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