Beginners

Taking a deeper dive into other resources to extend your New Zealand family history research.

For years researchers have been identifying family history using YDNA, especially those interested in where their specific line may originate. Upgrading to a next Generation Sequence test (NGS) can help bring information that could be 200k years old into a more workable timeframe is what these tests are all about (and then some). We will take a look at the NGS test at the tools for discovery available today and apply them in a case study.

Author and speaker Richard Hill, founder of the DNAFavorites.com website, will review his ten favorite DNA features included with the MyHeritage DNA test. He will show how these features support the basic functions of genetic genealogy, including (1) finding previously unknown relatives, (2) identifying the common ancestors responsible for our genetic matches, and (3) estimating the mix of ethnicities inherited from our ancestors. Using examples from his personal account, Richard will demonstrate these features and show how they can be used productively by genealogists, adoptees, and anyone curious about their family history or ethnic background.

Successful researchers carefully mine sources, correlate, and analyze extracted information to solve research problems. Identifying a research subject that materializes or disappears from thin air is challenging, but careful attention to detail may help researchers overcome frustration. This lecture will use mini-case studies to outline strategies.

Canadian land records contain valuable genealogy information but can be tricky to find. This practical presentation will give you instructions for finding these records. Using case studies, you’ll learn where to look for land records in Canada, the intricacies in finding them, and what information they may contain.

Martin, Duchâteau, De Rouen ou Lepetit, qu’il soit rare ou très commun, qui n’a jamais rêvé de se pencher sur l’origine de son nom de famille ? Mais si les noms de famille tendent à disparaitre quantitativement, l’étude des patronymes familiaux permet parfois de débloquer des recherches coincées depuis longtemps. A base d’exemples concrets, ce webinaire étudiera les différentes catégories de noms de famille mais également comment bien utiliser les différentes fonctionnalités MyHeritage au regard d’une étude de patronyme. Le webinaire abordera également comment faire lorsque cela coince dans vos recherches pour permettre d’élargir celles-ci à l’aide de ces si passionnants patronymes.

Family history research in a large city can be richly rewarding as urban centers typically kept better records. However, when it is your ancestor who does not appear in the vital records, how do you find them? Searching among the plethora of people in a city such as New York can be challenging. This presentation will give attendees some ways to navigate research in urban areas using a case study in 19th-century New York City to illustrate the methods.

Genealogy research in Greece is sometimes hard, yes, but with a good knowledge of the different types of records available, one can overcome several challenges! This webinar will teach you everything you need to know about the most important types of Greek records: what to look for, where to find, how to analyze & how to use!

Whatever our research dilemma, a correct solution depends upon a reliable evaluation of the evidence we are using. Evidence is not concrete. It is not definitive. It is not a source. It is not a fact. It is not “proof.” It is, instead, our interpretation of what a piece of information means. Evidence is both singular and collective. We analyze it piece by piece. We correlate each piece with everything else discoverable, and then we analyze the whole to reach conclusions that are reliable. This session walks us through the three levels at which each piece of information should be evaluated, in order to draw a reliable conclusion from it. The principles are then illustrated with a common but thorny problem: a Revolutionary War–era case study that might be called: How to Identify Someone Who’s Been Mangled by ‘Facts.’ *** This class requires a password and an active webinar membership to attend. On the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member). Then click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation/reminder email, and enter the password when prompted. ***