Click here to register for our 2026 webinar series.

Click here to register for our 2026 webinar series.

By
By
Speakers

J. Mark Lowe, FUGA

BCG Bonus webinars Historical Records Court Records, Land Records, Manuscripts, Maps, Marriage Records, Military Records, Civil War Probate Records Methodology and Skills Board for Certification of Genealogists, Brick Walls, Friends, Associates, Neighbors (FANs), Migration Patterns, Planning, Timelines Miscellaneous Places and Ethnicities African American, United States Frankland/Franklin, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Webtember

J. Mark Lowe is a professional genealogist, author, and lecturer who specializes in original records and manuscripts throughout the South. Mark lives in Robertson County, Tennessee that lies in northern Middle Tennessee along the Kentucky border.

He serves as the Course Coordinator for ‘Research in the South’ at IGHR (Georgia), SLIG (Utah), and TIGR (Texas), does Webinars for Legacy Family Tree Webinars and has worked on several genealogical television series including Follow Your Past, African American Lives 2, Who Do You Think You Are? and UnXplained Events, and podcasts, including Twice Removed and Blast From My Past.

Mark has published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly (APGQ), National Genealogical Society Quarterly (NGSQ), FGS’ FORUM. The Longhunter (So. Ky. Genealogical Society), Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society Quarterly, North Carolina Genealogical Quarterly, and other society publications. He is a Past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), and Past President of the Southern Kentucky Genealogical Society Mark is a Fellow of the Utah Genealogical Society and was awarded the Graham T. Smallwood award and Lifetime Membership award by the Association of Professional Genealogists.

J.'s Upcoming Live Webinars (1)

Historical RecordsMethodology and SkillsWebtember
Manuscripts and Timelines: Finding Ancestors in Personal Papers
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
Wed, September 30 2026: 15:30 UTC
Register for free
Manuscripts and Timelines: Finding Ancestors in Personal Papers
Wed, September 30 2026: 15:30 UTC
Personal records and manuscripts about families which moved around, along with their neighbors are often elusive, but may hold hidden treasure for the persistent researcher. Discover the people with whom they worked, prayed, fought and married.
Historical RecordsMethodology and SkillsWebtember
Manuscripts and Timelines: Finding Ancestors in Personal Papers
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
Personal records and manuscripts about families which moved around, along with their neighbors are often elusive, but may hold hidden treasure for the persistent researcher. Discover the people with whom they worked, prayed, fought and married.
Wed, September 30 2026: 15:30 UTC
Register for free

J.'s Webinars (29)

