Intermediate Electives

Optional Print Course Material: Planning a Research Trip to Scotland

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Traveling to your ancestor’s hometown can be exciting and scary! The possibility of breaking brick walls, finding never-before-seen records, and walking in your ancestor’s footsteps is beyond exciting. But if you haven’t traveled internationally or aren’t sure where to start, planning such an adventure can be overwhelming. 

In this course we will explore what you need to do in order to plan and execute your ancestral travel to Scotland. We will discuss how to prepare for your trip and plan for research, and repositories you will want to visit.

Course Length: 6 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Personal Historian: Video Techniques

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is designed to introduce the basics of audio-video production for personal historians and genealogists, that is, people who want to use current digital audio and video tools to record, edit and share life stories. Audio-video productions encompass four phases of work: pre-production, production, post-production and delivery. This course is structured along these four phases.  

Students with any level of audio-video experience, including those who are beginners, can learn from this course. There is great depth and variety to the practice of video biography. This course will help you build your skills and savvy. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Personal Historian: Oral History and Interviewing Techniques

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

A personal historian uses oral history interview techniques to interview individuals about their lives or those of their family. Combining the interview, research, and additional items like photographs and documents, a personal historian can create a beautiful story for a client. This course will discuss the things you need to know before specializing in oral histories, how to prepare for and conduct an interview, and what can be done with all the materials. Finally, we will learn how to put everything together and preserve these priceless histories. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: New Zealand Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course provides a detailed description of how to research ancestors in New Zealand. Learn about the historical background as well as records such as births, deaths and marriages, wills and cemetery records, immigration and naturalisation, military records and other archives held by government and non-government institutions. In the absence of census records, learn how to use census substitutes such as electoral rolls, directories and newspapers. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material:Research: Australian Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course provides a detailed description of how to research your family in Australian records. Learn about history, civil registration, church records, immigration (both “free” and convict), as well as the archives and other records you can use to “add flesh to the bones” and turn a list of names and dates into a family history. Learn how to use the online indexes and find the digitized records that can help overcome the “Tyranny of Distance”. 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Planning a Research Trip to  Ireland

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Having the opportunity to go on a research trip to Dublin is a very exciting prospect; however, being prepared is another matter. This course will help prepare you for such a trip and also help prepare you for what to expect when you arrive. An overview is provided for each archive or repository with a lot of very helpful and worthwhile information.

Course Length: 5 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Irish Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Difficulties inherent in Irish research, key items in Irish history and geography, and to emigration (the Irish Diaspora) are included. Original sources covered are civil registration, census (including substitutes where these are lacking), church registers, and probate. These are followed with discussions of the usefulness of occupational records and locating research already done or in progress. 

Historical: This course originated August 2000. Current version copyright is December 2024.
If you have older material, it needs to be replaced. Use the chat app to order your replacement materials.

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Danish Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Beginning research on Danish ancestry requires a foundation in certain basics. Before beginning research in any new locality, a fundamental appreciation of the historical background of the area is always required. Most Danish records are organized by parish, so knowing the structure and geography of the country is important to finding the correct records. 

The patronymic system of naming was used throughout Denmark until nearly the end of the 19th century. Learning the techniques appropriate to research families under this system is essential to the student of Danish genealogy. 

The calendar changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and the first day of the year was changed to 1 January. Some dates will be entered based on the “feast days” rather than the calendar day. These dating issues are important to finding and recording information. 

Although fluent Danish is not required to research in Danish records, general genealogical terminology will be introduced. 

Since genealogical research in Denmark relies heavily on church records, the new researcher should first understand how to find and use these books.  From the time the Lutheran Church was established in Denmark in 1536, there have been changes in the format of the record books, but not in the essential content. In this section of the course the student will review the principle sections of parish registers and their use, including some sections which changed over time; when forms became the norm, and what that means to the researcher; the first section to be studied in depth will be the Index. If used by the parish, this is key to unlocking the church life of an individual, and sorting out the many duplicate names; and, where parish records may be accessed―online, Danish archives, and the Family History Library Catalog. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Austro-Hungarian Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Austria-Hungary was formed in 1867 when the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary agreed to unite under the House of Hapsburg, a powerful family that controlled almost all of Europe at different points in history. The dual monarchy became one of the most influential powers in Eastern Europe in the latter half of the 19th century before being dissolved in 1918 following the end of World War I. Because of this complex history, beginning the genealogy research process may seem an overwhelming task.  

