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.

35
of
2,647 Webinars Clear filters
Sort by
Sort by
59:25
867 views
CC
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
476 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 (235)
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Documentación de cementerios con BillionGraves
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC
Si las lápidas pudieran hablar, tendrían muchas historias que contar. Pero no pueden, por eso BillionGraves es la mejor alternativa. BillionGraves es la mayor base de datos del mundo sobre cementerios, conectada a un sistema GPS. Cuando se toman fotos con la aplicación BillionGraves en el teléfono, cada lápida se marca automáticamente con una posición GPS. A continuación, los datos son transcritos por voluntarios, transferidos a planos de cementerios y almacenados en los sitios web BillionGraves, FamilySearch y MyHeritage para millones de familias de todo el mundo y para las generaciones futuras. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Si las lápidas pudieran hablar, tendrían muchas historias que contar. Pero no pueden, por eso BillionGraves es la mejor alternativa. BillionGraves es la mayor base de datos del mundo sobre cementerios, conectada a un sistema GPS. Cuando se toman fotos con la aplicación BillionGraves en el teléfono, cada lápida se marca automáticamente con una posición GPS. A continuación, los datos son transcritos por voluntarios, transferidos a planos de cementerios y almacenados en los sitios web BillionGraves, FamilySearch y MyHeritage para millones de familias de todo el mundo y para las generaciones futuras. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Tue, February 17 2026: 14:00 UTC
Wed, February 18 2026: 1:00 UTC
Lineage in Context: Creating a Compelling Kinship-Determination Project
Wed, February 18 2026: 1:00 UTC
Turn your research into a meaningful family narrative that meets BCG certification requirements. This session will demonstrate how to write a structured narrative lineage that both proves kinship and details the history of each couple. Topics include selecting an appropriate family line, placing families in context, organizing and analyzing evidence, meeting BCG’s standards, and documenting biographical details.
Turn your research into a meaningful family narrative that meets BCG certification requirements. This session will demonstrate how to write a structured narrative lineage that both proves kinship and details the history of each couple. Topics include selecting an appropriate family line, placing families in context, organizing and analyzing evidence, meeting BCG’s standards, and documenting biographical details.
Wed, February 18 2026: 1:00 UTC
Wed, February 18 2026: 19:00 UTC
DNA in Action 1 of 6: Proving Your Pedigree with DNA
Wed, February 18 2026: 19:00 UTC
The series begins with sound genealogy methodology and principles and then explains their logical extensions when using autosomal DNA as a source of information to answer focused research questions. Karen will use a case example to prove the documented ancestors are consistent with the genetic evidence on a selected ancestral line. This lecture focuses on methodology and decision-making.
The series begins with sound genealogy methodology and principles and then explains their logical extensions when using autosomal DNA as a source of information to answer focused research questions. Karen will use a case example to prove the documented ancestors are consistent with the genetic evidence on a selected ancestral line. This lecture focuses on methodology and decision-making.
Wed, February 18 2026: 19:00 UTC
Thu, February 19 2026: 16:00 UTC
French
Documenter les cimetières avec BillionGraves
Thu, February 19 2026: 16:00 UTC
Si les pierres tombales pouvaient parler, elles auraient beaucoup d’histoires à raconter. Mais elles ne le peuvent pas, c’est pourquoi BillionGraves est la meilleure alternative. BillionGraves est la plus grande base de données au monde sur les cimetières, reliée à un système GPS. Lorsque vous prenez des photos avec l’application BillionGraves sur votre téléphone, chaque pierre tombale est automatiquement marquée d’une position GPS. Les données sont ensuite transcrites par des bénévoles, reportées sur des plans de cimetières et conservées sur les sites web BillionGraves, FamilySearch et MyHeritage pour des millions de familles à travers le monde et pour les générations futures. Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Si les pierres tombales pouvaient parler, elles auraient beaucoup d’histoires à raconter. Mais elles ne le peuvent pas, c’est pourquoi BillionGraves est la meilleure alternative. BillionGraves est la plus grande base de données au monde sur les cimetières, reliée à un système GPS. Lorsque vous prenez des photos avec l’application BillionGraves sur votre téléphone, chaque pierre tombale est automatiquement marquée d’une position GPS. Les données sont ensuite transcrites par des bénévoles, reportées sur des plans de cimetières et conservées sur les sites web BillionGraves, FamilySearch et MyHeritage pour des millions de familles à travers le monde et pour les générations futures. Les sous-titres et la voix de cette vidéo ont été doublés en français à l’aide de l’IA.
