Two genealogists began a conversation over lunch and ideas began to tumble around as they approached a common research dilemma from two different angles. It wasn’t long before they discovered these two valuable sites that led to valuable discoveries in their research. Those metal signs you see on old buildings or the metal historic markers by the side of the road may offer clues to the lives of your ancestors.
The engaging Legacy Family Tree webinar “Community Research Using the National Register of Historic Places and the Historical Marker Database,” presented by accredited genealogist Peggy Lauritzen, offers a deep dive into two often-overlooked resources that can significantly enhance genealogical research. Lauritzen introduces viewers to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and the Historical Marker Database (HMDB), demonstrating how these tools can help family historians place their ancestors within the context of the communities, structures, and landscapes where they lived. This webinar not only highlights how these resources provide historical depth but also shares personal insights that bring the research process vividly to life.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar:
For genealogists eager to deepen their family history research, this webinar provides both inspiration and practical instruction on leveraging two underused yet powerful tools. To fully understand the methods Lauritzen outlines and explore the potential these resources hold for your own genealogical projects, view the complete webinar. The presentation walks viewers step-by-step through real examples, making the process approachable and effective for researchers at all levels.
Additionally, don’t miss the valuable syllabus and resource list included with the webinar—essential tools to help guide your searches and maximize the impact of your findings. Dive into these resources today to enrich your ancestral research with meaningful historical context and discover the places where your family’s story truly unfolded.
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Syllabus
This was fantastic. I found a tavern that Robert Sears, a relative that is connected to my family several ways. Looking at the information, there was even a picture of the tavern. I am going to try and find out more information about him and the tavern. I would have never thought of doing that. There are several other locations in my county and the neighboring county that I will check to see if they have connections to my family. Thank and thank you Barbara Randall. I met her years ago at a SCGS conference and have a research guide she gave me. I have kept it and use it still. She was awesome.
My ancestor Sylvester Ward was one of the founders of Beverly Manor.
Thank you. This is yet another example of the many national resources that these webinars make more accessible for genealogy research. Well done!
Peggy has a wonderful presentation style—she’s engaging, clear, and easy to follow. The information shared was both practical and immediately useful. While I’ve often used the Historical Marker Database in my research, the inclusion of the National Register of Historic Places was a fantastic and valuable addition to this presentation. Well done!
Without a doubt, one of the best webinars I have ever attended. I will be checking out her previous webinars. After the information given in today’s class, I am sure she will be giving us a lot of useful information in every presentation.
Fantastic webinar. I love Peggy’s enthusiasm. Off to hunt down ancestors on historical markers and connected to historical buildings!
We’ve always known history of a place and its people are intertwined, but this is the first time I have been given the key to unlock these relationships. Wow! This is a great new avenue of discovery.
I knew about the National Register, however never knew you could do a search there. Wow. Mind blown.