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Historical Records

Watch webinars that focus on specific record categories including adoption, vital records, cemetery records, census records, city directories, immigration records, newspapers and more for locations around the world.

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1:23:24
Where They Once Stood: Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Place of Origin
Often family researchers know only the country from which their ancestor emigrated. This presentation offers examples of American records that can answer the question, “But, exactly where were they from?” Finding an ancestor’s specific place of origin in the old country can open doors to foreign records that can add generations to your family tree, and bring greater appreciation of your heritage. You may even be able to stand where they once stood.
Often family researchers know only the country from which their ancestor emigrated. This presentation offers examples of American records that can answer the question, “But, exactly where were they from?” Finding an ancestor’s specific place of origin in the old country can open doors to foreign records that can add generations to your family tree, and bring greater appreciation of your heritage. You may even be able to stand where they once stood.
Wed, January 14 2026: 19:00 UTC
1:14:25
544 views
CC
The U.S. Naturalization Process 1790-1954
Naturalization records can contain a wealth of information about an immigrant, his origin, and much more. U.S. Naturalization – 1790-1954 discusses the naturalization process, the documents, and changes in naturalization laws over time. It encourages the use of census records, ships’ passenger lists, and other documents in tandem with naturalization documents to expand your knowledge of your immigrant ancestor – and possibly also of the family. This webinar was first released 5 May 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Naturalization records can contain a wealth of information about an immigrant, his origin, and much more. U.S. Naturalization – 1790-1954 discusses the naturalization process, the documents, and changes in naturalization laws over time. It encourages the use of census records, ships’ passenger lists, and other documents in tandem with naturalization documents to expand your knowledge of your immigrant ancestor – and possibly also of the family. This webinar was first released 5 May 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Thu, October 23 2025: 12:00 UTC
1:15:47
Unlocking Notation Codes on Alien Passenger Lists
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Wed, July 23 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:22:02
1.4K views
CC
Off the Boat: Tracing Your Ancestor back to the Old Country
Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!
Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!
Wed, March 19 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:28:41
1.6K views
CC
Researching the Great Migration of New England 1620-1640
This lecture details the resources available for researching your New England ancestors who arrived during the Great Migration from England from 1620-1640. Discussion of the scholarship and resources both published and online created by the Great Migration Study Project will be covered.
This lecture details the resources available for researching your New England ancestors who arrived during the Great Migration from England from 1620-1640. Discussion of the scholarship and resources both published and online created by the Great Migration Study Project will be covered.
Wed, January 29 2025: 19:00 UTC
1:12:13
1.3K views
CC
Free
Using MyHeritage DNA to Determine Immigrant Origins
This class will briefly explain the different types of DNA (autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA) and provide helpful tips for analyzing your DNA matches to identify your strongest matches to help you go back to your immigrant ancestor. A few examples of using this approach will be shown through mini case studies.
This class will briefly explain the different types of DNA (autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA) and provide helpful tips for analyzing your DNA matches to identify your strongest matches to help you go back to your immigrant ancestor. A few examples of using this approach will be shown through mini case studies.
Tue, August 13 2024: 18:00 UTC
56:39
1.4K views
CC
Scottish Emigration to North America: Before, During and After the Rebellions
We will examine the migration patterns from Scotland to the US and Canada, looking at the push and pull factors, relevant to individual migration time periods. References and guidance will be provided for multiple waves from 17th Century to the present.
We will examine the migration patterns from Scotland to the US and Canada, looking at the push and pull factors, relevant to individual migration time periods. References and guidance will be provided for multiple waves from 17th Century to the present.
Thu, November 9 2023: 1:00 UTC
50:47
1.4K views
CC
Liverpool: The Central Hub for Northern Europe’s 19th and 20th Century Emigration
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Thu, April 13 2023: 23:00 UTC
1:30:16
1.3K views
CC
The Migration of European Ancestors: Their Experiences and the Records, 1820-1920
Many factors pushed or pulled our European immigrant ancestors to come to the New World. Follow in the footsteps of those who arrived between 1820 and 1920. What did our ancestors experience when they decided to leave their homes and communities to sail to America? What was the voyage like? How did they settle into their new homes? Then discover essential and unusual resources for migration research for all US and Canadian ports in this presentation.