1:14:00
Historical RecordsWebtember
Discovering Old Land Surveys in Deeds and Probates
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.1K views
CC
Discovering Old Land Surveys in Deeds and Probates
Early surveys can often resolve issues of burned or unindexed records. Learn how to follow a specific property and the individuals involved, while building a more complete story of that land.
Historical RecordsWebtember
Discovering Old Land Surveys in Deeds and Probates
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.1K views
Early surveys can often resolve issues of burned or unindexed records. Learn how to follow a specific property and the individuals involved, while building a more complete story of that land.
Wed, September 24 2025: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
1:22:05
Methodology and Skills
Locating Grandpa Parker’s Pig Farm
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
546 views
CC
Locating Grandpa Parker’s Pig Farm
Compare and collect the resources that confirm our ancestor’s presence. While adding tax records, non-population schedules, and soil surveys to predict the success while farming or understand the difficulties of adequate production, and how many pigs were really there.
Methodology and Skills
Locating Grandpa Parker’s Pig Farm
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
546 views
Compare and collect the resources that confirm our ancestor’s presence. While adding tax records, non-population schedules, and soil surveys to predict the success while farming or understand the difficulties of adequate production, and how many pigs were really there.
Wed, March 26 2025: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
1:11:42
Historical Records
Finding Uncle John’s Grist Mill, His Neighbors And That Cemetery Using Maps, Records & Stories
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.0K views
CC
Finding Uncle John’s Grist Mill, His Neighbors And That Cemetery Using Maps, Records & Stories
Topographic maps and soil maps should help us identify a community, including neighbors, ferries, mills, cemeteries, historic houses, and many other landmarks. By using a combination of resources, the picture of this community will be more visible and more clearly understood.
Historical Records
Finding Uncle John’s Grist Mill, His Neighbors And That Cemetery Using Maps, Records & Stories
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.0K views
Topographic maps and soil maps should help us identify a community, including neighbors, ferries, mills, cemeteries, historic houses, and many other landmarks. By using a combination of resources, the picture of this community will be more visible and more clearly understood.
Wed, November 6 2024: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
1:15:27
Historical Records
Comparing Plats of Land With Deeds and Grants
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.3K views
CC
Comparing Plats of Land With Deeds and Grants
Land Plats of an ancestor’s land will likely include his surrounding neighbors. With a closer examination, we might gain an understanding of their lives and place them with their community and local events.
Historical Records
Comparing Plats of Land With Deeds and Grants
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.3K views
Land Plats of an ancestor’s land will likely include his surrounding neighbors. With a closer examination, we might gain an understanding of their lives and place them with their community and local events.
Wed, April 17 2024: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
1:09:11
Methodology and Skills
Why We Should Look at In-Laws When Doing Genealogical Research
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.7K views
CC
Why We Should Look at In-Laws When Doing Genealogical Research
Often, when the records of family members can’t be easily found, a review of fictive kin and other connections might bring those missing individuals into view. Let’s look at some cases when broadening our focus might bring the target directly into our view.
Methodology and Skills
Why We Should Look at In-Laws When Doing Genealogical Research
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.7K views
Often, when the records of family members can’t be easily found, a review of fictive kin and other connections might bring those missing individuals into view. Let’s look at some cases when broadening our focus might bring the target directly into our view.
Wed, July 26 2023: 18:00 UTC
Register for free
48:59
Methodology and Skills
Finding the Original Record When the Index is Unclear
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.9K views
CC
Finding the Original Record When the Index is Unclear
Often finding the original record based on a reference or an index will require a concentrated effort and logical thinking skills to find that record. Come along as we review several important records and how we find them using a step-by-step.
Methodology and Skills
Finding the Original Record When the Index is Unclear
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.9K views
Often finding the original record based on a reference or an index will require a concentrated effort and logical thinking skills to find that record. Come along as we review several important records and how we find them using a step-by-step.
Fri, April 14 2023: 19:00 UTC
Register for free
58:19
Methodology and SkillsWebtember
What’s Next When You Are Told Those Records Were “Burnt up”
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.5K views
CC
What’s Next When You Are Told Those Records Were “Burnt up”
Bad news about records can often be overcome with persistence and flexibility. Put on your own Discovery hat and create your treasure maps to lead you to the answers.
Methodology and SkillsWebtember
What’s Next When You Are Told Those Records Were “Burnt up”
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.5K views
Bad news about records can often be overcome with persistence and flexibility. Put on your own Discovery hat and create your treasure maps to lead you to the answers.
Fri, September 9 2022: 15:30 UTC
Register for free
37:31
Historical Records
3 Clues Found in Every Land Record
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
643 views
CC
3 Clues Found in Every Land Record
Land records are often the key to resolving difficult families, where there is movement and migration. Make sure you are listening to the records by reviewing the basic clues in every land transaction.
Historical Records
3 Clues Found in Every Land Record
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
643 views
