Brue Family Learning Center
Brue Family Learning Center
The Brue Family Learning Center
A Center for Excellence in Family History Programming
The Brue Family Learning Center is dedicated to introducing family and local history to national and international audiences. Founded by Nord and Suzanne Brue, the Center supports the creation of programming aimed at helping anyone start or advance their family history journey.
Located on Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay, American Ancestors, founded as the New England Historic Genealogical Society, is the nation’s oldest and largest genealogical society. The Brue Family Learning Center is part of a capital expansion project to introduce family and local history to wider audiences.
Philanthropic leadership from the Brue Family also supports the creation of unique program content for American Ancestors' online education offerings.
I felt like I had hit a wall in my research and your class showed me the door to continue. Thank you so much! I appreciate it more than words can express.
Founders Suzanne and Nordahl Brue
In 2019, Bruegger’s Bagels co-founder Nordahl Brue and his wife Suzanne Brue gave $1.5 million to American Ancestors to endow a family history learning center to help anyone learn more about their ancestry.
The Brue Family Learning Center produces hundreds of family history programs each year, which reach many thousands of people around the world.
Upcoming Lectures
Lecture
Online
Free
Best Published Resources for German Research in America
German immigrants first arrived to American shores in large numbers in the late 17th century, and today nearly 45 million Americans have German heritage. Join Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure as she shares her go-to published resources for German family history research in America.
June 12, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Free
Tour of the Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors
The Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors serves as a center for research, learning, and discovery, where history comes to life through archival collections and expert guidance. Learn more about the collections, services, and other library offerings during a brief tour.
June 14, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Free
Roots & Branches: A Research Club for American Ancestors Members
Share your genealogical finds, hot tips, and research stories while gaining new avenues of research and encouragement from fellow family historians and members of American Ancestors. Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will be on hand to answer questions and lend support during the discussion.
June 21, 2025 and July 26, 2025 and August 23, 2025
Lecture
Online
Free
On the Ground: Top Repositories for Researching Upstate New York
Finding information about New York ancestors can be tricky. In this online lecture, Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert will discuss go-to repositories for research in the Empire State—including the New York State Library and Archives, the New York Public Library, and more.
July 10, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Free
Tour of the Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors
The Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors serves as a center for research, learning, and discovery, where history comes to life through archival collections and expert guidance. Learn more about the collections, services, and other library offerings during a brief tour.
July 12, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Paid
Getting Started in Family History Research
Anyone can do family history research! In this one hour lecture, you will learn about key resources, strategies, and first steps to discovering and recording your family history. We will also demonstrate how to use important organizational tools, such as the multi-generational chart, family group sheet, and research log. And you will learn how to create a solid research plan.
July 26, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Paid
Getting Started in Family History Research
Anyone can do family history research! In this one hour lecture, you will learn about key resources, strategies, and first steps to discovering and recording your family history. We will also demonstrate how to use important organizational tools, such as the multi-generational chart, family group sheet, and research log. And you will learn how to create a solid research plan.
August 23, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Free
Tour of the Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors
The Brim-DeForest Library at American Ancestors serves as a center for research, learning, and discovery, where history comes to life through archival collections and expert guidance. Learn more about the collections, services, and other library offerings during a brief tour.
September 13, 2025
Lecture
In Person
Paid
Getting Started in Family History Research
Anyone can do family history research! In this one hour lecture, you will learn about key resources, strategies, and first steps to discovering and recording your family history. We will also demonstrate how to use important organizational tools, such as the multi-generational chart, family group sheet, and research log. And you will learn how to create a solid research plan.
September 27, 2025
Dates of event
October 28, 2021
Basics of New England Research
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.
Dates of event
October 18, 2019
No Stopping Us Now: The Adventures of Older Women in American History
The New York Times columnist visits Boston to talk about with her new book looking at women and aging in America.