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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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1:14:00
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.
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
32:57
261 views
CC
English and Welsh Wills and Death Records (Before and After 1858)
Wills and probate records can be a great source of understanding of individuals. Who were they, and where were they located? What was their status in their community? What property did they own? Who were the administrators of their estates? Who were their heirs, and what did they inherit? What relationships might they have had with other people? The surviving records of England and Wales span from the 14th century to the present. Learn the history of the records before and after 1858, when civil courts took over probate responsibility from ecclesiastical courts. Learn about research guides to the records and how to read them. This webinar was first released 28 July 2021 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Wills and probate records can be a great source of understanding of individuals. Who were they, and where were they located? What was their status in their community? What property did they own? Who were the administrators of their estates? Who were their heirs, and what did they inherit? What relationships might they have had with other people? The surviving records of England and Wales span from the 14th century to the present. Learn the history of the records before and after 1858, when civil courts took over probate responsibility from ecclesiastical courts. Learn about research guides to the records and how to read them. This webinar was first released 28 July 2021 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Thu, August 14 2025: 12:00 UTC
1:17:38
Analyzing Deeds & Wills: I See What It Says—but What Does It Mean?!
Legalese. Boilerplate. Obsolete laws. Ancestral idiosyncrasies. The documents our ancestors created are full of such traps. This session uses two typical documents from different regions to illustrate, line by line, how to sort chaff from wheat, interpret deceptive language, and develop clues.
Legalese. Boilerplate. Obsolete laws. Ancestral idiosyncrasies. The documents our ancestors created are full of such traps. This session uses two typical documents from different regions to illustrate, line by line, how to sort chaff from wheat, interpret deceptive language, and develop clues.
Fri, August 23 2024: 18:00 UTC
1:00:16
1.6K views
CC
Connecting Generations through Probate and Property
Genealogical research involves identifying ancestors, linking them to family members, and then connecting them to the previous generation: sons and daughters to fathers and mothers. As our research moves back in time, particularly once we’ve gotten to the 19th century, connecting one generation to the previous generation becomes more difficult. Vital records expressly stating a parent-child relationship are rare. Consequently, to establish kinship we must broaden our research approach. Using case studies, Teri will demonstrate how to use probate and property records to identify family members and connect them to their ancestors.
Genealogical research involves identifying ancestors, linking them to family members, and then connecting them to the previous generation: sons and daughters to fathers and mothers. As our research moves back in time, particularly once we’ve gotten to the 19th century, connecting one generation to the previous generation becomes more difficult. Vital records expressly stating a parent-child relationship are rare. Consequently, to establish kinship we must broaden our research approach. Using case studies, Teri will demonstrate how to use probate and property records to identify family members and connect them to their ancestors.
Fri, September 1 2023: 14:15 UTC
1:20:33
3.6K views
CC
No Will? No Problem!
Anything handled by a court of law is lengthy, and that is good for genealogical research. Documents containing information about a death date, relationships, personal and/or real property, and place of residence are common in intestate files. Learn about the court process from first petition to final discharge, and picture…
Anything handled by a court of law is lengthy, and that is good for genealogical research. Documents containing information about a death date, relationships, personal and/or real property, and place of residence are common in intestate files. Learn about the court process from first petition to final discharge, and picture…
Fri, November 22 2019: 0:00 UTC
59:41
1.3K views
Beyond the Docket Books: Digging for Gold in Probate Packets
Probate records provide an intimate window through which to view the lives of our ancestors, revealing information about them that make their identities unique.
Probate records provide an intimate window through which to view the lives of our ancestors, revealing information about them that make their identities unique.
Fri, October 20 2017: 0:00 UTC
1:01:24
Reasonably Exhaustive Research of African American Families That Came Out of Slavery
The first component of the Genealogical Proof Standard is the conduct of reasonably exhaustive research. This lecture will highlight the sources and strategies available to meet this requirement in the case of African American ancestors who were enslaved.
The first component of the Genealogical Proof Standard is the conduct of reasonably exhaustive research. This lecture will highlight the sources and strategies available to meet this requirement in the case of African American ancestors who were enslaved.
Fri, October 6 2017: 0:00 UTC
1:22:34
Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors
This webinar will provide an overview of the probate process, the genealogical information that can be found in a slaveholding estate, and related records that a probate proceeding may point to.
This webinar will provide an overview of the probate process, the genealogical information that can be found in a slaveholding estate, and related records that a probate proceeding may point to.
Tue, August 15 2017: 0:00 UTC
38:09
1.4K views
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.
Thu, October 1 2015: 0:00 UTC
53:16
1.3K views
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.
Thu, October 1 2015: 0:00 UTC
59:57
2.9K views
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…
Wed, May 13 2015: 0:00 UTC
1:29:40
5.0K views
Tracking Migration Using the Big 4 U.S. Record Sources
Tracking migration in the United States involves using census, vital, land, and probate records, the bread and butter of American research. Get an overview of each of these types of records; learn where to find them, and how to use them effectively to track migration.
Tracking migration in the United States involves using census, vital, land, and probate records, the bread and butter of American research. Get an overview of each of these types of records; learn where to find them, and how to use them effectively to track migration.
Wed, January 14 2015: 0:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (240)
Tue, February 10 2026: 12:00 UTC
French
Mieux naviguer dans son arbre MyHeritage : Vues, réglages et astuces d’affichage
Tue, February 10 2026: 12:00 UTC
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Tue, February 10 2026: 12:00 UTC
Tue, February 10 2026: 19:00 UTC
Discovering your Eastern European Ancestors on MyHeritage
Tue, February 10 2026: 19:00 UTC
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
Tue, February 10 2026: 19:00 UTC
Wed, February 11 2026: 19:00 UTC
Searching for Sisters? Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States
Wed, February 11 2026: 19:00 UTC
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Wed, February 11 2026: 19:00 UTC
Thu, February 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Leyes de Indias: Leyes coloniales españolas y los registros que generaron
Thu, February 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Thu, February 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Breaking the 1870 Brick Wall: Comprehensive Strategies for Tracing Formerly Enslaved African American Ancestors
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you’re ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you’re ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Documentación de cementerios con BillionGraves
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC
Si las lápidas pudieran hablar, tendrían muchas historias que contar. Pero no pueden, por eso BillionGraves es la mejor alternativa. BillionGraves es la mayor base de datos del mundo sobre cementerios, conectada a un sistema GPS. Cuando se toman fotos con la aplicación BillionGraves en el teléfono, cada lápida se marca automáticamente con una posición GPS. A continuación, los datos son transcritos por voluntarios, transferidos a planos de cementerios y almacenados en los sitios web BillionGraves, FamilySearch y MyHeritage para millones de familias de todo el mundo y para las generaciones futuras. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Si las lápidas pudieran hablar, tendrían muchas historias que contar. Pero no pueden, por eso BillionGraves es la mejor alternativa. BillionGraves es la mayor base de datos del mundo sobre cementerios, conectada a un sistema GPS. Cuando se toman fotos con la aplicación BillionGraves en el teléfono, cada lápida se marca automáticamente con una posición GPS. A continuación, los datos son transcritos por voluntarios, transferidos a planos de cementerios y almacenados en los sitios web BillionGraves, FamilySearch y MyHeritage para millones de familias de todo el mundo y para las generaciones futuras. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC