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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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54:01
2.0K views
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10 Things You Don’t Know About Cemeteries
Genealogists LOVE cemeteries but we don’t always know the history behind them. When we know the history, types, and traditions of cemeteries we can do better research that helps us understand our ancestor’s final resting place. In this presentation we will take a look at the history of US cemeteries, what you would expect to find depending on time and place, and where you can find records beyond the usual places.
Genealogists LOVE cemeteries but we don’t always know the history behind them. When we know the history, types, and traditions of cemeteries we can do better research that helps us understand our ancestor’s final resting place. In this presentation we will take a look at the history of US cemeteries, what you would expect to find depending on time and place, and where you can find records beyond the usual places.
Fri, Sep 6, 2024: 4:45 pm GMT
1:12:16
Who Hid the Body? Finding Your Ancestor’s Place of Burial
It’s not over ’til the fat lady sings? Nope. It’s not over until you find where the big girl was buried. This presentation offers examples of records that can lead genealogists to an ancestor’s elusive final resting place.
It’s not over ’til the fat lady sings? Nope. It’s not over until you find where the big girl was buried. This presentation offers examples of records that can lead genealogists to an ancestor’s elusive final resting place.
Wed, Aug 21, 2024: 6:00 pm GMT
51:12
Silent Storytellers: A Genealogist’s Guide to Cemetery Photography
They stand there behind those gates: marble and granite memorials to those who went before. The stones in those cemeteries and the stories they tell for our families are of crucial importance to genealogists. How can we best get access to the land where they stand, and photograph them to capture the stories they tell?
They stand there behind those gates: marble and granite memorials to those who went before. The stones in those cemeteries and the stories they tell for our families are of crucial importance to genealogists. How can we best get access to the land where they stand, and photograph them to capture the stories they tell?
Thu, Apr 11, 2024: 9:00 pm GMT
44:22
443 views
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Polish cemeteries online
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, Apr 14, 2023: 6:00 am GMT
1:27:07
1.5K views
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Written in Stone: In-Depth Study of a Gravestone
Genealogists use gravestone information to document death information, but oftentimes, a burial marker provides more than biographical information. Gravestones, like any record, should be analyzed but to do so requires one to think beyond genealogical research. In this presentation, we will explore types of cemeteries, the anatomy of a marker, and the “hidden” information the marker provides.
Genealogists use gravestone information to document death information, but oftentimes, a burial marker provides more than biographical information. Gravestones, like any record, should be analyzed but to do so requires one to think beyond genealogical research. In this presentation, we will explore types of cemeteries, the anatomy of a marker, and the “hidden” information the marker provides.
Thu, Mar 9, 2023: 1:00 am GMT
58:31
523 views
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Separate Even in Death – Black Funerals and Cemeteries
Segregation extended into death for African Americans, especially for those in the Southern United States. What led to the development of separate funeral homes and burial grounds? This presentation looks at burial practices for African-Americans from the 16th to the 20th century.
Segregation extended into death for African Americans, especially for those in the Southern United States. What led to the development of separate funeral homes and burial grounds? This presentation looks at burial practices for African-Americans from the 16th to the 20th century.
Fri, Sep 30, 2022: 3:30 pm GMT
59:38
970 views
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Documenting Cemeteries with BillionGraves
If headstones could talk, they would have a lot of stories to tell. But they can’t, so BillionGraves is the next best thing. BillionGraves is the world’s largest GPS-linked cemetery data resource. As you take photos with the BillionGraves app on your phone, each gravestone is automatically marked with a GPS location. The data is then transcribed by volunteers, plotted on cemetery maps, and preserved on BillionGraves, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage websites for millions of families around the globe for generations to come.
If headstones could talk, they would have a lot of stories to tell. But they can’t, so BillionGraves is the next best thing. BillionGraves is the world’s largest GPS-linked cemetery data resource. As you take photos with the BillionGraves app on your phone, each gravestone is automatically marked with a GPS location. The data is then transcribed by volunteers, plotted on cemetery maps, and preserved on BillionGraves, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage websites for millions of families around the globe for generations to come.
