Developed by experts at American Ancestors/NEHGS, this free-to-access national curriculum is designed to expose students in grades 4 through 6 to the concepts, benefits, and joys of family history.
Download Free Research Guides
Register Now for the International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences 2024
Join us for the 36th ICGHS at the American Ancestors Research Center in Boston on September 24-28. This will be the first year the conference is held in the United States!
10 Million Names is a new initiative to recover the names and stories of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in America between the 1500s and 1865.
Together with a collaborative network of genealogists, cultural organizations, and community-based family historians, we will amplify centuries of family stories, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions, and expand access to information about enslaved African Americans.
Where Were Your Ancestors during the Boston Tea Party?
In partnership with the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, we are pleased to introduce the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program: a lineage society for descendants of Boston Tea Party participants and those involved in colonial rebellion in Boston. The program has already aided in the discovery of unprecedented documentation from this historic event.
Courses On Demand: Educational experiences by our experts, at your convenience
Enjoy some of our most recent and popular courses on your schedule. Each course includes recorded lectures, handouts, activities, and more. Brush up on your research skills and explore topics across the field of genealogy with Courses On Demand!
Vita Brevis: A Resource for Family History
There's something new to discover every week on our blog Vita Brevis. From expert research advice to jaw-dropping family connections, celebrity genealogies, and more, you'll discover stories about families of every kind—and learn why family history matters to everybody.
Upcoming Events
Researching Scottish Ancestors
Today, there are an estimated 25 million Americans of Scottish descent. Tracing your Scottish heritage is rewarding, but not without its challenges. This four-session online seminar will provide you with key historical context, strategies, and resources setting you on the right path to trace your ancestry back several generations in Scotland.
The Brue Family Learning Center
Closing the Golden Doors: The Immigration Act of 1924
In this online lecture, Senior Genealogist Rhonda R. McClure will discuss the historical context of the Immigration Act of 1924, how the act shaped immigration records, and how the “closing of the golden doors” impacted the lives of your ancestors.
The Cock & Lion: French Design in British Historic Houses
Enemies for centuries, the British and French frequently found common ground on art—French art, that is! Join Curator of Special Collections Curt DiCamillo for a brilliantly illustrated exposé of French design and decorative arts within British townhouses, country estates, and palaces.
Art & Architecture
Using Probate Records in Family History Research
Probate records are crucial—but sometimes overlooked—sources for family historians. Hiding in these legal documents may be full family groups, immediate and extended family connections, origins, and even maiden names. This three-week online course will provide an in-depth tutorial on how to understand, locate, and leverage wills, inventories, guardianships, and other probate records in your family history research.
Louisiana Research: Go-To Published Resources
Louisiana has a unique cultural history that has shaped its available record sets, and published resources are essential for genealogists navigating family history research in the state. There are treasure troves of resources including parish records and histories, genealogies, and published records relating to land, tax, military, enslavement, and more.
Tyler Anbinder with Plentiful Country: The Great Potato Famine and the Making of Irish New York
This breathtaking new history of the Irish immigrants who arrived in the United States during the Great Potato Famine shows how their strivings in and beyond New York exemplify the astonishing tenacity and improbable triumph of Irish America. Following an extended illustrated presentation, our award-winning guest author will be in dialogue with genealogist-moderator Melanie McComb; then, they’ll answer your questions.
Moderated by Melanie McComb
American Inspiration