Whether you can trace your ancestry back to the Austrian portion, or the Hungarian half, this course will provide you with a solid foundation on which to begin your research. We will discuss, amongst other things: what resources, mainly U.S. and Canadian, can help you begin your research; how geography and border changes impact your research; what Austrian and Hungarian records are available and the historical considerations in their creation; where and how these records can be accessed digitally, on microfilm, via correspondence, or from onsite research; and language resources. We will also review strategies and tips for addressing and overcoming modern-day research challenges and obstacles. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Dutch Ancestors in the Netherlands

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Researching Dutch ancestors in the Netherlands is very exciting because of the wealth of information available to the genealogist. Even if you are unfamiliar with the Dutch language, this course will assist you and guide you through the records that contain details about your ancestors' lives.  

This course will cover some historical information about the Netherlands and its provinces, an understanding of the Dutch language in genealogical documents, archives and repositories in the Netherlands and, the types of records available for your research. You will study, in more detail, population records, civil registration and searching the Internet for Dutch genealogical information. 

Course Length: 6 weeks

Note: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered. 

The Book, “Finding Your Italian Ancestors – A Beginner’s Guide” by Suzanne Russo Adams, AG is available at GenealogyStore.com

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Italian Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

So you want to research your Italian ancestors! Welcome to a fascinating area of genealogical research. Italians have contributed to all aspects of life in the countries they immigrated to. They often came poor and destitute, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Hard work and placing great value on family helped them to excel within their new country. Their sacrifices provided a better life for their descendants. 

Italian research can be done well by anyone, whether you know the Italian language or think you have linguistic ability. Most Italian records follow a standard format which is a great help when working in records created in a foreign language. Your language proficiency will grow with time and experience as you work with the records.

This course will provide you with a solid foundation with which to begin your research. We will discuss, amongst other things:

Historical Considerations – How did historical events affect record keeping? 

Finding Your Ancestor’s Place of Origin – Why is it important?

Political Jurisdictions – How can you find the records if you don’t know how and why they were created?

Language Resources – What languages are the records written in?  Can I research in the records without being fluent in Italian? What about the handwriting?

Available Record Types – We will discuss civil, ecclesiastical, and other records.

Accessing the Records – Where are the records and what archives are there?

Research Tips and Practical Applications – I’ll share tips gained from my experiences such as  how to accurately cite a microfilmed civil record.

History of Italian Immigration – The course contains short summaries of Italian immigration to six different countries. 

There are several more advanced resources that will be discussed briefly, but not expanded upon, because this course is meant to be a general overview of Italian genealogical research. Consider taking more advanced courses later, once you have more experience, where these records can be covered in more depth. By the end of the course, I have confidence you will be ready to start your Italian research and will say Andiamo! [Let’s go!] 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: German Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This genealogical helper is intended for North American English-speaking beginners, who want to find their German ancestors. In order to do successful family research in Germany, you need a basic understanding of the various parts of Germany during the time of your ancestors' lives. A brief examination of sources and repositories including the FamilySearch website will point the researcher in the right direction. It will be helpful to have some knowledge of the German or Latin languages since many of the documents have been complied in these languages, and with a flared script so resources for translation are discussed. A sample letter written in German, along with an English translation will assist you in case you need to correspond with an institution in Germany. 

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Nova Scotia Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Nova Scotia, first settled in 1604 (although it did not remain), has some of the oldest history in what is now Canada. Its early history reflected the ongoing conflicts between France and England, resulting in an era of New France and ultimately, becoming part of British colonial territory that included the thirteen colonies in what became the United States. By the official end of the American Revolution in 1783, Acadia, as it was then known, was redrawn with the state of Maine becoming part of the new US Republic. 

Connections with New England, or what Nova Scotians called “the Boston states,” remained close through family on both sides of the border. Indeed, some of the United Empire Loyalists who sought refuge in Nova Scotia returned years later to rejoin parts of their family who remained across the border. The easy trip by schooner between Halifax and Boston or New York was more feasible than overland travel to other parts of Canada. In later years, as economic difficulties in Nova Scotia led to crossing the border for work opportunities, connections increased as half of a family might be living in Boston. Many went to work only and families remained in Nova Scotia. In family history research in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it is not uncommon to find people on a US Census in 1880 and a Canadian Census in 1891. Back and forth migration was a strategy for some families. Ultimately, Nova Scotians who remained in New England married, had children, moved across the United States and lost their connections with family back home. 

