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.
10 Million Names is a new initiative to recover the names and stories of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in America between the 1500s and 1865.
Together with a collaborative network of genealogists, cultural organizations, and community-based family historians, we will amplify centuries of family stories, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions, and expand access to information about enslaved African Americans.

Download Free Research Guides
AmericanAncestors.org Named One of 101 Best Websites for Genealogy in 2023
We are pleased to be included on this year's list of 101 Best Genealogy Websites from Family Tree Magazine. Released annually, this list compiles the best online tools available to assist the research of hobbyist genealogists. Visit FamilyTreeMagazine.com to see the full list for 2023.

Where Were Your Ancestors during the Boston Tea Party?
In partnership with the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, we are pleased to introduce the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program. Our mission is to foster interest in genealogical connections to participants in the Boston Tea Party, their families, and those involved in the making of colonial rebellion in Boston.

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!

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.

Upcoming Events

New Jersey Research: Four Centuries of History and Genealogy
Throughout its history—from Dutch colony to English Province to statehood—New Jersey has been characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity. Immigrants settled within its borders attracted by fertile land, industry, and religious tolerance. Despite its long history, however, New Jersey is known for several gaps in its records.

The Chelsea Carol Incident of 1949
In this webinar, Dr. Miriam Mora discusses a story she uncovered in her research in the archives of the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center: How a Jewish family’s 1949 request for inclusivity around Christmas carols and pageants in their public school led to a widespread misunderstanding, and eventually caused panic and uproar within the Jewish community of Chelsea, Massachusetts.
Presented by Dr. Miriam Eve Mora
Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center

Family History Roundtable: Getting Family Involved in Your Research
Join us for this engaging panel discussion with our genealogists as they discuss their tips for getting family involved in your research—including strategies for sharing research findings, interviewing family members, asking relatives to take DNA tests, and more. This is the first episode in our new panel discussion series, Family History Roundtable.

Neil King with American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal
Neil King Jr.’s desire to walk from Washington, D.C., to New York City began as a whim and soon became an obsession. Over an extraordinary 26 days, he journeyed through historic battlefields and cemeteries, over the Mason-Dixon line, past Quaker and Amish farms, along Valley Forge stream beds, atop a New Jersey trash mound, across New York Harbor, and finally, to his ultimate destination: the Ramble, where a tangle of pathways converges in New York’s Central Park.
American Inspiration

What's New At American Ancestors
Stay up to date with what’s new at American Ancestors with this webinar series!

On Demand: Researching Impoverished Ancestors in North America
Experts Lindsay Fulton and Ann Lawthers will discuss the welfare systems in North America from colonial times through the early 20th century, and demonstrate practical research strategies for finding your impoverished ancestors.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center