Which Hans Jensen is Mine? Navigating Patronymics in Scandinavian Research
The majority of ancestral Scandinavians shared a small number of given names and surnames. Following ancestors without becoming mixed up in the patronymic pot can be a challenge. This webinar will provide guidance for focusing on your ancestor and eliminating other possible family lines. We will answer the most common questions regarding ancestral patronymics: what are they? why are they used? and how do I follow my family and not the neighbors?
The majority of ancestral Scandinavians shared a small number of given names and surnames. Following ancestors without becoming mixed up in the patronymic pot can be a challenge. This webinar will provide guidance for focusing on your ancestor and eliminating other possible family lines. We will answer the most common questions regarding ancestral patronymics: what are they? why are they used? and how do I follow my family and not the neighbors?
Maternal Threads Unwoven: Identifying Margareta’s Mother in 18th Century Sweden
In spite of birth entries for Margareta’s five siblings in Hishult, there was no record of her birth in the parish. Tax records quickly identified the father, and revealed multiple moves within a narrow span of time; however, identification of the mother remained elusive. No witnesses to births of the children provided clues; no household examinations existed. Coupling the understanding of broad context (naming patterns, inheritance laws, the calendar shift, etc.) with mtDNA and documentary evidence, the mother was identified and the lack of a records was explained.
In spite of birth entries for Margareta’s five siblings in Hishult, there was no record of her birth in the parish. Tax records quickly identified the father, and revealed multiple moves within a narrow span of time; however, identification of the mother remained elusive. No witnesses to births of the children provided clues; no household examinations existed. Coupling the understanding of broad context (naming patterns, inheritance laws, the calendar shift, etc.) with mtDNA and documentary evidence, the mother was identified and the lack of a records was explained.
Sweden Research with Online Records at MyHeritage and Beyond
Mike Mansfield, Director of Content Production at MyHeritage, will teach you everything you need to know about researching your Swedish ancestors on MyHeritage — from historical context to the many valuable collections MyHeritage offers to people researching their Swedish roots.
Mike Mansfield, Director of Content Production at MyHeritage, will teach you everything you need to know about researching your Swedish ancestors on MyHeritage — from historical context to the many valuable collections MyHeritage offers to people researching their Swedish roots.
Swedish-American Church Books – Great Genealogical Source!
Many Swedes who immigrated to North America (United States and Canada) joined a Swedish American Church. While most of these congregations were Lutheran, there were also Swedish Covenant, Swedish Methodist, Swedish Baptist, Swedish Mission and other free churches. Many of these churches kept detailed records as they did in Sweden. These records are a wonderful source to discover where in Sweden the person came from and in some cases tracing internal migration within North America.
This presentation will highlight the history of Swedish American churches, the various denominations and what types of records were kept and where you can find these records both online and offline. We will review a few records to show the immense detail that was kept by some of these churches.
Many Swedes who immigrated to North America (United States and Canada) joined a Swedish American Church. While most of these congregations were Lutheran, there were also Swedish Covenant, Swedish Methodist, Swedish Baptist, Swedish Mission and other free churches. Many of these churches kept detailed records as they did in Sweden. These records are a wonderful source to discover where in Sweden the person came from and in some cases tracing internal migration within North America.
This presentation will highlight the history of Swedish American churches, the various denominations and what types of records were kept and where you can find these records both online and offline. We will review a few records to show the immense detail that was kept by some of these churches.
So, your research indicates that there was a Swedish soldier in your family. How do you find the records about him and his service? What will those records tell you? This session will show you the steps for locating your Swedish soldier’s military records and will include an update of the types of military records you will find in ArkivDigital, as well as military name search indexes.
So, your research indicates that there was a Swedish soldier in your family. How do you find the records about him and his service? What will those records tell you? This session will show you the steps for locating your Swedish soldier’s military records and will include an update of the types of military records you will find in ArkivDigital, as well as military name search indexes.
Spanning 150 Years of Record Loss: A Methodological Approach to Identifying Parents in Sweden
Swedish records are rarely lost to fire. Churches built of brick and a lack of conflict within the country have made most records available and continuous back to the late 1600s. Elna Johansdotter married Troed Pehrsson, but not in the parish where she raised her children and died. Swedish women…
Swedish records are rarely lost to fire. Churches built of brick and a lack of conflict within the country have made most records available and continuous back to the late 1600s. Elna Johansdotter married Troed Pehrsson, but not in the parish where she raised her children and died. Swedish women…
Researching Scandinavian Ancestors? It's Amazing What You Can Learn
Our Scandinavian ancestors left incredible records about their lives that allow us to discover more about their (and your) Scandinavian heritage and ancestors. This session will introduce the most important Scandinavian records and provide information on where to find these records and how to use them effectively.
Our Scandinavian ancestors left incredible records about their lives that allow us to discover more about their (and your) Scandinavian heritage and ancestors. This session will introduce the most important Scandinavian records and provide information on where to find these records and how to use them effectively.
Searching by name: Swedish Records Using ArkivDigital
Learn about all the name searchable indexes for church books, estate inventories and military records. Learn about some of the tools that make it easier to search in the tax and military records as well as updates on the new records in the online archive.
Learn about all the name searchable indexes for church books, estate inventories and military records. Learn about some of the tools that make it easier to search in the tax and military records as well as updates on the new records in the online archive.
MyHeritage has partnered with archives and institutions to publish a wealth of new collections for Scandinavia and Finland. This session will describe and demonstrate these incredible resources and provide strategies for using these new collections. There has never been a better time to do Scandinavian and Finnish research.
MyHeritage has partnered with archives and institutions to publish a wealth of new collections for Scandinavia and Finland. This session will describe and demonstrate these incredible resources and provide strategies for using these new collections. There has never been a better time to do Scandinavian and Finnish research.
Using Swedish Taxation Records to Solve Tough Genealogical Problems
Swedish taxation records, a head tax of individuals between the ages of 15 and 63, are some of the oldest extant records of the rural farmer. Genealogists quickly become familiar with the chronological birth/marriage/death parish records (Ministerial), the clerical surveys (Husförhör) and probate records (Bouppteckning). These documents form the bedrock…
Swedish taxation records, a head tax of individuals between the ages of 15 and 63, are some of the oldest extant records of the rural farmer. Genealogists quickly become familiar with the chronological birth/marriage/death parish records (Ministerial), the clerical surveys (Husförhör) and probate records (Bouppteckning). These documents form the bedrock…
Is that parish of birth of your Nordic ancestor proving to be elusive? Without it, we cannot make the trip “across the pond.” Often that parish is identified in the records located in the United States and research will reveal the name or at least narrow it down. We will…
Is that parish of birth of your Nordic ancestor proving to be elusive? Without it, we cannot make the trip “across the pond.” Often that parish is identified in the records located in the United States and research will reveal the name or at least narrow it down. We will…
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 by Nicole Elder Dyer
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.
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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