Many people in other parts of Canada and in the United States have an ancestor who resided in Nova Scotia for five years or several generations. For this reason, the course will focus on distance research although resources available only on-site at archives or local history museums will also be explored. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

This course is an excellent introduction to the confusing and often complex history of the Acadians in Canada. Beginning with the arrival of the Acadians into the Maritime region, the power struggles between the British and the French, the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755 and 1758, the different areas within the world they settled and finally their return from exile. This is a very good starting point for anyone with an Acadian background or with an interest in the area. 

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Canadian Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is intended as a guide for those who are starting to research their ancestors in Canada. It is a general guide to the records available for those conducting genealogical research in Canadian records for the first time.   

Specifically, this course is intended as a guide to researchers living outside of Canada who find that their research journey has led them to the point that they must now enter unfamiliar territory and conduct research in the records of another country, when those records may not follow the patterns with which they are familiar. To that end, each province will be examined individually in order to understand the variations in the records and storage that apply to each province. 

Course Length: 6 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: New Brunswick Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to New Brunswick, Canada and the wealth of genealogical material available for those searching for family roots in this province. The author assumes that you want to move beyond the begats and learn as much as you can about the life and times of the men and women you discover. 

To that end we provide an introductory overview of the province, suggest repositories and methodologies for researching available resources, examine early settlement including the Loyalists, touch on vital records (birth, marriage and death), and follow-up with later settlement patterns.

This course assumes the student knows the basics of genealogical research and has some experience using common sources such as the census, vital records, church registers, land and probate documents, as well as a familiarity with forms and methods of recording family data. It also assumes a basic knowledge of how to use archives, libraries, and the Internet. 

Course Length: 5 weeks

Note: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered.

The Book, “Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records” by Brenda Douglas Merriman is available at GenealogyStore.com

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Ontario Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This eight-module course is based on a compulsory book written by Brenda Dougall Merriman, Genealogy in Ontario: Searching the Records (30th Anniversary edition, 2013 or 4th edition, 2008). Earlier editions of Genealogy in Ontario (1984, 1988, 1992 and 2004) do not apply, especially with regard to updates and page number references. 

The bulk of the course reading material is found in Genealogy in Ontario. You will be given specific chapters for each module’s required reading and assignments. Each module will also have some extra additions or explanations. Students will learn about basic genealogical sources for this province, as well as how to find and evaluate them.

NOTE: Genealogy in Ontario was written for both beginners and more advanced researchers. For this course, we are not expecting you to learn or understand more than the fundamental sources and good research habits.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants entered the province of Ontario (formerly Upper Canada and then Canada West) from the late eighteenth century to the twenty-first century. It has been a major arrival point, or destination, for arrivals, at first from the British Isles and the United States, and then from continental Europe and beyond. Of course, numerous families stayed for generations, but others moved on after a generation or so—countless descendants are seeking their first North American roots here. A rich mass of resources awaits the family historian new to this locale. A great deal of documentation the collections at Library and Archives Canada (LAC) in Ottawa and the Archives of Ontario (AO) in Toronto, but both centres are constantly adding online descriptions, finding aids, and searchable databases. 

Course Length: 9 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Saskatchewan Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Saskatchewan was part of the North West Territories from 1870 until it became a province in 1905. During this period the land was surveyed and railways were built to bring settlers to the west. To encourage settlement the government of Canada passed the Dominion Land Act in 1871. Under the act a one hundred and sixty acres of land was offered as a free homestead to males 21 years of age or to women who were the sole support for their family. 

Many people came from other areas in Canada, the United States, the British Isles and Europe to take up homesteads. Before beginning research in Saskatchewan the researcher should establish a research plan noting whom they are searching for, when the family was in Saskatchewan, where they lived, and what they were doing in the province. This enables the researcher to see what records the family may have created in Saskatchewan. 

This course will help you learn about the major record centres, libraries, and societies that can help you find and use the records you need to trace Saskatchewan ancestors. The assignment part of the course will involve using many of the websites to find which original documents you will need to the answer your research problems. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Manitoba Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Permanent settlement in Manitoba began in the early 1800s. This course will demonstrate how the records created by the Hudson’s Bay Company, the Dominion, provincial, and municipal governments help the researcher trace ancestors in Manitoba. Emphasis will be placed on how to access the records and how to use them effectively.  

