Filters
0 webinars selected
Select all
Cancel

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.

10
of
2,658 Webinars Clear filters
Sort by
Sort by
59:53
263 views
CC
Introduction to U.S. City Directories
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.
Thu, December 11 2025: 12:00 UTC
52:22
So, You Think You Know All About City Directories?
Most are thick books listing the heads of household with address and occupation; later the spouse and adult children appear. Add business listings and ads plus government agencies, relief agencies, civic and religious organizations, and other listings and you have a goldmine of information. Do you know how and when the material was collected? The differences in the early ones? How to use them for the history of businesses, owners, and other entities. What about the unique directories that serve as a census, tell of military service, where someone moved to, include fake names, and provide clues to vital records. The problems with some digitized directories, issues with the canvassing for listings, and the sales pushed that occurred will be covered. I’ll share the rewards of in-depth sleuthing about the directories, their compilation, some surprises, and obvious and hidden places to find them today.
Most are thick books listing the heads of household with address and occupation; later the spouse and adult children appear. Add business listings and ads plus government agencies, relief agencies, civic and religious organizations, and other listings and you have a goldmine of information. Do you know how and when the material was collected? The differences in the early ones? How to use them for the history of businesses, owners, and other entities. What about the unique directories that serve as a census, tell of military service, where someone moved to, include fake names, and provide clues to vital records. The problems with some digitized directories, issues with the canvassing for listings, and the sales pushed that occurred will be covered. I’ll share the rewards of in-depth sleuthing about the directories, their compilation, some surprises, and obvious and hidden places to find them today.
Fri, September 15 2023: 15:30 UTC
1:08:43
1.3K views
CC
Free
A Deep Dive into U.S. City Directories at MyHeritage
U.S. City Directories are useful for finding a person’s residence at a given place and time, but we can glean many more facts from City Directories. Discover how to use MyHeritage’s U.S. City Directories collection to find not only residential information about your ancestors but much more. Learn how to use MyHeritage’s unique features and search capabilities.
U.S. City Directories are useful for finding a person’s residence at a given place and time, but we can glean many more facts from City Directories. Discover how to use MyHeritage’s U.S. City Directories collection to find not only residential information about your ancestors but much more. Learn how to use MyHeritage’s unique features and search capabilities.
Tue, July 25 2023: 18:00 UTC
8:00
635 views
CC
How a City Directory worked for me again
Following up on his recent case study webinar, “How I Debunked an Online Tree Hint”, Geoff Rasmussen shows how a city directory put a final nail in that hint’s coffin (not sure how great that analogy is, but hopefully you get the point…) and provided new clues to continue his research.
Following up on his recent case study webinar, “How I Debunked an Online Tree Hint”, Geoff Rasmussen shows how a city directory put a final nail in that hint’s coffin (not sure how great that analogy is, but hopefully you get the point…) and provided new clues to continue his research.
Thu, June 30 2022: 0:00 UTC
1:07:27
8.7K views
CC
Free
City Directories: Much More than Ye Olde Phonebooks
Learn about the fascinating details which may be hiding in your ancestors' City Directories listings, such as addresses, names of neighbors, professions, and services provided. Advertisements from old City Directories will open the door to a wealth of information about how your ancestors lived.
Learn about the fascinating details which may be hiding in your ancestors' City Directories listings, such as addresses, names of neighbors, professions, and services provided. Advertisements from old City Directories will open the door to a wealth of information about how your ancestors lived.
Tue, March 24 2020: 0:00 UTC
44:30
6.5K views
CC
Free
City Directories: No Town Too Small, No Clue Too Little
Most genealogists aren’t taking full advantage of all the clues available in city directories. Learn how go beyond a mere “lookup” of your ancestor and their family. Understand how city directories were created, the secrets of various abbreviations, and how to use the F.A.N. Club approach to getting the most…
Most genealogists aren’t taking full advantage of all the clues available in city directories. Learn how go beyond a mere “lookup” of your ancestor and their family. Understand how city directories were created, the secrets of various abbreviations, and how to use the F.A.N. Club approach to getting the most…
Wed, May 15 2019: 0:00 UTC
1:46:16
Finding and Using Land Ownership Maps
Land ownership maps in the US are generally focused on the county level. Produced largely in the nineteenth-century in single sheet or atlas format, they were sold by subscription and also developed to commemorate events such as the centennial of the American Revolution. Though advances in printing such as lithography…
Land ownership maps in the US are generally focused on the county level. Produced largely in the nineteenth-century in single sheet or atlas format, they were sold by subscription and also developed to commemorate events such as the centennial of the American Revolution. Though advances in printing such as lithography…
Wed, April 26 2017: 0:00 UTC
1:37:07
4.2K views
Watch Geoff Live: Adding a City Directory
In this webinar, Legacy’s Geoff Rasmussen will demonstrate what to do with a city directory as he adds the information to his real, personal Legacy family file. This class will be presented live and unscripted, giving attendees a first-hand look at how a professional genealogist analyzes and records information from…
In this webinar, Legacy’s Geoff Rasmussen will demonstrate what to do with a city directory as he adds the information to his real, personal Legacy family file. This class will be presented live and unscripted, giving attendees a first-hand look at how a professional genealogist analyzes and records information from…
Tue, December 13 2016: 0:00 UTC
1:02:04
Ten Years Is A Long Time – Census Substitutes for the In-Between Years (BONUS webinar for subscribers)
The federal census gives us wonderful clues for our research, but the ten years between each census is a long time. This presentation will discuss records that can be used to fill in the gap and add more points to your ancestor's timeline.
