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.
Context in the Count: Interpreting the U.S. Census With a Historical Perspective
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.
Case Studies in Census Conflicts – Resolving Contradictions Across Decades
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.
The Many Faces of the Census: Beyond the Population Schedule – Agricultural, Mortality, and Industry Records
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.
Advanced Census Research: Understanding Census Enumerators and Their Instructions
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.
Where They Once Stood: Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Place of Origin
Often family researchers know only the country from which their ancestor emigrated. This presentation offers examples of American records that can answer the question, “But, exactly where were they from?” Finding an ancestor’s specific place of origin in the old country can open doors to foreign records that can add generations to your family tree, and bring greater appreciation of your heritage. You may even be able to stand where they once stood.
Often family researchers know only the country from which their ancestor emigrated. This presentation offers examples of American records that can answer the question, “But, exactly where were they from?” Finding an ancestor’s specific place of origin in the old country can open doors to foreign records that can add generations to your family tree, and bring greater appreciation of your heritage. You may even be able to stand where they once stood.
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.
Mieux naviguer dans son arbre MyHeritage : Vues, réglages et astuces d’affichage
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Discovering your Eastern European Ancestors on MyHeritage
Tue, February 10 2026: 19:00 UTC
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
Searching for Sisters? Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States
Wed, February 11 2026: 19:00 UTC
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Leyes de Indias: Leyes coloniales españolas y los registros que generaron
Thu, February 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española.
Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española.
Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
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.
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