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Historical Records

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.

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59:25
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.
Wed, November 19 2025: 1:00 UTC
1:14:00
1.1K views
CC
Discovering Old Land Surveys in Deeds and Probates
Early surveys can often resolve issues of burned or unindexed records. Learn how to follow a specific property and the individuals involved, while building a more complete story of that land.
Early surveys can often resolve issues of burned or unindexed records. Learn how to follow a specific property and the individuals involved, while building a more complete story of that land.
Wed, September 24 2025: 18:00 UTC
49:23
475 views
CC
Colonial & Early American Land Records
In Colonial & Early American Land Records, George G. Morgan explores the rich and often underutilized world of land and property records from the colonial through early federal periods of American history. This session outlines the evolution of land ownership practices across different colonial powers and the valuable genealogical clues embedded in deeds, grants, patents, dower releases, and surveys. Morgan explains how these records can uncover key information about family relationships, migrations, and vital events. The webinar equips researchers with the tools to locate, interpret, and apply land records effectively in their genealogical pursuits. This webinar was first released 22 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
In Colonial & Early American Land Records, George G. Morgan explores the rich and often underutilized world of land and property records from the colonial through early federal periods of American history. This session outlines the evolution of land ownership practices across different colonial powers and the valuable genealogical clues embedded in deeds, grants, patents, dower releases, and surveys. Morgan explains how these records can uncover key information about family relationships, migrations, and vital events. The webinar equips researchers with the tools to locate, interpret, and apply land records effectively in their genealogical pursuits. This webinar was first released 22 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Thu, April 10 2025: 10:00 UTC
1:10:13
The Influence of Free and Cheap Land on Migration
From the beginning of European settlement in North America, free and inexpensive land has been a tool for enticing settlers to migrate to new areas. The English and Spanish granted large tracts to individuals in return for bringing new people into areas with sparse European populations. Bounty land was granted to soldiers in America’s early wars. The end of the American Revolution led to a number of Federal plans to sell or grant vast acreages of public domain land. Homesteading opportunities attracted Americans and immigrants to the west after the Civil War. The availability of affordable land was a catalyst for the migration of many of our ancestors.
From the beginning of European settlement in North America, free and inexpensive land has been a tool for enticing settlers to migrate to new areas. The English and Spanish granted large tracts to individuals in return for bringing new people into areas with sparse European populations. Bounty land was granted to soldiers in America’s early wars. The end of the American Revolution led to a number of Federal plans to sell or grant vast acreages of public domain land. Homesteading opportunities attracted Americans and immigrants to the west after the Civil War. The availability of affordable land was a catalyst for the migration of many of our ancestors.
Wed, March 19 2025: 0:00 UTC
1:17:38
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.
Fri, August 23 2024: 18:00 UTC
1:15:27
1.3K views
CC
Comparing Plats of Land With Deeds and Grants
Land Plats of an ancestor’s land will likely include his surrounding neighbors. With a closer examination, we might gain an understanding of their lives and place them with their community and local events.
Land Plats of an ancestor’s land will likely include his surrounding neighbors. With a closer examination, we might gain an understanding of their lives and place them with their community and local events.
Wed, April 17 2024: 18:00 UTC
1:22:32
1.6K views
CC
Metes & Bounds Land Plats Solve Genealogical Problems
This session provides a brief overview of metes and bounds land descriptions seen in deeds, mortgages, patents, grants, and other land documents. The land descriptions are an essential part of land research. This presentation discusses metes and bounds land descriptions and how the metes and bounds can solve genealogical problems.
This session provides a brief overview of metes and bounds land descriptions seen in deeds, mortgages, patents, grants, and other land documents. The land descriptions are an essential part of land research. This presentation discusses metes and bounds land descriptions and how the metes and bounds can solve genealogical problems.
Wed, February 21 2024: 1:00 UTC
56:42
Lineage of Land: Tracing Property Without Recorded Deeds (a 2023 Reisinger Lecture)
This case study traces a piece of property for two hundred years, from the Native Americans to the Dutch, to the English, and through fourteen members of the Hicks family over five generations. Transfer of title occurs through various instruments, including patents, unrecorded deeds, inheritance, escheatment, private laws, entails, deeds of lease and release, life estates, and coverture. Tracing the lineage of the property elucidates family relationships that were otherwise forgotten. This class is presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City as part of the Joy Reisinger Memorial Lecture Series and is being broadcasted by Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
This case study traces a piece of property for two hundred years, from the Native Americans to the Dutch, to the English, and through fourteen members of the Hicks family over five generations. Transfer of title occurs through various instruments, including patents, unrecorded deeds, inheritance, escheatment, private laws, entails, deeds of lease and release, life estates, and coverture. Tracing the lineage of the property elucidates family relationships that were otherwise forgotten. This class is presented live at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City as part of the Joy Reisinger Memorial Lecture Series and is being broadcasted by Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
Fri, October 20 2023: 16:45 UTC
1:00:16
1.6K views
CC
Connecting Generations through Probate and Property
Genealogical research involves identifying ancestors, linking them to family members, and then connecting them to the previous generation: sons and daughters to fathers and mothers. As our research moves back in time, particularly once we’ve gotten to the 19th century, connecting one generation to the previous generation becomes more difficult. Vital records expressly stating a parent-child relationship are rare. Consequently, to establish kinship we must broaden our research approach. Using case studies, Teri will demonstrate how to use probate and property records to identify family members and connect them to their ancestors.