Thu, February 19 2026: 16:00 UTC
Fri, February 20 2026: 19:00 UTC
Emigration and Migration from Yorkshire, England
Fri, February 20 2026: 19:00 UTC
Yorkshire was an area of great migration, those who moved within the county, those who moved in and out of the county and those who left Yorkshire and England. Most Europeans who emigrated travelled to America with more than 2 million English moving to America in the 1800s. The changes during the 1800s through the effects, and aftereffects, of the Industrial Revolution created great change in Yorkshire as well as the decline in lead mining and farming in rural areas and the Yorkshire dales. As people lost opportunities to earn a living in these areas they were pulled to the opportunities further afield, the mills towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire and further afield to America then later to Canada and Australia. As a member of a family emigrated this created a greater pull for friends and family to join them creating communities in another country. This was the case in New Diggings in Wisconsin where many people from Swaledale and Wensleydale left the declining lead mines to start new lives in the growing mines of America. This talk will explore the people who emigrated, the villages they left and the communities they joined along with the Yorkshire surnames which are now part of American life. Oral histories documented in the book ‘Those Who Left the Dales’ by the Upper Dales Family History Group are referred to as well as immigration records and original documents held at North Yorkshire Archives including the publication ‘History of New Diggings’ and a Dakota ‘recruiting’ lecture given in Wensleydale. The talk will provide an insight into the reasons for leaving Yorkshire, particularly the Yorkshire Dales, and the lives of those who emigrated.
Yorkshire was an area of great migration, those who moved within the county, those who moved in and out of the county and those who left Yorkshire and England. Most Europeans who emigrated travelled to America with more than 2 million English moving to America in the 1800s. The changes during the 1800s through the effects, and aftereffects, of the Industrial Revolution created great change in Yorkshire as well as the decline in lead mining and farming in rural areas and the Yorkshire dales. As people lost opportunities to earn a living in these areas they were pulled to the opportunities further afield, the mills towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire and Lancashire and further afield to America then later to Canada and Australia. As a member of a family emigrated this created a greater pull for friends and family to join them creating communities in another country. This was the case in New Diggings in Wisconsin where many people from Swaledale and Wensleydale left the declining lead mines to start new lives in the growing mines of America. This talk will explore the people who emigrated, the villages they left and the communities they joined along with the Yorkshire surnames which are now part of American life. Oral histories documented in the book ‘Those Who Left the Dales’ by the Upper Dales Family History Group are referred to as well as immigration records and original documents held at North Yorkshire Archives including the publication ‘History of New Diggings’ and a Dakota ‘recruiting’ lecture given in Wensleydale. The talk will provide an insight into the reasons for leaving Yorkshire, particularly the Yorkshire Dales, and the lives of those who emigrated.
Fri, February 20 2026: 19:00 UTC
Tue, February 24 2026: 14:00 UTC
Spanish
Las 10 bases de datos más útiles para la investigación sobre Europa del Este
Tue, February 24 2026: 14:00 UTC
Con más información disponible en línea, a menudo es posible encontrar registros clave de sus antepasados de Europa del Este en bases de datos gratuitas y de suscripción. Obtenga información sobre los distintos conjuntos de registros disponibles, cómo acceder a ellos y cómo superar los problemas de privacidad e idioma, así como otros obstáculos para la investigación. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Con más información disponible en línea, a menudo es posible encontrar registros clave de sus antepasados de Europa del Este en bases de datos gratuitas y de suscripción. Obtenga información sobre los distintos conjuntos de registros disponibles, cómo acceder a ellos y cómo superar los problemas de privacidad e idioma, así como otros obstáculos para la investigación. Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Tue, February 24 2026: 14:00 UTC