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52:52
Dispelling the 1870 Brick Wall Myth: African American Ancestry Before the Federal Population Census
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
Fri, April 4 2025: 19:00 UTC
49:45
15 Top Tips for Colonial New England Research
Find your colonial ancestors in the communities of New England with these fifteen strategies that cut through 400 years of changing records. Learn expert practices for accessing New England’s information and building evidence of lives long forgotten. Your early New England roots can come to life with these less-obvious sources and methods.
Find your colonial ancestors in the communities of New England with these fifteen strategies that cut through 400 years of changing records. Learn expert practices for accessing New England’s information and building evidence of lives long forgotten. Your early New England roots can come to life with these less-obvious sources and methods.
Fri, April 4 2025: 12:00 UTC
50:20
381 views
CC
Subjects, Citizens, and Serfs: Unpacking Germany’s Historical Social Order
Gain an understanding of the different social statuses in historical Germany. Learn about the living conditions of the different classes in Germany. Until the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, there were a total of 22 monarchies and three free cities in what is now Germany. And there were almost as many different regulations concerning the rights and duties of the residents. Citizenship was usually not acquired by birth, but only after an application and the strict examination of the fulfillment of several requirements. This presentation will give information on acquisition and loss of citizenship and the respective reasons for it.
Gain an understanding of the different social statuses in historical Germany. Learn about the living conditions of the different classes in Germany. Until the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, there were a total of 22 monarchies and three free cities in what is now Germany. And there were almost as many different regulations concerning the rights and duties of the residents. Citizenship was usually not acquired by birth, but only after an application and the strict examination of the fulfillment of several requirements. This presentation will give information on acquisition and loss of citizenship and the respective reasons for it.
Fri, April 4 2025: 10:00 UTC
50:03
310 views
CC
Scottish costume – The Kilt: fact, fiction and pure fantasy
There is so much emotional and heritage capital invested in the Scottish kilt and tartans. But these are not as ancient, and not so uniformly Scottish, as often thought. How much of this is historical fact and how much a modern creation? Dr Bruce Durie sifts the reality from the myth.
There is so much emotional and heritage capital invested in the Scottish kilt and tartans. But these are not as ancient, and not so uniformly Scottish, as often thought. How much of this is historical fact and how much a modern creation? Dr Bruce Durie sifts the reality from the myth.
Fri, April 4 2025: 8:00 UTC
45:31
324 views
CC
Engagements, Weddings, marriage contracts and divorces in 19th century Germany
Explore 19th-century German engagement, marriage and divorce traditions, historical social norms and legal regulations, including economic motives, marriage contracts, remarriage, and strict divorce processes. This presentation will explore the complex world of marriage and divorce in nineteenth-century Germany, emphasizing its importance to genealogical research. Participants will gain insight into the economic, social, and legal factors that shaped marriage and divorce practices. The session will include examples of historical documents and introduce new types of records beyond traditional church records.
Explore 19th-century German engagement, marriage and divorce traditions, historical social norms and legal regulations, including economic motives, marriage contracts, remarriage, and strict divorce processes. This presentation will explore the complex world of marriage and divorce in nineteenth-century Germany, emphasizing its importance to genealogical research. Participants will gain insight into the economic, social, and legal factors that shaped marriage and divorce practices. The session will include examples of historical documents and introduce new types of records beyond traditional church records.
Fri, April 4 2025: 7:00 UTC
0 views
Free
Tracing Female Ancestors in Greek Genealogy Research
In Greek genealogy research, tracing female ancestors can be rather challenging. However, a number of research options can tackle this problem. This webinar aims at presenting such options and tips to help you find the names and stories of your Greek female ancestors.
In Greek genealogy research, tracing female ancestors can be rather challenging. However, a number of research options can tackle this problem. This webinar aims at presenting such options and tips to help you find the names and stories of your Greek female ancestors.
