BYU Library Family History

Learn about local county histories and records with Marilyn Thomsen in our new webinar!

State Military Record Resources – Marilyn Thomsen (29 August 2024) In this webinar, Marilyn Thomsen covers many State Archives that may have your ancestor's military records. This intermediate level class discusses the impor...

Are you interested in learning more about Scottish family history? We just had a webinar with Maureen Brady going "beyond the basics."

Scottish Family History Research: Beyond the Basics – Maureen Brady (22 August 2024) Scotland offers a rich variety of records which are closely tied to the history, geography and culture of the country. This presentation will examine these e...

Thinking of exploring your ancestor's military records? Check out our latest webinar with Marilyn Thomsen!

Military Research: What and When – Marilyn Thomsen (15 August 2024) Thinking of exploring your ancestor's military records? For pre 1850 Census research, military records are an important USA source of information. This class...

Learn about FamilySearch Labs in our latest webinar with Kathryn Grant!

FamilySearch Labs: Test Drive New Features and Help Shape the Future – Kathryn Grant (8 August 2024) Have you visited FamilySearch Labs? It's a great way to learn about upcoming FamilySearch features and apps, try them out, and provide feedback to FamilySear...

Learn about citing sources with James Tanner in our latest webinar.

If you use it, cite it. Understanding genealogy source citations – James Tanner (1 August 2024) Learn about why it's important to use source citations in genealogy and what tools you can use as you cite.For more information: https://familyhistory.lib.by...

Yesterday, we had a great webinar with Ada Luque Nelson and Maribel Medina on resources for Latinos in The Family History Guide. Here's the recording link!

In our newest webinar, James Tanner breaks down the process of starting to research your ancestors from Hungary or any other unfamiliar European country. Check it out here!

What can I do if my Ancestors came from Hungary? – James Tanner (18 July 2024) James Tanner breaks down the process of starting to research your ancestors from Hungary or any other unfamiliar European country.For more information: https...

Discover how military pension files can help you learn more about your ancestors! Our newest webinar with Julia A. Anderson gives great tips and background information in order to help use these records.

U.S. Military Pension Files (1776 – 1916): A Gold Mine – Julia A. Anderson (11 July 2024) Full title: U.S. Military Pension Files (1776 – 1916): A Gold Mine for Family History ResearchJulia A. Anderson explains the background of military pension r...

Learn how you can get more information from old German documents in our latest webinar with Dr. Minert!

Your First Confrontation with an Old Document in German(y) – Roger Minert (27 June 2024) Dr. Roger Minert goes over the very helpful principles of LACA analysis to help evaluate German documents. He also gives many examples and practice opportuni...

Find out how you can discover more about your French-Canadian ancestors in our latest webinar with Maureen Brady!

The Québecois – French-Canadian Research – Maureen Brady (20 June 2024) Maureen gives a historical overview of the Canadian region both before and after 1763, and she provides several different tips to help with French-Canadian g...

Learn more about how the General Register Office (GRO) site can help you research your English ancestry in our new webinar with Kathryn Grant!

English Research: How the General Register Office Site Can Help You – Kathryn Grant (6 June 2024) Full title: English Research: How the General Register Office (GRO) Site Can Help YouKathryn Grant teaches how the GRO site can be a useful tool for your Eng...

Learn more about the MyHeritage DNA tools in our latest webinar with James Tanner!

Exploring the MyHeritage DNA Tools – James Tanner (6 June 2024) James Tanner discusses the different tools and features of MyHeritage DNA.For more information: https://familyhistory.lib.byu.edu/all-webinars/exploring-the-...

If you are interested in Japanese genealogy, check out our latest webinar with Koji Sekiguchi!

Researching Genealogy Records in Japan – Koji Sekiguchi (30 May 2024) Koji Sekiguchi discusses resources for Japanese ancestry research, particularly Koseki, digital collections, newspapers, and many other types of records. For...

Get some ideas on how to involve younger generations in family history in our new webinar!

Involving Younger Generations in Preserving Family History – Shenley Puterbaugh (23 May 2024) Shenley Puterbaugh gives ideas for how to involve younger generations in preserving family history.For more information: https://familyhistory.lib.byu.edu/al...

Our latest webinar with Larry Jensen on German Compiled Genealogies is up on YouTube!

German Compiled Genealogies – Larry Jensen (16 May 2024) Larry Jensen goes over German compiled genealogy resources such as lineage books and family archives.Handout links:Using German Compiled Genealogies: https:/...

