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Resource
Center

Welcome to the Center for Family History’s online information center. Here, you’ll find a trove of resources that can help you get started on your genealogy journey and streamline efforts already underway.
Genealogy 101 Beyond the Basics Tips, Tricks & Terminology Keep Exploring Video Gallery

GENEALOGY
101

The world of genealogy contains countless stories that deserve to be shared. But it can be daunting for novices to navigate. Learn how to get started with the help of these tutorials.

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Picture attribution: Image by freepik via https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/unrecognisable-man-writing-notebook_6842260.htm

#GenChat: The Importance of Knowing Your African American Ancestry and Ancestors (Podcast)

Nov 20, 2024
Image showing an illustration of an African American family tree

Genealogy

Genealogy Foundations: Tips and Strategies for Beginning Your African American Genealogy Journey

Jul 22, 2024
External front picture of the IAAM

A Virtual Tour of the International African American Museum and the Center for Family History

May 20, 2024
CFH researcher Darius Brown helping researchers in the Center for Family History

Introducing the IAAM’s Center for Family History’s Resources & Services (webinar)

May 20, 2024
Image of FamilySearch's African American records landing page

Getting to Know FamilySearch (video)

Mar 18, 2024
“A group of slaves including men, women and children gathered outside a building at the Foller Plantation in Cumberland Landing, Pamunkey Run, Virginia, May, 1862.” Photo by James Gibson. (Library of Congress).

African American Genealogy Challenges (Panel Discussion)

Dec 12, 2023
“Five Generations of an Enslaved Family” at South Plantation near Beaufort, North Carolina, 1862. Part of “Before Freedom Came: African American Life in the Antebellum South” exhibit. HO Courtesy of Library of Congress

Getting Started with Lowcountry Genealogy (Seminar)

Dec 12, 2023
Family and Home Information Sources Checklist

Gather Records in Your Home or a Relative’s Home

Jun 19, 2020
Beyond the Basics

When you’re ready to dig deeper, learn how to pinpoint the records you seek with greater precision and glean the most information from the documents you uncover.

exterior picture of the Black Loyalist Heritage Center in Nova Scotia, Canada

Podcast: Introducing The Black Loyalist Museum & Society (Canada)
Amazed excited african-american man surprised by unexpected good news online

Finding Untold Stories In Your Family’s History: The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe
the 10 Million Names project logo

Introducing the 10 Million Names Project (Podcast)
This ship manifest dated March 1, 1860, lists the twenty-nine enslaved men, women, and children being shipped from La Salle, Texas, to New Orleans, Louisiana. Each person's name, sex, age, height (except for the young children), and color (described variously as copper, black, and yellow) are noted. Courtesy of the National Archives (D.C.)

Book Talk: “How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America” with Joshua Rothman
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TIPS, TRICKS,
AND TERMINOLOGY

Recommendations on decoding common transcription errors, understanding legal and medical terminology often found in old documents, and simply reading old handwriting.

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Image showing an illustration of an African American family tree

Genealogy Foundations: Tips and Strategies for Beginning Your African American Genealogy Journey
Image of a model depicting an enslaved community in the United States

Researching Ancestral Pathways of Enslavement in the U.S.
Image of FamilySearch's African American records landing page

Getting to Know FamilySearch (video)
Shelley Murphy profile Picture

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search of…” with Shelley Murphy
Renate Yarborough Sanders

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search of…” with Renate Yarborough Sanders

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search of…” with Megan Smolenyak

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search of…” with Judy Russell

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search of…” with Jourdan Brunson

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search Of…” with Cherie Passey

IAAM Center for Family History: “In Search Of…” with Adrienne Fikes
“A group of slaves including men, women and children gathered outside a building at the Foller Plantation in Cumberland Landing, Pamunkey Run, Virginia, May, 1862.” Photo by James Gibson. (Library of Congress).

African American Genealogy Challenges (Panel Discussion)
Vance Family in 1870 U.S. Census

African American Genealogy: Finding Out a Little More About the Enslaver, Part 2
John Drayton 1900 Census

African American Genealogy: Will John Drayton of Charleston, SC Please Step Forward?
Charlotte Johnson Headstone

More Substitutes for Birth Records in South Carolina
Dock Arnold Death Notice

African American Genealogy: Substitute Records for Births in South Carolina
Marriage Announcement

African American Genealogy: How to Find the Maiden Name
Old Handwritten Documents Recolored

9 Tips for Reading Old Handwriting
Children in Leon or Jefferson County, FL

Timelines Keep Your Genealogy Research Moving Forward
FamilySearch Wiki Home Page

Has Your Genealogy Research Stalled? Check the FamilySearch Wiki for Fresh Ideas
Obituary Elizabeth Murphy

7 Tips for Finding Maiden Names of Female Ancestors
Keep Exploring

From family tree software to genealogy podcasts, there are boundless digital resources to aid in your genealogy search. Our team shares a few favorites.

