Learning More About the Law

By Shannon Combs-Bennett, Student The first three modules of the course US: Probate Records covered a lot of historical information and background on probate records in the U.S.  It was fascinating to learn about why and how the laws concerning probate records evolved over time from Colonial to the modern era.  It was obviously just a scratch of the surface since each state and jurisdiction is different but now students in this course have a great foundation to build on. Being originally an English colony, many of the U.S. laws are based on the English ones brought over with the colonists, particularly the idea of common law. Now, I grew up hearing this word bandied about frequently. Mainly it was in reference to  common law marriages, but still it is a term that many people are familiar with. Familiar, yes, but I would guess that not everyone knows exactly what it means. According to the course “common law governed the land.”  It appears to have evolved here in the U.S. as a way that the land is divided (there are actually multiple ways covered in the course) after a person’s death. However, each colony, and now each state, had their own laws and ways they liked to conduct probate matters. Which is why we all know nothing is ever as simple as it seems. If we are going to do extensive research into probate records we, as good genealogists, will need to brush up on the laws and regulations of…

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New Course: Life of Our Ancestors

Looking to learn more about writing a book about your family history? We have a new course that will guide you in writing a book that all your family will want to read. Life of Our Ancestors is written by researcher and author Jennifer Holik. Creating interesting family history stories involves adding details of your ancestor’s life that go beyond just names and dates. What was their occupation? What religious and political beliefs did they hold? Did they serve in the military, and why did they do what they did? This is an interesting way to start fleshing out the bones of your genealogy and to make your family history come alive. In this course we will explore how to find and incorporate information about your ancestor’s life to how to write and publish your family history story. Not sure how to go about writing the story of your ancestor? We cover the very beginning steps of writing to the final product. To learn more about this course and to register, see our website.

New Course: Italian Civil Registration Records Part 2

Researching your Italian roots? Check out our newest course: Italian: Civil Registration Records-Part 2. This course follows Italian: Civil Registration Records – Part 1. Civil registration is one of the largest and most important record sets in Italian genealogical research. It is certainly the most accessible, due to the efforts of FamilySearch (and now the main Italian archive) to microfilm and digitize these records. However, civil registration is more than just birth, death, and marriage records. In this course, we will delve into some of the more unusual civil records. We’ll not only learn what they are but also how to use these records. These records can be used to “flesh out” the history of your ancestors, providing unique details that may help you understand the ancestors in their social and political context. We’ll also delve more deeply into the Italian resources available through FamilySearch, Ancestry.com, and Portale Antenati, the Italian government’s website. Collections available at Italian Archivi di Stato will be explored. Students will learn what types of documents these archives contain and how best to access them. Written by Melanie Holtz, CG, Italian: Civil Registration Records-Part 2 will help you find and document your Italian ancestors. To learn more about this course see our website.

Getting Started with US Probate Records

By Shannon Combs-Bennett, Student I collect dead people. I know, I know, that sounds all sorts of weird, but as genealogists we spend a lot of time with those who have passed. We collect their statistics, their stories and well, really we collect their lives. One of the records that is on the list of must-have’s for genealogists are probate records. Unfortunately, not everyone left a will or a record at their time of death. This can be horribly frustrating for us as researchers when we are trying to connect one generation to another. When we do find that amazing record, that lists ALL of the children, we rejoice in the only way we know how. By doing more research. My luck with probate records is few and far between. Of the ones I have found they either are so ambiguous it leaves you wondering if this was the right family or so detailed it makes me scream and shout. Sometimes it makes you wish there was a set way to do things, or consistent laws in place on what is required! I am looking forward to taking the US: Probate Records course. Perhaps I will find new places to research or fill in some gaps in my knowledge so I will be better at finding these elusive records.  I particularly want to learn where and how to search for records that were recorded before death certificates became the norm. My only roadblock will be that not everyone had a…

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What’s New? Update to Analysis and Skills Mentoring 2

Analysis and Skills Mentoring – Part 2 has been updated and is better than ever. Part of the Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program, Analysis & Skills Mentoring -Part 2 is a continuation of the teaching, testing and consulting found in Part 1. What’s new? The addition of Mastering Genealogical Proof, by Thomas W. Jones as required reading as well as other assignment additions. The Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program has been designed to promote the quality of the work that every family historian and genealogist should strive to achieve. The course’s assignments are  reviewed by an instructor. Feedback is provided during two individual consultation appointments. Discussing the completed assignments and receiving advice regarding the appropriateness and quality of  assignment answers is an integral part of this practical program. To learn more about this course, please see our website.