Online Class: Genealogy
no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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13Lessons
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28Exams &
Assignments -
5,308Students
have taken this course -
4Hours
average time -
0.4CEUs
Course Description
Do you ever find yourself wondering about the stories of those who came before you? Do you want to uncover the journey that shaped your family, your heritage, and ultimately, your identity? Discovering your ancestry is more than just filling in names on a family tree; it's about revealing stories of courage, love, perseverance, and triumph. It's a journey into history, culture, and the rich tapestry of life that connects us all. And it's waiting for you to take that first step.
In Unraveling Roots, you're not just learning about genealogy--you're stepping into a narrative that is profoundly yours. From understanding your family's migration routes to discovering connections with significant moments in history, this course is designed to make history feel intensely personal. You'll find yourself piecing together the puzzle of your ancestry, guided by expert insights and strategies that make every discovery more meaningful, and every breakthrough more exhilarating.
What Sets This Course Apart
Imagine connecting with the past in a way that feels vivid and tangible, not just through facts and figures, but through stories and legacies. This course isn't just about accessing records; it's about cultivating a sense of identity, legacy, and belonging. Through captivating lectures and hands-on exploration, you'll gain the skills to explore not only the traditional paths of ancestry research but also innovative new avenues--like using genetic testing, oral histories, and cultural archives.
This isn't just another course; it's an invitation to rediscover your heritage in a transformative, eye-opening way. You'll learn to navigate complex historical records and personal stories, whether your family narrative includes immigrating from far-off lands, enduring hardship as early pioneers, or shaping communities as unsung heroes of local history. You'll develop the tools to breathe life into old photographs, interpret letters, and discover new relatives you never knew existed.
Why This Course is Essential
The magic of genealogy lies in the connections. By the end of this course, you won't just know who your ancestors were--you'll understand their choices, their sacrifices, and the extraordinary resilience that led to your life today. You'll not only create a detailed family tree but weave together stories that make those branches bloom with vibrant detail. And as you gain confidence and mastery, you'll realize that this isn't just a research project--it's a journey of self-discovery.
Whether you're the family historian, the curious truth-seeker, or the person entrusted with preserving your family's stories, Unraveling Roots is designed with you in mind. Here, you'll find the practical skills, in-depth knowledge, and personalized insights that no other course offers.
Transforming Curiosity into Legacy
Picture yourself sitting with a relative, listening to stories you've never heard before, and asking the questions you never thought to ask. Imagine the sense of wonder when you find the birth certificate of a great-great-grandmother who crossed oceans and countries to build a new life. Envision the joy of reconnecting with long-lost relatives and preserving these precious narratives for future generations.
This is more than a course; it's a living, breathing journey into the fabric of who you are. It's a way to honor your ancestors and gift future generations with a piece of their own history. This isn't just research; it's a way to connect with those who came before and understand the legacy you carry forward.
Why Wait to Begin?
Join us in this immersive journey, and turn your curiosity into a lasting legacy. It's time to unlock your family's past, celebrate its resilience, and uncover the stories that are uniquely yours. Don't let those stories fade. Start today and discover that history isn't something to be studied--it's something to be lived.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs
Course Lessons
Lesson 1. Mapping Family Histories Through Time
The digital revolution has transformed genealogical research, offering vast online data while emphasizing the unparalleled value of physical archives and oral histories. This pursuit demands patience and a detective's mindset, creating a vivid tapestry out of scattered clues that culminates in a richer understanding of one's lineage.Lesson 2. The Intricacies of Genealogy: More Than Just Names and Dates
Genealogy offers a journey of discovery, bridging past and present through family stories and photographic memories. This exploration turns into an enriching personal endeavor beyond just a hobby.Lesson 3. From Chaos to Clarity: Organizing Your Genealogical Research
Family Group Sheets zoom in on specific family units for comprehensive documentation, offering detailed insights into each generation's individual story. They complement Pedigree Charts by filling in the broader picture with specifics.Lesson 4. Photographs and Heirlooms: Decoding Your Family's Past
Family Bibles were more than religious texts; they were vital records holding the key to births, marriages, and deaths that define a family's lineage. Inscriptions and mementos preserved within these Bibles can guide researchers to church records, connect generations, and celebrate cultural milestones.Lesson 5. Past Narratives: Revealing Ancestors' Journeys through Records
Military records honor family service across generations, offering detailed portraits of enlistment, campaigns, and post-war life through documents like Civil War pension applications. These records not only commemorate individual contributions but also provide insights into familial resilience and legacy post-service.Lesson 6. Tracing Ancestral Journeys: Delving into Immigration and Military Records
Ellis Island is a central entry point in American immigration history, but exploring other significant ports like Baltimore and Boston can uncover more about your ancestors' journeys. By cross-referencing diverse records, you gather a comprehensive understanding of your family's past and the broader historical context.Lesson 7. Discovering Ancestral Legacies: Land, Newspaper, and Cemetery Records
