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.
Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records
Fri, April 10 2026: 18:00 UTC
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more. Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families’ personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more. Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records – how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.
Descendants in Dialogue: Connecting Families of the Enslaved and Enslavers
Fri, June 19 2026: 18:00 UTC
The history of slavery in America left families divided but also deeply connected through records, land, and often bloodlines. Today, descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers are uncovering those connections through genealogy and asking what they mean for the present. This panel brings together genealogists and descendants to share how these discoveries were made, what it looks like to begin a conversation across that divide, and how stories can be told with honesty, respect, and care. Attendees will learn how to: 1-Identify the record groups that connect enslaved and enslaver families, 2-Understand the challenges and opportunities of descendant dialogue, 3-Approach this history with sensitivity while documenting it accurately.
The history of slavery in America left families divided but also deeply connected through records, land, and often bloodlines. Today, descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers are uncovering those connections through genealogy and asking what they mean for the present. This panel brings together genealogists and descendants to share how these discoveries were made, what it looks like to begin a conversation across that divide, and how stories can be told with honesty, respect, and care. Attendees will learn how to: 1-Identify the record groups that connect enslaved and enslaver families, 2-Understand the challenges and opportunities of descendant dialogue, 3-Approach this history with sensitivity while documenting it accurately.
One of the most challenging issues that presents itself when researching Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean families is the lack of information about their migration history. This may involve the movement of one family member, an entire family, or groups of emigrants. Being aware of the major migrations that have occurred over time in the Black Diaspora is crucial, as it can help break down a family’s genealogical brick wall. This presentation will identify ten significant migrations that researchers should be aware of when studying the Black experience worldwide.
One of the most challenging issues that presents itself when researching Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean families is the lack of information about their migration history. This may involve the movement of one family member, an entire family, or groups of emigrants. Being aware of the major migrations that have occurred over time in the Black Diaspora is crucial, as it can help break down a family’s genealogical brick wall. This presentation will identify ten significant migrations that researchers should be aware of when studying the Black experience worldwide.
They Came from Virginia: A Case Study in African American Research and Methodology
Fri, October 9 2026: 18:00 UTC
African American research can be especially challenging for many reasons. This class will demonstrate sound methodology for tracing your African American ancestors by following the Todd family in a case study.
African American research can be especially challenging for many reasons. This class will demonstrate sound methodology for tracing your African American ancestors by following the Todd family in a case study.
¿Cómo se deletrea tu Apellido? Historia y Particularidades de los Apellidos Españoles
Exploraremos la fascinante historia y las particularidades del sistema de apellidos en España y otros países hispanoparlantes. Descubriremos cómo la influencia visigoda, la adopción del sistema de doble apellido y las variaciones regionales han moldeado la identidad familiar a lo largo de los siglos. Aprenderemos a interpretar y comprender la información contenida en los apellidos, desentrañando su significado histórico y geográfico.
Exploraremos la fascinante historia y las particularidades del sistema de apellidos en España y otros países hispanoparlantes. Descubriremos cómo la influencia visigoda, la adopción del sistema de doble apellido y las variaciones regionales han moldeado la identidad familiar a lo largo de los siglos. Aprenderemos a interpretar y comprender la información contenida en los apellidos, desentrañando su significado histórico y geográfico.
English DNA Matches: Tools for quickly building modern trees
Many English DNA matches have rudimentary online trees. Learn about online resources for quickly and inexpensively extending the trees to find possible connections. Many North Americans have limited or no understanding of twentieth century online records that can be used to extend rudimentary or no online trees for their English DNA matches. There is a big need to be able to get the trees far enough back in time to possibly find the nearest common ancestors. This presentation will look at the different record groups explaining, with examples, how to use the different records together, and the time periods for which they are appropriate. Records discussed with illustrations and limitations include: – Civil Registration – Probate – Cemeteries / Crematoriums – Newspapers – Funeral notices – Voter registrations – Telephone directories – More
Many English DNA matches have rudimentary online trees. Learn about online resources for quickly and inexpensively extending the trees to find possible connections. Many North Americans have limited or no understanding of twentieth century online records that can be used to extend rudimentary or no online trees for their English DNA matches. There is a big need to be able to get the trees far enough back in time to possibly find the nearest common ancestors. This presentation will look at the different record groups explaining, with examples, how to use the different records together, and the time periods for which they are appropriate. Records discussed with illustrations and limitations include: – Civil Registration – Probate – Cemeteries / Crematoriums – Newspapers – Funeral notices – Voter registrations – Telephone directories – More
Construisez, enrichissez et partagez votre arbre sur Filae.com
Créer et importer des arbres sur Filae est gratuit. Ce webinaire vous montre comment enrichir votre généalogie en ajoutant individus, événements, notes et documents. Nous explorerons aussi les fonctionnalités comme la détection d’incohérences pour une généalogie fiable, les suggestions d’archives pour enrichir votre arbre de documents originaux, le suivi des recherches pour guider votre enquête, sans oublier les invitations pour partager le fruit de vos recherches avec vos proches.
Créer et importer des arbres sur Filae est gratuit. Ce webinaire vous montre comment enrichir votre généalogie en ajoutant individus, événements, notes et documents. Nous explorerons aussi les fonctionnalités comme la détection d’incohérences pour une généalogie fiable, les suggestions d’archives pour enrichir votre arbre de documents originaux, le suivi des recherches pour guider votre enquête, sans oublier les invitations pour partager le fruit de vos recherches avec vos proches.