Fri, Sep 23, 2022: 4:45 pm GMT
1:02:24
1.5K views
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New Clues from Old Headstones
Learn how to interpret a gravestone for hints that will lead you to new record sources.
Learn how to interpret a gravestone for hints that will lead you to new record sources.
Fri, Dec 21, 2018: 12:00 am GMT
54:01
1.2K views
CC
Burials and Burial Grounds of England and Wales
Churchyards are one of the nation’s priceless and unique heritages – a light-hearted review of our forebears’ commemorations, and how to locate and explore these storehouses of history.
Churchyards are one of the nation’s priceless and unique heritages – a light-hearted review of our forebears’ commemorations, and how to locate and explore these storehouses of history.
Fri, Sep 29, 2017: 12:00 am GMT
1:46:05
3.3K views
An Introduction to BillionGraves
BillionGraves.com strives to preserve precious records found in cemeteries throughout the world. Using modern technology to capture images of headstones with their GPS locations, the site provides access to these records. This webinar will discuss how to use the site, the technology, and how you can help.
BillionGraves.com strives to preserve precious records found in cemeteries throughout the world. Using modern technology to capture images of headstones with their GPS locations, the site provides access to these records. This webinar will discuss how to use the site, the technology, and how you can help.
Wed, Dec 21, 2016: 12:00 am GMT
1:48:21
Messages from the Grave – Listening to Your Ancestor's Tombstone
In order to find an ancestor's tombstone, the burial ground must first be found. Tips are given on how to find the different cemeteries depending on the time period, type (church or commercial), and economic condition of the deceased. Tombstones are the last monuments to our lives on this earth….
In order to find an ancestor's tombstone, the burial ground must first be found. Tips are given on how to find the different cemeteries depending on the time period, type (church or commercial), and economic condition of the deceased. Tombstones are the last monuments to our lives on this earth….
Fri, May 13, 2016: 12:00 am GMT
1:55:31
3.8K views
Stories in Stone – Cemetery Research
Ever wonder what various gravestone symbols mean? Is everything "set in stone" completely accurate? Gail will walk you through cemeteries all over the country with tips on how to use cemetery and associated records in your genealogy quest.
Ever wonder what various gravestone symbols mean? Is everything "set in stone" completely accurate? Gail will walk you through cemeteries all over the country with tips on how to use cemetery and associated records in your genealogy quest.
Wed, Dec 2, 2015: 12:00 am GMT

Upcoming Live Webinars

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Wed, Jun 4, 2025: 9:00 am GMT
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, Jun 4, 2025: 9:00 am GMT
Wed, Jun 25, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Southern Ancestors…Black and White…in the Freedmen’s Bureau
Wed, June 25 2025: 18:00 UTC
Explore the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands to discover details of the Reconstruction lives of black freedmen and free people of color as well as white farmers and wealthy planters.
Explore the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands to discover details of the Reconstruction lives of black freedmen and free people of color as well as white farmers and wealthy planters.
Wed, Jun 25, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Thu, Jul 10, 2025: 12:00 am GMT
Forgotten Records: Pension Ledgers and the Payments they Represent
Thu, July 10 2025: 0:00 UTC
Few people take the time to look at the pension payment process and the records that are created. Records may contain information about movement, kin, and primary sources for dates of death.
Few people take the time to look at the pension payment process and the records that are created. Records may contain information about movement, kin, and primary sources for dates of death.
Thu, Jul 10, 2025: 12:00 am GMT
Wed, Jul 16, 2025: 12:00 am GMT
Civil War Records: What is a Reasonably Exhaustive Search?
Wed, July 16 2025: 0:00 UTC
To correlate evidence, you must have evidence to correlate. Typical researchers stop too soon in their evidence collection, believing they have found all there is to find about a soldier. There is more to military research than the compiled military service record or the pension application file. A reasonably exhaustive search is not limited to the two or three typical record sources.
To correlate evidence, you must have evidence to correlate. Typical researchers stop too soon in their evidence collection, believing they have found all there is to find about a soldier. There is more to military research than the compiled military service record or the pension application file. A reasonably exhaustive search is not limited to the two or three typical record sources.