Many factors pushed or pulled our European immigrant ancestors to come to the New World. Follow in the footsteps of those who arrived between 1820 and 1920. What did our ancestors experience when they decided to leave their homes and communities to sail to America? What was the voyage like? How did they settle into their new homes? Then discover essential and unusual resources for migration research for all US and Canadian ports in this presentation.
Thu, November 10 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:33:55
Essential Immigration Records for Researching Your Mexican Ancestors
Did your Mexican ancestors immigrate to the United States in the 20th century? This period of history witnessed significant waves of Mexican immigration to the U.S., both permanent and temporary. The types of immigration records introduced or refined during this era, provide a wealth of information.
Did your Mexican ancestors immigrate to the United States in the 20th century? This period of history witnessed significant waves of Mexican immigration to the U.S., both permanent and temporary. The types of immigration records introduced or refined during this era, provide a wealth of information.
Fri, September 16 2022: 18:00 UTC
59:54
Seven Immigration Methodologies, with Case Studies Across the Centuries (a 2021 Reisinger Lecture)
Family historians face significant challenges tracing immigrant ancestors. Changes in language, culture, family composition, given name, surname, country of residence, and occupation tend to obscure the origins of many immigrants. This presentation introduces seven methodologies to effectively trace immigrant origins, illustrated with examples from the early 1600s to the early…
Family historians face significant challenges tracing immigrant ancestors. Changes in language, culture, family composition, given name, surname, country of residence, and occupation tend to obscure the origins of many immigrants. This presentation introduces seven methodologies to effectively trace immigrant origins, illustrated with examples from the early 1600s to the early…
Fri, October 8 2021: 16:15 UTC
1:11:04
575 views
CC
Angel Island’s Immigrants from 80 Countries: Stories from the West Coast Counterpart to Ellis Island
While people who have heard about Angel Island might know about the Chinese poetry carved on its walls, what is less known is that over half a million immigrants from eighty countries were processed by officials on the island, and genealogical resources are still available to researchers. There were generally…
While people who have heard about Angel Island might know about the Chinese poetry carved on its walls, what is less known is that over half a million immigrants from eighty countries were processed by officials on the island, and genealogical resources are still available to researchers. There were generally…
Wed, June 23 2021: 18:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (171)
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Beyond the First Clue: Unraveling a Genealogical Mystery with the GPS
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard uncovers Delany DeVine’s true birthplace, challenging initial evidence and showcasing reasonably exhaustive research, analysis, correlation, and resolution of conflicting evidence.
Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard uncovers Delany DeVine’s true birthplace, challenging initial evidence and showcasing reasonably exhaustive research, analysis, correlation, and resolution of conflicting evidence.
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Advanced Topics in DNA 1 of 5: Advanced Y-DNA Evidence
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Y-DNA evidence is incredibly powerful. Learn the ins and outs, pros and cons, of advanced Y-DNA testing (the FTDNA Big Y700 test) and how to utilize Y-STR and Y-SNP test results for genealogical evidence.
Y-DNA evidence is incredibly powerful. Learn the ins and outs, pros and cons, of advanced Y-DNA testing (the FTDNA Big Y700 test) and how to utilize Y-STR and Y-SNP test results for genealogical evidence.
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Foundations in AI for Family History 2 of 5: Prompt Power—Getting Better Answers from AI
Thu, January 22 2026: 1:00 UTC
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Thu, January 22 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
Sorting DNA Matches with MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Make Easy Video Stories Your Family Will Cherish
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Foundations in AI for Family History 3 of 5: Using AI Responsibly: Principles and Ethics
Thu, January 29 2026: 1:00 UTC
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Thu, January 29 2026: 1:00 UTC