What are the secrets to finding New England vital records today? If you understand how they were made, and all the things that have happened to them since, you will bring new skills and insight to your vital records research. Also, let’s develop some strategies for those times when the record cannot be found.
What are the secrets to finding New England vital records today? If you understand how they were made, and all the things that have happened to them since, you will bring new skills and insight to your vital records research. Also, let’s develop some strategies for those times when the record cannot be found.
New England town records represent a unique resource for Family historians. Early settlers from England brought their traditions of town governance to the new world, including their ideas of legal matters and record keeping. The result is a treasure trove of documents that capture aspects of our ancestors’ lives as they went about their day-to-day business. These records are especially valuable for the 17th and 18th centuries as many other records may not have survived. This webinar covers not only vital record sources but also records from the Town Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, and the Selectmen.
New England town records represent a unique resource for Family historians. Early settlers from England brought their traditions of town governance to the new world, including their ideas of legal matters and record keeping. The result is a treasure trove of documents that capture aspects of our ancestors’ lives as they went about their day-to-day business. These records are especially valuable for the 17th and 18th centuries as many other records may not have survived. This webinar covers not only vital record sources but also records from the Town Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, and the Selectmen.
Just as some New Englanders left their declining farms and headed west, industrialization arrived in New England and our ancestors’ lives and records changed forever. The days when deeds and probate would solve genealogical problems gave way to a dizzying array of new census collections, state mandated vital records, poorhouse, prison and asylum records, sturdier cemetery markers, and military pensions. Let’s re-teach ourselves as we trace 1800’s ancestors.
Just as some New Englanders left their declining farms and headed west, industrialization arrived in New England and our ancestors’ lives and records changed forever. The days when deeds and probate would solve genealogical problems gave way to a dizzying array of new census collections, state mandated vital records, poorhouse, prison and asylum records, sturdier cemetery markers, and military pensions. Let’s re-teach ourselves as we trace 1800’s ancestors.
Researching ancestors who lived in colonial New England can be challenging. This webinar begins by tracing settlement patterns, setting the stage for understanding key records and where to find them. For the 17th century, many unique published resources exist to help the family researcher. During the colonial years, several conflicts such as King Philip’s War and the Seven Years War affected settlement and thus the surviving records. The 18th century culminated in the Revolutionary War, but also saw the continued growth of settlement and ultimately resources for the family historian.
Researching ancestors who lived in colonial New England can be challenging. This webinar begins by tracing settlement patterns, setting the stage for understanding key records and where to find them. For the 17th century, many unique published resources exist to help the family researcher. During the colonial years, several conflicts such as King Philip’s War and the Seven Years War affected settlement and thus the surviving records. The 18th century culminated in the Revolutionary War, but also saw the continued growth of settlement and ultimately resources for the family historian.
New England’s ‘Seventh State’: Life along the coast
Before railroads, New Englanders traveled by water along the coast from CT to RI and MA to ME. Records for those following a seafaring life (and their families) can be found in archives and other repositories along the coast.
Before railroads, New Englanders traveled by water along the coast from CT to RI and MA to ME. Records for those following a seafaring life (and their families) can be found in archives and other repositories along the coast.
We’ll talk about original sources such as town records books as well as the many printed and database options. Learn how to use the “tan books,” vital records from 1841, and all the other lesser known resources available.
We’ll talk about original sources such as town records books as well as the many printed and database options. Learn how to use the “tan books,” vital records from 1841, and all the other lesser known resources available.
Looking After the Poor: Finding Your Ancestors in New England Poverty Records
Come find out about “strangers taken in” records, “warning out” records and settlement law. Settlement law impacted all New Englanders whether rich or poor, transient or long-time resident. Discover what records were created as a result and why. You will be surprised at the level of detail you can find about your ancestors. Marian Pierre-Louis will take you into the depths of these rarely discussed New England records to reveal a wealth of information about your ancestors.
Come find out about “strangers taken in” records, “warning out” records and settlement law. Settlement law impacted all New Englanders whether rich or poor, transient or long-time resident. Discover what records were created as a result and why. You will be surprised at the level of detail you can find about your ancestors. Marian Pierre-Louis will take you into the depths of these rarely discussed New England records to reveal a wealth of information about your ancestors.
AmericanAncestors.org is the most-used genealogical society website in the world. It provides family historians access to more than 400 million records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records, and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines…
AmericanAncestors.org is the most-used genealogical society website in the world. It provides family historians access to more than 400 million records spanning the U.S. and beyond, including one of the most extensive online collections of early American records, and the largest searchable collection of published genealogical research journals and magazines…
NEHGS: Who We Are, What We Do, and How We Can Help
New England Historic Genealogical Society is America's founding genealogical organization. Established in 1845, NEHGS strives to educate, inspire, and connect people through family history discovery. From our research center in Boston, Massachusetts we provide family history services, develop original scholarship, lead transformative educational tours and programs, publish genealogies and essential…
New England Historic Genealogical Society is America's founding genealogical organization. Established in 1845, NEHGS strives to educate, inspire, and connect people through family history discovery. From our research center in Boston, Massachusetts we provide family history services, develop original scholarship, lead transformative educational tours and programs, publish genealogies and essential…
New England Deeds and Probate – A Powerful Combination (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
Did you know that all the members of a family may be named in an old deed? Have you ever tried to get a close-up view of what your ancestors wore and the tools they used from an estate inventory? Learn how to use the records in New England Registry…
Did you know that all the members of a family may be named in an old deed? Have you ever tried to get a close-up view of what your ancestors wore and the tools they used from an estate inventory? Learn how to use the records in New England Registry…
Rhode Island may be the smallest state but it offers genealogists a wealth of resources that date back to 1636 on the city, county and state level. While some resources are online, this webinar will also explore how to find what you need in local collections.
