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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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1:14:25
515 views
CC
The U.S. Naturalization Process 1790-1954
Naturalization records can contain a wealth of information about an immigrant, his origin, and much more. U.S. Naturalization – 1790-1954 discusses the naturalization process, the documents, and changes in naturalization laws over time. It encourages the use of census records, ships’ passenger lists, and other documents in tandem with naturalization documents to expand your knowledge of your immigrant ancestor – and possibly also of the family. This webinar was first released 5 May 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Naturalization records can contain a wealth of information about an immigrant, his origin, and much more. U.S. Naturalization – 1790-1954 discusses the naturalization process, the documents, and changes in naturalization laws over time. It encourages the use of census records, ships’ passenger lists, and other documents in tandem with naturalization documents to expand your knowledge of your immigrant ancestor – and possibly also of the family. This webinar was first released 5 May 2020 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
Thu, October 23 2025: 12:00 UTC
1:15:47
Unlocking Notation Codes on Alien Passenger Lists
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, July 23 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:22:02
1.4K views
CC
Off the Boat: Tracing Your Ancestor back to the Old Country
Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!
Although most American records do not specify immigrants’ exact places of origin, by doing a wholistic study of an entire family, it’s often possible to determine exactly from where they came. Learn about the different kinds of records that can help determine an immigrant’s exact place of birth, such as parish records, ship manifests, naturalization petitions, social security applications, alien registrations and more!
Wed, March 19 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:28:41
1.6K views
CC
Researching the Great Migration of New England 1620-1640
This lecture details the resources available for researching your New England ancestors who arrived during the Great Migration from England from 1620-1640. Discussion of the scholarship and resources both published and online created by the Great Migration Study Project will be covered.
This lecture details the resources available for researching your New England ancestors who arrived during the Great Migration from England from 1620-1640. Discussion of the scholarship and resources both published and online created by the Great Migration Study Project will be covered.
Wed, January 29 2025: 19:00 UTC
1:12:13
1.3K views
CC
Free
Using MyHeritage DNA to Determine Immigrant Origins
This class will briefly explain the different types of DNA (autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA) and provide helpful tips for analyzing your DNA matches to identify your strongest matches to help you go back to your immigrant ancestor. A few examples of using this approach will be shown through mini case studies.
This class will briefly explain the different types of DNA (autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA) and provide helpful tips for analyzing your DNA matches to identify your strongest matches to help you go back to your immigrant ancestor. A few examples of using this approach will be shown through mini case studies.
Tue, August 13 2024: 18:00 UTC
56:39
1.4K views
CC
Scottish Emigration to North America: Before, During and After the Rebellions
We will examine the migration patterns from Scotland to the US and Canada, looking at the push and pull factors, relevant to individual migration time periods. References and guidance will be provided for multiple waves from 17th Century to the present.
We will examine the migration patterns from Scotland to the US and Canada, looking at the push and pull factors, relevant to individual migration time periods. References and guidance will be provided for multiple waves from 17th Century to the present.
Thu, November 9 2023: 1:00 UTC
50:47
1.4K views
CC
Liverpool: The Central Hub for Northern Europe’s 19th and 20th Century Emigration
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Regular sailing schedules between Liverpool and North America began in 1818, and during the 19th century Liverpool became the primary port for emigrants from the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia to North America, Australia, and the rest of the British Empire. Learn how and why this came about, understand what the experience was like going to, in, and leaving from Liverpool. Learn how to identify, access, and use the records of the port and shipping that are available.
Thu, April 13 2023: 23:00 UTC
1:30:16
1.3K views
CC
The Migration of European Ancestors: Their Experiences and the Records, 1820-1920
Many factors pushed or pulled our European immigrant ancestors to come to the New World. Follow in the footsteps of those who arrived between 1820 and 1920. What did our ancestors experience when they decided to leave their homes and communities to sail to America? What was the voyage like? How did they settle into their new homes? Then discover essential and unusual resources for migration research for all US and Canadian ports in this presentation.
