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Lecture
US - New England
17th Century
Records and Research

Verifying Descent from Salem’s Accused Witches

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of court cases and accusations of witchcraft across colonial America, yet the most famous series of prosecutions from this period are the Salem witch trials between 1692 and 1693. In that short period, more than two hundred were accused, thirty found guilty, and 20 executed. In this online lecture, we will discuss how to verify your lineage from someone accused of witchcraft in Salem during the Hysteria. We will point you to key records, resources, and references for proving your line of descent.

Lecture
Basics of Genealogy
Records and Research

Using Cemetery Transcripts in Your Family History Research

Cemetery transcriptions are a valuable resource for all family historians, especially when you’re unable to visit a cemetery or when the stones have worn away and are no longer legible. In this presentation, we will discuss the importance of cemetery transcripts and point you toward online and published collections at AmericanAncestors.org, the Digital Library and Archives at AmericanAncestors.org, FamilySearch.org, local historical societies, and more.

Lecture
Records and Research

The ABCs of Using School Records in Family History Research

Go back to school with American Ancestors! School records offer family historians insight into an ancestor's daily life, help fill in a timeline, and can be a useful tool in cluster research. This presentation will discuss how to find yearbooks, registers, teacher lists, and other school records—in manuscript, published, and digitized format—from elementary school through college.

Lecture
19th Century
Immigration
Records and Research

Researching War of 1812 Veteran Ancestors

By the end of the War of 1812, nearly 35,000 American Regulars and 458,000 militia had served on land and sea. In this webinar, we will discuss the key records and resources to learn more about your veteran ancestor. We will review compiled service and pension records, muster rolls, correspondence from officers, town histories, and a new database from AmericanAncestors.org.

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
Immigration
Records and Research

Getting Started in Scottish Research

Scots have been migrating to and settling in America and Canada for centuries. Today, there are an estimated 25 million Americans of Scottish descent. Tracing your Scottish heritage is rewarding, but not without its challenges. Join our genealogist to learn the first steps in tracing your Scottish roots.

Lecture
Basics of Genealogy
Records and Research

Creating a Research Plan for Cluster Research

Cluster research broadens the scope of your research to include your ancestor’s extended family, associates, and neighbors—all with the goal of solving a genealogical mystery. By expanding the scope of your research, you’re also increasing your number of leads, records, and results. Learn how a solid research plan can help you stay on track, stay organized, and achieve your research goals effectively and efficiently.

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
US - New England
Records and Research

A Guide to Connecticut Resources

Connecticut has a wealth of information available to researchers, ranging from the seventeenth-century to present day. Learn what resources are available, while gaining valuable research tips.

Lecture
Records and Research

Resources for Pennsylvania Genealogy

Pennsylvania has played a significant role in America’s history. Lucky for those with ancestral ties to the Keystone State, there is a wealth of information available to researchers, ranging from the seventeenth century to present day. In this lecture, we will provide an overview of what resources exist, what information is recorded, and how to access those materials.