Although the focus will be on the major government and religious records, the course will demonstrate how to supplement these records by using land records, local newspapers, cemetery records, and community, school. and church histories. Other important resources to be discussed are the collections and programs of genealogical, historical, and ethnic societies in Manitoba. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: United Empire Loyalist Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

The course describes what it meant to be a United Empire Loyalist in the context of the American Revolutionary War and how it affected his ensuing life. We also discuss the membership and lineage requirements of the United Empire Loyalists'' Association of Canada, with some attention to their application form. 

The bulk of the course material covers the basic, contemporary sources that help identify a Loyalist ancestor during and after the war: military, claims, land, and other records that assist with documenting your family. Students are advised to consult the Documents area to see samples of such records. Overviews of the British North  American colonies where the Loyalists came for resettlement include Upper Canada (Ontario)—where the original U.E. (Unity of Empire) tradition took hold—the Maritime provinces and Lower Canada (Quebec).

We give further references to books and websites, but keep in mind about the latter: websites occasionally disappear, or they may be revised periodically in format and content. This course should assist researchers who are beginning their quest for information and documentation. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: British Columbia Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course will provide a brief overview of what genealogical resources are available in the Province of British Columbia and how to access the material. 

British Columbia has the majority of it’s population living in the southern region of the province, adjacent to the boundary with the United States, but many people lived throughout the province and material pertaining to the more isolated regions may not exist, or if in existence, might be in original form and therefore difficult to access. We will discuss how to deal with this problem. Migration and settlement patterns will also be discussed.  

Every study of family history is unique and study in each province of Canada is also unique. The material in this course will provide the researcher with the knowledge of which documents exist and where to find them to conduct an efficient and successful research project in the province of British Columbia. 

Course Length: 5 weeks

Settlements in Newfoundland date quite far back. The first settlement by the English dates back to 1610 when the London and Bristol Company founded Cuper's Cover (Cupids). It is important to understand the settlement and migration patters in order to properly research in this province. During this course, we will discuss the settlement and migration patterns in Newfoundland and Labrador and various documents created such as vital statistics records, probate records, census records, land records, and church records. We will also review available research resources such as archives, libraries, museums and Family History Centers.

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Alberta Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Primary settlements took place in the province of Alberta between 1885 and 1914. In the world of genealogy, that does not seem very far back! 

During this course, we will discuss the settlement patterns in Alberta and various documents created such as vital statistics, probate, census, land and church records. We will also review available research resources such as archives, libraries, and FamilySearch. 

This course will not only address the needs of those researching Alberta ancestors but also the needs of those living in the Province of Alberta researching other ancestors of various backgrounds. 

Course Length: 5 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Quebec Non-Francophone Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

In order to successfully do research in Québec, it is important to understand how the land divisions and institutions evolved and developed. This course explores where to turn, how the institutions have been set up and the importance of the religious context when researching your English ancestors in Québec. The province developed uniquely to the rest of the country. Records are not necessarily stored where you may have searched in another province in Canada. The course will explain the significance of the Notary, PRDH, Moving Day, the BAnQ and much more. Some tips are even given for those who are new to working with the French language. 

The English have mainly been concentrated in the areas of the Eastern Townships, the Gaspé, the Ottawa River Valley, the North-West and of course, the main centres of Montréal and Québec. All of these regions are explored in some depth and tips particular to the region are given. The course material includes useful websites, references and bibliography which will be useful for the course as well as provide the basis for your genealogical reference library. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: French-Canadian Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Tracing your French-Canadian ancestors to the early 1600s can be achieved in less than a day! If you know where to look.

Thanks to the meticulous care taken by the clergy of the Catholic church and the numerous volunteers who have transcribed the information found in church records, there are unique tools available to assist in your research needs. 

Even though the resource tools have made this research much easier than many research tasks, you must still prove that the ancestors you are finding are really your ancestors. 

This course will start with a discussion regarding migration patterns. Then it will cover in detail all available sources of information including birth, marriage and death records, dictionaries, fichiers, census records, notarial records, land grants and others. Acadian research will also be discussed during this course. How to prepare for a genealogical trip to Montréal is also included, as well as a case study. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Colonial New England Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This seven module course will give the student a basic foundation to research using colonial records in New England. It focuses primarily on the most common records used for research. The student will learn about strategies for finding colonial New England records while incorporating colonial town records, colonial census records, colonial land records and maps, the colonial wars, religious records, and court documents. 

