After hanging up the speaking mic in October 2021, Elizabeth Shown Mills, genealogy’s pioneer in problem-solving methodology, returns in 2023 with Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Join us each month as Elizabeth encores her top-12 most beloved classes, teaching us how to break down our genealogy problems and create solutions with innovative strategies and sound methods. The classes are pre-recorded for the live watch parties.
This series is accessible only with a webinar membership. Webinar members have access to the live events, the class replays, and the class syllabus materials.
To attend the live events 1) register for the webinar (must be logged in as a webinar member to register); 2) on the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member); 3) click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation email, and enter the password when prompted.
Genetic testing has taken the genealogical world by storm—but many good genealogists feel lost in that storm; and more than a few family trees have suffered damage. How do we harness the power of genetic genealogy without being swept away in the surge? This session guides genealogists through four areas: (1) converting DNA data into evidence; (2) turning that evidence into proof; (3) crafting citations that include all genetic details needed for proof; and (4) protecting privacy throughout the research and presentation of our conclusions. The session offers simple but solid ground rules—no geek speak!—illustrated by a variety of case studies.
Genetic testing has taken the genealogical world by storm—but many good genealogists feel lost in that storm; and more than a few family trees have suffered damage. How do we harness the power of genetic genealogy without being swept away in the surge? This session guides genealogists through four areas: (1) converting DNA data into evidence; (2) turning that evidence into proof; (3) crafting citations that include all genetic details needed for proof; and (4) protecting privacy throughout the research and presentation of our conclusions. The session offers simple but solid ground rules—no geek speak!—illustrated by a variety of case studies.
Information Overload? Effective Project Planning, Research, Data Management & Analysis
Data management is not just an organizing system. Data management is a critical analytical tool. Research standards tell us that conclusions must be supported by “proof.” Standards insist that “proof” is more than “a document”—rather, it’s a conclusion based on a body of evidence created by reasonably exhaustive research. Meeting this standard creates a paradox: The more data we gather, the more confused we get!—unless we maintain that body of evidence in a way that enables us to digest it, analyze it, and correlate it with everything else we’ve found. This session presents a framework for projects of all types and sizes, building on sound research practices that carry us smoothly from problem analysis to problem resolution.
Data management is not just an organizing system. Data management is a critical analytical tool. Research standards tell us that conclusions must be supported by “proof.” Standards insist that “proof” is more than “a document”—rather, it’s a conclusion based on a body of evidence created by reasonably exhaustive research. Meeting this standard creates a paradox: The more data we gather, the more confused we get!—unless we maintain that body of evidence in a way that enables us to digest it, analyze it, and correlate it with everything else we’ve found. This session presents a framework for projects of all types and sizes, building on sound research practices that carry us smoothly from problem analysis to problem resolution.
Stuck? It happens to everybody. So, how do successful genealogists “prime their pumps” when their research wells seem to go dry? This session offers a slew of sources, methods, fresh ideas, and case studies to recharge your innovation when you think both you and your opportunities are totally exhausted.
Stuck? It happens to everybody. So, how do successful genealogists “prime their pumps” when their research wells seem to go dry? This session offers a slew of sources, methods, fresh ideas, and case studies to recharge your innovation when you think both you and your opportunities are totally exhausted.
Finding Origins & Birth Families: Methods That Work
The most important path an ancestor blazed along the way from his place of birth to where we first find him is usually not a trail that cartographers have conveniently charted for us. Successful researchers learn to recognize and analyze the elements of an ancestor’s life and times, as well as people, that serve as pointers to his path. This session examines the nature and causes of stalemates in our research; ten common traps and ways to avoid them; and innovative methodologies for working smarter, not harder!
The most important path an ancestor blazed along the way from his place of birth to where we first find him is usually not a trail that cartographers have conveniently charted for us. Successful researchers learn to recognize and analyze the elements of an ancestor’s life and times, as well as people, that serve as pointers to his path. This session examines the nature and causes of stalemates in our research; ten common traps and ways to avoid them; and innovative methodologies for working smarter, not harder!
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.
Genealogical Research & Writing: Are You a Saint, Sinner, or Bumfuzzled Soul?
As researchers, family historians, compilers, bloggers, or writers of other ilk, genealogists face legal and ethical perils they often do not anticipate. This crash course offers practical guidance to enhance your skills and keep you safe as you explore history, reconstruct lives, and “write up” your findings. While the issues are serious—from the legal issue of copyright to the ethical issue of plagiarism—the lessons are taught with a light heart and humor.
As researchers, family historians, compilers, bloggers, or writers of other ilk, genealogists face legal and ethical perils they often do not anticipate. This crash course offers practical guidance to enhance your skills and keep you safe as you explore history, reconstruct lives, and “write up” your findings. While the issues are serious—from the legal issue of copyright to the ethical issue of plagiarism—the lessons are taught with a light heart and humor.