Fri, April 4 2025: 6:00 UTC
48:33
Understanding and Benefitting from Process Changes to England’s Civil Registration for B/M/D Certificates
Understand original steps in getting from event – birth, marriage or death to an index; how online services impact searches; how to obtain inexpensive certificates. Access procedures and costs for obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates in England and Wales has changed radically in the last few years. Positively, the reduced costs make it such there is no excuse for not getting all birth and death certificates. Negatively, people are losing sight of what they are actually searching to get the certificate. – Learn the original process of getting from an event to a listing within an index (local or national). – Learn what rules and laws changed the above processes over time. – Understand differences between original and new indexes. – See the impact of which versions of the indexes are being searched by the different online services. – Learn how to purchase, and quickly obtain birth and death certificates. – See the different versions of the certificates that can be currently purchased. – Learn alternatives for obtaining cheaper marriage records.
Understand original steps in getting from event – birth, marriage or death to an index; how online services impact searches; how to obtain inexpensive certificates. Access procedures and costs for obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates in England and Wales has changed radically in the last few years. Positively, the reduced costs make it such there is no excuse for not getting all birth and death certificates. Negatively, people are losing sight of what they are actually searching to get the certificate. – Learn the original process of getting from an event to a listing within an index (local or national). – Learn what rules and laws changed the above processes over time. – Understand differences between original and new indexes. – See the impact of which versions of the indexes are being searched by the different online services. – Learn how to purchase, and quickly obtain birth and death certificates. – See the different versions of the certificates that can be currently purchased. – Learn alternatives for obtaining cheaper marriage records.
Fri, April 4 2025: 2:00 UTC
1:27:36
Mexican Notarial Records: An Invaluable Source for Reconstructing the Past of Mexican Families
Testaments, dowry letters, land sales, cattle leasing, power of attorney letters, and many other types of documents were created by public and royal scribes all over Mexico in the last five centuries. Notarial archives are rich in detail and history. Whenever they are available, they become an essential tool for genealogical research, adding depth to the lives of ancestors, or bridging gaps when church records have been lost. This conference is a basic outline of these records and where to find them both offline and online.
Testaments, dowry letters, land sales, cattle leasing, power of attorney letters, and many other types of documents were created by public and royal scribes all over Mexico in the last five centuries. Notarial archives are rich in detail and history. Whenever they are available, they become an essential tool for genealogical research, adding depth to the lives of ancestors, or bridging gaps when church records have been lost. This conference is a basic outline of these records and where to find them both offline and online.
Fri, March 21 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:19:24
370 views
CC
Researching Your Hampshire Ancestors
The county of Hampshire covers over 1 million acres, bordered to the south by the English Channel and includes the Isle of Wight. As one might expect the ancestral roots of the county are widely represented by agricultural workers, but it also has a strong maritime history. This includes not only coastguards, fishermen, and latterly Merchant Navy seafarers, but also the Royal Navy with its Portsmouth dockyard, now home to Nelsons’s flagship HMS Victory. Join Gill for a user’s guide to online and offline resources, including local archive collections, a guide to boundary changes, and where to search for missing ancestors. Our aim is research enlightenment.
The county of Hampshire covers over 1 million acres, bordered to the south by the English Channel and includes the Isle of Wight. As one might expect the ancestral roots of the county are widely represented by agricultural workers, but it also has a strong maritime history. This includes not only coastguards, fishermen, and latterly Merchant Navy seafarers, but also the Royal Navy with its Portsmouth dockyard, now home to Nelsons’s flagship HMS Victory. Join Gill for a user’s guide to online and offline resources, including local archive collections, a guide to boundary changes, and where to search for missing ancestors. Our aim is research enlightenment.
Fri, March 14 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:04:24
347 views
CC
Danish Probate Records
Probate records are a gem for those researching ancestors in Denmark. However, understanding the jurisdictions for these records is very complicated. This webinar will discuss the basics of the Danish Estate system the influence it had on our ancestors’ lives. We will also learn about the county records, finding aids and online resources for successfully navigating Danish probate records.
Probate records are a gem for those researching ancestors in Denmark. However, understanding the jurisdictions for these records is very complicated. This webinar will discuss the basics of the Danish Estate system the influence it had on our ancestors’ lives. We will also learn about the county records, finding aids and online resources for successfully navigating Danish probate records.
