A Gateway to 5.7 Million Records: Using MyHeritage’s “HISTORIES, MEMORIES, & BIOGRAPHIES” Collection

Sharon Monson
Jun 10, 2025
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Content

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Welcome
55s
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Speaker's Introduction
52s
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Introduction
2m 22s
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Searching the Collection
5m 18s
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Refine by Location
10m 06s
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Europe
16m 49s
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Oceania
18m 14s
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Announcements / prizes
3m 13s
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Questions / answers
5m 17s

About this webinar

Find biographical summaries, family histories, and local/county/state histories in collections from Canada (54), Europe (411), Latin America(1), Oceania (24) and the United States (1629). Tips for finding records easily – you will love the data.

About the speakers

About the speakers

Sharon D. Monson is a professional genealogist, creator of the Genealogy Kit, and author of Shortcut to Genealogy Sources. She is a frequent  presenter at local, state and national conferences. Her extensive research experience in co
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MyHeritage is the leading global destination for discovering, preserving and sharing family history. Our platform and DNA kits make it easy for anyone, anywhere to embark on a meaningful journey into their past and treasure their family stories fo
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Key points and insights

In this webinar, professional genealogist Sharon Monson unveiled the immense value of the “Histories, Memories & Biographies” collection—an often-overlooked genealogical resource containing over 5.7 million records. This robust database includes a wide variety of historical texts, local and family histories, and biographical accounts, offering researchers a wealth of firsthand narratives, images, and primary source material. Sharon guided viewers through the process of navigating this collection effectively, refining searches by category and location, and leveraging its diverse content to discover ancestors, build family connections, and uncover rich historical context.

Key Takeaways

  • A Richly Varied Collection, Categorized for Targeted Searches: The MyHeritage “Histories, Memories & Biographies” collection is organized into three primary categories: Local and General History, Family Histories, and Biographies. Researchers can refine their searches by geographical region, allowing for targeted exploration across countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania.

  • Uncover Hidden Stories and Rare Images: Sharon highlighted compelling examples, such as a 14-year-old’s pioneer diary, multi-generational biographies, and early colonial inventories—all rich in genealogical detail. Many records include rare photographs and illustrations that offer a visual connection to ancestors and the eras in which they lived.

  • Tips and Techniques for Maximizing Search Success: Users are encouraged to explore search strategies beyond basic name queries—such as browsing by location or using partial names—to uncover overlooked matches. Sharon emphasized using the “We Found More Records For” feature to expand research and validate findings with additional documents.

Explore the Full Webinar for Deeper Insight
This session is an essential watch for anyone aiming to enhance their genealogical toolkit. By viewing the full webinar, researchers can learn specific navigation tips, see detailed examples of records, and gain inspiration for using lesser-known sources to build a richer family narrative.

Don’t Miss the Syllabus and Supplemental Resources
For those ready to take their research further, the accompanying webinar syllabus includes step-by-step guidance, sample search results, and direct links to highlighted collections. Dive in today to uncover stories waiting in the pages of history—and perhaps find your ancestors among them.

Comments (17)

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  1. AW
    Allison Willis
    2 weeks ago

    Excellent webinar for those who are searching for these things! I will be watching this one again…

    Reply
  2. BS
    Brian Sweeney
    2 weeks ago

    It was wonderful and I hope to see more.

    Reply
  3. FJ
    Faye Jenkins-Edwards
    2 weeks ago

    So informative and will definitely use the site.

    Reply
  4. DC
    Dale Chapman
    2 weeks ago

    Use of Research areas I never knew existed or had explored, yet I definitely see opportunities to use them in my own research. Excellent !!!

    Reply
  5. CS
    Carol Smith
    2 weeks ago

    A good resource to investigate

    Reply
  6. AS
    Arlene Scalzo
    2 weeks ago

    I think this webinar will be more helpful than any other!!!

    Reply
  7. JH
    Jacqueline Herring
    2 weeks ago

    I really enjoyed today’s webinar. I did not realize My Heritage had so many resources! Good examples and the webinar was easy to follow.

    Reply
  8. MK
    Marci Keats Rudolph
    2 weeks ago

    The presentation and syllabus were clear and easy to understand and follow.

    Reply

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