Land records are often the key to resolving difficult families, where there is movement and migration. Make sure you are listening to the records by reviewing the basic clues in every land transaction.
Sat, April 23 2022: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
Advanced
1:28:21
Historical Records
They Drew A Crooked Line and Formed a Border
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.0K views
CC
They Drew A Crooked Line and Formed a Border
The border between Kentucky and Tennessee created some unusual situations. Learn more about the Walker’s Line controversy, and where to find the land grants & deeds that may lead to your ancestors.
Historical Records
They Drew A Crooked Line and Formed a Border
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.0K views
The border between Kentucky and Tennessee created some unusual situations. Learn more about the Walker’s Line controversy, and where to find the land grants & deeds that may lead to your ancestors.
Thu, January 13 2022: 1:00 UTC
Register for free
52:11
Miscellaneous
Three Letters From Sarah: A Case Study
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
784 views
CC
Three Letters From Sarah: A Case Study
The study of letters, documents, and artifacts often tell the deeper stories of our Ancestors and their neighbors. Finding the wonderful stories and information preserved in private letters and manuscripts is worth the extra effort.
Miscellaneous
Three Letters From Sarah: A Case Study
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
784 views
The study of letters, documents, and artifacts often tell the deeper stories of our Ancestors and their neighbors. Finding the wonderful stories and information preserved in private letters and manuscripts is worth the extra effort.
Sat, August 28 2021: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
50:21
Miscellaneous
Expanding The Details From Published Local Histories
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.7K views
CC
Expanding The Details From Published Local Histories
Using the basic tools of family history research, discover additional family information with these records and writings. Learn the importance of analyzing the information that you find and realizing how important collateral/cluster line research is in helping to move you toward success in the genealogical process.
Miscellaneous
Expanding The Details From Published Local Histories
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.7K views
Using the basic tools of family history research, discover additional family information with these records and writings. Learn the importance of analyzing the information that you find and realizing how important collateral/cluster line research is in helping to move you toward success in the genealogical process.
Fri, April 9 2021: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:16:55
Historical Records
5 Ways to find your Family in Southern Manuscript Collections
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
4.4K views
CC
5 Ways to find your Family in Southern Manuscript Collections
Early pioneers and settlers were a diverse group with family members across the country. Records about the families which moved and those individuals and neighbors back home are also often elusive, but may hold hidden treasure for the persistent researcher. Thousands of wonderful stories and records are preserved in the…
Historical Records
5 Ways to find your Family in Southern Manuscript Collections
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
4.4K views
Early pioneers and settlers were a diverse group with family members across the country. Records about the families which moved and those individuals and neighbors back home are also often elusive, but may hold hidden treasure for the persistent researcher. Thousands of wonderful stories and records are preserved in the…
Wed, September 30 2020: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
Advanced
1:22:39
Historical Records
Road Crews and Jury Selection: How To Find Where Our Ancestor Lived and Their Neighbors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
4.5K views
CC
Road Crews and Jury Selection: How To Find Where Our Ancestor Lived and Their Neighbors
Learning to recognize and understand information contained in county court minute books and order books along with other types of routine court records will require effort to determine the appropriate law regarding the entry and the prevailing tradition of the community. In order to have a better understanding of the…
Historical Records
Road Crews and Jury Selection: How To Find Where Our Ancestor Lived and Their Neighbors
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
4.5K views
Learning to recognize and understand information contained in county court minute books and order books along with other types of routine court records will require effort to determine the appropriate law regarding the entry and the prevailing tradition of the community. In order to have a better understanding of the…
Wed, April 29 2020: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:28:33
BCGMethodology and SkillsBonus webinarsHistorical Records
Marriages Here, There, and Nowhere: Finding Gretna Greens and Borders
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
11.4K views
CC
Marriages Here, There, and Nowhere: Finding Gretna Greens and Borders
Many couples chose to marry in a location away from their home. Often there were reasons why it was a more convenient location to tie the knot. Sometimes, this decision was based on a romantic location or a place that would allow them to marry quickly without a three-day waiting…
BCGMethodology and SkillsBonus webinarsHistorical Records
Marriages Here, There, and Nowhere: Finding Gretna Greens and Borders
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
11.4K views
Many couples chose to marry in a location away from their home. Often there were reasons why it was a more convenient location to tie the knot. Sometimes, this decision was based on a romantic location or a place that would allow them to marry quickly without a three-day waiting…
Tue, December 17 2019: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:00:57
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Before Statehood: Virginia, Fincastle and Kentucky Records
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
2.4K views
CC
Before Statehood: Virginia, Fincastle and Kentucky Records
Let’s discover what’s is available and where for this important Commonwealth. Record types, finding aids, locations, and examples will be discussed and presented.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Before Statehood: Virginia, Fincastle and Kentucky Records
