Welcome!
Thank you for registering for the online course, Researching Colonial War Ancestors in New England!
In the 17th and 18th centuries, conflicts between European superpowers often played out in their fledgling North American colonies. The seizure of land from and hostilities with Indigenous Peoples often turned violent. Many of our colonist ancestors in New England participated in these bloody wars. This three-part online course will provide you with the historical context of these conflicts, point you to essential published resources and original documents, and demonstrate strategies for proving your descent from a colonial war veteran. NOTE: This course will not cover the American Revolution.
This course includes four 90-minute classes; exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation; and in-depth q&a sessions with the instructor.
COURSE SCHEDULE
You will have access to all the material on this page from the time you register until November 30, 2021. Return to this page often for additional resources!
| Course Activity | Dates of Access | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Class #1 | ||
| Class #1: Online presentation (live!) | 8/11/2021, 6:00 pm EDT | Class 1: A Brief History of Colonial Wars in New England Presented by: David Allen Lambert, dalambert@nehgs.org This first class will discuss how to determine if your ancestor fought, review a veritable timeline of colonial wars in New England, Atlantic Canada, and Quebec during the 17th and 18th centuries, and provide the historical context for these conflicts. |
| Video of Class #1 | 8/12/2021 | Watch the first class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #2 | ||
| Class #2: Online presentation (live!) | 8/18/2021, 6:00 pm EDT |
Class 2: Published Sources and Records of Service Our colonial war ancestors may appear in a variety of sources: militia rolls, payment for services, town records, and manuscript materials such as account books and correspondence. Luckily, many of these materials have been transcribed and published or are available online. This class will point you to both original and published records and provide useful tips for evaluating other published materials you may encounter. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #2 | 8/19/2021 | Watch the second class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
| Class #3 | ||
| Class #3: Online presentation (live!) | 8/25/2021, 6:00 pm EDT |
Class 3: 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. Note: To attend, return to your confirmation email received at the time of registration with a link to the live event. If you are unable to attend the live event a recording will be posted to this page, the following day (see below). |
| Video of Class #3 | 8/26/2021 | Watch the third class presentation. Available exclusively to course participants. |
COURSE HANDOUTS
Class 1 Handout
Class 1 Slides Worksheet
Class 1 Slides (large)
Class 1 Maps
Class 2 Handout
Class 2 Slides Worksheet
Class 2 Slides (large)
Class 3 Handout
Class 3 Slides Worksheet
Class 3 Slides (large)
RECORDED PRESENTATIONS
Class 1: A Brief History of Colonial Wars in New England
Presented by: David Allen Lambert
Running Time: 1:41:02
Live Broadcast: August 11, 2021
Class 2: Published Sources and Records of Service
Presented by: David Allen Lambert
Running Time: 1:36:13
Live Broadcast: August 18, 2021
Class 3: Verifying Descent and Applying to Lineage Societies
Presented by: Katrina Fahy
Running Time: 1:48:13
Live Broadcast: August 25, 2021
INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Katrina Fahy, Genealogist a native of Dedham, Massachusetts, earned a B.A. in History and Art History from St. Anselm College. Previously, she interned at the New Hampshire Historical Society, constructing biographies of New Hampshire quilt makers as well as transcribing a mid-nineteenth century New Hampshire diary and creating an educational program based on its contents. Katrina's research areas include New England and South East regions, the American Revolution, and lineage society research.
David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993 and is the organization’s Chief Genealogist. David is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. His genealogical expertise includes New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England. Lambert has published many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, The Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestorsmagazine. He has also published A Guide to Massachusetts Cemeteries (American Ancestors, 2019). David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati. He is also the tribal genealogist for the Massachuset-Punkapoag Indians of Massachusetts.
OTHER RESOURCES
Qualification Outline Template (.docx)
Sample Proof Argument
New England Town Guides
Subject Guide: 17th-Century New England Research
Archived Webinars (many New England topics)