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Catalog of Lectures

Lecture
US - New England
US - Southern States
18th Century
Records and Research

No Battlefield Service Required: Researching Patriotic Ancestors

Your ancestor may not have served on the battlefield, but may still have supported the cause through supplies, medical aid, petitions or oaths of fidelity, service in the Continental Congress, or more yet. This lecture will explore the many records which may shed light on an ancestor’s patriotic leanings and support. We will also examine women’s patriotic service during the Revolutionary War.

Lecture
Canada
US - New England
US - Southern States
18th Century
Records and Research

Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies

This lecture provides a step-by-step look at applying to Revolutionary War lineage societies, including the general application process and tips for when you can’t find vital records. The lineage societies covered in this presentation will include National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution, The Society of the Cincinnati, The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America, and the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada.

Lecture
US - New England
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Records and Research

Boston Research and Records

Since its founding in 1630, the City of Boston has kept records pertaining to its citizens, including several unique resources. Join us to learn what records exist for Boston, tips for using them in your research, and where to find them. Special attention will be given to records from the 17th through 19th centuries.

Lecture
16th Century
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Records and Research

Military and Pension Files

The military records at the National Archives detail service given between 1775 and 1916. We will discuss how to locate, access, and utilize compiled service records, pension applications, and other resources that detail your veteran ancestor’s service. We will also discuss briefly more recent records available through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis (WWI–present). 

Lecture
Western Europe
16th Century
17th Century
18th Century
Immigration
Records and Research

German Civil and Religious Records

As with any type of family history research, civil and religious records are your first, go-to resource in German genealogy. For many locations in Germany, civil registration began as early as the late 18th century and some church records (Kirchenbücher) date back to the 16th century. Beyond baptisms, marriages, and burials, many churches also kept family registers (Familienregister or Familienbücher). This session will discuss what records exist, what information they contain, and how to access these important resources. 

Lecture
17th Century
18th Century
Records and Research

Substitutes for pre-1880 New York Vital Records: Using New York State and Federal Censuses

Finding information about your New York ancestors can be tricky. That challenge is in part due to the fact that statewide registration of vital records did not start until 1880. There are, however, bright spots in New York research, such as the state census. In this webinar we will discuss how the State and Federal Censuses (1850-1880) can help you fill in the gaps in your New York ancestry.

Lecture
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Records and Research

Federal Land Records: Bounty Land, Land Entry Files, and Homesteading

Throughout its history, the United States has offered several land incentives to encourage settlement and migration westward. In this class, we will first discuss federal bounty land warrants for military service between 1775 and 1855 and then delve more deeply into homesteading records including land entry case files, patents, and tract books.  

Lecture
US - New England
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Records and Research

Land Court and Probate in New England

Land, Court, and Probate records contain key information that can connect generations, confirm family groups, provide vital data, and build the stories of your ancestors. This online seminar demonstrates how to get the most out of these important resources. This three-session seminar focuses on New England resources from the 17th century to present day, but many of the strategies and methods discussed can be applied to other regions of the country. 

Lecture
US - Midwestern States
US - New England
US - Southern States
US - West Coast
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Records and Research

Finding Your Ancestor in American Fraternal Organization Records

Was your ancestor a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Columbus, or a member of another fraternal organization? In this webinar, we will teach you how to identify different fraternal organizations, provide valuable tools for locating a lodge and its records, and discuss how these records can enrich your family history research.

Lecture
US - New England
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
Records and Research

Researching New England Colonial Soldiers

 Learn about the various colonial wars that 17th and 18th New Englanders participated in.  We will discuss published and manuscript resources, and how to "Adopt the Regiment" to learn more about your ancestor through associated records.