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
2.4K views
Let’s discover what’s is available and where for this important Commonwealth. Record types, finding aids, locations, and examples will be discussed and presented.
Fri, October 4 2019: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:06:20
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Basics of Land Platting – Part 2
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.0K views
CC
Basics of Land Platting – Part 2
Learn how to locate the property you have learned to plat. This working session will help you identify a neighborhood and locate the plat on a topographic map. Learn to use property maps and other finding aids.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Basics of Land Platting – Part 2
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.0K views
Learn how to locate the property you have learned to plat. This working session will help you identify a neighborhood and locate the plat on a topographic map. Learn to use property maps and other finding aids.
Fri, August 16 2019: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
Advanced
1:33:25
Historical Records
Basics of Land Platting – Part 1
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.6K views
CC
Basics of Land Platting – Part 1
Don't understand Metes and Bounds? This working session will help you learn how to plat a deed using the metes and bounds system. Discover new clues by understanding more about your ancestor's land.
Historical Records
Basics of Land Platting – Part 1
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.6K views
Don't understand Metes and Bounds? This working session will help you learn how to plat a deed using the metes and bounds system. Discover new clues by understanding more about your ancestor's land.
Wed, August 14 2019: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:07:39
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Sharecropping Contracts, Chattel Mortgages and Trust Deeds
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.5K views
CC
Sharecropping Contracts, Chattel Mortgages and Trust Deeds
Locate sharecroppers and the land owners for whom they worked.
Bonus webinarsHistorical Records
Sharecropping Contracts, Chattel Mortgages and Trust Deeds
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.5K views
Locate sharecroppers and the land owners for whom they worked.
Fri, June 14 2019: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:27:31
Places and Ethnicities
One African-American family's story of Migration from the South: A Boarding House in Detroit
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.4K views
CC
One African-American family's story of Migration from the South: A Boarding House in Detroit
African-Americans throughout the South moved to Midwestern cities in search of opportunities and work. Other family members and friends joined the first as stories were shared. Understand how to look in both places and at all connected families for clues.
Places and Ethnicities
One African-American family's story of Migration from the South: A Boarding House in Detroit
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.4K views
African-Americans throughout the South moved to Midwestern cities in search of opportunities and work. Other family members and friends joined the first as stories were shared. Understand how to look in both places and at all connected families for clues.
Wed, March 20 2019: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:01:55
Bonus webinarsHistorical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Finding Kentucky Land: Grants, Deeds and the Missing Pieces
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.7K views
CC
Finding Kentucky Land: Grants, Deeds and the Missing Pieces
Discover the step-by-step process of grants, entrys, surveys, processions and deeds for Virginia and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Learn how and where to find these items to further your research, and how to find those missing pieces.
Bonus webinarsHistorical RecordsPlaces and Ethnicities
Finding Kentucky Land: Grants, Deeds and the Missing Pieces
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.7K views
Discover the step-by-step process of grants, entrys, surveys, processions and deeds for Virginia and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Learn how and where to find these items to further your research, and how to find those missing pieces.
Fri, September 21 2018: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:28:44
Places and EthnicitiesMethodology and Skills
Trails of Daniel Boone and other Western Travelers
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
2.6K views
CC
Trails of Daniel Boone and other Western Travelers
Learn about the historic trails and trailblazers that lead early settlers to and from Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and the West. Get specific clues to help you solve difficult research questions.
Places and EthnicitiesMethodology and Skills
Trails of Daniel Boone and other Western Travelers
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
2.6K views
Learn about the historic trails and trailblazers that lead early settlers to and from Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and the West. Get specific clues to help you solve difficult research questions.
Wed, July 18 2018: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:22:58
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part Two)
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
6.0K views
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part Two)
This session will take a closer look at the focus of research plans used by professionals. Practical examples will be shared and a step-by-step process will be included. Using real life examples and patterns from busy professionals, learn how to make plans that work for you.
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part Two)
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
6.0K views
This session will take a closer look at the focus of research plans used by professionals. Practical examples will be shared and a step-by-step process will be included. Using real life examples and patterns from busy professionals, learn how to make plans that work for you.
Fri, January 12 2018: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:35:54
Methodology and Skills
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part One)
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
17.2K views
CC
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part One)
