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A Center for Excellence in Family History Programming

The Brue Family Learning Center is dedicated to introducing family and local history to a national and international audience. Founded by Nord and Suzanne Brue, the Center supports the creation of programming aimed at helping both the novice and experienced genealogist -- and engaging anyone with an interest in researching family history.  

Located on Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay, New England Historic Genealogical Society (American Ancestors)—known online as American Ancestors to millions of users—is the nation’s oldest and largest genealogical society. The gift will endow the creation of a new Brue Family Learning Center as part of a campus expansion program to introduce family and local history to wider audiences. It will also fund the creation of unique program content in family history for the organization’s online and special events offerings. 

Image of the Brue Family Learning Center
I felt like I had hit a wall in my research and your class showed me the door to continue. Thank you so much! I appreciate it more than words can express.
Jean L.

Founders Suzanne and Nordahl Brue

In 2019, Bruegger’s Bagels co-founder Nordahl Brue and his wife Suzanne Brue gave $1.5 million to American Ancestors to endow a family history learning center to help anyone learn more about their ancestry. 

The Brue Family Learning Center produces hundreds of family history programs each year, which reach many thousands of people around the world.

 

Suzanne and Nord Brue

Upcoming Lectures

Lecture
Online
Free

Ten Steps to Writing & Publishing Your Family History

Writing and publishing your genealogy is a fantastic way to preserve your family history for future generations and to share it with others. Join American Ancestors Vice President of Publishing, Sharon Inglis, as she discusses her top tips for writing and publishing your family history. 

November 14, 2024
Lecture
In Person
Free

From Torah Arks to Yahrzeit Plaques: Preserving Our Sacred Spaces and Community History

Meet the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center for an evening at NewBridge on the Charles to celebrate historical and contemporary work to document and preserve ritual objects and spaces in our Jewish community. Ruth Fein Research Fellow Samuel Gruber will give a talk about historic ark builder Sam Katz and the history of synagogue architecture. Carol Clingan will be presented with the Community Preservation Award.

November 20, 2024

The Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center

Lecture
Online
Free

How to Avoid Common Family History Pitfalls and Myths

In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will share her top tips for avoiding common “hazards” in your research process. She’ll discuss how to develop a research plan, staying organized, analyzing your research, and more.

December 19, 2024
Lecture
Online
Paid

Origins and Echoes: Medieval British Architecture from the 11th to the 20th Century

The term "Medieval style" conjures visions of fortified castles, elaborate stone carvings, and pointed arches. Join Curator of Special Collections Curt DiCamillo for an exploration of Medieval architecture and furnishings in British country houses across the centuries.

December 20, 2024

Arts & Architecture

Lecture
Online
Free

Choosing a DNA Test for Your Research Goals

DNA testing has been a transformative tool for genealogists. However, it can be difficult to determine which test (or tests) to utilize in order to help you achieve your research goals. In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Melanie McComb will provide an overview of types of tests available.

January 14, 2025
Lecture
Online
Free

The 2024 Genevieve Geller Wyner Lecture: Catholic and Jewish Communities’ Reactions to Antisemitic Violence in Wartime Boston

At the height of World War II, groups of young Irish Catholics rampaged through Boston's Jewish neighborhoods. The Boston's Catholic Church said little, and the Jewish community responded with its own form of denial and willful ignorance, hoping to make the conflict go away. As part of her research into the American Catholic Church's role during the Holocaust, Leff examines the fears, forebodings, and rocky relationship of these two important groups in Boston history.

January 22, 2025

Wyner Family Jewish Hertiage Center

Lecture
Online
Free

Researching Famine Irish Ancestors in Ireland's Poor Law

More than 30 million Americans have Irish Ancestry, and many of us have ancestors who were affected by the Great Famine of 1845-1852. During this time, many relied on Ireland’s Poor Law Unions, which centered around a workhouse where people could labor to receive temporary relief from their poverty. 

February 13, 2025
Lecture
Online
Free

Friend or Foe: Researching Colonial Ancestors During the American Revolution

In this online lecture, Chief Genealogist David Allen Lambert will discuss how to research your colonial ancestors and determine if—and how—they may have served the cause of the American Revolution.

March 13, 2025
Lecture
Online
Free

Best Published Resources for Colonial New England Research

When it comes to Colonial New England research, there is a gold mine of published resources to explore. As a group, early New Englanders are perhaps some of the most studied people on the planet! In this online lecture, Robert Battle, editor of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, will discuss essential published resources for colonial research in the region.

April 17, 2025