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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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1:49:51
Using Google Earth Web to Tell Your Family History Migration Stories
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, October 31 2025: 18:00 UTC
1:05:33
864 views
CC
Mapping for Research Success (a 2025 Reisinger Lecture)
Many challenging research problems involve understanding where our ancestors lived, their land, neighbors, jurisdictions, and landmarks. While historical maps can sometimes be found for the geography of our research problem, they often don’t cover the timeframe or include specific data that our research has uncovered. Genealogists frequently need to edit or create maps to communicate their findings and conclusions. This presentation will focus on leveraging existing maps, using online tools to annotate and edit, and/or create new maps that can be utilized for individual analysis, as well as in research reports and articles. With over 40 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, the lecturer will illustrate techniques using free and paid tools that can be used to produce effective maps.
Many challenging research problems involve understanding where our ancestors lived, their land, neighbors, jurisdictions, and landmarks. While historical maps can sometimes be found for the geography of our research problem, they often don’t cover the timeframe or include specific data that our research has uncovered. Genealogists frequently need to edit or create maps to communicate their findings and conclusions. This presentation will focus on leveraging existing maps, using online tools to annotate and edit, and/or create new maps that can be utilized for individual analysis, as well as in research reports and articles. With over 40 years of experience as a professional graphic designer, the lecturer will illustrate techniques using free and paid tools that can be used to produce effective maps.
Fri, October 17 2025: 20:45 UTC
1:11:42
1.0K views
CC
Finding Uncle John’s Grist Mill, His Neighbors And That Cemetery Using Maps, Records & Stories
Topographic maps and soil maps should help us identify a community, including neighbors, ferries, mills, cemeteries, historic houses, and many other landmarks. By using a combination of resources, the picture of this community will be more visible and more clearly understood.
Topographic maps and soil maps should help us identify a community, including neighbors, ferries, mills, cemeteries, historic houses, and many other landmarks. By using a combination of resources, the picture of this community will be more visible and more clearly understood.
Wed, November 6 2024: 19:00 UTC
1:28:36
Urban Mapping Tools
This presentation will suggest strategies to correlate large amounts of information often developed in urban research, with a significant emphasis on the use of cartographic resources. Generally, researchers of urban settings have an abundance of sources to consider. Many times, the challenge is to connect and analyze multiple, even overwhelming, amounts of information. A variety of resources will be discussed, especially, cadastral maps (land ownership), Sanborn fire insurance maps and city directories.
This presentation will suggest strategies to correlate large amounts of information often developed in urban research, with a significant emphasis on the use of cartographic resources. Generally, researchers of urban settings have an abundance of sources to consider. Many times, the challenge is to connect and analyze multiple, even overwhelming, amounts of information. A variety of resources will be discussed, especially, cadastral maps (land ownership), Sanborn fire insurance maps and city directories.
Wed, April 19 2023: 0:00 UTC
59:36
A Deep Dive into the Map Collections of the Library of Congress
The library holds the world’s largest collection of maps—over 5.2 million maps according to their website. This webinar will describe the collections most valuable for genealogical research. We are going to explore the online resources and how they can help our research. Exploring the phenomenal learning resources is also on the agenda. We will also talk about finding aids, research guides, reproduction capabilities, and alternative ways to access the map collections. Lastly, we will discuss the resources that are only available onsite, such as the cartographic library, cartographic exhibits, and other unique holdings.
The library holds the world’s largest collection of maps—over 5.2 million maps according to their website. This webinar will describe the collections most valuable for genealogical research. We are going to explore the online resources and how they can help our research. Exploring the phenomenal learning resources is also on the agenda. We will also talk about finding aids, research guides, reproduction capabilities, and alternative ways to access the map collections. Lastly, we will discuss the resources that are only available onsite, such as the cartographic library, cartographic exhibits, and other unique holdings.
Fri, September 23 2022: 15:30 UTC
1:05:54
Mining Washington-area Map Repositories
A survey of both online and physical map repositories located in the Washington, DC, area is presented in this webinar.
A survey of both online and physical map repositories located in the Washington, DC, area is presented in this webinar.
Thu, May 16 2019: 0:00 UTC
1:06:55
2.7K views
CC
50 Websites for Finding Maps
Learn more about where to find maps and the diversity of map websites found online with 50 suggestions you can start using today.
Learn more about where to find maps and the diversity of map websites found online with 50 suggestions you can start using today.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
55:16
Genealogical Applications of Historical GIS
Learn to use these new tools to expand your research tools. GIS (geographic information system) is a database of geographic information. Google Earth is an example of a large and very sophisticated GIS application.
Learn to use these new tools to expand your research tools. GIS (geographic information system) is a database of geographic information. Google Earth is an example of a large and very sophisticated GIS application.