Thu, March 13 2025: 0:00 UTC
1:06:38
95 views
French
Free
Trouvez vos ancêtres dans les recensements canadiens sur MyHeritage
Dans ce webinaire, la généalogiste québécoise Kathleen Juneau Roy, vous présentera l’organisation des recensements canadiens et l’éventail de la collection détenue par MyHeritage. Nous verrons les particularités de chacun des recensements de 1851 à 1931, des défis qu’ils représentent, de leurs avantages et de leurs limites. Nous verrons qu’un recensement c’est plus qu’un document, c’est presque une « photo » de nos familles à une date et dans un lieu précis.
Dans ce webinaire, la généalogiste québécoise Kathleen Juneau Roy, vous présentera l’organisation des recensements canadiens et l’éventail de la collection détenue par MyHeritage. Nous verrons les particularités de chacun des recensements de 1851 à 1931, des défis qu’ils représentent, de leurs avantages et de leurs limites. Nous verrons qu’un recensement c’est plus qu’un document, c’est presque une « photo » de nos familles à une date et dans un lieu précis.
Thu, February 27 2025: 14:00 UTC
1:19:25
985 views
CC
Soldiers, Squatters and Settlers—early settlements in Upper Canada
Following the Revolutionary War, many British subjects were eager to get onto British soil and Canada was the nearest colony. Land was granted to soldiers who had remained loyal to the Crown and with the success of settlements such as Glengarry, colonizers soon realized that there was success to be had in getting immigrants to settle in the huge swath of untapped land in Upper Canada. In this presentation we will discuss: Military Settlements, Crown & Clergy Reserves, Queen’s Bush Settlement & Wilberforce Colony, Quaker Settlements, Mennonite Settlements, Talbot Settlement, Peter Robinson Settlement, Huron Tract. We will also look at sale of treaty lands, and emigration societies in Scotland.
Following the Revolutionary War, many British subjects were eager to get onto British soil and Canada was the nearest colony. Land was granted to soldiers who had remained loyal to the Crown and with the success of settlements such as Glengarry, colonizers soon realized that there was success to be had in getting immigrants to settle in the huge swath of untapped land in Upper Canada. In this presentation we will discuss: Military Settlements, Crown & Clergy Reserves, Queen’s Bush Settlement & Wilberforce Colony, Quaker Settlements, Mennonite Settlements, Talbot Settlement, Peter Robinson Settlement, Huron Tract. We will also look at sale of treaty lands, and emigration societies in Scotland.
Fri, February 21 2025: 19:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (114)
Wed, April 30 2025: 18:00 UTC
Invaded! The Fenian Raids and the Canadian Response
Wed, April 30 2025: 18:00 UTC
Between 1866 and 1871, Irish-American veterans invaded Canada, attempting to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. Gain an understanding of the historical context, significant battles, and the lasting impact on Canadian military and national identity. Determine your ancestor’s role in these events and where to find the records.
Between 1866 and 1871, Irish-American veterans invaded Canada, attempting to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. Gain an understanding of the historical context, significant battles, and the lasting impact on Canadian military and national identity. Determine your ancestor’s role in these events and where to find the records.
Wed, April 30 2025: 18:00 UTC
Fri, May 2 2025: 18:00 UTC
Nach Kanada! Immigration of Germans to Canada
Fri, May 2 2025: 18:00 UTC
Germans have been migrating to Canada since the 18th Century, and have played major roles in the development of the nation. Early arrivals came from German territory, while more recent arrivals came from countries such as Poland, the Soviet Union or Brazil. Germans appear in a variety of Canadian records, including some that do not have Canadians of British descent. This session included basic history of Germans in Canada as well as a guide to useful sources.
Germans have been migrating to Canada since the 18th Century, and have played major roles in the development of the nation. Early arrivals came from German territory, while more recent arrivals came from countries such as Poland, the Soviet Union or Brazil. Germans appear in a variety of Canadian records, including some that do not have Canadians of British descent. This session included basic history of Germans in Canada as well as a guide to useful sources.