Oral history provides the foundation for all family research. Documentary evidence builds structure on that foundation. But documents often conflict with family traditions. How do we determine the core truths that are essential to understanding our own past? This class examines the causes of those conflicts and demonstrates how to peel away generations of confusion to find the real story that underpins family lore. Case studies include both Native American and African American traditions.
Oral history provides the foundation for all family research. Documentary evidence builds structure on that foundation. But documents often conflict with family traditions. How do we determine the core truths that are essential to understanding our own past? This class examines the causes of those conflicts and demonstrates how to peel away generations of confusion to find the real story that underpins family lore. Case studies include both Native American and African American traditions.
Identity Crises: Right Name, Wrong Man? Wrong Name, Right Man?
What do we do with ancestors whose names don’t “match” from one record to the next? Or those who pose the opposite problem: too many men or women of the same name? This session examines a litany of social customs and naming patterns that cause ancestors to be known by different names—then offers techniques and strategies by which we can establish that any two records do or do not apply to the same person. A variety of case studies demonstrate the problems and the methods we can use to overcome them.
What do we do with ancestors whose names don’t “match” from one record to the next? Or those who pose the opposite problem: too many men or women of the same name? This session examines a litany of social customs and naming patterns that cause ancestors to be known by different names—then offers techniques and strategies by which we can establish that any two records do or do not apply to the same person. A variety of case studies demonstrate the problems and the methods we can use to overcome them.
Tax Rolls: Getting Our Money’s Worth from the Taxes Our Ancestors Paid
Tax rolls have traditionally been used as a “census substitute”—a list of names to show that someone of a certain name was in a certain jurisdiction, in this year or that. But tax rolls can be developed into so much more. This session demonstrates how to use tax rolls to separate same-name people, determine ages of men and date their marriages, establish times of death, identify parents and the maiden identity of wives, track migration, document inheritances when probate records are destroyed, and so much more!
Tax rolls have traditionally been used as a “census substitute”—a list of names to show that someone of a certain name was in a certain jurisdiction, in this year or that. But tax rolls can be developed into so much more. This session demonstrates how to use tax rolls to separate same-name people, determine ages of men and date their marriages, establish times of death, identify parents and the maiden identity of wives, track migration, document inheritances when probate records are destroyed, and so much more!
Census Clues: Sweet Potato Simon, White Potato Willie, & Cows that Grow Wool
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
One of the toughest challenges faced by genealogists is the difficulty of identifying and tracking females. Wives and mothers traditionally have been “supporting characters” to the roles played by their husbands and sons—bearing no known name other than that of the males they married or bore. Historically, social mores and law codes made them second-class citizens, without a legal identity of their own and few rights or opportunities to create the range of records that genealogists customarily use to trace males. This session presents an array of resources—and, more importantly, techniques and strategies backed by case studies—we can use to establish the identities of elusive females.
One of the toughest challenges faced by genealogists is the difficulty of identifying and tracking females. Wives and mothers traditionally have been “supporting characters” to the roles played by their husbands and sons—bearing no known name other than that of the males they married or bore. Historically, social mores and law codes made them second-class citizens, without a legal identity of their own and few rights or opportunities to create the range of records that genealogists customarily use to trace males. This session presents an array of resources—and, more importantly, techniques and strategies backed by case studies—we can use to establish the identities of elusive females.
Finding Fathers: Tracking Males Who “Disappeared” or “Just Showed Up”
The legendary Choctaw Chief Pushmataha swore that he sprang full grown from Mother Earth. As genealogists, we sometimes wonder whether our ancestors did the same. Most elusive men do have traceable origins, once we learn to deal with the issues that thwart us—migration, high mortality rates, and illegitimacy being not the least of them. This hour offers practical suggestions and strategies for extending paternal lines, focusing upon the pre-1850 period when censuses don’t identify children in parental households.
The legendary Choctaw Chief Pushmataha swore that he sprang full grown from Mother Earth. As genealogists, we sometimes wonder whether our ancestors did the same. Most elusive men do have traceable origins, once we learn to deal with the issues that thwart us—migration, high mortality rates, and illegitimacy being not the least of them. This hour offers practical suggestions and strategies for extending paternal lines, focusing upon the pre-1850 period when censuses don’t identify children in parental households.
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.
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.
Lineage in Context: Creating a Compelling Kinship-Determination Project
Wed, February 18 2026: 1:00 UTC
Turn your research into a meaningful family narrative that meets BCG certification requirements. This session will demonstrate how to write a structured narrative lineage that both proves kinship and details the history of each couple. Topics include selecting an appropriate family line, placing families in context, organizing and analyzing evidence, meeting BCG’s standards, and documenting biographical details.
Turn your research into a meaningful family narrative that meets BCG certification requirements. This session will demonstrate how to write a structured narrative lineage that both proves kinship and details the history of each couple. Topics include selecting an appropriate family line, placing families in context, organizing and analyzing evidence, meeting BCG’s standards, and documenting biographical details.