University Archives in México: Manuscripts, Photos, and Theses, Oh my!
With original records and bibliographic resources, university archives are genealogical treasures. This presentation will include an introduction to common resources available at universities in Mexico, including original manuscripts, newspapers, historic photos, dissertations, etc., with examples from Universidad Autónoma de México, Colegio de Sonora, Universidad de Guadalajara, and many more.
With original records and bibliographic resources, university archives are genealogical treasures. This presentation will include an introduction to common resources available at universities in Mexico, including original manuscripts, newspapers, historic photos, dissertations, etc., with examples from Universidad Autónoma de México, Colegio de Sonora, Universidad de Guadalajara, and many more.
Situated on the east coast of England, Norfolk is its fifth largest county and contains over 700 ancient parishes. Historically, it was a largely agricultural region, with some manufacturing in the county town of Norwich and significant seaports at King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The resources available for tracing ancestors who lived in Norfolk are vast and varied. While many of the most useful records (such as parish registers) are available online, there remains a wealth of material that can only be accessed at the archives in Norwich and King’s Lynn. In this webinar, the lives of Norfolk ancestors will be placed in context and the sources of use to genealogists will be explained. The session will cover probate records, borough records, quarter sessions records, estate papers, maritime records, newspapers and other relevant resources. Some difficulties that can be encountered when investigating Norfolk ancestors will also be discussed, as well as methods of overcoming such challenges. Additionally, the printed and online publications of relevance to Norfolk research will be considered in detail.
Situated on the east coast of England, Norfolk is its fifth largest county and contains over 700 ancient parishes. Historically, it was a largely agricultural region, with some manufacturing in the county town of Norwich and significant seaports at King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The resources available for tracing ancestors who lived in Norfolk are vast and varied. While many of the most useful records (such as parish registers) are available online, there remains a wealth of material that can only be accessed at the archives in Norwich and King’s Lynn. In this webinar, the lives of Norfolk ancestors will be placed in context and the sources of use to genealogists will be explained. The session will cover probate records, borough records, quarter sessions records, estate papers, maritime records, newspapers and other relevant resources. Some difficulties that can be encountered when investigating Norfolk ancestors will also be discussed, as well as methods of overcoming such challenges. Additionally, the printed and online publications of relevance to Norfolk research will be considered in detail.
Débloquer les archives françaises : guide sur l’organisation des archives et ce que vous pouvez trouver sur MyHeritage
Dans ce cours, vous découvrirez comment les archives françaises sont organisées et quels types de documents vous pouvez trouver lorsque vous recherchez vos ancêtres en France. Nous vous guiderons à travers la géographie des archives et les différentes catégories d’archives, des registres d’état civil et paroissiaux aux documents militaires et notariaux. Vous apprendrez également quelles sont les ressources inestimables …
Dans ce cours, vous découvrirez comment les archives françaises sont organisées et quels types de documents vous pouvez trouver lorsque vous recherchez vos ancêtres en France. Nous vous guiderons à travers la géographie des archives et les différentes catégories d’archives, des registres d’état civil et paroissiaux aux documents militaires et notariaux. Vous apprendrez également quelles sont les ressources inestimables …
Unlocking French Archives: a guide on how archives are organized and what you may find on MyHeritage
In this class, you’ll discover how French archives are organized and what types of records you can find when tracing your ancestry in France. We’ll walk you through the geography of archives and through various categories of archives, from civil registers and parish records to military and notarial documents. You’ll also learn which of these invaluable resources are available on MyHeritage, making it easier to uncover your French heritage. If you are starting discovering your French roots, this video will provide essential insights into navigating French archives efficiently and effectively.
In this class, you’ll discover how French archives are organized and what types of records you can find when tracing your ancestry in France. We’ll walk you through the geography of archives and through various categories of archives, from civil registers and parish records to military and notarial documents. You’ll also learn which of these invaluable resources are available on MyHeritage, making it easier to uncover your French heritage. If you are starting discovering your French roots, this video will provide essential insights into navigating French archives efficiently and effectively.
Claves para localizar a nuestro primer antepasado de España
Si es difícil investigar en un país distinto al propio, puede resultar aún más complicado cuando disponemos de muy poca información. Dudas en el nombre y los apellidos, en la región y localidad de origen… datos que pueden haber sufrido mutaciones en el tiempo. A ello se suma una estructura de archivos propios de un país que modificado su estructura administrativa. Veamos unos consejos esenciales sobre cómo podemos iniciar nuestros primeros pasos. Filtrando posibles errores iniciales, conociendo la organización histórica de los territorios de España y cómo saber si se conservan los archivos esenciales. Localizar al primer antepasado nacido en España será un gran logro en nuestra genealogía.
Si es difícil investigar en un país distinto al propio, puede resultar aún más complicado cuando disponemos de muy poca información. Dudas en el nombre y los apellidos, en la región y localidad de origen… datos que pueden haber sufrido mutaciones en el tiempo. A ello se suma una estructura de archivos propios de un país que modificado su estructura administrativa. Veamos unos consejos esenciales sobre cómo podemos iniciar nuestros primeros pasos. Filtrando posibles errores iniciales, conociendo la organización histórica de los territorios de España y cómo saber si se conservan los archivos esenciales. Localizar al primer antepasado nacido en España será un gran logro en nuestra genealogía.
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