Fri, May 2 2025: 18:00 UTC
Fri, May 9 2025: 18:00 UTC
Researching your Essex and East London Ancestors
Fri, May 9 2025: 18:00 UTC
Discover how and where to locate records relating to your Essex and East London Ancestors. Learn about the changes of jurisdictions, and the various depositories that hold the keys to researching your family history. Once one of the seven Kingdoms, Essex and its neighboring East End towns/boroughs are steeped in history – from Tudors hunting in Epping Forest, to the Windrush arriving in the port of Tilbury. Find out how the landscape, particularly the Thames Estuary, played its part in shaping the county and its people. From probate courts to manors, schools to newspapers, a vast array of sources will be covered.
Discover how and where to locate records relating to your Essex and East London Ancestors. Learn about the changes of jurisdictions, and the various depositories that hold the keys to researching your family history. Once one of the seven Kingdoms, Essex and its neighboring East End towns/boroughs are steeped in history – from Tudors hunting in Epping Forest, to the Windrush arriving in the port of Tilbury. Find out how the landscape, particularly the Thames Estuary, played its part in shaping the county and its people. From probate courts to manors, schools to newspapers, a vast array of sources will be covered.
Fri, May 9 2025: 18:00 UTC
Thu, May 15 2025: 0:00 UTC
21 Million Reasons to Research at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Thu, May 15 2025: 0:00 UTC
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is the largest genealogy repository in the Mid-Atlantic. Its collections include over 21 million items ranging from manuscript collections to books and photographs—many of which are useful to genealogists with Pennsylvania ancestry, and most of which cannot be found anywhere else.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is the largest genealogy repository in the Mid-Atlantic. Its collections include over 21 million items ranging from manuscript collections to books and photographs—many of which are useful to genealogists with Pennsylvania ancestry, and most of which cannot be found anywhere else.
Thu, May 15 2025: 0:00 UTC
Fri, May 16 2025: 18:00 UTC
Traditions of Death and Burial in Mexico
Fri, May 16 2025: 18:00 UTC
Burial records may be one of the least used records in Mexican genealogical research and yet are also one of the more easily accessible. Seemingly brief in content, these records reveal more than the dry facts of a person’s death. Once placed in the greater context of traditions, church practices, and remembrances like Día de los Muertos, we gain insight into our ancestors’ experiences with death and mourning.
Burial records may be one of the least used records in Mexican genealogical research and yet are also one of the more easily accessible. Seemingly brief in content, these records reveal more than the dry facts of a person’s death. Once placed in the greater context of traditions, church practices, and remembrances like Día de los Muertos, we gain insight into our ancestors’ experiences with death and mourning.
Fri, May 16 2025: 18:00 UTC
Wed, May 28 2025: 18:00 UTC
10 New Tools for New York Research
Wed, May 28 2025: 18:00 UTC
As genealogical interest continues to grow, new sources become available, new tools are published and new approaches are developed. Successful research demands keeping up to date, especially for a state as complex as New York. From colonial to 20th century, both online and print only, these new tools can supercharge your stagnant New York research problems!
As genealogical interest continues to grow, new sources become available, new tools are published and new approaches are developed. Successful research demands keeping up to date, especially for a state as complex as New York. From colonial to 20th century, both online and print only, these new tools can supercharge your stagnant New York research problems!
Wed, May 28 2025: 18:00 UTC
Wed, June 4 2025: 9:00 UTC
Hidden in the Newsprint: UK Edition
Wed, June 4 2025: 9:00 UTC
An insight into the wealth of information that is available within newspapers including the British Newspaper Archive and The Gazette as well as hints and tips for getting more out of searching and finding useful articles within the newspapers.
An insight into the wealth of information that is available within newspapers including the British Newspaper Archive and The Gazette as well as hints and tips for getting more out of searching and finding useful articles within the newspapers.