Note: The student who undertakes this course should have familiarity with United States vital, religious, census, land and military records, as well as have a good knowledge of genealogical methodologies. 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Note: This course requires compulsory materials to be ordered. These are available at GenealogyStore.com

1. Board for Certification of Genealogists, Genealogy Standards, 2nd edition revised (Nashville, Tennessee: Ancestry, 2021).

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. 20th Century Records, Including Adoption Records

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Genealogists have one, two, or three generations of ancestors to track through the 20th century; a century marked by an emphasis on privacy and the closure of records. 

This six-module course provides a foundation for researching twentieth-century sources. It includes evidence analysis exercises, source citation practice, and application of genealogical standards. (Genealogy Standards, Second Edition, or Genealogy Standards, 50th Anniversary Edition, is compulsory reading for this course.) Adoption research is featured in many of the examples. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. African American Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Researching African American genealogy can be difficult but it is not impossible, as some believe. This course focuses on three aspects of genealogical research and how these relate specifically to researching African Americans: research skill, knowledge of records, and understanding of historical context. 

The course is organized into reverse chronological eras, beginning with the twentieth century and moving through the late nineteenth century and Reconstruction, the Civil War era, and the antebellum (pre-Civil War) period. In each module case studies and assignments demonstrate and test the skills being developed. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. WWll Ancestors - Part 2

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

2014 marked the 70th Anniversary of World War II’s D-Day. In Research: U.S. World War II Ancestors-Part 1 we reviewed what led to the start of World War II, how the U.S. became involved, and the military records available. In Research: U.S. World War II Ancestors-Part 2 we begin with records from the Army, Army Air Corps, Marines and National Guard and explore military and other records that can assist you in conducting World War II era research. We will explore life on the home front and the role of women in World War II including their service in the military. A case study will help you get ideas for piecing the life of your World War II soldier’s story together. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. WWll Ancestors - Part 1

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

World War II’s D-Day. There are many records that were created during World War I that are similar in World War II. Learn what led to the start of World War II, how the U.S. became involved and the military records available. They did not all burn in the 1973 fire! 

This course will move from military records for the Navy, Coast Guard and Marines to civilian jobs including the USO, Merchant Marines and others. You will learn how to research the service of your military ancestors through numerous sources. Through this research you can then write the story of your ancestor’s life. Continue your journey into World War II military records in the Research: U.S. World War II Ancestors-Part 2 course. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Western States Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Each module in this course provides an historical overview and historical timeline as well as a survey of records available in both repositories and online for one western state. States covered are Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. In addition each module will focus on one aspect of Western states development, such as trails, suffrage and mining. 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Fraternal Organizations

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Researching your ancestor’s involvement in fraternal organizations can be a very rewarding aspect of genealogy. You may learn a great deal about the individual, or you may learn a great deal about the community they resided in, or both. The research can lead you through a variety of different elements of their life, and add color to the basic timeline of an individual’s life span. During this course, we will discuss a variety of topics including the basics of this type of research, the social impacts of these organizations, and the hazards you may encounter along the way. 

Their impact on the history of the United States, and truly across the globe, cannot be overlooked. The impact fraternal organizations have had on their individual members—our ancestors—must also not be overlooked in a thorough investigation of a family history. 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Midwestern States Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is designed to give students a basic understanding of some of the historical events that occurred in each state, especially events that shaped the state’s history, boundaries, laws, records and other items. The states included in this course were all part of the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which were: Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Each state is unique in its geographical formation, social attitudes, political structure, ethnicity, industry and historical records. The modules included are aimed at giving researchers information to aid understanding of these states individually and to provide tools for researching family history, not only in terms of the individual, but also in their broader social context. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Mayflower Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

You have traced your genealogy back to New England and suspect you may have Mayflower ancestry. Or perhaps you have actually traced a family line back to a Mayflower passenger. This course will cover various aspects of conducting Mayflower research and how to properly document the line by utilizing New England original and derivative records as well as sources specific to Mayflower research. 

We will first discuss the story of our Pilgrim ancestors and, believe me, their story is a fascinating one! From their religious persecution in England, to their exile in Holland and finally, their voyage to the wilderness of the New World, their determination, courage and abiding faith is an inspiration to us all. 