Mrs. Beatrice (Myers) Givens

African American Centenarian Stories: Mrs. Givens (Educator & Community Leader)
Picture attribution: Image by freepik via https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/unrecognisable-man-writing-notebook_6842260.htm

#GenChat: The Importance of Knowing Your African American Ancestry and Ancestors (Podcast)
Amazed excited african-american man surprised by unexpected good news online

Finding Untold Stories In Your Family’s History: The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe
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Video
Gallery

Learn more about the rich Gullah Geechee culture. Ramp up your research skills with video tutorials. Our video gallery has lots to sink your teeth into. View on any of your devices!

5 Lies About African American Genealogy and Family History Research

Are you new to African American genealogy and family history? Are you having a hard time sifting through all the noise online? Here's a quick video to help you escape some of the most common misconceptions about this line of research and how you can start to more accurately tell our stories.
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5 Truths About DNA Tests (23andMe, Ancestry DNA, Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage DNA, LivingDNA)

Want to take a DNA test, but you aren't sure what you're getting into? Watch and learn what you can and can't get from DNA tests for genealogy. Need help understanding your results or getting to the bottom of your family history?
Runtime: 5min
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"Grandma Was... " Why It's Not Showing Up In Your DNA Results

Is something missing from your percentages on your DNA test results? Is what your family says not matching up with what you got back? Watch to learn the top 3 reasons why this happens.
Runtime: 4 min
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Documenting the Enslaved in Your Family Tree | Ancestry

Join Crista Cowan for a look at how those with ancestors who were slaveholders can assist our African American friends and family by documenting the lives of those enslaved.
Runtime: 36 min
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The Ultimate Genealogical Brick Wall Buster - James Tanner

Do you feel stuck in your research? See what tips James has for busting through those brick walls.
Runtime: 1 hour
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How Do I Know I'm Right? Some Genealogy Basics | Ancestry

There is a lot of information out there. But how do you determine if what you have is correct ? How do you prove you are right? Ancestry Anne walks you through the basics.
Runtime: 21 min
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AF-001: 5 Ways To Tell If Your Genealogy Research Is Accurate | Ancestral Findings Podcast

How do you know your genealogy research is accurate? Use these five tips to be as sure as you can be in the world of genealogy.
Runtime: 30 min
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Genealogy Brainstorming: I'm Stuck. Now What? | Ancestry

There are times when we could all use a little help with our family history. Join Crista as she explains the best ways to share your research challenges to generate ideas for what to do next to break through those brick walls.
Runtime: 24 min
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Researching Newspapers for Genealogy for Free

There are an ever increasing number of websites that contain digitized newspapers, which is excellent for genealogy and family history research. There are also an excellent collection of sites that include links that help you find where some of these digital collections can be found. This video helps you find where newspapers can be searched for free and without a subscription.
Runtime: 18 min
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Same Name - Different Man | Ancestry

Just because your ancestor may have a unique name does not make him the only person in the world with that name. He might not even be the only one in his town with that name. Join Crista Cowan for some quick tips about how to know if the John Smith you are tracking is YOUR John Smith.
Runtime: 28 min
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Using the Google Goldmine for Genealogy - James Tanner

Learn how to use the all features google has to offer to help you do your family history
Runtime: 1 hour
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Using the Internet Archive for Genealogy - James Tanner

Learn how the Internet Archives, a huge collection of various records, can help you with your Genealogy research
Runtime: 54 min
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When You Can't Find a Birth Record | Ancestry

We all know the importance of finding documentation about the facts we put into our family tree. But, what happens when you can't find the records you need? Join Crista Cowan for a look at alternative places to find birth information.
Runtime: 30 min
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When You Can't Find a Marriage Record | Ancestry

We all know the importance of finding documentation about the facts we put into our family tree. But, what happens when you can't find the marriage records you need?
Runtime: 30 min
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When You Can't Find A Death Record | Ancestry

We all know the importance of finding documentation about the facts we put into our family tree. But, what happens when you can't find the records you need?
Runtime: 25 min
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Finding Unindexed Records at FamilySearch

There are millions of digital images at FamilySearch that have not yet been indexed. Learn to find and access them with this quick tutorial. In particular, U.S. probate records are plentiful using this method.
Runtime: 6 min
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Finding Digitized Microfilm Online at FamilySearch

You may not have to order that microfilm from Salt Lake City after all! Many of the Family History Library's microfilm reels are being digitized and put online at FamilySearch. They are not always indexed, so you need to know how to find them. This short video will show you how!
Runtime: 6 min
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Finding Missing Children: Genealogy Technique for FamilySearch

Do you suspect there is a missing child or two in the family tree? Use this special technique to locate missing persons. Genealogy and family history research is easy to do with these amazing tips!
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