Genealogical research involves identifying ancestors, linking them to family members, and then connecting them to the previous generation: sons and daughters to fathers and mothers. As our research moves back in time, particularly once we’ve gotten to the 19th century, connecting one generation to the previous generation becomes more difficult. Vital records expressly stating a parent-child relationship are rare. Consequently, to establish kinship we must broaden our research approach. Using case studies, Teri will demonstrate how to use probate and property records to identify family members and connect them to their ancestors.
Fri, September 1 2023: 14:15 UTC
1:11:37
1.1K views
CC
Finding Your Ancestors in Canadian Land Records
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.
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.
Fri, June 16 2023: 18:00 UTC
1:07:48
637 views
CC
Settlers, Squatters and Selectors: Land ownership in Australia, 1788-1900
Since the early days of British settlement in Australia, land has been considered to be one of its greatest assets. Until 1831, some settlers received large grants of land while others were entitled to only 30 acres, plus an additional 20 acres if married and 10 acres for each child. Over the next seventy years, the colonies developed their own land allocation schemes, each devised for a specific purpose. This presentation will highlight the records which relate to Crown Land, pastoral runs, land selection, occupation records, land orders and land ownership.
Since the early days of British settlement in Australia, land has been considered to be one of its greatest assets. Until 1831, some settlers received large grants of land while others were entitled to only 30 acres, plus an additional 20 acres if married and 10 acres for each child. Over the next seventy years, the colonies developed their own land allocation schemes, each devised for a specific purpose. This presentation will highlight the records which relate to Crown Land, pastoral runs, land selection, occupation records, land orders and land ownership.
Wed, February 1 2023: 1:00 UTC
59:41
495 views
CC
Fruit of the Earth: Using Deeds to Uncover Your Ancestors
Deed Records are one of the best records for researching family history, but their legal language can intimidate even seasoned researchers. In this session, Ms. Smith describes the various ways that land records can help our genealogical research not just on our ancestors, but also on the communities in which they lived. Land records can tie together multiple generations of a family and provide evidence for relationships. They can also shed light on the social history of a locale, which is important information to add context to the lives of our ancestors.
Deed Records are one of the best records for researching family history, but their legal language can intimidate even seasoned researchers. In this session, Ms. Smith describes the various ways that land records can help our genealogical research not just on our ancestors, but also on the communities in which they lived. Land records can tie together multiple generations of a family and provide evidence for relationships. They can also shed light on the social history of a locale, which is important information to add context to the lives of our ancestors.
Fri, September 23 2022: 10:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (171)
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Beyond the First Clue: Unraveling a Genealogical Mystery with the GPS
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard uncovers Delany DeVine’s true birthplace, challenging initial evidence and showcasing reasonably exhaustive research, analysis, correlation, and resolution of conflicting evidence.
Applying the Genealogical Proof Standard uncovers Delany DeVine’s true birthplace, challenging initial evidence and showcasing reasonably exhaustive research, analysis, correlation, and resolution of conflicting evidence.
Wed, January 21 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Advanced Topics in DNA 1 of 5: Advanced Y-DNA Evidence
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Y-DNA evidence is incredibly powerful. Learn the ins and outs, pros and cons, of advanced Y-DNA testing (the FTDNA Big Y700 test) and how to utilize Y-STR and Y-SNP test results for genealogical evidence.
Y-DNA evidence is incredibly powerful. Learn the ins and outs, pros and cons, of advanced Y-DNA testing (the FTDNA Big Y700 test) and how to utilize Y-STR and Y-SNP test results for genealogical evidence.
Wed, January 21 2026: 19:00 UTC
Foundations in AI for Family History 2 of 5: Prompt Power—Getting Better Answers from AI
Thu, January 22 2026: 1:00 UTC
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Thu, January 22 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
Sorting DNA Matches with MyHeritage’s Theory of Family Relativity
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
This webinar looks at 43 Theory of Relativity matches for my mother’s DNA on MyHeritage. With a detailed paper trail, Shauna is looking for some unexplained ethnicity that is in both MyHeritage and FamilyTree DNA. What is the explanation for her Welsh and Germanic ancestry passed down on her mother’s side? Join Shauna and see if she can solve the puzzle, or is that, dig up yet another family skeleton?
Wed, January 28 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Make Easy Video Stories Your Family Will Cherish
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Turn genealogical facts into captivating videos. This session will empower family historians who have only modest tech skills to create short, shareable videos that resonate with all ages. Using Animoto, Canva, iMovie, or Camtasia, learn to blend photos, music, and narration. The result will be magic! Discover how to digitize artifacts, and source public-domain images from places like the New York Public Library’s scanned books. Use AI transcription tools for. Attendees will leave excited to produce a 2–3-minute video story. No video editing skills are needed. This session will draw upon real examples created with the simplest of tools.
Wed, January 28 2026: 19:00 UTC
Foundations in AI for Family History 3 of 5: Using AI Responsibly: Principles and Ethics
Thu, January 29 2026: 1:00 UTC
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Learn the principles, tools, and responsible practices for using AI in your genealogical research.
Thu, January 29 2026: 1:00 UTC