Wed, Jul 16, 2025: 12:00 am GMT
Wed, Jul 23, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Unlocking Notation Codes on Alien Passenger Lists
Wed, July 23 2025: 18:00 UTC
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Entries in late 19th and early 20th century immigrant passenger manifests often include cryptic number and letter codes. Most genealogists simply look past them. Learn how to interpret these codes and what significant details they can reveal about your ancestor’s immigration and naturalization experience. Discover additional information about aliens who were detained or deported. This presentation is heavily illustrated with examples from New York and Philadelphia alien passenger lists and the handout includes a glossary of the terms, codes, and abbreviations found on these manifests.
Wed, Jul 23, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Wed, Jul 30, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Top Newspaper Sites That You MUST RESEARCH!
Wed, July 30 2025: 18:00 UTC
This presentation will discuss all of the newspaper websites that you must include in your genealogy research! This lecture will discuss: • Newspapers.com • Genealogybank/Newspaper Archive • Chronicling America • Proquest Historical Newspapers • State digitized newspaper projects • Hunting Forebears
This presentation will discuss all of the newspaper websites that you must include in your genealogy research! This lecture will discuss: • Newspapers.com • Genealogybank/Newspaper Archive • Chronicling America • Proquest Historical Newspapers • State digitized newspaper projects • Hunting Forebears
Wed, Jul 30, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Wed, Aug 6, 2025: 9:00 am GMT
Why you want Irish Quaker ancestors
Wed, August 6 2025: 9:00 UTC
The Irish Quaker community is today very small but at the turn of the 19th century, they were a large, active mobile community in Ireland, with strong links to Pennsylvania, which was founded by William Penn, an English Quaker. They also kept amazingly detailed records in both the personal and business spheres. This lecture traces the history and impact of Irish Quakers and showcases their records while considering what a largescale DNA project might uncover for this endogamous and distinct community within Ireland.
The Irish Quaker community is today very small but at the turn of the 19th century, they were a large, active mobile community in Ireland, with strong links to Pennsylvania, which was founded by William Penn, an English Quaker. They also kept amazingly detailed records in both the personal and business spheres. This lecture traces the history and impact of Irish Quakers and showcases their records while considering what a largescale DNA project might uncover for this endogamous and distinct community within Ireland.
Wed, Aug 6, 2025: 9:00 am GMT
Wed, Aug 27, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Ancestors on the Move: Migration from Farms to Cities, 1870–1920
Wed, August 27 2025: 18:00 UTC
The 1870 census was the first time farmers fell below 50% of American wage earners. Even then, they were still close, at 47.7%. By 1920, farmers were less than one third of the American population. Between 1870 and 1920, 11 million Americans migrated to cities. Learn about the events that spurred this migration and changed our ancestors from rural to urban dwellers and how to reconstruct their stories.
The 1870 census was the first time farmers fell below 50% of American wage earners. Even then, they were still close, at 47.7%. By 1920, farmers were less than one third of the American population. Between 1870 and 1920, 11 million Americans migrated to cities. Learn about the events that spurred this migration and changed our ancestors from rural to urban dwellers and how to reconstruct their stories.
Wed, Aug 27, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Fri, Aug 29, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT
Using Google Earth Web to Tell Your Family History Migration Stories
Fri, August 29 2025: 18:00 UTC
Learn how to use the free Google Earth Web platform to create and share engaging, interactive, multimedia stories that follow the footsteps of your ancestors. Although both the web and desktop versions have Google Earth in their name, they are very different. Learn how to navigate the platform interface, add multimedia content to your digital story, share your digital family history story, and preserve it. We will also discuss best practices for planning your Google Earth Web story. No coding skills needed!
Learn how to use the free Google Earth Web platform to create and share engaging, interactive, multimedia stories that follow the footsteps of your ancestors. Although both the web and desktop versions have Google Earth in their name, they are very different. Learn how to navigate the platform interface, add multimedia content to your digital story, share your digital family history story, and preserve it. We will also discuss best practices for planning your Google Earth Web story. No coding skills needed!
Fri, Aug 29, 2025: 6:00 pm GMT