Hundreds of Free Genealogy Courses
For those wishing to learn ‘more’ on how to conduct Genealogical research, acquaint themselves with the basics, or just see ‘how things are done’; there are numerous sources of on-line training. Hopefully you will find these Free courses to be of value as you develop your skills, knowledge, and genealogical information.
About.com
Introduction to Genealogy Course- a free online, interactive, genealogy class designed to teach you all the basics of genealogy! Family history lessons, optional homework assignments, and a forum for asking questions and getting feedback are all part of the fun and learning. Run by a professional genealogist.
Familysearch.org
The Family History Library Catalog Overview
Learn more about the catalog and how to access materials. Search the catalog of materials (including microfilm, microfiche, and publications) found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many items can be loaned to local Family History Centers around the world.
140+ Free Online Genealogy Research Courses
In just one year, the number of free FamilySearch courses has grown to over 140-and new courses are added monthly. Most recently, over 25 courses were added for Australia, England, Germany, and the U.S. Additional courses were added that focus on basic tools and techniques for anyone just getting started in family history research, as well as courses for intermediate and advanced researchers.
Genealogy.com – Genealogy Classes (now owned by Ancestry.com)
UK National Archives Podcast Series
Dozens of informative, family history related podcasts are available for free download and listening from the UK National Archives, ranging from beginner topics such as Tracing Scottish Ancestors and What Can You Learn from a DNA Test? to interest-specific talks such as Records of Bankruptcies in the National Archives and Sources for Tracing Agricultural Labourers.
U.S. National Archives – Know Your Records
The U.S. National Archives & Records Administration has launched online videos of its most popular genealogy “how to” workshops, covering topics such as census, military and immigration records. These “Know Your Records” videos are available on the National Archives YouTube Channel.
Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Legacy Family Tree offers anywhere from 2-5 free online webinars each month, with presentations from nationally known speakers including Megan Smolenyak, Maureen Taylor and many others. Topics range from genealogical case studies to DNA to using social networking tools such as Facebook and Google+ in your genealogy research. Archived webinars are available for 10 days if you can’t make the live event. After that point you can purchase the archived webinar on CD.
SCGS Jamboree Extension Series
Southern California Genealogical Society’s popular Jamboree Extension Series provides free family history and genealogy educational webinar (web-based seminar) sessions for genealogists around the world. The live webinars are free to everyone; archived recordings are also available to members of SCGS.
Brigham Young University
BYU offers numerous free online courses. Please note I have abbreviated the BYU list of Free Offerings.
Family History/Genealogy – Introductory
FHGEN 70 – Introduction to Family History Research
FHGEN 75 – Writing Family History
FHGEN 80 – Helping Children Love Your Family History
Family History/Genealogy – Record Type
FHREC 71 – Family Records
FHREC 73 – Vital Records
FHREC 76 – Military Records
Family History/Genealogy – Regional and Ethnic
FHFRA 71 – France: Immigrant Origins
FHFRA 72 – France: Vital Records
FHFRA 73 – France: Reading French Handwriting
FHFRA 74 – France: Genealogical Organizations and Periodicals
FHFRA 75 – France: The Internet and French Genealogy
FHFRA 76 – French Research: Paris
FHFRA 77 – French Research: Alsace-Lorraine
FHGER 71 – Germany: Immigrant Origins
FHGER 72 – Germany: U.S. Sources and Surname Changes
FHGER 73 – Germany: Jurisdictions, Gazetteers, and Maps
FHGER 74 – Germany: Reading German Handwriting
FHGER 75 – Germany: Calendars and Feast Days
FHGER 76 – Germany: Vital Records
FHHUG 71 – Huguenot Research
FHSCA 73 – Scandinavia: Jurisdictions, Gazetteers, and Maps
FHSCA 74 – Scandinavia: Reading Gothic Script
FHSCA 75 – Scandinavia: Church Records and Feast Days
FHSCA 76 – Scandinavia: Census Records
FHSCA 77 – Scandinavia: Probate and Other Records
Beginning Genealogy
by Genealogy Research Associates
- Part 1: Your Great Ancestral Hunt
(Six lessons) - Part 2: Record Groups as Building Material
(Eight lessons)
Internet Genealogy
by Online Pioneers
- Part 1: Getting Started on the Net
(Sixteen lessons) - Part 2: Powerful Tools for Internet Research
(Fifteen lessons)
Tracing Immigrant Origins
by Genealogy Research Associates
- Part 1: Introduction
(Twelve lessons) - Part 2: Post Civil War Immigrant Sources
(Six lessons) - Part 3: Between 1820 and 1865
(Six lessons) - Part 4: Pre-1820 Immigration
(Seven lessons) - Part 5: European Sources
(Nine lessons)
Researching with Genealogy.com
by Genealogy.com staff
- Lesson 1: Personal Home Pages: Create Your Space on Genealogy.com
- Lesson 2: More about Personal Home Pages: Adding Trees, Documents, and Links
- Lesson 3: Instant International and Passenger Records
- Lesson 4: In Depth with Genealogy Library
- Lesson 5: Viewing Gravestones at the Virtual Cemetery
- Lesson 6: GenForum: Your Online Genealogy Community
- Lesson 7: Learning About Genealogy
- Lesson 8: Searching the World Family Tree
- Lesson 9: Searching the Internet with FamilyFinder
- Lesson 10: Turn the Century Online with the 1900 Census
JewishGen Learning Center
JewishGen is delighted to offer online interactive courses in Jewish genealogy, to help you organize your information and begin to trace your ancestral roots. Most courses will be eight sessions and in addition to the “lecture”, will contain optional reading material and helpful links to JewishGen’s resources, as well as other genealogical websites.
Researching Your Family Tree
Have you ever wondered about your great-grandparents?
Or have you wanted to work on your family history, but you had no idea how to get started? If you answered yes to these questions, this FREE interactive tutorial is for you.
Major revision Date(s):
20 October 2013
30 November 2014