Each week receive access to recorded course materials and a live Q&A session with the instructors.
Live Q&A sessions: February 5, 12, 19, 26, & March 5. Instructional videos and recorded demonstrations will be made available the Friday prior to the live Q&A session.
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. But with cutting edge tools and resources emerging all the time, it can be difficult to know where to start or how to keep up!
Each week during this online seminar you will receive access to recorded lectures and step-by-step video demonstrations to help you understand how to take advantage of our recommended websites and tools. You can view these materials in your own time and at your own pace during the week so that you can digest the material and formulate your questions. Then, log on to our weekly, live Q&A session with the instructors—you can use this time to ask follow up questions, request further demonstrations, and more.
Section 1: Organizing Digital Files with Rhonda R. McClure
Live Q&A with Instructor on February 5, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Throughout your research, you will accumulate a myriad of digital files—email, scans, downloads from the internet, digital photos, and more. In this first section of the seminar, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will discuss various systems on how to organize your electronic files and demonstrate how they can work in tandem with your physical files.
Running time: 20:19
Running time: 22:54
Running time: 38:52
Running time: 12:42
Section 1, Module 1 Slides (Large)
Section 1, Module 1 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 1, Module 2 Slides (Large)
Section 1, Module 2 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 1, Module 3 Slides (Large)
Section 1, Module 3 Slides (Worksheet)
Research Inventory Template - Mentioned by Rhonda During the Q&A
Research Log Word Template - Created and Shared by Course Participant Paul W.—thank you, Paul!
Original broadcast: February 5, 2026, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Running time: 1:01:43
Section 2: Best Practices for Digitizing Family Papers and Photographs with June Henry
Instructional Materials and Demos Available on February 6
Live Q&A with Instructor on February 12, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Digitizing your family history papers and photographs is an incredibly worthwhile project—but if you have bins of your family’s photographs, scrapbooks, and other heirlooms, this project may seem insurmountable. In this session, Archivist June Henry will demonstrate best practices to plan, scan, and manage your digitization project at home.
Running time: 29:04
Running time: 22:52
Running time: 20:20
Section 3: Using AI in Family History Research with Melanie McComb
Instructional Materials and Demos Available on February 13
Live Q&A with Instructor on February 19, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
In this session, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will discuss exciting possibilities for using AI to support your research—including assistance with transcription, translations, and more. She will also address aspects of AI that genealogists should be cautious of, such as accuracy and copyright concerns.
Running time: 7:41
Running time: 31:30
Running time: 21:46
Running time: 10:05
Running time: 10:25
Running time: 8:50
Running time: 11:46
Section 3, Module 1 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 1 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 3, Module 2 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 2 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 3, Module 4 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 4 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 3, Module 5 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 5 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 3, Module 6 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 6 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 3, Module 7 Slides (Large)
Section 3, Module 7 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4: DNA Tools with Melanie McComb
Instructional Materials and Demos Available on February 20
Live Q&A with Instructor on February 26, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
There are several online tools that can help you manage your DNA results and increase your potential matches. Learn how to utilize tools on the various DNA platforms (Ancestry, FamilyTree DNA, MyHeritage, 23andMe), GEDmatch, DNA Painter, AncesTrees, and more in your research!
Running time: 20:15
Running time: 19:16
Running time: 11:17
Running time: 7:48
To come.
Running time: 7:08
Running time: 5:59
Running time: 5:22
Section 4 Handout
Section 4, Module 1 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 1 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 2 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 2 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 3 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 3 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 4 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 4 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 5 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 5 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 6 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 6 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 7 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 7 Slides (Worksheet)
Section 4, Module 8 Slides (Large)
Section 4, Module 8 Slides (Worksheet)
February 26, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Link to join Live Q&A: https://zoom.us/j/99861262620
Section 5: Making the Most of Google for Family History Research with Rhonda R. McClure
Instructional Materials and Demos Available on February 27
Live Q&A with Instructor on March 5, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
You may think finding family history information on google is as simple as, well, “just googling it”! However, you’ll be surprised to learn how many little-known features and search tips there are that can help you return the results you need to break down your brick walls.
To come.
Recording to come.