Rhode Island may be the smallest state but it offers genealogists a wealth of resources that date back to 1636 on the city, county and state level. While some resources are online, this webinar will also explore how to find what you need in local collections.
Pilgrims and Patriots: Discovering Your Massachusetts Ancestors
From the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, Massachusetts has maintained some of the best-kept records for genealogists. This abundance has made it easier to research in the state. Even so, it's helpful to have a roadmap to cover almost 400 years of history. Join Marian Pierre-Louis as she provides…
From the arrival of the Pilgrims in 1620, Massachusetts has maintained some of the best-kept records for genealogists. This abundance has made it easier to research in the state. Even so, it's helpful to have a roadmap to cover almost 400 years of history. Join Marian Pierre-Louis as she provides…
Genealogy Meets the Internet Archive and AI: A Comprehensive Review
Wed, January 7 2026: 16:30 UTC
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
Learn to harness the Internet Archive’s free digital library—a treasure trove of digitized family histories, city directories, census and church records—to enrich your genealogy research. Learn how to build complex prompts to build an index of surnames on a 400 page genealogy book from 1898. Learn how to extract a list of migration routes from the same book, organized by surname, then in generation order, and placed in an Excel file. With the help of AI, you can get the most out of Internet Archive.
AI as Partner, Not Replacement: Human-Led Research Planning in the Sally Keaton Case
Wed, January 7 2026: 17:45 UTC
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
This lecture explores how modern AI tools can assist genealogical research planning through the case of Sally Keaton, where the objective was to identify her children using limited historical records and DNA evidence. The presentation demonstrates how to structure effective research plans with AI assistance, covering essential elements including clear objectives, summaries of known facts, working hypotheses, identified sources, and prioritized strategies. Using Sally Keaton’s case as the central example, the lecture showcases practical AI tools, such as side-by-side editors: Canvas (ChatGPT and Gemini) and Artifacts (Claude); also advanced capabilities including reasoning models and organizational tools like ChatGPT’s Projects, Claude’s Projects, Perplexity’s Spaces, and Gemini Gems. While AI can create research plans on its own, human-AI collaboration produces better results. When researchers guide and refine AI-generated strategies instead of using fully automated planning, they achieve more accurate results.
Tracing an Ancestor’s Journey with ChatGPT: Unraveling Family History with AI
Wed, January 7 2026: 19:00 UTC
Explore how AI technology, exemplified by ChatGPT, can revolutionize your family history, by embarking on a journey through an ancestor’s life, leveraging AI to uncover his story and shed light on the broader implications for genealogical research!
Explore how AI technology, exemplified by ChatGPT, can revolutionize your family history, by embarking on a journey through an ancestor’s life, leveraging AI to uncover his story and shed light on the broader implications for genealogical research!
From Problem to Solution: A Case Study Approach to Using AI in Genealogy
Wed, January 7 2026: 20:30 UTC
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
Artificial intelligence is changing the way genealogists work—but how do you move beyond tips and tricks to apply AI in a sound, methodical way? In this session, Andrew Redfern demonstrates how a case study approach provides the answer. Using real examples, he walks through the stages of tackling a genealogical problem with AI, showing how tools can assist with transcription, analysis, correlation of evidence, and presentation of findings. Rather than treating AI as a shortcut, Andrew highlights how to integrate it into the established genealogical research cycle—problem definition, source gathering, analysis, and conclusion. Attendees will see how AI can clarify complex evidence, save time on repetitive tasks, and support storytelling, while still requiring human expertise and critical thinking. By the end of the session, participants will have a practical framework they can adapt to their own research problems, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted partner in genealogical methodology.
La fotografía de un desconocido: ¿punto de partida para una genealogía?
Tue, January 13 2026: 14:00 UTC
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
En la actualidad, cuando casi cualquier cosa pasa por la IA, el descubrimiento de una fotografía hecha a finales del siglo XIX o principios del siglo XX, no solo nos traslada a otro momento de la historia en el que el contexto era totalmente diferente, sino que nos abre las posibilidades de estudio de una persona y de una familia. Pero, además, ¿qué nos aporta una fotografía de un desconocido? ¿cuánto podemos averiguar de él y de su entorno? Una fotografía es un documento de memoria colectiva y, como tal, aporta una fuente de información sobre estructura familiar, estilo de vida y valores sociales de la época.
Using MyHeritage in Your Genealogical DNA Testing Plan
Tue, January 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
We often need other family members to take a DNA test for us to help us solve our genealogical problems. We’ll discuss ways MyHeritage can help us find, test, and collaborate with our DNA cousins.
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