This session will focus on the effort to balance time, quality and completion of a research project. The first segment will look at the process from research concept to logistics including the conflicting issues between the researcher and previous research. This will include the movement from basic data collection, evaluation...
Methodology and Skills
Quality, Time and Completion: Developing a Research Plan (Part One)
CC
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
17.2K views
This session will focus on the effort to balance time, quality and completion of a research project. The first segment will look at the process from research concept to logistics including the conflicting issues between the researcher and previous research. This will include the movement from basic data collection, evaluation...
Wed, January 10 2018: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:27:11
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Understanding Family Migration
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.6K views
Understanding Family Migration
Moving from one location to another required a major change in living conditions. The choices that led to the decision to move, and the directions of movement are pivotal in understanding those ancestors. What might help you understand the migration choices your ancestors made? How can we develop strategies that…
Bonus webinarsMethodology and Skills
Understanding Family Migration
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
1.6K views
Moving from one location to another required a major change in living conditions. The choices that led to the decision to move, and the directions of movement are pivotal in understanding those ancestors. What might help you understand the migration choices your ancestors made? How can we develop strategies that…
Thu, June 22 2017: 0:00 UTC
Login to register (for webinar members)
Login to register (for webinar members)
1:45:18
Places and Ethnicities
What Happened to the State of Frankland – Using Tennessee's Pre-Statehood Records
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.0K views
What Happened to the State of Frankland – Using Tennessee's Pre-Statehood Records
Learn about the records (North Carolina & Tennessee) that exist for genealogists researching pre-statehood Tennessee (before 1796). Record types, finding aids, locations, and examples will be discussed and presented.
Places and Ethnicities
What Happened to the State of Frankland – Using Tennessee's Pre-Statehood Records
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.0K views
Learn about the records (North Carolina & Tennessee) that exist for genealogists researching pre-statehood Tennessee (before 1796). Record types, finding aids, locations, and examples will be discussed and presented.
Fri, December 18 2015: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:52:03
Places and Ethnicities
Discovering Your Kentucky Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
6.5K views
Discovering Your Kentucky Ancestors
Learn about the records that transcend the development of Kentucky county, Virginia to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1792. Learn about the earliest counties, what to use and how to find the right records for your Kentucky ancestors.
Places and Ethnicities
Discovering Your Kentucky Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
6.5K views
Learn about the records that transcend the development of Kentucky county, Virginia to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1792. Learn about the earliest counties, what to use and how to find the right records for your Kentucky ancestors.
Wed, August 19 2015: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:38:53
Historical Records
Step-by-Step – Finding Confederate Soldiers and Their Records
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.6K views
Step-by-Step – Finding Confederate Soldiers and Their Records
Using a record-based approach, learn to find the basic records of your Confederate Ancestor. A review of basic military records will be presented by following a solider throughout all available records, including Pensions (online and textual) and alternates: local civil records, Fraternal Organizations, state agency records, home guard and militia...
Historical Records
Step-by-Step – Finding Confederate Soldiers and Their Records
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
3.6K views
Using a record-based approach, learn to find the basic records of your Confederate Ancestor. A review of basic military records will be presented by following a solider throughout all available records, including Pensions (online and textual) and alternates: local civil records, Fraternal Organizations, state agency records, home guard and militia...
Fri, February 6 2015: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:38:09
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your North Carolina Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.2K views
Researching Your North Carolina Ancestors
Understand the geographical and migration patterns that make NC hard to find. Learn which records will lead you to answers and how to find alternate records. Discover the records, repositories and the resources you need to find a tarheel ancestor.
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your North Carolina Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.2K views
Understand the geographical and migration patterns that make NC hard to find. Learn which records will lead you to answers and how to find alternate records. Discover the records, repositories and the resources you need to find a tarheel ancestor.
Wed, December 10 2014: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:31:11
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your Tennessee Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.2K views
Researching Your Tennessee Ancestors
Learn about the valuable resources that describe the pioneers who crossed the mountains to Tennessee. Discover the hidden wonders that may help you resolve problem ancestors in the Volunteer State. Understand how records were created and where to find the ones you need.
Places and Ethnicities
Researching Your Tennessee Ancestors
J. Mark Lowe, FUGA
8.2K views
Learn about the valuable resources that describe the pioneers who crossed the mountains to Tennessee. Discover the hidden wonders that may help you resolve problem ancestors in the Volunteer State. Understand how records were created and where to find the ones you need.
Wed, August 6 2014: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
View all