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.
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.
Essential Skills for New Genealogists 3 of 12: U.S. Census Records from 1790-1950 and Beyond
Fri, June 5 2026: 18:00 UTC
Background on census creation; constitutionally-mandated headcount; pre-1820 tables and their use; 1830 & 1840, with the slave schedules; 1850-70, including the mortality schedules; 1880, and relationships to heads of household; 1890 and its destruction; 1900-1910, with special questions; 1920-1950 with their special characteristics (1920: date; 1940, informant’s identity, etc.).
Background on census creation; constitutionally-mandated headcount; pre-1820 tables and their use; 1830 & 1840, with the slave schedules; 1850-70, including the mortality schedules; 1880, and relationships to heads of household; 1890 and its destruction; 1900-1910, with special questions; 1920-1950 with their special characteristics (1920: date; 1940, informant’s identity, etc.).
City directories are an integral tool in genealogical resources in locating individuals and businesses at specific time periods, and gleaning other details that may point you to other evidence. They can help you determine the date of arrival or departure, residence, occupation, and more. They are great substitutes for census records and for the in-between years. Introduction to City Directories tells you what you can find, places you can find them, and how to obtain the most information from them. You’ll also see images of many types of city directory pages so that you will know what they can tell you.
This webinar was first released on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
City directories are an integral tool in genealogical resources in locating individuals and businesses at specific time periods, and gleaning other details that may point you to other evidence. They can help you determine the date of arrival or departure, residence, occupation, and more. They are great substitutes for census records and for the in-between years. Introduction to City Directories tells you what you can find, places you can find them, and how to obtain the most information from them. You’ll also see images of many types of city directory pages so that you will know what they can tell you.
This webinar was first released on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
This database of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) contains WWI and WWII military burials world-wide. Not all burials in CWGC cemeteries are military. Burials include civilians, diplomats, medical personnel, and volunteer aid workers, including women. Most CWGC cemeteries have burials of the unknown as well as Monuments listing the Missing. Some military burials in civilian cemeteries are in this database. Photos of headstones and lists of missing in several CWGC cemeteries in Italy are included. Advises on best utilization of CWGC search engines with different approaches. Information on identification of unknown burials, research possibilities, and CWGC outreach programs are available on the website.
This database of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) contains WWI and WWII military burials world-wide. Not all burials in CWGC cemeteries are military. Burials include civilians, diplomats, medical personnel, and volunteer aid workers, including women. Most CWGC cemeteries have burials of the unknown as well as Monuments listing the Missing. Some military burials in civilian cemeteries are in this database. Photos of headstones and lists of missing in several CWGC cemeteries in Italy are included. Advises on best utilization of CWGC search engines with different approaches. Information on identification of unknown burials, research possibilities, and CWGC outreach programs are available on the website.
Spirit of St. Louis: Military & Civilian Records at the National Personnel Records Center
The National Records Personnel Center in St. Louis has many records pertinent to your soldier’s service. OMPFs, Official Military Personnel Files, monthly regimental rolls, hospital records, military court-martials and graves registration service files all offer clues into your veteran’s military experience. NPRC also houses civilian and government employment files as well. Was your grandfather in the Civilian Conservation Corps? Was your mother Postmaster? These records are available as well! Tina will describe the types of information to be found in these records and how you can access them in person.
The National Records Personnel Center in St. Louis has many records pertinent to your soldier’s service. OMPFs, Official Military Personnel Files, monthly regimental rolls, hospital records, military court-martials and graves registration service files all offer clues into your veteran’s military experience. NPRC also houses civilian and government employment files as well. Was your grandfather in the Civilian Conservation Corps? Was your mother Postmaster? These records are available as well! Tina will describe the types of information to be found in these records and how you can access them in person.
Using Homestead Records to Tell Your Ancestor’s Story
Imagine uncovering the stories hidden in your ancestors’ land entry papers from the Homestead Act of 1862 and later homestead laws. The material in these files will add richness to your family history. Join us as we discover potential homesteading ancestors, explore the journey of making a claim, understand the different homestead laws, and learn to access these records. Each document holds clues waiting to unfold the story of your family’s past.
Imagine uncovering the stories hidden in your ancestors’ land entry papers from the Homestead Act of 1862 and later homestead laws. The material in these files will add richness to your family history. Join us as we discover potential homesteading ancestors, explore the journey of making a claim, understand the different homestead laws, and learn to access these records. Each document holds clues waiting to unfold the story of your family’s past.
The record types most frequently used by genealogists are birth, marriage, and death records, along with census population schedules, obituaries, and tombstones. When you are confronted with a brick wall, literally hundreds of alternative documents and other evidence might be used to supplement your research and help place your ancestors in context. Alternate Records You May Not Have Considered explores some materials that most genealogists skip or fail to examine. These may provide new clues and insights to open new research doors and help break down brick walls.
This webinar was first released 30 January 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
The record types most frequently used by genealogists are birth, marriage, and death records, along with census population schedules, obituaries, and tombstones. When you are confronted with a brick wall, literally hundreds of alternative documents and other evidence might be used to supplement your research and help place your ancestors in context. Alternate Records You May Not Have Considered explores some materials that most genealogists skip or fail to examine. These may provide new clues and insights to open new research doors and help break down brick walls.
This webinar was first released 30 January 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Private Gandolfo Scarnici: Case Study of a Veteran of World War I
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Take the opportunity to ask professional genealogist and publisher, Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA a question about the U.S. Revolutionary War. See if his genealogical and historical knowledge about the United States and military research can help you solve that brick wall problem you can’t seem to get your hands around.
Take the opportunity to ask professional genealogist and publisher, Craig R. Scott, CG, FUGA a question about the U.S. Revolutionary War. See if his genealogical and historical knowledge about the United States and military research can help you solve that brick wall problem you can’t seem to get your hands around.
Using Google Earth Web to Tell Your Family History Migration Stories
Learn how to use the free Google Earth Web platform to create and share engaging, interactive, multimedia stories that follow the footsteps of your ancestors. Although both the web and desktop versions have Google Earth in their name, they are very different. Learn how to navigate the platform interface, add multimedia content to your digital story, share your digital family history story, and preserve it. We will also discuss best practices for planning your Google Earth Web story. No coding skills needed!
Learn how to use the free Google Earth Web platform to create and share engaging, interactive, multimedia stories that follow the footsteps of your ancestors. Although both the web and desktop versions have Google Earth in their name, they are very different. Learn how to navigate the platform interface, add multimedia content to your digital story, share your digital family history story, and preserve it. We will also discuss best practices for planning your Google Earth Web story. No coding skills needed!
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