Dispelling the 1870 Brick Wall Myth: African American Ancestry Before the Federal Population Census
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
A prevalent misconception in genealogy is the belief that African Americans cannot trace their ancestry beyond the 1870 Federal Population Census. This myth, known as the “1870 Brick Wall,” suggests that records of African American ancestors, especially those who were enslaved, are virtually non-existent before this key year. This presentation will debunk this myth by exploring the wealth of resources available for tracing African American lineage before 1870. Attendees will learn about various records, strategies, and techniques that can help uncover the rich histories of African American ancestors, challenging the notion that their genealogical journey must start in 1870.
This video introduces the important supplemental U.S. federal census non-population schedules and how they can help put your farming ancestor into context.
This webinar was first released 12 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
This video introduces the important supplemental U.S. federal census non-population schedules and how they can help put your farming ancestor into context.
This webinar was first released 12 August 2019 on the Genealogy Guys Learn website.
After years of using census records, genealogists may take for granted that they’re using them fully and correctly. But as they learn about genealogy standards and best practices, do they go back and re-think their census practices? What does it even mean to evaluate a census record? Let’s learn a bit more about the U.S. census and the specific ways that standards can help us to maximize its usefulness.
After years of using census records, genealogists may take for granted that they’re using them fully and correctly. But as they learn about genealogy standards and best practices, do they go back and re-think their census practices? What does it even mean to evaluate a census record? Let’s learn a bit more about the U.S. census and the specific ways that standards can help us to maximize its usefulness.
It is frustrating to search for people in digitized census records and not to find them, even when you just know they were there at the time. Drew Smith understands and shares his strategies for locating the “missing” people in this video, Not In the Census? Try Again! Learn new techniques to help ensure success.
It is frustrating to search for people in digitized census records and not to find them, even when you just know they were there at the time. Drew Smith understands and shares his strategies for locating the “missing” people in this video, Not In the Census? Try Again! Learn new techniques to help ensure success.
A Closer Look at the 1850-1950 U.S. Census Records, with a Little Extra Help
Take a closer look at the 1850 to 1950 U.S. Census records as vital genealogy resources, while looking into details you may have missed, along with benefits to and tips in using these records and a little extra help from MyHeritage!
Take a closer look at the 1850 to 1950 U.S. Census records as vital genealogy resources, while looking into details you may have missed, along with benefits to and tips in using these records and a little extra help from MyHeritage!
Census Clues: Sweet Potato Simon, White Potato Willie, & Cows that Grow Wool
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
Census records are the most used—and yet the most underused—of all genealogical resources. Every major provider offers them, along with an index so we can easily find our people. Aside from a year here or there, when a pesky ancestor seems to have eluded the census taker, the use of censuses seems fairly straightforward: We use a search engine to find our person and we copy down the data. There, done!
No. Not at all! Censuses provide “facts,” but in between those “facts” there are a wealth of clues we can mine to solve our worst problems with identity, origin, and parentage. This session is for advanced researchers who think they “already know all about census records” and for newer researchers who want to avoid the mistakes most researchers make.
** This is a members-only webinar **
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
A look at Italian censuses across time and how to use them– from parish censuses to tax censuses and finally to municipal censuses. This is an in-depth look at how to navigate and utilize a variety of censuses for Italian research.
A look at Italian censuses across time and how to use them– from parish censuses to tax censuses and finally to municipal censuses. This is an in-depth look at how to navigate and utilize a variety of censuses for Italian research.
Census records are notorious for having sketchy information, but they give clues that lead to more reliable records. Learn 6 things to look for in census records to find accurate facts about your ancestors.
Census records are notorious for having sketchy information, but they give clues that lead to more reliable records. Learn 6 things to look for in census records to find accurate facts about your ancestors.
Padrones of the Past: Colonial-era Censuses of Mexico
Thousands of localized censuses, or padrones, were taken all over Mexico during the Colonial era. Mostly created during the 17th to 19th centuries, these censuses provide a snapshot in time of our ancestral families. Learn to find these censuses for your research locations and discover the content they may hold.
Thousands of localized censuses, or padrones, were taken all over Mexico during the Colonial era. Mostly created during the 17th to 19th centuries, these censuses provide a snapshot in time of our ancestral families. Learn to find these censuses for your research locations and discover the content they may hold.
Deconstructing a Conflicted Census Enumeration: Carrie Peterson aka Clara Moore
Census enumerations offer invaluable snapshots of families, but like any record, can lead researchers astray. Names may be mangled, ages fudged, or individuals or families be enumerated twice – or not at all. This entertaining presentation follows a Norwegian immigrant family forward and backward in time to untangle the makeup of a 1910 Minnesota family.
Census enumerations offer invaluable snapshots of families, but like any record, can lead researchers astray. Names may be mangled, ages fudged, or individuals or families be enumerated twice – or not at all. This entertaining presentation follows a Norwegian immigrant family forward and backward in time to untangle the makeup of a 1910 Minnesota family.
Translating, Transcribing and Summarizing Documents Using AI
Fri, April 25 2025: 18:00 UTC
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.
Learn how to harness the power of artificial intelligence to assist in translating, transcribing, and summarizing a variety of genealogy records. A handwritten baptismal record from the 1800s? No problem. A faded newspaper obituary? No problem. We’ll cover the best AI platforms as well as how to craft a solid prompt to get you the results you need.
