Catalog of Lectures

Finding information about your New York ancestors can be tricky. That challenge is in part due to the fact that statewide registration of vital records did not start until 1880. There are, however, bright spots in New York research, such as the state census. In this webinar we will discuss how the State and Federal Censuses (1850-1880) can help you fill in the gaps in your New York ancestry.

Land, Court, and Probate records contain key information that can connect generations, confirm family groups, provide vital data, and build the stories of your ancestors. This online seminar demonstrates how to get the most out of these important resources. This three-session seminar focuses on New England resources from the 17th century to present day, but many of the strategies and methods discussed can be applied to other regions of the country. 

Whether your ancestors lived in New England in the 17th century or the 21st century, this presentation will give you the basic information to begin—and advance—your research into New England records. In preparation for the release of the Sixth Edition of Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research, this presentation will give you the basic historical context, general organization of records, go-to resources, and unique strategies that will give you a good foundation to succeed in tracing your New England ancestors. NOTE: New England includes the present-day states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

This lecture provides a brief introduction to the seeds of forces pushing the Scots-Irish out of Ireland.  It begins with 17th century Ireland: revolt, confiscation, and plantation. Next, the 18th and 19th century forces are covered:  penal Laws, Test Act, and rebellion.  Throughout the lecture, sources of information are covered.  

The Huguenots were French Protestants persecuted by a staunchly Catholic government. Thousands fled France in the 16th and 17th centuries seeking refuge across Europe, Africa, and North America including areas of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina. Join us to learn more about these religious refugees, where they came from and where they settled in America, and how to research them using several published resources.

This lecture covers major waves of emigration beginning in the 17th century.  Topics include why the Irish left and what regions of Ireland they came from, and where they settled.  

Was your ancestor a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Columbus, or a member of another fraternal organization? In this webinar, we will teach you how to identify different fraternal organizations, provide valuable tools for locating a lodge and its records, and discuss how these records can enrich your family history research.

 Learn about the various colonial wars that 17th and 18th New Englanders participated in.  We will discuss published and manuscript resources, and how to "Adopt the Regiment" to learn more about your ancestor through associated records.  

For many living in New England during the 17th through 19th centuries, their livelihood and even survival was inextricably linked to the sea. In this webinar we will provide a brief history of mariners in New England, discuss major ports and sources of industry, highlight key records, and demonstrate how to reconstruct your ancestor’s life on the sea and along the shore.

The first Scandinavians arrived in North America nearly 1,000 years ago on Viking ships. Today, an estimated 11 million Americans have Scandinavian ancestry. This webinar will provide an introduction to essential records, repositories, and strategies for exploring your Scandinavian roots, focusing on Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. You’ll learn how to address challenges in Scandinavian research including language barriers, common names, patronymic surnames, name changes, and more. We will also discuss the historical context that transformed the region and influenced the lives of your ancestors.