This hands-on course provides the opportunity for students to apply DNA analysis skills to document one ancestral line back to a second great-grandparent couple. The faculty offers practical step-by-step case examples. The schedule includes ample opportunity for the students to practice and apply the skills to their own research. Private, one-on-one consultation time with faculty is available.

At course completion, students will leave with:
• A source-cited lineage, including proof of biological parentage that meets Genealogy Standards
• A graphic descendant tree
• A unique, student-generated “Golden Nuggets” Quicksheet
The course teaches integration of documentary and genetic evidence to achieve proof. It is best to learn the methodology on an easier case. Students select one ancestral line in advance. A good choice would be a well-documented line from a DNA test taker to a second great-grandparent couple that is free of unknown parentage and pedigree collapse. Optimally, the student will use autosomal test results from second and third cousins on each of the great-grandparents lines to filter and sort DNA match lists. The cousins can be serendipitous matches or those that result from targeted testing.

An understanding of paleographic principles is an integral part of genealogical research. This course will introduce students to the paleographic practices necessary to conduct genealogical records in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French speaking countries. Students will be given the resources to confidently extract genealogical information from parish, notarial, and inquisition records. Time will be given in class and through homework to practice reading records from the 19th century back to the 17th century.

This online workshop-style course is intended for those who already have experience with writing a genealogical narrative. Based on the concepts of “Bring ‘Em Back to Life: Writing Our Ancestors’ Stories,” this interactive follow-on class will feature advanced instruction, discussion, and planned writing time, with plenty of opportunities for detailed feedback. Students will work on one piece of their own writing during the course, whether it be a stand-alone story or a portion of a larger story.  NOTE: See Prerequisites in course details.

Understanding the physical and social landscapes where our ancestors lived can be crucial to solving problems of identity, kinship, and origin. This hands-on, advanced course, for students with experience in land records and platting, offers critical skills and practical strategies for constructing community networks around elusive ancestors. We’ll explore the integration of advanced land platting techniques with modern mapping technologies and historical maps to place ancestors in a specific location, trace the development of the neighborhoods in which they lived, and uncover insights into historical relationships and migration patterns. In-class examples and exercises will also demonstrate triangulation techniques for determining approximate location from partial data and the use of reconstructed ancestral networks to identify key associates, disambiguate same-name people, and locate “missing” individuals. NOTE: See Prerequisites.

Explore the federal records of our nation through this extensive course aimed at enhancing the investigation of archival materials. Participants will acquire fundamental skills for exploring the extensive collections of the National Archives, Library of Congress, and various federal repositories, utilizing historical documents, photographs, maps, and artifacts that shed light on our national history. The incorporation of practical exercises featuring case studies will enhance the instructional quality of the course. Participants will acquire knowledge in utilizing finding aids, digital databases, and classification systems, while simultaneously honing their skills in document analysis, contextual interpretation, and research historiography. The course explores both in-person and digital access methods, proper handling of delicate materials, and strategies for piecing together compelling historical narratives from government records. Whether you’re interested in genealogy, academic research, or public history, this course will equip you with the tools to become an effective historical investigator in federal records.

This course provides an opportunity for genealogists to gain hands-on experience solving two genealogical cases. This will help participants put their research skills into practice while providing structure and guidance. Students will analyze background information, create a research plan, conduct research online, track their findings, analyze and correlate information, and report on conclusions.

The cases in this course address two of the most common research challenges: 1) dealing with multiple people with the same name, and 2) resolving conflicting evidence. The instructors will walk students through the process and teach the research strategies necessary to solve the cases. This experience will help prepare participants to take the Advanced Evidence Analysis Practicum course or apply the skills to new research projects.

Students will work during the week on the case and then gather to discuss their progress with fellow classmates and the instructor. They will compare sources, strategies, and methodologies, discuss challenges, and receive guidance from the instructor. Students should plan 10–20 hours per week to work on the cases and record their findings.

Postponed until Fall 2026!