The federal census gives us wonderful clues for our research, but the ten years between each census is a long time. This presentation will discuss records that can be used to fill in the gap and add more points to your ancestor's timeline.
Fri, August 14 2015: 0:00 UTC
1:24:00
4.1K views
Direct Your Research with City Directories
Browse the pages of various types of directories to discover where your ancestor worked, lived and played. City Directories are for more than family research. The details can help you date a photograph or plot your relative on a map.
Browse the pages of various types of directories to discover where your ancestor worked, lived and played. City Directories are for more than family research. The details can help you date a photograph or plot your relative on a map.
Fri, August 2 2013: 0:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (225)
Tue, March 3 2026: 19:00 UTC
Spanish
Últimas funcionalidades de MyHeritage
Tue, March 3 2026: 19:00 UTC
MyHeritage está a la vanguardia de la innovación en genealogía y constantemente introduce nuevas y emocionantes funciones para ayudar a los usuarios a llevar su investigación al siguiente nivel. En esta sesión, Daniel ofrecerá una explicación detallada de las últimas y mejores novedades de MyHeritage y le mostrará cómo sacar el máximo partido a estas funciones. Además, le dará un vistazo entre bastidores sobre cómo se desarrollaron.
MyHeritage está a la vanguardia de la innovación en genealogía y constantemente introduce nuevas y emocionantes funciones para ayudar a los usuarios a llevar su investigación al siguiente nivel. En esta sesión, Daniel ofrecerá una explicación detallada de las últimas y mejores novedades de MyHeritage y le mostrará cómo sacar el máximo partido a estas funciones. Además, le dará un vistazo entre bastidores sobre cómo se desarrollaron.
Tue, March 3 2026: 19:00 UTC
Thu, March 5 2026: 14:00 UTC
French
Le Système d’Organisation de Généalogie à Six Dossiers
Thu, March 5 2026: 14:00 UTC
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Perdu dans une mer de fichiers numériques, de photos de famille et de documents papier ? Vous ne trouvez pas les dossiers que vous savez avoir ? Vous numérisez des photos et des dossiers plus d’une fois ? Ce système basé sur les archives vous aide à organiser TOUS vos travaux de recherche généalogique et vos dossiers en seulement six dossiers. Pas besoin de codes couleur, de systèmes de numérotation ou d’autres schémas compliqués avec des idées d’un généalogiste et archiviste professionnel.
Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA. Perdu dans une mer de fichiers numériques, de photos de famille et de documents papier ? Vous ne trouvez pas les dossiers que vous savez avoir ? Vous numérisez des photos et des dossiers plus d’une fois ? Ce système basé sur les archives vous aide à organiser TOUS vos travaux de recherche généalogique et vos dossiers en seulement six dossiers. Pas besoin de codes couleur, de systèmes de numérotation ou d’autres schémas compliqués avec des idées d’un généalogiste et archiviste professionnel.
Thu, March 5 2026: 14:00 UTC
Tue, March 10 2026: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Diccionario geográfico de España para genealogistas: cómo interpretar lugares antiguos en tus investigaciones familiares
Tue, March 10 2026: 14:00 UTC
Aprende a usar un diccionario geográfico de España para tus estudios genealógicos. Descubre cómo identificar pueblos desaparecidos, cambios de nombres, y divisiones históricas que afectan tu árbol familiar. Ideal para genealogistas y aficionados a la historia familiar.
Sonia Meza
Aprende a usar un diccionario geográfico de España para tus estudios genealógicos. Descubre cómo identificar pueblos desaparecidos, cambios de nombres, y divisiones históricas que afectan tu árbol familiar. Ideal para genealogistas y aficionados a la historia familiar.
Tue, March 10 2026: 14:00 UTC
Wed, March 11 2026: 18:00 UTC
Leveraging Freedom of Information Laws to Procure Novel Records
Wed, March 11 2026: 18:00 UTC
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
This lecture will explain Freedom of Information Laws, and what genealogists can do with them. A variety of jurisdictions and case studies will be discussed.
Wed, March 11 2026: 18:00 UTC
Thu, March 12 2026: 0:00 UTC
From Research to Data with AI 1 of 5: From Records to Raw Data—Extracting with AI
Thu, March 12 2026: 0:00 UTC
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
Use AI to extract, clean, organise, and analyse your family history research. Intermediate level, focused on workflows and data handling; ideal for users managing large research projects; activities include table-building, clustering, and data cleaning.
Thu, March 12 2026: 0:00 UTC
Thu, March 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
French
Annuaires urbains : aucune ville n’est trop petite, aucun indice n’est insignifiant
Thu, March 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël. Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
La plupart des généalogistes n’exploitent pas pleinement tous les indices disponibles dans les annuaires municipaux. Apprenez à aller au-delà d’une simple « recherche » de vos ancêtres et de leur famille. Comprenez comment les annuaires municipaux ont été créés, les secrets des différentes abréviations et comment utiliser l’approche F.A.N. Club pour obtenir le plus d’informations possible. Ce webinaire fait partie du séminaire de généalogie MyHeritage d’une journée, diffusé en direct depuis le siège de MyHeritage à Or Yehuda, en Israël. Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Thu, March 12 2026: 14:00 UTC