Fri, July 20 2018: 0:00 UTC
1:32:03
4.3K views
CC
Using Maps in Genealogical Research
Every ancestor, at every moment, occupied a specific, physical location. Maps decode and amplify the significance of those locations by providing context and background information. This heavily illustrated lecture shows examples of the map types best-suited to genealogy, and the syllabus provides links to quality online sources for those maps….
Every ancestor, at every moment, occupied a specific, physical location. Maps decode and amplify the significance of those locations by providing context and background information. This heavily illustrated lecture shows examples of the map types best-suited to genealogy, and the syllabus provides links to quality online sources for those maps….
Tue, June 19 2018: 0:00 UTC
1:11:44
Using Military Maps in Genealogy
Military maps have some obvious value to the family researcher. If our person of interest was in a military unit or fought in a battle we might want to understand the battle or locate his unit, knowing he was there at that time and place.
Military maps have some obvious value to the family researcher. If our person of interest was in a military unit or fought in a battle we might want to understand the battle or locate his unit, knowing he was there at that time and place.
Fri, February 9 2018: 0:00 UTC
1:30:11
3.7K views
Southern States Migration Patterns
Why did people migrate from one location to another? What routes did they follow, and how can identifying migration trails help you find your ancestors? Learn from maps and historical details how to follow the trail of your ancestors into and out of the Southern states.
Why did people migrate from one location to another? What routes did they follow, and how can identifying migration trails help you find your ancestors? Learn from maps and historical details how to follow the trail of your ancestors into and out of the Southern states.
Wed, October 11 2017: 0:00 UTC
1:02:43
Where is That? Using Eastern European Atlases, Maps and Gazetteers
In this webinar, you will discover genealogy research methods for finding your ancestor's point of origin. Learn how to use tools such as maps, atlases, and gazetteers to research localities through place name changes and ever-shifting political and geographical boundaries.
In this webinar, you will discover genealogy research methods for finding your ancestor's point of origin. Learn how to use tools such as maps, atlases, and gazetteers to research localities through place name changes and ever-shifting political and geographical boundaries.
Fri, September 8 2017: 0:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (21)
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Private Gandolfo Scarnici: Case Study of a Veteran of World War I
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Using primary and secondary sources this case study examines the military service of Private Gandolfo Scarnici who served in the 55th United States Infantry enlisting in 1917 then serving overseas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces from 1918-1919 during World War I.
Wed, November 12 2025: 19:00 UTC
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
Researching Your Colonial War Ancestors
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Participation in the local militia units was an important part in the life of your ancestors. The militia provided for the common defense, and brought families together in times of crisis. Numerous armed conflicts beginning with the Pequot War of 1636 to Lord Dunmore’s War of 1774 on the eve of the Revolutionary War will be discussed. Records examined will include muster rolls, militia lists, pay records, histories, manuscripts and other related materials.
Thu, November 13 2025: 1:00 UTC
Fri, November 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
Researching Your Norfolk Ancestors
Fri, November 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
Situated on the east coast of England, Norfolk is its fifth largest county and contains over 700 ancient parishes. Historically, it was a largely agricultural region, with some manufacturing in the county town of Norwich and significant seaports at King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The resources available for tracing ancestors who lived in Norfolk are vast and varied. While many of the most useful records (such as parish registers) are available online, there remains a wealth of material that can only be accessed at the archives in Norwich and King’s Lynn. In this webinar, the lives of Norfolk ancestors will be placed in context and the sources of use to genealogists will be explained. The session will cover probate records, borough records, quarter sessions records, estate papers, maritime records, newspapers and other relevant resources. Some difficulties that can be encountered when investigating Norfolk ancestors will also be discussed, as well as methods of overcoming such challenges. Additionally, the printed and online publications of relevance to Norfolk research will be considered in detail.
Situated on the east coast of England, Norfolk is its fifth largest county and contains over 700 ancient parishes. Historically, it was a largely agricultural region, with some manufacturing in the county town of Norwich and significant seaports at King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. The resources available for tracing ancestors who lived in Norfolk are vast and varied. While many of the most useful records (such as parish registers) are available online, there remains a wealth of material that can only be accessed at the archives in Norwich and King’s Lynn. In this webinar, the lives of Norfolk ancestors will be placed in context and the sources of use to genealogists will be explained. The session will cover probate records, borough records, quarter sessions records, estate papers, maritime records, newspapers and other relevant resources. Some difficulties that can be encountered when investigating Norfolk ancestors will also be discussed, as well as methods of overcoming such challenges. Additionally, the printed and online publications of relevance to Norfolk research will be considered in detail.
Fri, November 14 2025: 19:00 UTC
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