The next Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills series webinar is on Friday (a members-only event). Learn more here. Become a member here.

The next Best of Elizabeth Shown Mills series webinar is on Friday (a members-only event). Learn more here. Become a member here.

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1:25:12
Tips and Tools for Navigating the English Probate System
The probate system in England and Wales changed significantly in 1858. Learn how the English probate system worked before and after that change, see what records are available and why they are of value. Learn tips and tools for procedures which will simplify the search process, whether the ancestor’s location in England is known or unknown.
The probate system in England and Wales changed significantly in 1858. Learn how the English probate system worked before and after that change, see what records are available and why they are of value. Learn tips and tools for procedures which will simplify the search process, whether the ancestor’s location in England is known or unknown.
Wed, March 1 2023: 1:00 UTC
56:25
46 views
CC
Getting the best out of the online Local BMD indexes
This webinar was presented live during the 2022 Surname Society annual conference. Ian Hartas talk will cover some of the basic techniques in how to get the best out of local BMD sites and also cover a basic walk through on them to suit newcomers.
This webinar was presented live during the 2022 Surname Society annual conference. Ian Hartas talk will cover some of the basic techniques in how to get the best out of local BMD sites and also cover a basic walk through on them to suit newcomers.
Sat, March 19 2022: 17:00 UTC
1:32:27
Exploring the new 1921 UK Census
The 1921 UK Census was released earlier this year. Come explore what is new and different in this census. Learn how to search the indexed records, to understand the results, and how to take what you learn about your family further.
The 1921 UK Census was released earlier this year. Come explore what is new and different in this census. Learn how to search the indexed records, to understand the results, and how to take what you learn about your family further.
Wed, March 2 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:06:29
440 views
CC
British and Irish Given Names – Part 2
Have you noticed that the given names of our eighteenth and nineteenth century English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh ancestors were drawn from a surprisingly small pool? But how small a pool? How common were our ancestors’ given names? More importantly, how rare were the less common names? Lists of the most common 10, 20, 50 or 100 names are surprisingly unhelpful unless they include frequency statistics. For example, Jeremiah, was ranked 26th in England in the 1800s but the most useful information is its frequency; it was carried by only one man in 500. Most villages had fewer than 500 males at that time. This webinar focuses on given name popularities, changes in popularity, and the reasons for such changes. It also covers spelling variants, abbreviations, and diminutives. For example, if you don’t know that Polly was a diminutive of Mary or that Nellie was a diminutive of Ellen and Eleanor and Helen, you might struggle to find entries for your ancestors. Our ancestors’ given names and surnames are the gateways into our family history research. Learning more about their names may prove useful in determining their ancestry or finding other family connections.
Have you noticed that the given names of our eighteenth and nineteenth century English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh ancestors were drawn from a surprisingly small pool? But how small a pool? How common were our ancestors’ given names? More importantly, how rare were the less common names? Lists of the most common 10, 20, 50 or 100 names are surprisingly unhelpful unless they include frequency statistics. For example, Jeremiah, was ranked 26th in England in the 1800s but the most useful information is its frequency; it was carried by only one man in 500. Most villages had fewer than 500 males at that time. This webinar focuses on given name popularities, changes in popularity, and the reasons for such changes. It also covers spelling variants, abbreviations, and diminutives. For example, if you don’t know that Polly was a diminutive of Mary or that Nellie was a diminutive of Ellen and Eleanor and Helen, you might struggle to find entries for your ancestors. Our ancestors’ given names and surnames are the gateways into our family history research. Learning more about their names may prove useful in determining their ancestry or finding other family connections.
Fri, September 10 2021: 0:00 UTC
53:51
3.5K views
CC
Begotten by Fornication: Illegitimacy records in England and Wales
There is a long history of concern of support of children conceived outside marriage as these children were more likely to need financial assistance. There were many laws enacted from the 1500s about who was able to claim assistance, how this was provided and the records that needed to be…
There is a long history of concern of support of children conceived outside marriage as these children were more likely to need financial assistance. There were many laws enacted from the 1500s about who was able to claim assistance, how this was provided and the records that needed to be…
Fri, April 9 2021: 0:00 UTC
1:17:18
12.5K views
CC
British Genealogy Online: The Top English & Welsh Family History Websites
Researching your family history in England and Wales has never been easier. Many digitized church records, census records and wills are online. Now that newspapers dating back to the 1600s are online, you can search for a name and find it anywhere in millions of pages instantly. Rick will demonstrate…
Researching your family history in England and Wales has never been easier. Many digitized church records, census records and wills are online. Now that newspapers dating back to the 1600s are online, you can search for a name and find it anywhere in millions of pages instantly. Rick will demonstrate…
Tue, March 2 2021: 0:00 UTC
1:25:24
3.4K views
CC
Finding Your 19th Century Ancestors in England
Identify the best genealogical resources, original and published, to use for 19th Century research in England. Learn which resources to use to overcome specific genealogical problems and how to cope with the large increase in population that occurred in the 19th Century.