Invaded! The Fenian Raids and the Canadian Response
Wed, April 30 2025: 18:00 UTC
Between 1866 and 1871, Irish-American veterans invaded Canada, attempting to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. Gain an understanding of the historical context, significant battles, and the lasting impact on Canadian military and national identity. Determine your ancestor’s role in these events and where to find the records.
Between 1866 and 1871, Irish-American veterans invaded Canada, attempting to pressure Britain to withdraw from Ireland. Gain an understanding of the historical context, significant battles, and the lasting impact on Canadian military and national identity. Determine your ancestor’s role in these events and where to find the records.
Germans have been migrating to Canada since the 18th Century, and have played major roles in the development of the nation. Early arrivals came from German territory, while more recent arrivals came from countries such as Poland, the Soviet Union or Brazil. Germans appear in a variety of Canadian records, including some that do not have Canadians of British descent. This session included basic history of Germans in Canada as well as a guide to useful sources.
Germans have been migrating to Canada since the 18th Century, and have played major roles in the development of the nation. Early arrivals came from German territory, while more recent arrivals came from countries such as Poland, the Soviet Union or Brazil. Germans appear in a variety of Canadian records, including some that do not have Canadians of British descent. This session included basic history of Germans in Canada as well as a guide to useful sources.
The #1 genealogy software is probably…Google Chrome! Statistically, Chrome is the #1 browser, and so much genealogy research happens in a browser. Learn 7 ways to make your genealogy research more productive while using Google Chrome.
The #1 genealogy software is probably…Google Chrome! Statistically, Chrome is the #1 browser, and so much genealogy research happens in a browser. Learn 7 ways to make your genealogy research more productive while using Google Chrome.
Unscrambling Haplogroups: A Beginners Guide to DNA Haplogroups
Wed, May 7 2025: 18:00 UTC
To introduce the concept of haplogroups to beginners, explaining what they are, how they are inherited, and what they reveal about ancient ancestry and human migration patterns. The session aims to demystify the complex terminology and provide practical insights into how haplogroups can be used in genetic genealogy and guide participants to find their own haplogroup.
To introduce the concept of haplogroups to beginners, explaining what they are, how they are inherited, and what they reveal about ancient ancestry and human migration patterns. The session aims to demystify the complex terminology and provide practical insights into how haplogroups can be used in genetic genealogy and guide participants to find their own haplogroup.
Discover how and where to locate records relating to your Essex and East London Ancestors. Learn about the changes of jurisdictions, and the various depositories that hold the keys to researching your family history. Once one of the seven Kingdoms, Essex and its neighboring East End towns/boroughs are steeped in history – from Tudors hunting in Epping Forest, to the Windrush arriving in the port of Tilbury. Find out how the landscape, particularly the Thames Estuary, played its part in shaping the county and its people. From probate courts to manors, schools to newspapers, a vast array of sources will be covered.
Discover how and where to locate records relating to your Essex and East London Ancestors. Learn about the changes of jurisdictions, and the various depositories that hold the keys to researching your family history. Once one of the seven Kingdoms, Essex and its neighboring East End towns/boroughs are steeped in history – from Tudors hunting in Epping Forest, to the Windrush arriving in the port of Tilbury. Find out how the landscape, particularly the Thames Estuary, played its part in shaping the county and its people. From probate courts to manors, schools to newspapers, a vast array of sources will be covered.
Finding and Fixing Tree Inconsistencies focuses on the honest mistakes we might make in recording data, how we can recognize them and what we can do to correct them.
Finding and Fixing Tree Inconsistencies focuses on the honest mistakes we might make in recording data, how we can recognize them and what we can do to correct them.
See How it Works: Shared DNA Matches Find Ancestors
Wed, May 14 2025: 18:00 UTC
It’s not just how much DNA you share with your matches–it’s how much DNA they share with EACH OTHER that give needed clues to build family tree connections between your matches. MyHeritage’s Shared DNA Matches tool has been giving us that insight for a long time, and now other sites do, too. How do you leverage that data to answer your DNA questions? Come see how it works in real DNA case studies!
It’s not just how much DNA you share with your matches–it’s how much DNA they share with EACH OTHER that give needed clues to build family tree connections between your matches. MyHeritage’s Shared DNA Matches tool has been giving us that insight for a long time, and now other sites do, too. How do you leverage that data to answer your DNA questions? Come see how it works in real DNA case studies!
21 Million Reasons to Research at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Thu, May 15 2025: 0:00 UTC
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is the largest genealogy repository in the Mid-Atlantic. Its collections include over 21 million items ranging from manuscript collections to books and photographs—many of which are useful to genealogists with Pennsylvania ancestry, and most of which cannot be found anywhere else.
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is the largest genealogy repository in the Mid-Atlantic. Its collections include over 21 million items ranging from manuscript collections to books and photographs—many of which are useful to genealogists with Pennsylvania ancestry, and most of which cannot be found anywhere else.
By registering, you are submitting your information to Legacy Family Tree Webinars and agreeing to let us use it to contact you.
Thank you for registering!
You should receive a confirmation email with a link to the webinar soon.
You’ll also receive a reminder both the day before and one hour before the webinar begins. Didn’t receive a confirmation email?
You successfully registered for %s.
You should receive a confirmation email with a link to the webinar soon.
You’ll also receive a reminder both the day before and one hour before the webinar begins. Didn’t receive a confirmation email?
