If you’re just starting out, German genealogy can seem incredibly overwhelming. Records in a foreign language, which are written in old-fashioned handwriting, are enough to make finding German ancestors seem near impossible to researchers looking to cross the pond. Luckily, there’s help! In this session, learn the top seven tips to get you started – and confidently embark on – your German genealogy journey.
If you’re just starting out, German genealogy can seem incredibly overwhelming. Records in a foreign language, which are written in old-fashioned handwriting, are enough to make finding German ancestors seem near impossible to researchers looking to cross the pond. Luckily, there’s help! In this session, learn the top seven tips to get you started – and confidently embark on – your German genealogy journey.
German Genealogy: Latest and Greatest Websites and Tools
The gamut of records, wikis, tools and education available online to assist those with German-speaking ancestry have continued to multiply and include a huge map of resources! Learn about them all!
The gamut of records, wikis, tools and education available online to assist those with German-speaking ancestry have continued to multiply and include a huge map of resources! Learn about them all!
In Germany, more and more directories are online, and some of them are even indexed. This presentation will tell you where to find them, show you how to work with them, and explain how to interpret the information typical for German directories.
In Germany, more and more directories are online, and some of them are even indexed. This presentation will tell you where to find them, show you how to work with them, and explain how to interpret the information typical for German directories.
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.
Subjects, Citizens, and Serfs: Unpacking Germany’s Historical Social Order
Gain an understanding of the different social statuses in historical Germany. Learn about the living conditions of the different classes in Germany. Until the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, there were a total of 22 monarchies and three free cities in what is now Germany. And there were almost as many different regulations concerning the rights and duties of the residents. Citizenship was usually not acquired by birth, but only after an application and the strict examination of the fulfillment of several requirements. This presentation will give information on acquisition and loss of citizenship and the respective reasons for it.
Gain an understanding of the different social statuses in historical Germany. Learn about the living conditions of the different classes in Germany. Until the foundation of the German Empire in 1871, there were a total of 22 monarchies and three free cities in what is now Germany. And there were almost as many different regulations concerning the rights and duties of the residents. Citizenship was usually not acquired by birth, but only after an application and the strict examination of the fulfillment of several requirements. This presentation will give information on acquisition and loss of citizenship and the respective reasons for it.
Engagements, Weddings, marriage contracts and divorces in 19th century Germany
Explore 19th-century German engagement, marriage and divorce traditions, historical social norms and legal regulations, including economic motives, marriage contracts, remarriage, and strict divorce processes. This presentation will explore the complex world of marriage and divorce in nineteenth-century Germany, emphasizing its importance to genealogical research. Participants will gain insight into the economic, social, and legal factors that shaped marriage and divorce practices. The session will include examples of historical documents and introduce new types of records beyond traditional church records.
Explore 19th-century German engagement, marriage and divorce traditions, historical social norms and legal regulations, including economic motives, marriage contracts, remarriage, and strict divorce processes. This presentation will explore the complex world of marriage and divorce in nineteenth-century Germany, emphasizing its importance to genealogical research. Participants will gain insight into the economic, social, and legal factors that shaped marriage and divorce practices. The session will include examples of historical documents and introduce new types of records beyond traditional church records.
Luther, Napoleon and the Kaiser – German History for Genealogists
Why is what happened in Augsburg on September 25, 1555 one of the most important historical events in German history and of utmost importance to researchers? And why do we need to know about the French emperor Napoleon? Why does it make such a big difference if a birth took place in 1874 or 1876? Find out in this presentation why knowing the most important events in German history can be helpful for your research.
Why is what happened in Augsburg on September 25, 1555 one of the most important historical events in German history and of utmost importance to researchers? And why do we need to know about the French emperor Napoleon? Why does it make such a big difference if a birth took place in 1874 or 1876? Find out in this presentation why knowing the most important events in German history can be helpful for your research.
Top 10 Tips for Working with the Old German Handwriting
Learn the 10 top tips and tricks for deciphering the old German script! With tips on how to easily recognize certain letters, how to tell tricky letters apart, abbreviations, spelling variations, names, and more, you’ll be amazed at what you can do after only an hour of learning!
Learn the 10 top tips and tricks for deciphering the old German script! With tips on how to easily recognize certain letters, how to tell tricky letters apart, abbreviations, spelling variations, names, and more, you’ll be amazed at what you can do after only an hour of learning!
