Developed by experts at American Ancestors/NEHGS, this free-to-access national curriculum is designed to expose students in grades 4 through 6 to the concepts, benefits, and joys of family history.
Annual Benefit: Celebrating American Stories, American Lives
April 27, 2023 | Featuring Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III in Conversation with David M. Rubenstein
Young Family Historians Essay Contest
We're asking students across the nation to explore what they’ve learned about themselves, the community, and the nation by reflecting on a story from their personal family history. Students enrolled in grades 4–12 in public, private, parochial, and home schools across the nation are invited to participate.
Stacy Schiff with The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams
Don't miss this discussion with the Pulitzer Prize-winning author about her revelatory biography of Samuel Adams, a singular figure at a singular moment in American History. In her distinctive voice, Stacy Schiff restores this revolutionary to the pantheon of the most critical Founding Fathers on the 300th anniversary of his birth.
Feature Article
The Ancestry of Ketanji Brown Jackson
On April 7th, 2022, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed as the 116th justice of the Supreme Court and became the first Black woman to serve on the court. In honor of this historic event, our experts researched Ketanji Brown Jackson and Patrick Graves Jackson's family origins.
...Over its long life, [American Ancestors/NEHGS] has gathered together the largest collection of original materials about the British people of North America. Its Great Migration study, a continuing study, has also published the most authoritative record of, quite literally, the tens of thousands of British subjects who helped found New England. So, your contributions are unique. And something of which everyone who is a part of it can, legitimately, be very proud of. Human stories of our collective past are at the heart of your work, and I’d like to thank you for helping to keep those stories alive. It is our emotional DNA. And immensely valuable for this generation and our successors.
New! Courses On Demand
Educational experiences by our experts, at your convenience.
Enjoy some of our most recent and popular courses on your schedule. Each course includes recorded lectures, handouts, activities, and more. Brush up on your research skills and explore topics across the field of genealogy with Courses On Demand!
American Ancestors named one of 101 Best Genealogy Websites of 2022
Thank you to Family Tree Magazine for including American Ancestors in their round-up of the best genealogy websites this year! Visit their website to learn more and see the full list of sites.
Zoom Demo: The New AmericanAncestors.org
Join Claire Vail, Vice President for Digital Strategy and Communications, for a demonstration on the newly launched AmericanAncestors.org! Learn about key new features, how to navigate the site, and how to get the most out of the website from home. You can also visit our New Website FAQ for more information.
Search 1.4 billion names to find your ancestors' records
Search records from all over the world now
I can't tell you how great it feels to be so supported by NEHGS and those of you who bring together such quality programming and make sure it goes as planned. The online courses, the website, the databases, the "chat with a genealogist" opportunities, the list goes on . . . it all is simply a treasure. For years my mom was a member of NEHGS and found it so helpful; I just wish she were still alive to attend and enjoy with me the courses now offered. She would be delighted to know that I'm following in her footsteps.
Vita Brevis is 3 Million Views Old!
Vita Brevis, our family history blog, recently marked an important milestone: 3,000,000 page views since it launched in January 2014. Join editor Scott C. Steward for a look back on some of the most popular posts, from research advice to celebrity genealogies to personal stories of family connections made through genealogical research.
What's the best source for Irish records?
Ask a genealogist!
Chat live with a family history expert and get quick research questions answered for free.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
What did "homesteader" mean in the 19th century?
Ask a genealogist!
Chat live with a family history expert and get quick research questions answered for free.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
How can I find my globe-trotting ancestor?
Ask a genealogist!
Chat live with a family history expert and get quick research questions answered for free.
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. ET
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. ET
Upcoming Events
Seminar
Online
Paid
Basics of Early New England Research
This five-week online seminar will discuss the settlement of New England, how to locate and use records, and strategies for breaking down brick walls.
March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2023
The Brue Family Learning Center
Lecture
Online
Free
Finding Your Ancestral Homestead
Learn how to navigate land deeds, maps, surveys, directories, and other records to discover the location of your ancestor's property.
March 9, 2023
The Brue Family Learning Center
Lecture
Online
Paid
Virtual DiCamillo Companion Rendezvous
Join Curt DiCamillo for an illustrated lecture revealing the centuries of history behind the British Crown Jewels and the kings and queens who have worn them.
March 10, 2023
Fine Art & Architecture with Curt DiCamillo
Seminar
In Person
Paid
Finding Your Ancestors in Irish Church Records
Join experts from the Ulster Historical Foundation as they discuss church records for all of Ireland: what they are, where to find them, what information they provide, and strategies for leveraging them in your research.
March 11, 2023
The Brue Family Learning Center
Seminar
Online
Paid
Behind the Golden Doors: American Jewish Life in the Age of Immigration Restriction, 1924-1965
Rescheduled—New Dates Coming Soon | Join us in a lively and engaging exploration of the twentieth-century American Jewish experience, with access to sources from the archives, secondary readings, and the opportunity to engage with historical analysis in new and exciting ways.
March 14, 21, 28, 2023
The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center
Lecture
Online
Free
Genealogy for the Next Generation: A National Family History Curriculum
Join Youth Genealogy Curriculum Coordinator Dustin Axe as he shares objectives, content and inclusive teaching strategies from our new national curriculum, designed to introduce all students to the benefits of family history research.
March 16, 2023
The Brue Family Learning Center
Browse all upcoming events in our new Event Calendar
Recent Publications
Book
Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research, 6th Edition
$38.95
This new full-color edition is an extensive update of an indispensable resource for those researching in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusett
Product
The Stories They Tell . . . from the Herdeg Collection
$69.95
A visit to a historic home . . . and a walk through history as told by the art and objects inside.
Product
Family Treasures: 175 Years of Collecting Art and Furniture at the New England Historic Genealogical Society
$59.95
Winner of the 2021 New England Society in the City of New York Book Award in the Art and Photography category.
Product
A New England Native American Reader
$24.95
A collection of articles on New England Native American genealogy, history, and culture that have appeared in the Register or American An
Book
Early New England Families 1641–1700, Volume 2 (paperback)
$32.95
Addressing the lack of compiled information on individuals who immigrated to New England after the Great Migration, the Early New England
Download Free Research Guides
The Antiquarto
Join D. Brenton Simons, President and CEO of American Ancestors/NEHGS, for exclusive interviews about family history, fine art and architecture, favorite books, and more.
The latest episode features Kyle Hurst, Senior Genealogist for the Newbury Street Press at American Ancestors/New England Historic Genealogical Society. Hear about her work at the Newbury Street Press, researching and writing family histories; how she got started in genealogy; and her award-winning genealogy "Ancestors and Descendants of Charles Le Caron and Victoire Sprague."