Many factors pushed or pulled our European immigrant ancestors to come to the New World. Follow in the footsteps of those who arrived between 1820 and 1920. What did our ancestors experience when they decided to leave their homes and communities to sail to America? What was the voyage like? How did they settle into their new homes? Then discover essential and unusual resources for migration research for all US and Canadian ports in this presentation.
Thu, November 10 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:33:55
Essential Immigration Records for Researching Your Mexican Ancestors
Did your Mexican ancestors immigrate to the United States in the 20th century? This period of history witnessed significant waves of Mexican immigration to the U.S., both permanent and temporary. The types of immigration records introduced or refined during this era, provide a wealth of information.
Did your Mexican ancestors immigrate to the United States in the 20th century? This period of history witnessed significant waves of Mexican immigration to the U.S., both permanent and temporary. The types of immigration records introduced or refined during this era, provide a wealth of information.
Fri, September 16 2022: 18:00 UTC
59:54
Seven Immigration Methodologies, with Case Studies Across the Centuries (a 2021 Reisinger Lecture)
Family historians face significant challenges tracing immigrant ancestors. Changes in language, culture, family composition, given name, surname, country of residence, and occupation tend to obscure the origins of many immigrants. This presentation introduces seven methodologies to effectively trace immigrant origins, illustrated with examples from the early 1600s to the early…
Family historians face significant challenges tracing immigrant ancestors. Changes in language, culture, family composition, given name, surname, country of residence, and occupation tend to obscure the origins of many immigrants. This presentation introduces seven methodologies to effectively trace immigrant origins, illustrated with examples from the early 1600s to the early…
Fri, October 8 2021: 16:15 UTC
1:11:04
574 views
CC
Angel Island’s Immigrants from 80 Countries: Stories from the West Coast Counterpart to Ellis Island
While people who have heard about Angel Island might know about the Chinese poetry carved on its walls, what is less known is that over half a million immigrants from eighty countries were processed by officials on the island, and genealogical resources are still available to researchers. There were generally…
While people who have heard about Angel Island might know about the Chinese poetry carved on its walls, what is less known is that over half a million immigrants from eighty countries were processed by officials on the island, and genealogical resources are still available to researchers. There were generally…
Wed, June 23 2021: 18:00 UTC
1:15:36
1.6K views
CC
20th Century Immigrants to the West Coast
20th-century immigrants to the west arrived by ship through Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, and overland through Canada and Mexico. Vast numbers of these immigrants were Asian. This lecture will examine the ports of entry, the records generated, and the laws which impacted those immigrants.
20th-century immigrants to the west arrived by ship through Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, and overland through Canada and Mexico. Vast numbers of these immigrants were Asian. This lecture will examine the ports of entry, the records generated, and the laws which impacted those immigrants.
Wed, March 24 2021: 18:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (7)
Thu, December 11 2025: 1:00 UTC
Scattered Leaves: Reconnecting family branches with DNA
Thu, December 11 2025: 1:00 UTC
When our families scattered across the globe, they often left close family behind. The family connections were lost over the subsequent generations. Now through family history research and DNA we are reconnecting with the branches of our family tree as shown in these case studies.
When our families scattered across the globe, they often left close family behind. The family connections were lost over the subsequent generations. Now through family history research and DNA we are reconnecting with the branches of our family tree as shown in these case studies.
Thu, December 11 2025: 1:00 UTC
Fri, December 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
The Business of Enslavers: Acquiring Human Inventory
Fri, December 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Investigate the methods and documentation in which enslavers acquired their commodities of African Descent to enter the economic system of slavery.
LaDonna Garner
Investigate the methods and documentation in which enslavers acquired their commodities of African Descent to enter the economic system of slavery.