Wed, June 4 2025: 9:00 UTC
Thu, June 12 2025: 0:00 UTC
Top 5 Strategies for Researching Early Kentucky and Virginia Families
Thu, June 12 2025: 0:00 UTC
Researching early families in Kentucky and Virginia can be particularly challenging. Every location has multiple people of the same name making even surviving records difficult to sort. There are few available birth and death records and other records may be difficult to locate or non-existent. Learn effective strategies for researching that difficult early Kentucky or Virginia family.
Researching early families in Kentucky and Virginia can be particularly challenging. Every location has multiple people of the same name making even surviving records difficult to sort. There are few available birth and death records and other records may be difficult to locate or non-existent. Learn effective strategies for researching that difficult early Kentucky or Virginia family.
Thu, June 12 2025: 0:00 UTC
Fri, June 13 2025: 18:00 UTC
Family Legacies Reclaimed: “Building Family Ties Through Genetic Genealogy”
Fri, June 13 2025: 18:00 UTC
In this presentation, Adwoa Ulzen-Setrakian, founder of spanDNA and Human Temple Therapeutics LLC, explores how genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool for families of African descent to reclaim their histories and restore connections severed by displacement, migration, and historical traumas. Through a family-centered approach, Adwoa demonstrates how commercial DNA testing can do more than uncover personal ancestry—it can reconstruct the bonds of kinship across generations and continents. Drawing from real-life case studies, Adwoa will share stories of how African-descended families are using genetic genealogy to facilitate reconnecting with lost relatives, restoring collective memory, and explore opportunities for healing from intergenerational wounds. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges faced by these families, especially when traditional records and oral histories fall short, and how spanDNA’s method helps bridge the gaps using DNA analysis, compassionate research, and a collaborative, community-based approach. A key focus will be the culmination of these efforts at gatherings such as the upcoming Transatlantic Genealogy Summit 2025, where families who have reconnected through DNA will come together to celebrate their shared heritage, foster deeper connections, and continue building their family legacies. Attendees will walk away with: Insight into how genetic genealogy can be a transformative tool for family legacy-building, particularly within the African diaspora. Practical knowledge of how to use commercial DNA testing platforms to connect with genetic relatives and uncover ancestral histories. A better understanding of how family reunions and summits, such as the Transatlantic Genealogy Summit, can serve as a powerful culmination of genealogical research and DNA connections. Real-life examples of success stories and the emotional impact of restoring long-lost family ties. This presentation may inspire families to see themselves as protagonists in their own stories, capable of uncovering veiled memories and reclaiming their place within the larger, interconnected human family.
In this presentation, Adwoa Ulzen-Setrakian, founder of spanDNA and Human Temple Therapeutics LLC, explores how genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool for families of African descent to reclaim their histories and restore connections severed by displacement, migration, and historical traumas. Through a family-centered approach, Adwoa demonstrates how commercial DNA testing can do more than uncover personal ancestry—it can reconstruct the bonds of kinship across generations and continents. Drawing from real-life case studies, Adwoa will share stories of how African-descended families are using genetic genealogy to facilitate reconnecting with lost relatives, restoring collective memory, and explore opportunities for healing from intergenerational wounds. Attendees will learn about the unique challenges faced by these families, especially when traditional records and oral histories fall short, and how spanDNA’s method helps bridge the gaps using DNA analysis, compassionate research, and a collaborative, community-based approach. A key focus will be the culmination of these efforts at gatherings such as the upcoming Transatlantic Genealogy Summit 2025, where families who have reconnected through DNA will come together to celebrate their shared heritage, foster deeper connections, and continue building their family legacies. Attendees will walk away with: Insight into how genetic genealogy can be a transformative tool for family legacy-building, particularly within the African diaspora. Practical knowledge of how to use commercial DNA testing platforms to connect with genetic relatives and uncover ancestral histories. A better understanding of how family reunions and summits, such as the Transatlantic Genealogy Summit, can serve as a powerful culmination of genealogical research and DNA connections. Real-life examples of success stories and the emotional impact of restoring long-lost family ties. This presentation may inspire families to see themselves as protagonists in their own stories, capable of uncovering veiled memories and reclaiming their place within the larger, interconnected human family.
Fri, June 13 2025: 18:00 UTC