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Catalog of Lectures

Lecture
Basics of Genealogy

Tips for Interviewing Relatives

The oral tradition of a family is perhaps just as important as the evidence you find in document-based research. Even if you learn that not all of the details are 100% accurate, these stories provide important clues to begin—or continue—your research, give life to names and dates on a page, and may provide information not found in records. But how do you start the conversation, stay on track, and record the information provided? This webinar will offer some valuable tips and techniques for interviewing relatives—and suggest strategies for encouraging family to talk!

Lecture
US - New England
Records and Research

Top 10 Published Resources for Early New England Research

As a group, 17th-century New Englanders are one of the most studied groups on the planet. There is a multitude of reliable published resources available for family historians including finding aids, genealogical dictionaries, authoritative study projects, scholarly journals, and more. Learn about the resources that made our Top 10 list and why you may not need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to early New England research.

Lecture
Basics of Genealogy
Organization and Writing
Technology and Resources

Using DNA in Family History Research

This lecture introduces participants to the value and use of DNA in family history research. Basic DNA principles, types of tests, testing companies and key terminology will be introduced. Discussion includes interpreting your results and evaluating the matches found by the testing company. Organizing your results will also be covered. 

Lecture
British Isles
Immigration
Technology and Resources

Using DNA to Determine Irish Origins

This lecture covers the basics of using DNA in Irish research. DNA testing companies and types of DNA are covered. Next, the process of creating ethnicity estimates is covered.  What to do with your list of matches is next followed by a case study using DNA. 

Lecture
US - New England
Records and Research

Beyond the Vitals: Using New England Town Records

Town records from New England can contain a wealth of genealogical information. These records can contain records of births, marriages, burials, mortgages, name changes, and more that can help you fill in the details of your ancestor's life. This webinar delves into this important resource for New England and demonstrates how you may get the most out of these records for your own family history. 

Lecture
Records and Research

Verifying Descent and Applying to Lineage Societies

Whether you want to apply to a lineage society (such as the General Society of Colonial Wars, the Colonial Dames of America, Order of Founders and Patriots of America, etc.) or simply want to prove your descent from a colonial war veteran, this final class will provide you with key strategies, resources, and alternative records for verifying—and documenting—your colonial connection. 

Lecture
US - Migrations
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century

Westward Migration, 1783-1900

The 19th and 20th centuries in America are a period of mass migration across the country. This class will discuss the push-pull factors that defined this era, the opening of the West, how advances in transportation aided our ancestor’s migration, and how federal policies encouraged the expansion of settlement. 

Lecture
US - Midwestern States
US - New England
US - Southern States
16th Century
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
Records and Research

Researching Enslaver's Records to Find Your Enslaved Family

This class will include the different types of record sets that enslavers may name enslaved persons (including probate records, land deeds, court records, and more). A brief case study will be discussed.
 

Lecture
20th Century

Muster Up! Researching WWI and WWII Veterans

A discussion of the different record sets for WWI and WWII will be discussed including draft registration cards, enlistment records, official military personnel files, muster rolls, and more. There will also be a discussion on alternative records to be used for Army and Air Force records destroyed in the 1973 fire.
 

Lecture
Records and Research

Using and Understanding Civil Death Records

This lecture will cover civil death records—what information they include, how to find them, and how to follow clues to ancestral stories. Our genealogist will also discuss how to interpret and evaluate the information provided by considering the informant listed, cause of death, and more.