Many of the challenges genealogists face stem from the specific ancestries they’re researching. Some overseas ancestral origins, having the most complete and accessible records going back the furthest in time, are smooth research sailing. On the other hand, certain foreign ancestries represent the most intractable challenges of record availability, accessibility and usability. To help you navigate these ancestral waters, we offer ethnicity-specific classes to focus your research.
Choose from the courses listed below to discover your ethnic ancestry.
Those with African ancestry and roots in America face some unique challenges in documenting and telling their family story. Key steps in African-American research include taking a thorough and critical look at resources from elders, from the family home and from public records. This course will address capturing and using oral history, exploring public records, and researching the African-American community.
From the 13 Original Colonies to London to Liverpool, whether your ancestors were Redcoats in the Revolutionary War or peasants during the rule of House Plantagenet, it’s time to track down your English roots. Break into your British Isles genealogy with this 4-week course on Anglo ancestry designed to help students identify their English immigrant ancestors and pinpoint where exactly in England they came from.
Though the prospect of researching Scandinavian ancestors can be as intimidating as a Viking warship, you’ll fast quell your fear of these northern European countries in this 4-week course. Genealogists with ancestry in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and surrounding territories will learn the history and geography of each region, their terms and language, how to find and use church records, as well as how to research names within a patronymic system. ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Diana Crisman Smith has been researching since childhood and has served as …
Poland’s long history is fraught with border changes, ethnic strife and an ongoing quest for autonomy. If you’re among the more than 10 million Americans with Polish roots, we’ll help you find your Polish ancestors by debunking myths, explaining history and pointing you to the most useful records. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN The history of Polish immigration—and what it means for your research What records to search for in North America and in Poland What resources exist overseas for genealogists Tuition: $99.99 ($89.99 for VIP) Course …
This course, which follows Irish Research 101: Finding Your Emerald Isle Origins, is designed for researchers who want to dig deeper to find their Irish roots. You’ll learn about resources and techniques unique to research in Ireland, and find out what tools are available to build an effective research plan using Irish genealogical records. These four lessons, designed to allow you to collaborate with other students, will help you flesh out much more about your ancestors’ lives prior to leaving the Emerald Isle. Tuition: $99.99 …
Confusing geography, unfamiliar languages, and surname and place name changes are just a few of the challenges associated with genealogical research in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. If you’re among the 1.4 million Americans with Hungarian roots, we’ll help you trace your Magyar ancestors by helping you sort out issues with names and places, explaining history and directing you to the most useful records on both sides of the pond. Genealogists with ancestry in areas formerly ruled by Hungary—such as Croatia, Slovakia and Romania—also will learn …
More than 30 million Americans claim Irish ancestry — that’s more than seven times the 4.2 million living in the Republic of Ireland today. If you’re among them, Irish Research 101 will help you trace your roots back to the Emerald Isle. The first session of this new class developed and taught by Sharon DeBartolo Carmack starts July 18! Learn more and register
Researchers with Czech or Slovak roots often battle certain brick walls—do surname issues, border changes and language troubles sound all too familiar to you? Lisa A. Alzo will show you tools for tracking down those hard-to-find ancestors from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Czechoslovakia. The first session of this class starts Jan. 31 — learn more and register here!
Building on our course Find Your German Roots: From America to Deutschland, this class focuses on skills German researchers need to dig deeper into their families’ pasts. You’ll learn tricks for reading German script and type, what the Family History Library system can contribute to your research, and how to track down German ancestors who lived outside of today’s Germany. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN How to transcribe and translate German records Which map tools are most important and how to use them Where and how to …
Conducting research on African-Americans ancestors is a challenging proposition and one must use all the available resources. Newspapers can provide a critical link to research success once the genealogist learns some important general knowledge along with a few essential skills. This course will equip you with key background information for newspaper research, expose myths pertaining to the use of white newspapers, give you the skill and confidence to seek out and utilize African-American newspapers, and furnish you with invaluable tips and strategies designed to optimize …
Course Syllabus