The resources available to you in order to trace back and/or document your existing lineage, whether for your own satisfaction or for membership in the Mayflower Society will be fully explored. We will discuss family genealogies, town histories and New England vital records. There are libraries, societies and family associations you should know about and specific genealogical journals, websites, and social media tools which can make your journey a whole lot easier. We will discuss the role of DNA testing to prove a lineage and you will be provided with a selected reading list so that you may delve more deeply into the historical aspect if you so choose. 

If you have ever wondered about the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, with headquarters in Plymouth, Massachusetts and what it’s all about, now is your chance to learn. We will cover its history, its objectives and its accomplishments. The society has definite documentation requirements for membership; these will be detailed as well as how and where to apply for membership. 

Course Length: 6 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Great Lakes Ancestors, 211 pages.

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

The Great Lakes region of the United States is an area with a rich and diverse history. This course will focus on generalized and locality specific resources for six states in this area―Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. These six states once formed, in part, the first possession of the United States known as the “Northwest Territory.” A summary of each state’s history and geography will be provided, as well as tips on where to find important genealogical resources (such as census, land, probate, and vital records). A brief discussion of important Canadian records and suggestions for advanced research techniques will also be included.  

Optional Print Course Material: Research: U.S. Records Using Ancestry Including DNA Strategies

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

An overview of the five essential groups of records to jumpstart your genealogy! 

NOTE: Access to Ancestry is a requirement by the student to be able to complete this course.

The use of proper search techniques and Ancestry databases will assist you in obtaining your research goals. This course will introduce very important groups of records to the genealogist: Censuses, Vital, Military, Newspapers & Publications, and Immigration records. 

Each module will provide a brief description of the record group, describing how to search for the record, what information is contained within the document, recording the information and its genealogical importance. The last module will consist of three case studies, with exercises following a family through the various record groups.

During your genealogical research project, no record group should stand alone! Although the modules can stand alone as learning tools, at the completion of this course, the researcher will be able to better understand how the various groups of records work together to provide the answers to your research quest. It is normal when researching that one record group leads you to another. The combination of the two record groups will then lead you to the third group of records, and so on. By reading the course materials, and completing the exercises and assignments, this course will teach you the importance of combining the vast amount of information available in various groups of records to develop a much more interesting family history.

Remember, this course is only an introduction to census, vital, military, newspaper and immigration records that are available on Ancestry. Additional courses are available for a more in-depth study of each of these record groups. Online virtual meetings are also provided, enabling you to ask questions of your instructor.

Ancestry has many tools that will assist the researcher in developing and recording their family history. You should have a good understanding of the tools prior to starting this course.

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Social Media Tools for the Wise Genealogist

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Genealogy has come a long way from the days when networking meant writing a letter and waiting for a reply. With the advent of social networking and social media tools you can network with researchers worldwide, find distant relations, curate content, and share your research. This course will provide you with just some of the tools to help you take advantage of Web 2.0. 

Most people automatically associate social networks with websites like Facebook, Twitter, and even The International Institute’s own GenealogyWise. We will explore these websites and others that help you share your family tree, family stories, and even your personal library. The course demonstrates that the concept of social media is all about sharing, education, mobility and yes, networking. Each module concludes with recommended resources that provide the student with additional learning tools to get the most out of their social media experience. 

Course Length: 9 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Connecting Family: Online and Virtually

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Computers and the Internet have revolutionized the way families communicate. This course will highlight a few specific ways to use your computer and the Internet to build and strengthen family ties. Topics will include using multimedia techniques to preserve and share family photographs, building an online family tree, creating virtual family history tours/videos, creating online family newsletters, digitizing scrapbooks, publishing an online family history and creating and maintaining family websites, using communication tools such as Skype, and using social media (blogs, Facebook, and Twitter) to find long lost cousins and stay in touch with relatives.

Optional Print Course Material: Google for the Wise Genealogist

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Everyone knows that Google is a powerful search engine, but for genealogists Google provides so much more. This course will explore Google programs and how they can be used to research family history. You will be introduced to a variety of Google products, how to navigate those products and specifically how to use them to further your genealogical research. Google provides free software, digitized books and articles, mapping, access to newspapers, translation tools and more. Learn how to use Google for finding information, creating and sharing documents, groups, websites and blogs as well as using it to map your ancestors. Learn about popular Google products like Google search, Google Maps and Google Books as well as the not so well-known products like Google Bookmarks, Google Alerts, Google Scholar, Google Groups and Google Sites. Google is the best non-genealogy, genealogy website there is! 

