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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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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
629 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 (18)
Tue, November 18 2025: 12:00 UTC
French
La généalogie au bout des doigts : explorez l’application mobile MyHeritage
Tue, November 18 2025: 12:00 UTC
L’application mobile MyHeritage vous permet d’emporter votre arbre généalogique partout avec vous et de l’enrichir en toute simplicité. Explorez vos correspondances, profitez d’outils photo puissants, et effectuez des recherches dans la vaste base de données internationale de collections d’archives — partout, à tout moment. Dans ce webinaire, découvrez toutes les fonctionnalités de l’application et apprenez à l’utiliser pour explorer, préserver et partager votre histoire familiale, où que vous soyez
L’application mobile MyHeritage vous permet d’emporter votre arbre généalogique partout avec vous et de l’enrichir en toute simplicité. Explorez vos correspondances, profitez d’outils photo puissants, et effectuez des recherches dans la vaste base de données internationale de collections d’archives — partout, à tout moment. Dans ce webinaire, découvrez toutes les fonctionnalités de l’application et apprenez à l’utiliser pour explorer, préserver et partager votre histoire familiale, où que vous soyez
Tue, November 18 2025: 12:00 UTC
Wed, November 19 2025: 1:00 UTC
Using Homestead Records to Tell Your Ancestor’s Story
Wed, November 19 2025: 1:00 UTC
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
Wed, November 19 2025: 19:00 UTC
Spirit of St. Louis: Military & Civilian Records at the National Personnel Records Center
Wed, November 19 2025: 19:00 UTC
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.
Wed, November 19 2025: 19:00 UTC
Fri, November 21 2025: 19:00 UTC
University Archives in México: Manuscripts, Photos, and Theses, Oh my!
Fri, November 21 2025: 19:00 UTC
With original records and bibliographic resources, university archives are genealogical treasures. This presentation will include an introduction to common resources available at universities in Mexico, including original manuscripts, newspapers, historic photos, dissertations, etc., with examples from Universidad Autónoma de México, Colegio de Sonora, Universidad de Guadalajara, and many more.
With original records and bibliographic resources, university archives are genealogical treasures. This presentation will include an introduction to common resources available at universities in Mexico, including original manuscripts, newspapers, historic photos, dissertations, etc., with examples from Universidad Autónoma de México, Colegio de Sonora, Universidad de Guadalajara, and many more.
Fri, November 21 2025: 19:00 UTC
Tue, November 25 2025: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Búsquedas eficaces en FamilySearch
Tue, November 25 2025: 14:00 UTC
En esta clase presentaremos diferentes maneras de buscar eficazmente para poder encontrar a nuestros antepasados escondidos en los registros históricos de FamilySearch.
En esta clase presentaremos diferentes maneras de buscar eficazmente para poder encontrar a nuestros antepasados escondidos en los registros históricos de FamilySearch.
Tue, November 25 2025: 14:00 UTC
Tue, December 2 2025: 14:00 UTC
French
Construisez, enrichissez et partagez votre arbre sur Filae.com
Tue, December 2 2025: 14:00 UTC
Créer et importer des arbres sur Filae est gratuit. Ce webinaire vous montre comment enrichir votre généalogie en ajoutant individus, événements, notes et documents. Nous explorerons aussi les fonctionnalités comme la détection d’incohérences pour une généalogie fiable, les suggestions d’archives pour enrichir votre arbre de documents originaux, le suivi des recherches pour guider votre enquête, sans oublier les invitations pour partager le fruit de vos recherches avec vos proches.
Créer et importer des arbres sur Filae est gratuit. Ce webinaire vous montre comment enrichir votre généalogie en ajoutant individus, événements, notes et documents. Nous explorerons aussi les fonctionnalités comme la détection d’incohérences pour une généalogie fiable, les suggestions d’archives pour enrichir votre arbre de documents originaux, le suivi des recherches pour guider votre enquête, sans oublier les invitations pour partager le fruit de vos recherches avec vos proches.
Tue, December 2 2025: 14:00 UTC