Translating German Newspapers – As Easy as Eins, Zwei, Drei
Many 19th- and early 20th-century German language newspapers were printed in a Fraktur font. And not only that, they were written in a foreign language! This combination of an archaic font and a foreign language creates two significant hurdles for the 21st century genealogist, perhaps with limited foreign language skills, to overcome. But don’t despair. Modern technology has provided solutions. Learn how to “crack the code” and discover where your favorite newspaper sites have hidden the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) text. Translation tools will quickly make those foreign words readable for even the most die-hard English-only speaker.
Many 19th- and early 20th-century German language newspapers were printed in a Fraktur font. And not only that, they were written in a foreign language! This combination of an archaic font and a foreign language creates two significant hurdles for the 21st century genealogist, perhaps with limited foreign language skills, to overcome. But don’t despair. Modern technology has provided solutions. Learn how to “crack the code” and discover where your favorite newspaper sites have hidden the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) text. Translation tools will quickly make those foreign words readable for even the most die-hard English-only speaker.
Using AI to Translate German Church Records (and more) into English
Learn how to use Transkribus, ChatGPT and other AI tools to translate German church records, and other records, into English. Learn about cautions and practical uses.
Learn how to use Transkribus, ChatGPT and other AI tools to translate German church records, and other records, into English. Learn about cautions and practical uses.
Moving, moving, moving! Migration Patterns within Germany
Despite their reputation for being rooted to their localities, Germans do have a history of migration within their own country, especially after the onset of industrialization in the mid-19th century. In this presentation, we will explore the various patterns of internal migration, and offer guidance on how to navigate these movements to aid in your search for ancestors.
Despite their reputation for being rooted to their localities, Germans do have a history of migration within their own country, especially after the onset of industrialization in the mid-19th century. In this presentation, we will explore the various patterns of internal migration, and offer guidance on how to navigate these movements to aid in your search for ancestors.
Essential Skills for New Genealogists 1 of 12: Hail the Hunter Gatherer—Finding What You Already Have
An overview of home resources and outreach to family members whose memories and insights can help start the process off right—how things on a bookshelf or a storage box can be of especial use, and a source of clues…if not outright answers.
An overview of home resources and outreach to family members whose memories and insights can help start the process off right—how things on a bookshelf or a storage box can be of especial use, and a source of clues…if not outright answers.
Mieux naviguer dans son arbre MyHeritage : Vues, réglages et astuces d’affichage
Tue, February 10 2026: 12:00 UTC
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Et si vous voyiez votre généalogie sous un nouvel angle ? Dans cette session avec Elisabeth Zetland, nous explorerons toutes les fonctionnalités de votre arbre généalogique. Découvrez toutes les astuces pour optimiser la structure visuelle de votre arbre. De la configuration des fiches individuelles au choix de la vue de votre arbre, apprenez à maîtriser les réglages de MyHeritage pour une gestion fluide et efficace de votre histoire familiale. Simplifiez la gestion de votre arbre pour y voir plus clair !
Discovering your Eastern European Ancestors on MyHeritage
Tue, February 10 2026: 19:00 UTC
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
If you have Eastern European ancestors, you are probably wondering how to begin your family history search. Come and learn about how MyHeritage can get you started in your family history challenge.
Searching for Sisters? Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States
Wed, February 11 2026: 19:00 UTC
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Catholic nuns and sisters ran some of the U.S.’s earliest schools, orphanages, and hospitals; nursed on Civil War battlefields and during disease outbreaks; and served millions of Catholic immigrants and their families. Today, those nuns and sisters are mostly forgotten. Many changed their names and moved far from home, making it difficult for genealogists to recognize them in records. But those who can trace a woman into religious life may discover a rich trove of records about the sister and perhaps about her family. Sometimes records even survive for a religious order’s academy, hospital, or other ministry. Come see what you may be able to learn from the many archives of Catholic nuns and sisters from the author of the newly-published Searching for Sisters: Researching Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Leyes de Indias: Leyes coloniales españolas y los registros que generaron
Thu, February 12 2026: 14:00 UTC
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española.
Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Desde la planificación urbanística hasta las relaciones con los nativos, «Las Leyes de Las Indias» gobernaron las colonias españolas de América del Norte y más allá, y crearon registros únicos para la investigación de cualquier persona con vínculos ancestrales con la América española.
Los subtítulos y la voz de este vídeo se han doblado al español utilizando IA.
Breaking the 1870 Brick Wall: Comprehensive Strategies for Tracing Formerly Enslaved African American Ancestors
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you’re ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you’re ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
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