Learn what family groups are, how to use them, and how they can benefit your whole family in our latest webinar with Kathryn Grant.

All About Family Groups on FamilySearch.org – Kathryn Grant (9 May 2024) The long-anticipated Family Groups are here! Learn what family groups are, how to use them, and how they can benefit your whole family.For more information: ...

Learn about how you can use DNA testing in your family history research in our latest webinar with James Tanner.

Integrating DNA Results into Your Own Family Tree – James Tanner (2 May 2024) James Tanner goes over how to connect information in your family tree to DNA test results. DNA testing can be useful for uncovering biological relationships,...

Learn about the workings of the FamilySearch.org Family Tree in our latest webinar with James Tanner. https://youtu.be/8Q4gESv4aJ0?si=US_L8XBwx6WYgYtt

An Inside View of Working With the FamilySearch Family Tree – James Tanner (18 April 2024) James Tanner goes over the workings of the FamilySearch.org Family Tree so you can avoid better avoid errors, frustrations, and conflicts.For more information:

Learn more about the new source linker on FamilySearch with Kathryn Grant!

The Source Linker on FamilySearch.org: Basics and Beyond – Kathryn Grant (11 April 2024) The FamilySearch source linker has always been a useful tool, but it recently got a facelift with some exciting new features. In this webinar, you can learn ...

Learn about discovering the place your ancestor lived with Richard Miller in our newest webinar.

Finding records from the time and place your ancestor lived with Goldie May – Richard Miller (28Mar) Richard Miller shows a new feature in Goldie May to help you focus on the places your ancestor lived.For more information: https://fh.lib.byu.edu/2024/03/30/...

Learn about AI and genealogy with James Tanner in our latest webinar.

How I Use AI For My Own Genealogy – James Tanner (21 March 2024) James Tanner talks about how he uses advancements in AI in his genealogy research. For more information: https://fh.lib.byu.edu/2024/03/26/how-i-use-ai-for-m...

Learn about resources for finding records in the United States with The Family History Guide in our latest webinar.

United States Research with The Family History Guide – Bob Taylor (14 March 2024) Bob Taylor goes over resources for finding records in the United States with The Family History Guide ((https://thefhguide.com/.)For more information:

Learn how to apply observation and common sense to your family history efforts so you can avoid some of those tricky "gotchas" and enjoy greater success.

Observation and Common Sense: Two Valuable Family History Tools – Kathryn Grant (22 February 2024) The full title of this webinar is "Observation and Common Sense: Two Valuable Family History Tools that Everyone Can Use." Learn how to apply observation and...

Check out our latest webinar on Using German Maps and Atlases with Larry Jensen!

Using German Maps and Atlases – Larry Jensen (15 February 2024) In this webinar, Larry Jensen gives information on how to use maps and atlases in your German family history research process. This is the sixth lecture in t...

Learn about finding clues for further research “between the lines” in our latest webinar with Maureen Brady.

Analyzing Your Research – Maureen Brady (8 February 2024) The gates to many research “brick walls” may often be opened by a thorough analysis of the records. Using examples of typical research documents, this presen...

Check out our latest webinar with James Tanner on fixing damaged photos.

How to Fix Damaged Photos – James Tanner (1 February 2024) James Tanner goes over how to use different tools to fix damaged photos.For more information: https://fh.lib.byu.edu/2024/02/06/how-to-fix-damaged-photos-jam...

My China Roots is now on trial at BYU until April 24th 2024! You can explore their historical collections of the Chinese diaspora and search for your ancestors using both English and Chinese characters. Access the database on campus by clicking the link in our bio.

Learn about how Germany’s history and culture have continually impacted each other in Larry Jensen's latest webinar.

Understanding German Cultural Background – Larry Jensen (25 January 2024) This lecture focuses on how Germany’s history and culture have continually impacted each other. This is the fifth lecture in the series of ten lectures on Ge...

Join us for some delicious food and a dose of wellness this Wednesday! Tomorrow, we're diving into campus resources that can boost your well-being. Don't miss the chance to find the Family History Center at the event. Studies have highlighted how family history positively impacts your wellness and mental health. Swing by our booth to explore the campus resources that'll assist you on your family history journey!

Learn about challenges to genealogical research with James Tanner in our latest webinar.

Ten Serious Challenges to Genealogical Research – James Tanner (18 January 2024) James Tanner presents on ten challenges to genealogical research, including the lack of adequate document preservation, inaccurate family trees, and the unsu...