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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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!

Whether you are just starting your research or wrapping up years of genealogical investigation, you’re probably thinking about how to share your findings with family, the greater genealogical community, and generations to come. Consider writing a book! This lecture will give a brief overview of the key steps to writing and publishing your family history.

As in much of genealogy, you must rely on multiple records and strategies to piece together your ancestor’s life. This is especially true for tracing ancestors on the move. This  class will provide some essential strategies and research tools to understand your ancestor’s movements, providing several practical examples and case studies along the way. 

Breaking through the 1870 brick wall to discover more about ancestors prior to the end of slavery can prove challenging. Changing surnames, families ripped apart, and identifying the former enslaver are just a few roadblocks when researching enslaved families. This session will dive deep into creating a research strategy and organizing the records uncovered. We will also provide tips for making sense of all the information unearthed in the search and constructing a proof argument when records are limited. Best suited for those with intermediate-advanced genealogical skills.