Fri, December 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Tue, December 16 2025: 14:00 UTC
French
Ancêtre militaire : de carrière ou appelé ? (XIXe-XXe siècles) – Explorer des parcours uniques
Tue, December 16 2025: 14:00 UTC
Les archives militaires sont une véritable mine d’or pour les recherches généalogiques et biographiques. Grâce à elles, chaque généalogiste peut redonner vie aux parcours de ses ancêtres, qu’ils aient été soldats de carrière ou appelés du service militaire. Si la numérisation massive des fiches matricules de la Première Guerre mondiale a largement facilité les recherches, elle ne doit pas occulter la richesse des autres périodes. Du XIXe au XXe siècle, chaque époque — en temps de paix comme en temps de guerre — offre des pistes passionnantes et complémentaires. Au Service historique de la Défense, aux Archives départementales, ou encore en ligne, les sources sont nombreuses. Il s’agit surtout de connaître les bonnes méthodes pour avancer avec succès. Ce webinaire vous guidera pas à pas pour découvrir, comprendre et exploiter pleinement ces ressources, afin de retracer des parcours militaires uniques et d’enrichir votre histoire familiale.
Les archives militaires sont une véritable mine d’or pour les recherches généalogiques et biographiques. Grâce à elles, chaque généalogiste peut redonner vie aux parcours de ses ancêtres, qu’ils aient été soldats de carrière ou appelés du service militaire. Si la numérisation massive des fiches matricules de la Première Guerre mondiale a largement facilité les recherches, elle ne doit pas occulter la richesse des autres périodes. Du XIXe au XXe siècle, chaque époque — en temps de paix comme en temps de guerre — offre des pistes passionnantes et complémentaires. Au Service historique de la Défense, aux Archives départementales, ou encore en ligne, les sources sont nombreuses. Il s’agit surtout de connaître les bonnes méthodes pour avancer avec succès. Ce webinaire vous guidera pas à pas pour découvrir, comprendre et exploiter pleinement ces ressources, afin de retracer des parcours militaires uniques et d’enrichir votre histoire familiale.
Tue, December 16 2025: 14:00 UTC
Wed, December 17 2025: 1:00 UTC
Social Context and the KDP
Wed, December 17 2025: 1:00 UTC
Incorporating social context in a Kinship-Determination Project isn’t just about weaving historical events and descriptions of daily life into a family narrative. Community and culture shape behavior and relationships. To understand and document our ancestors, we need to understand the society in which they lived. When we estimate a marriage date based the birth of a couple’s first child (or that the birth of a child implies a marriage), we base those assumptions on context. This lecture will explore social context and illustrate how to research and write about it within a Kinship-Determination Project.
Incorporating social context in a Kinship-Determination Project isn’t just about weaving historical events and descriptions of daily life into a family narrative. Community and culture shape behavior and relationships. To understand and document our ancestors, we need to understand the society in which they lived. When we estimate a marriage date based the birth of a couple’s first child (or that the birth of a child implies a marriage), we base those assumptions on context. This lecture will explore social context and illustrate how to research and write about it within a Kinship-Determination Project.
Wed, December 17 2025: 1:00 UTC
Wed, December 17 2025: 19:00 UTC
A Dozen Names for Alcina: An Identity Case Study
Wed, December 17 2025: 19:00 UTC
Alcina Furkey’s birth name and her parents’ identities were unknown in 19C Vermont. Alcina had many forenames: Alcenia, Arsena, Christina, Elcena, Elena, Jane, Josephine, Julia, Lucy, and Reusta, and Rosanna. But none of them was her baptismal name. Reconstructing her birth family, together with a connection found in deeds and the clues in Catholic records, led to her real identity.
Alcina Furkey’s birth name and her parents’ identities were unknown in 19C Vermont. Alcina had many forenames: Alcenia, Arsena, Christina, Elcena, Elena, Jane, Josephine, Julia, Lucy, and Reusta, and Rosanna. But none of them was her baptismal name. Reconstructing her birth family, together with a connection found in deeds and the clues in Catholic records, led to her real identity.
Wed, December 17 2025: 19:00 UTC
The Best Uses of AI for Genealogists
Fri, December 19 2025: 19:00 UTC
Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research. This webinar will introduce you to the best uses of AI in genealogy today and give a peek behind the curtain of what genealogists can look forward to from AI advancements in 2026.
Learn how to use artificial intelligence to help find important family information, understand old documents, and craft compelling family stories to support your family history research. This webinar will introduce you to the best uses of AI in genealogy today and give a peek behind the curtain of what genealogists can look forward to from AI advancements in 2026.
Fri, December 19 2025: 19:00 UTC