DNA in Action 1 of 6: Proving Your Pedigree with DNA
Wed, February 18 2026: 19:00 UTC
The series begins with sound genealogy methodology and principles and then explains their logical extensions when using autosomal DNA as a source of information to answer focused research questions. Karen will use a case example to prove the documented ancestors are consistent with the genetic evidence on a selected ancestral line. This lecture focuses on methodology and decision-making.
The series begins with sound genealogy methodology and principles and then explains their logical extensions when using autosomal DNA as a source of information to answer focused research questions. Karen will use a case example to prove the documented ancestors are consistent with the genetic evidence on a selected ancestral line. This lecture focuses on methodology and decision-making.
Si les pierres tombales pouvaient parler, elles auraient beaucoup d’histoires à raconter. Mais elles ne le peuvent pas, c’est pourquoi BillionGraves est la meilleure alternative. BillionGraves est la plus grande base de données au monde sur les cimetières, reliée à un système GPS. Lorsque vous prenez des photos avec l’application BillionGraves sur votre téléphone, chaque pierre tombale est automatiquement marquée d’une position GPS. Les données sont ensuite transcrites par des bénévoles, reportées sur des plans de cimetières et conservées sur les sites web BillionGraves, FamilySearch et MyHeritage pour des millions de familles à travers le monde et pour les générations futures.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Si les pierres tombales pouvaient parler, elles auraient beaucoup d’histoires à raconter. Mais elles ne le peuvent pas, c’est pourquoi BillionGraves est la meilleure alternative. BillionGraves est la plus grande base de données au monde sur les cimetières, reliée à un système GPS. Lorsque vous prenez des photos avec l’application BillionGraves sur votre téléphone, chaque pierre tombale est automatiquement marquée d’une position GPS. Les données sont ensuite transcrites par des bénévoles, reportées sur des plans de cimetières et conservées sur les sites web BillionGraves, FamilySearch et MyHeritage pour des millions de familles à travers le monde et pour les générations futures.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Yorkshire was an area of great migration, those who moved within the county, those who moved in and out of the county and those who left Yorkshire and England. Most Europeans who emigrated travelled to America with more than 2 million English moving to America in the 1800s. The changes during the 1800s through the effects, and aftereffects, of the Industrial Revolution created great change in Yorkshire as well as the decline in lead mining and farming in rural areas and the Yorkshire dales. As people lost opportunities to earn a living in these areas they were pulled to the opportunities further afield, the mills towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire and further afield to America then later to Canada and Australia. As a member of a family emigrated this created a greater pull for friends and family to join them creating communities in another country. This was the case in New Diggings in Wisconsin where many people from Swaledale and Wensleydale left the declining lead mines to start new lives in the growing mines of America. This talk will explore the people who emigrated, the villages they left and the communities they joined along with the Yorkshire surnames which are now part of American life. Oral histories documented in the book ‘Those Who Left the Dales’ by the Upper Dales Family History Group are referred to as well as immigration records and original documents held at North Yorkshire Archives including the publication ‘History of New Diggings’ and a Dakota ‘recruiting’ lecture given in Wensleydale. The talk will provide an insight into the reasons for leaving Yorkshire, particularly the Yorkshire Dales, and the lives of those who emigrated.
Yorkshire was an area of great migration, those who moved within the county, those who moved in and out of the county and those who left Yorkshire and England. Most Europeans who emigrated travelled to America with more than 2 million English moving to America in the 1800s. The changes during the 1800s through the effects, and aftereffects, of the Industrial Revolution created great change in Yorkshire as well as the decline in lead mining and farming in rural areas and the Yorkshire dales. As people lost opportunities to earn a living in these areas they were pulled to the opportunities further afield, the mills towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire and further afield to America then later to Canada and Australia. As a member of a family emigrated this created a greater pull for friends and family to join them creating communities in another country. This was the case in New Diggings in Wisconsin where many people from Swaledale and Wensleydale left the declining lead mines to start new lives in the growing mines of America. This talk will explore the people who emigrated, the villages they left and the communities they joined along with the Yorkshire surnames which are now part of American life. Oral histories documented in the book ‘Those Who Left the Dales’ by the Upper Dales Family History Group are referred to as well as immigration records and original documents held at North Yorkshire Archives including the publication ‘History of New Diggings’ and a Dakota ‘recruiting’ lecture given in Wensleydale. The talk will provide an insight into the reasons for leaving Yorkshire, particularly the Yorkshire Dales, and the lives of those who emigrated.
By registering, you are submitting your information to Legacy Family Tree Webinars and agreeing to let us use it to contact you.
Thank you for registering!
You should receive a confirmation email with a link to the webinar soon.
You’ll also receive a reminder both the day before and one hour before the webinar begins. Didn’t receive a confirmation email?
You successfully registered for %s.
You should receive a confirmation email with a link to the webinar soon.
You’ll also receive a reminder both the day before and one hour before the webinar begins. Didn’t receive a confirmation email?