Identify the best genealogical resources, original and published, to use for 19th Century research in England. Learn which resources to use to overcome specific genealogical problems and how to cope with the large increase in population that occurred in the 19th Century.
Fri, June 19 2020: 0:00 UTC
1:09:07
3.6K views
CC
Why did the Welsh leave Wales?
This session will look at research strategies for finding an immigrant ancestor's place of origin, including a historical overview of life in Wales, maps, counties, 1720 and 1833 gazetteer descriptions and the Welsh language.
This session will look at research strategies for finding an immigrant ancestor's place of origin, including a historical overview of life in Wales, maps, counties, 1720 and 1833 gazetteer descriptions and the Welsh language.
Fri, June 19 2020: 0:00 UTC
1:27:59
3.7K views
CC
Sources for Landed and Titled People in England and Wales
Learn what original, published and internet sources are available for tracing your “upper crust” ancestors, those who are titled and/or owned land. Prove those connections to Royalty.
Learn what original, published and internet sources are available for tracing your “upper crust” ancestors, those who are titled and/or owned land. Prove those connections to Royalty.
Tue, June 2 2020: 0:00 UTC
1:22:25
3.2K views
CC
The Future is Still in the Past: An Introduction to Online Parish Clerks in the United Kingdom
England is divided into 40 administrative counties which traditionally were each comprised of various numbers of ecclesiastical parishes. Each parish had its own church that administered to both the spiritual and the secular needs of the community. In 1538, Thomas Cromwell, chief minister of Henry VIII, issued The Second Henrician…
England is divided into 40 administrative counties which traditionally were each comprised of various numbers of ecclesiastical parishes. Each parish had its own church that administered to both the spiritual and the secular needs of the community. In 1538, Thomas Cromwell, chief minister of Henry VIII, issued The Second Henrician…
Fri, May 1 2020: 0:00 UTC
1:21:36
20.6K views
CC
How to trace your UK ancestry
From the comfort of your home (outside the UK), trying to uncover your roots (whether in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales) can be an extremely challenging task. However, it is far from impossible with a plethora of information available online from books to databases, transcriptions to images, photographs and other…
From the comfort of your home (outside the UK), trying to uncover your roots (whether in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales) can be an extremely challenging task. However, it is far from impossible with a plethora of information available online from books to databases, transcriptions to images, photographs and other…
Wed, December 18 2019: 0:00 UTC
1:12:31
5.0K views
CC
Free
Unlocking English & Welsh Civil Registration Records
Civil registration records in England and Wales began in 1837 and can provide extensive information about your ancestors. Learn about these valuable records and how you can access the index to these records on MyHeritage, which allows you to easily procure them from the General Register Office.
Civil registration records in England and Wales began in 1837 and can provide extensive information about your ancestors. Learn about these valuable records and how you can access the index to these records on MyHeritage, which allows you to easily procure them from the General Register Office.
Tue, September 24 2019: 0:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (155)
Wed, April 5 2023: 2:00 UTC
Looking for ‘Aliens’ Down Under: A Guide to Australian Naturalisation Records
Wed, April 5 2023: 2:00 UTC
Following the founding of the colony of Australia, individuals born in the British Empire were considered British subjects, irrespective of the nationality of their parents. Residents of Australia whose native place was outside of the British Empire were not afforded the same rights and privileges as British subjects. These rights, in particular the right to buy land and vote, could be conferred to an individual by a process known as naturalisation. This bureaucratic process generated multiple sets of records that contain a wealth of genealogical information. This talk will outline the complex history of naturalisation in Australia, the changing terminology used, how, when and why naturalisation records were created, and discuss the likely availability of records and for whom they may have been created.
Kristy Love
Following the founding of the colony of Australia, individuals born in the British Empire were considered British subjects, irrespective of the nationality of their parents. Residents of Australia whose native place was outside of the British Empire were not afforded the same rights and privileges as British subjects. These rights, in particular the right to buy land and vote, could be conferred to an individual by a process known as naturalisation. This bureaucratic process generated multiple sets of records that contain a wealth of genealogical information. This talk will outline the complex history of naturalisation in Australia, the changing terminology used, how, when and why naturalisation records were created, and discuss the likely availability of records and for whom they may have been created.
Wed, April 5 2023: 2:00 UTC
Fri, April 7 2023: 18:00 UTC
Tick Marks and Number Counts: Understanding and Using the Slave Schedules
Fri, April 7 2023: 18:00 UTC
What exactly are the 1850 and 1860 United States Slave Schedules and what is their value to researchers? A closer look at this enumeration of “slave inhabitants” will streamline interpretation of these records and will help define the do’s and don’ts of working with them.
What exactly are the 1850 and 1860 United States Slave Schedules and what is their value to researchers? A closer look at this enumeration of “slave inhabitants” will streamline interpretation of these records and will help define the do’s and don’ts of working with them.
Fri, April 7 2023: 18:00 UTC
Thu, April 13 2023: 22:00 UTC
Spanish & Latin American Records on MyHeritage
Thu, April 13 2023: 22:00 UTC
Researching Hispanic and/or Latino ancestors? Daniel Horowitz will introduce you to the wealth of historical collections from Spain and Latin America on offer at MyHeritage and give you important pointers for searching and analyzing them.