Course Length: 9 weeks

Creating interesting family history stories involves adding details of your ancestor’s life that go beyond just names and dates. What was their occupation? What religious and political beliefs did they hold? Did they serve in the military, and why did they do what they did? This is an interesting way to start fleshing out the bones of your genealogy and to make your family history come alive. 

In this course we will explore how to find and incorporate information about your ancestor’s life to how to write and publish your family history story. Not sure how to go about writing the story of your ancestor? We cover the very beginning steps of writing to the final product. 

Optional Print Course Material: Research: South African Ancestors Including Military Records

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course covers the history of South Africa, genealogical sources and repositories for searching your ancestors. General genealogical topics covered include birth, marriage, death, church records, cemeteries, newspapers, and more. Also included is discussion on online databases. Research examples are provided to give guidance in various types of research projects. 

In addition, the course looks at major wars and conflicts, and the records they produced. Starting with the Boer Wars, World Wars I and II, and ending at the Korean War. In particular, records of the South African Constabulary, South African Defence Force, South African Air Force and the South African Police are covered. 

Optional Print Course Material:Research: Social History

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This introduction to social history will provide examples and resources of subject matter from many areas of interest to the social historian. Rather than being a comprehensive discussion of social history, the material is intended to inspire your research into the lives of your people and the times and places they lived in. Your ancestors, their families, and the society they lived in may be different from the examples given but only by researching the specifics of their lives, their communities, the world around them and the forces and influences that shaped their environment can you begin to know who they were. 

NOTE: Assignments in this course will require the student to do social history research on the Internet and/or at a local library. How in-depth the research will be, depends on the student’s own personal interest on the subject. 

Course Length: 8 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Electronic Resources: Organize and Publish a Family Tree

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

This course is designed to give students a wide view of genealogical organization systems available. Geared toward making a sound decision and investment in one’s genealogical software, this course will include cloud-based systems, online trees, desktop software, as well as a brief survey of alternative programs and systems for organizing and displaying genealogical research. 

Optional Print Course Material: Writing the Genealogist's Memoir

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

As a genealogy researcher for your family, you can enhance the results of your work, as well as realize personal satisfaction and value, by creating a memoir to enlighten those who read it. Your memoir can tell them about the story behind your research: your inspiration, motivation and/or interest in genealogy; your process; “aha” moments; roadblocks and disappointments; and successes. The professional genealogist or personal historian can also offer a service to help clients create such a companion piece for their family trees or histories. 

This course will explore the importance and value of memoir, a method for accomplishing one, and special issues to consider. Exercises will offer practical application of the material and opportunities to work on writing your memoir. The course will focus on writing as a method but will explore other options, such as audio and video, as well. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Grandmothers, Mothers and Daughters - Tracing Women

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Our female ancestors played significant roles in history. Yet, researching and writing about the women in our families can be a daunting task. If you have hit a brick wall in the quest to find information about your female ancestors, this course covers strategies and key sources to assist you with your research and show you how to document “her” story. 

Course Length: 7 weeks

Optional Print Course Material: Research: Jewish Ancestors

*Course material will only be sent to students who are registered in the course.

Researching a Jewish ancestor may seem a daunting task especially when you consider the Holocaust and the incredible destruction of lives, synagogues, and cemeteries in Europe. You may ask “why should I even try?” Then there is the myth that immigrants had their names changed at Ellis Island that leads us to believe that our Jewish ancestors are nearly impossible to research. All of these things scare off many from researching their Jewish family and discovering that there actually is a great deal of information “out there.” Researching Jewish ancestors is challenging, but with the research techniques provided in this course it will be revealed that much information is available. 

This course is presented with the assumption that the student may have little to no first-hand knowledge of Jewish ancestry. At the completion of the course the student will have a solid foundation to research Jewish ancestors and will understand the types of records available. This course will start with an introduction to the history of the Jewish people to better understand the challenges of this research. We will then get a basic understanding of the languages, dates, and name conventions of this unique group. Immigration patterns of the Jews as they came to North America are a valuable component to ultimately discovering their origins and the resources to assist in this research will be presented. Jewish life and record sources as they settled can provide additional clues to their origins and experiences as they came to America and Canada. Effective research strategies for finding Jewish ancestors will be presented. Lastly, the course includes an extensive discussion on resources available to pursue the genealogy of Jewish ancestors.