
What information you'll want to gather before continuing on in the course. *NOTE* I forgot to mention in the video, but another piece of information you'll want to gather (if it's available) is your parents' and your grandparents' marriage information (as well as yours, if you're married). Gather dates and places of marriage whenever possible. If you can make a copy of their marriage certificate, even better!
Submit temple ordinances for ancestors via family search, after adding membership number and confirming birthplace and birth year; obtain permission for relatives within 110 years and share with the temple.
Learn how to create an Ancestry account, explore key features like search, hints, Ancestry Academy, DNA, and tree handling, and discover access options through libraries and Family History Centers.
Discover MyHeritage as a genealogical database with free LDS access via family search partners; build a family tree, search records, and compare with Ancestry and FamilySearch.
Explore the American ancestors database from the New England Historic Genealogical Society, focusing on Pilgrim and Mayflower lineages, with search across multiple databases, records, and webinars.
Explore FindMyPast, a free option for FamilySearch members, focused on British and Irish records, with transcripts versus actual records, and try its 14-day free trial.
Explore Fold3, a military records database by ancestry, with a seven-day free trial and premium options to locate Revolutionary War, Civil War, and pension records for ancestors.
Learn how to use the Geni genealogy site to find names and connections, while avoiding inaccuracies and subscriptions by using Google searches to access profiles and supplement research with Ancestry.
Explore how to use the National Archives for genealogical resources, including free access, archives search, 1940 and 1950 census access, downloadable books, and citation details to prove lineage.
Use Google and Wikipedia for family history research, linking to archives when databases fail, and search precisely by names, dates, or parental details, while noting Wikipedia's accuracy varies.
Learn how local libraries and genealogical societies help you access offline records, plan in-person research trips, and navigate state and local resources for Connecticut and beyond.
Discover how to use cemetery websites such as Find a Grave and Billion Graves to locate graves, map locations, and extract birth, death, and spouse information for genealogical research.
Preserve and gather family memories through interviews and oral histories. Learn to record audio or video, transcribe, and add personal histories to your family tree.
Discover random acts of genealogical kindness by using the raogk volunteer directory to connect with people who research records, visit libraries, or photograph tombstones for free or with reimbursable costs.
Explore how to read state and federal census records to uncover names, relationships, birthplaces, occupations, education, and home details across decades, including Indian and 1940 census nuances.
Explore how military records reveal service details, ranks, units, and pensions, and learn to read muster rolls, index cards, and pension applications for genealogy.
Learn to search Native American records to verify ancestors, using card catalogs, the Dawes Rolls, and Indian census rolls, while verifying English names and tribal affiliations.
Explore how old newspaper articles reveal family history, including names, dates, places, and stories, with tips on interpreting dramatic headlines and noting potential inaccuracies.
Discover lineage societies, from the DAR and G.A.R. to Charlemagne and colonial lineages, and learn how to prove your ancestry with records to qualify for membership and service.
Explore the Daughters of the American Revolution as a major lineage society for descendants of American Revolution patriots, with emphasis on eligibility, historic preservation, education, archives, and scholarships.
Learn how the General Society of Mayflower Descendants recognizes direct descendants, including non-signers of the Mayflower Compact, and how to begin with a preliminary review and documentation.
Explore the associate of daughters of early american witches, a lineage society for direct descendants of those accused in witchcraft trials across colonial america. Learn eligibility and how to join.
Discover the Colonial Dames of America, a women-only lineage society honoring ancestors who served patriotically and held public office or military roles.
Explore civil war lineage societies, notably the daughters of Union veterans of the Civil War and the daughters of the Confederacy, with the Mayflower Society as the exception.
Explore the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, a lineage group for women descended from War of 1812 patriots, with an ancestor database, museum and memorial library, and chapters.
Explore the flagon and trencher lineage society for descendants of colonial tavern keepers, noting eligibility, proof of lineage, and the society’s historic tavern roles and meetings.
Explore the order of the crown of Charlemagne, a high-profile lineage society for descendants of Charlemagne, and learn how to document lineage and identify gateway ancestors.
Document each generation to prove lineage society eligibility by gathering birth, marriage, and death certificates for you, your parents, and grandparents, using census records or genealogies when certificates are unavailable.
Learn how to export your genealogy tree as a GEDCOM file from Tribal Pages and Ancestry, back up your data, and import it to another site.
Explore genealogy volunteer opportunities, from indexing and transcribing records and photos to helping archives and libraries, available from home or in person, to help others uncover their family history.
Did you know that genealogy was ranked as the #2 hobby enjoyed most by Americans, right behind gardening? Over 40% of participants surveyed said they participate in family history research on a regular basis! Have you ever been curious about your roots?
This course, created by a college professor of family history research, is a comprehensive guide to creating your family tree and finding your ancestors using genealogical databases (such as Ancestry, Family Search, and American Ancestors), as well as gathering important family documents and records through offline research. We will cover the different genealogical databases that are out there and how to use them, how to create a family tree, how to submit names to the temple for ordinances if you're LDS, how to locate and use important records containing family information, how to find famous ancestors (such as European royalty, Mayflower passengers, American Revolution ancestors, religious figures, or celebrities), how to join lineage societies (such as the DAR or Mayflower Society), how to use DNA kits to guide your research, how to preserve your own family history documents, and how to write and publish your family history, among other topics. Helpful step-by-step video tutorials will show you the ropes and have you finding your ancestors in no time!
You may feel hesitant, but I can assure you that anyone can learn how to do genealogy. The only pre-requisite skills are knowing how to use a computer and the internet. I went from having only three names on my family tree to nearly 1,200 in just 30 days. With the tools and techniques in this course, you can do the same! THIS IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GENEALOGY COURSE AVAILABLE ON UDEMY.
It helps to have subscription to Ancestry prior to beginning this course. While you won't need it to complete the course, I've found this site the most helpful in finding records and gathering information, which you'll no doubt want to do after you complete the course.
By the end of this course, you will be able to effectively utilize several different research methods and databases, as well as create a family tree and understand more of your cultural and ethnic heritage. Join me on this journey to family discovery!