Researching Hispanic and/or Latino ancestors? Daniel Horowitz will introduce you to the wealth of historical collections from Spain and Latin America on offer at MyHeritage and give you important pointers for searching and analyzing them.
Thu, April 13 2023: 22:00 UTC
Thu, April 13 2023: 23:00 UTC
Liverpool: The Central Hub for Northern Europe’s 19th and 20th Century Emigration
Thu, April 13 2023: 23:00 UTC
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Thu, April 13 2023: 23:00 UTC
Fri, April 14 2023: 1:00 UTC
The FAN Club Methodology, DNA, and Genealogy Lead Back to Lunatic’s Plantation
Fri, April 14 2023: 1:00 UTC
Utilizing the FAN Club method, DNA, and enslaved ancestral research, Collier finally found major clues to help solve a longtime mystery – who was the previous enslaver of his great-great grandmother, Polly Partee of Panola County, Mississippi, and where did she come from? Her last enslaver was Squire Boone Partee of Panola County, and Polly had been the head cook on his plantation during and after slavery, according to oral history. According to the censuses, she was born somewhere in North Carolina and sold to Squire by 1852, but her origins had been largely unknown. Collier will present a plethora of DNA evidence, in conjunction with genealogy research and the FAN Club methodology, to uncover Polly’s North Carolina origins. Collier will also argue how a court-investigated lunatic, Alfred Alston of Fayette County, Tennessee, was most likely her previous enslaver.
Utilizing the FAN Club method, DNA, and enslaved ancestral research, Collier finally found major clues to help solve a longtime mystery – who was the previous enslaver of his great-great grandmother, Polly Partee of Panola County, Mississippi, and where did she come from? Her last enslaver was Squire Boone Partee of Panola County, and Polly had been the head cook on his plantation during and after slavery, according to oral history. According to the censuses, she was born somewhere in North Carolina and sold to Squire by 1852, but her origins had been largely unknown. Collier will present a plethora of DNA evidence, in conjunction with genealogy research and the FAN Club methodology, to uncover Polly’s North Carolina origins. Collier will also argue how a court-investigated lunatic, Alfred Alston of Fayette County, Tennessee, was most likely her previous enslaver.
Fri, April 14 2023: 1:00 UTC
Fri, April 14 2023: 6:00 UTC
Polish cemeteries online
Fri, April 14 2023: 6:00 UTC
The presentation will cover Polish cemetery online databases – portals and websites that include information about burials from all over Poland. Kinga will show you how to use these and explain what is the most common information that you may find there.
The presentation will cover Polish cemetery online databases – portals and websites that include information about burials from all over Poland. Kinga will show you how to use these and explain what is the most common information that you may find there.
Fri, April 14 2023: 6:00 UTC
Fri, April 14 2023: 8:00 UTC
To Have but No Longer to Hold: Divorce in Australia
Fri, April 14 2023: 8:00 UTC
The first colony to introduce divorce was South Australia in 1858 to the last New South Wales in 1873. The requirements differed by colony. Each colony handled its own divorces until the Federal Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 provided 14 grounds for the grant of divorce, including adultery, desertion, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years. It was not until the Family Law Act 1975 was passed by the Federal Parliament that a “no fault divorce” existed in Australia: imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years.
The first colony to introduce divorce was South Australia in 1858 to the last New South Wales in 1873. The requirements differed by colony. Each colony handled its own divorces until the Federal Matrimonial Causes Act 1959 provided 14 grounds for the grant of divorce, including adultery, desertion, cruelty, habitual drunkenness, imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years. It was not until the Family Law Act 1975 was passed by the Federal Parliament that a “no fault divorce” existed in Australia: imprisonment and insanity. To succeed on one of these grounds, a spouse had to prove marital fault. There was only one no-fault ground: separation for more than five years.
Fri, April 14 2023: 8:00 UTC
Fri, April 14 2023: 9:00 UTC
Australian indexes online for family history research you might not know
Fri, April 14 2023: 9:00 UTC
This class examines online indexes that are not available through the big subscription sites. Family history societies and volunteer groups have created unique resources only available through their websites. Often free to use or more details are included in a society membership.
Shauna Hicks
This class examines online indexes that are not available through the big subscription sites. Family history societies and volunteer groups have created unique resources only available through their websites. Often free to use or more details are included in a society membership.
Fri, April 14 2023: 9:00 UTC
Fri, April 14 2023: 10:00 UTC
Different calendars in German genealogy
Fri, April 14 2023: 10:00 UTC
Only since 1893, there is one time zone in Germany! However, in the sources relevant for genealogy there are also dates referring to the Julian and Gregorian calendars, as well as the French revolutionary calendar and the church calendar. Here the differences and conversion to today’s dates are explained.
Only since 1893, there is one time zone in Germany! However, in the sources relevant for genealogy there are also dates referring to the Julian and Gregorian calendars, as well as the French revolutionary calendar and the church calendar. Here the differences and conversion to today’s dates are explained.
Fri, April 14 2023: 10:00 UTC