Online Genealogy Courses

 

 

When facing certain brick wall situations, it may be time to consider seeking out help and/or training in some aspect of genealogy research.  Such training may help you break down that wall by giving you additional skills to find alternate ways to seek out the information that you’re missing.

 

Podcasts are a great informal way of seeking out new methods of research or getting more insight into a particular record type. 

 

The Genealogy Guys – www.genealogyguys.com – over 100 podcasts in their archive.

 

Dear Myrtle’s Family History Hour – www.dearmyrtle.com – focused on those beginning their genealogy, has archives back to Sept 2005, and includes interviews with professionals.

 

Genealogy Gems – www.genealogygemspodcast.com – weekly shows also available on iTunes.

 

Webinars are typically single topic presentations, lectures, or workshops.

 

Ancestry – www.ancestry.com – upcoming topics require registration, previous topics are archived.

 

Family Tree Magazine – www.familytreemagazine.com – interactive sessions which last about one hour and answer specific questions and cost $30 to $50 per session.

 

Roots Television – www.rootstelevision.com – pre-recorded online presentations on various topics.

 

Free Online Courses are presented as a series of lectures or presentations that last from 15 to 60 minutes, covering areas of research such as Germany, the Civil War, or other topic groups.

 

Family Search – www.familysearch.org – has downloadable videos, PDFs, and other handouts.

 

Brigham Young University – http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/index.cfm - features classes such Introduction to Genealogy, record types, regional, and ethnic research.

 

Certification Courses are available as home study courses in a myriad of topics and can lead to you becoming a certified genealogist for those who are so motivated.

 

National Institute for Genealogical Studies – www.genealogicalstudies.com – web-based courses in genealogical studies or region based research, if you want the credit or certificate then homework is mandatory, offer discussion boards, online meetings, vary in length from 6 to 8 weeks.

 

National Genealogical Society – www.ngsgenealogy.org – offers beginner to advanced courses with on screen content, and other resources, certificates of completion but no accreditation.

 

Sources:

Palermo, Ly nn, “Get Smart: Choosing an Online Genealogy Course”, Internet Genealogy, Dec/Jan 2010, pgs 20-22.