Entering the Old Northwest Territory: The First American West
When we think of settling the West, our minds will often turn to the broad expanses of the American West that conjures up scenes of broad prairies and herds of buffalo and antelope. Such was not the case in the First American West. We also may think of the Canadian provinces of the same name. After the signing of the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, Britain ceded land that would eventually comprise the Northwest Territory. Just five years later, the first settlers would leave their homes in New England and begin their journey to the “Territory Northwest of the River Ohio”, and establish their first city – Marietta. Eventually the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota would be included.
When we think of settling the West, our minds will often turn to the broad expanses of the American West that conjures up scenes of broad prairies and herds of buffalo and antelope. Such was not the case in the First American West. We also may think of the Canadian provinces of the same name. After the signing of the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, Britain ceded land that would eventually comprise the Northwest Territory. Just five years later, the first settlers would leave their homes in New England and begin their journey to the “Territory Northwest of the River Ohio”, and establish their first city – Marietta. Eventually the states of Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and part of Minnesota would be included.
Note: This is not geared toward LDS members. Ohio was the first gathering place of the LDS Church. Eventually, those who joined with the its membership eventually found themselves displaced into Missouri and Illinois before their trek to Utah.
Note: This is not geared toward LDS members. Ohio was the first gathering place of the LDS Church. Eventually, those who joined with the its membership eventually found themselves displaced into Missouri and Illinois before their trek to Utah.
Many Midwestern and Plains states have superb state census records. Learn about the indexes, the many personal details these censuses include, locating the censuses, and alternate sources. The lecture includes many specific examples from these enumerations, provides an overview of state censuses for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri�
Many Midwestern and Plains states have superb state census records. Learn about the indexes, the many personal details these censuses include, locating the censuses, and alternate sources. The lecture includes many specific examples from these enumerations, provides an overview of state censuses for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri�
The Firelands, The Connecticut Western Reserve, and the Ohio Territory
The northeastern lands of Ohio are aptly named “The Firelands”, and “The Western Reserve”. How did they come to be called that? And, what connection do they have to the northeastern states? “Ohio fever” brought a lot of settlers to the state following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. A section…
The northeastern lands of Ohio are aptly named “The Firelands”, and “The Western Reserve”. How did they come to be called that? And, what connection do they have to the northeastern states? “Ohio fever” brought a lot of settlers to the state following the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. A section…
From the Heartland – Utilizing Online Resources in Midwest Research
From Wisconsin to Missouri, many free online resources are available if you know where to look. This class will explore where to find and how to use these resources. Creative techniques for finding future sites will also be discussed.
From Wisconsin to Missouri, many free online resources are available if you know where to look. This class will explore where to find and how to use these resources. Creative techniques for finding future sites will also be discussed.
Ohio: The Great Land Experiment (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
The first state formed from the Old Northwest Territory, Ohio is a state with both the rectangular survey system and metes and bounds. Discover the difference between the two surveys. Explore the development of Ohio through county formation, land sales and land offices.
The first state formed from the Old Northwest Territory, Ohio is a state with both the rectangular survey system and metes and bounds. Discover the difference between the two surveys. Explore the development of Ohio through county formation, land sales and land offices.
Ohio's Probate Court (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
Formed from the Common Pleas Court, the Probate Court offers birth, death, marriages, wills, estates, inventories, naturalizations, and licenses. Learn the dates for vital records in Ohio as they pertain to the court.
Formed from the Common Pleas Court, the Probate Court offers birth, death, marriages, wills, estates, inventories, naturalizations, and licenses. Learn the dates for vital records in Ohio as they pertain to the court.
America's Expansion: The Ohio Country 1783-1812 (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
After the American Revolution and before the War of 1812, the United States consisted of sixteen states. Through the Land Ordinance of 1785, the Greeneville Treaty, and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Ohio became the first state opening the United States to westward expansion. Discussion includes: Background; Major treaties; Battles…
After the American Revolution and before the War of 1812, the United States consisted of sixteen states. Through the Land Ordinance of 1785, the Greeneville Treaty, and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, Ohio became the first state opening the United States to westward expansion. Discussion includes: Background; Major treaties; Battles…
Early Ohio Wills and Estates (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
Learn the types of records created during the probate process. Analyze probate information for further clues in your genealogical research. Compare different types of published abstracts of Ohio wills and estates.
Learn the types of records created during the probate process. Analyze probate information for further clues in your genealogical research. Compare different types of published abstracts of Ohio wills and estates.
Ohio's Recorder's Office (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
The Recorder's Office in Ohio contains more than just deeds. Learn the different types of records, including veterans' records, land plats, street name changes, and partnerships, located within the office.
The Recorder's Office in Ohio contains more than just deeds. Learn the different types of records, including veterans' records, land plats, street name changes, and partnerships, located within the office.
Unusual Ohio Courthouse Records (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
Searching in a courthouse can make us feel that we are good genealogists, covering all the records and using them to the fullest extent. This lecture will show the records that may be overlooked or even unknown to the researcher. Tips will be included on how to analyze information gleaned…
Searching in a courthouse can make us feel that we are good genealogists, covering all the records and using them to the fullest extent. This lecture will show the records that may be overlooked or even unknown to the researcher. Tips will be included on how to analyze information gleaned…
Ohio's Common Pleas Court (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
The Common Pleas Court was the first court of record in Ohio, continuing from the territorial act of 1788. Common Pleas included what is now known as Probate, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Court.
The Common Pleas Court was the first court of record in Ohio, continuing from the territorial act of 1788. Common Pleas included what is now known as Probate, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Court.
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
Wed, February 4 2026: 16:30 UTC
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
The census is one of our basic research tools, but basic doesn’t equal simple. Often a census record can raise as many questions as it answers, and some of those questions may seem unanswerable. Learn how an understanding of who the enumerators were, what their instructions prescribed, and some of the many ways they deviated from the instructions can answer many of the questions raised by census research.
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
Wed, February 4 2026: 17:45 UTC
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
Most researchers stop at the population schedule, but census records also include valuable schedules that document farms, businesses, deaths, and community life. This session explores agricultural, mortality, and industry schedules, showing how they can be used to add depth to family history.
Case Studies in Census Conflicts – Resolving Contradictions Across Decades
Wed, February 4 2026: 19:00 UTC
Census records often contradict one another. Ages change, names vary, and places of birth are inconsistent. This session demonstrates how to analyze and reconcile those conflicts through timelines, correlation with other records, and case studies that show how to draw conclusions from imperfect evidence.
Census records often contradict one another. Ages change, names vary, and places of birth are inconsistent. This session demonstrates how to analyze and reconcile those conflicts through timelines, correlation with other records, and case studies that show how to draw conclusions from imperfect evidence.
Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
Wed, February 4 2026: 20:30 UTC
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
The U.S. federal census wasn’t designed with genealogists in mind; it was created to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. This session takes you beyond the names and numbers, exploring the historical context behind each census from 1790 to 1950. We’ll examine how shifting questions, enumeration methods, and national priorities have shaped the records we rely on today. By understanding the “why” behind the census, you’ll gain tools to interpret your ancestors’ entries with greater accuracy and uncover richer stories hidden in the data.
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