Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists, London—the premiere and largest genealogical society in the United Kingdom. She has more than 30 years' experience as a professional genealogical librarian and researcher. Formerly the Librarian of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, Else now leads the SOG’s education and publishing program as well as being the Society’s subject specialist. She has appeared on both the UK and American television show, Who Do You Think You Are? She has written many articles for the British genealogical press, national media, and of course the Society’s own Genealogists Magazine. Else composed the modules on advanced genealogy techniques and sources for the BBC History Family History website and has acted as a genealogical consultant for the BBC’s web based genealogical inquiries and newsgroup. She lectures regularly for the Society of Genealogists, the National Archives, and for local groups around the UK, Canada, New Zealand, and the US. Her main interests lie in the 17th century and sources for people who lived through the English Civil Wars.
ITINERARY
June 3 - Class 1: Hopping the Pond: Some Ideas and Sources for Americans Researching Their British Ancestors Before 1700
This first session will provide an overview of the chronology and key factors that led to British migration to the Americas and some resources and techniques for answering the common questions: where did they come from? where did they go? what research has already been done? We will also discuss important repositories and archives in the UK that can help in your research.
June 10 - Class 2: Researching Before 1700
This talk will look at go-to 17th-century sources including parish registers and records as well as those pertaining to tax and religion, i.e., Protestant nonconformity and recusancy, immigration, tax lists, and loyalty oaths. The class will use case studies and examples from sources to illustrate what might be found.
June 17 - Class 3: Sin, Sex, & Probate
Often described as the "bawdy courts" or "court of scolds" ecclesiastical court records illustrate the moral and religious constraints that governed communities in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. Such records also contain wills and marriage licenses. This talk will explore what information—and colorful stories—these records may provide on your ancestors.
June 24 - Class 4: 17th-Century Towns and Cities
Town and city records are an important source of information for English ancestors in the 17th-century. This lecture will look at London guilds and livery companies, provincial “outwith” guilds, local borough records, mayor or corporation courts, and freemen records.
July 1 - June Class 5: 17th Century Problems
This final session will look at other possible sources—and strategies—that might help extend research back in England. We will discuss the "Commonwealth Gap", state papers, civil war and other petitions, as well as future research possibilities.