Land records hold the key to understanding an individual's social and economic status, while revealing potential family and community connections through property transactions. These records, ranging from deeds to public domain filings, can lead to surprising discoveries about your ancestors' lives and contributions to their communities.Lesson 8. Digital Genealogy: Community-Driven Discoveries
Personal websites and blogs allow genealogists to craft and disseminate their family narratives, enriching the collective understanding of historical experiences through stories and archived materials. These digital platforms not only facilitate networking and collaboration with distant relatives but also provide a valuable resource for others exploring similar roots.Lesson 9. Avoiding Genealogy Pitfalls: Building an Accurate Family Tree
Embrace spelling variations in historical records to unravel potential connections and avoid missing entire family branches. Keeping an open mind about name changes over time enables the discovery of new insights and relationships within your family tree.Lesson 10. Overcoming Genealogy Challenges
Common names pose challenges in genealogy, but focusing on occupation, relationships, and location offers distinguishing context. Accepting variations in name spelling broadens research possibilities and increases the chances of uncovering accurate records.Lesson 11. Untangling the Web of Genealogical Research
Discovering Native American lineage requires a blend of oral histories, accuracy vetting, and detailed tribal affiliation research, acknowledging historical migrations and fragmentary records. Genealogists consult resources like the Dawes Roll to navigate complex identities intertwined with forced relocations.Lesson 12. Efficiently Managing Genealogy Research: A Comprehensive Guide
Efficiently manage your genealogy research by choosing an adaptable filing system and utilizing appropriate software, ensuring your efforts are organized and preserved for future generations. This lesson highlights the importance of maintaining a dedicated research space while also providing strategies to overcome research roadblocks.Lesson 13. Family Histories Made Easy
Genealogists aim to transform raw data into engaging family histories that preserve the stories of ancestors before they vanish. By incorporating detailed narratives, emotions, and firsthand accounts, they bring to life the intricate tapestry of human experiences, culminating in a published tribute to their legacy.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the key historical events and contexts that influenced the lives and movements of your ancestors by analyzing genealogical records and family documents.
- Organize and construct a detailed family tree that includes names, birth and death dates, and relationships, while incorporating narrative elements to reflect ancestral lives and stories.#
- Define the basic steps in starting a genealogical research using existing family knowledge and memories.
- Demonstrate the ability to collect, record, and organize family history information from living relatives and available personal documents.
- Apply genealogical standards for naming conventions, date format, and location recording to create consistent and clear genealogical records.
- Define and distinguish between Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets, explaining their specific roles in organizing genealogical information.
- Identify types and dating of historical photographs to estimate their timeline and context within family lineage accurately.
- Recognize valuable historical clues in personal artifacts such as photographs, letters, and heirlooms to piece together family history more effectively.
- Analyze historical and social contexts from genealogical records to construct a comprehensive narrative of an ancestor's life, challenges, and legacies.
- Identify and interpret the different types of genealogical records, including birth, marriage, death, church, and census records, to construct a family tree.
- Demonstrate the ability to cross-reference multiple records to construct a cohesive family migration narrative.
- Recognize key historical changes in U.S. immigration documentation from 1820 to 1957 and explain their significance.
- Identify key genealogical information from land, newspaper, and cemetery records to expand your family history research.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information
- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Choose Your Subscription Plan
No Certificate / No CEUs
This course only
| Includes certificate | X |
| Includes CEUs | X |
| Self-paced |
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| Instructor support |
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| Time to complete | 6 months |
| No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
| Includes certificate |
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| Includes CEUs |
|
| Self-paced |
|
| Instructor support |
|
| Time to complete | 6 months |
| No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
| Includes certificate |
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| Includes CEUs |
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| Self-paced |
|
| Instructor support |
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| Time to complete | 12 Months |
| No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
| Includes certificate |
|
| Includes CEUs |
|
| Self-paced |
|
| Instructor support |
|
| Time to complete | 24 Months |
| No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "I greatly enjoyed taking this course. It has helped me to refocus my family research and to remind me not to overlook certain areas of interest. I plan on keeping my notes with my genealogy files so I can return to them and make sure I'm staying on track. Thank you for this course!" -- Erin D.
- "This class was fantastic. I couldn't believe how quickly I was learning and finding things about my family. I am SO glad I took this class. Incredibly helpful class, really enjoyed it." -- Carina Z.
- "Professor McKenna's enjoyment of teaching encouraged me to enjoy learning. The lesson assignments helped me apply what I learned. A no-nonsense, well-structured course!" -- Mary R.
- "I would definitely take another course taught by this instructor. His lessons were very informative and his presentations were well thought out." -- Ginger H.
- "The instructional videos by C. Michael McKenna were superb : they tied in brilliantly to the lesson topic, were hugely informative and beneficial to me. His personal anecdotes about his experiences added a whole lot of extra value to the course. Mr. McKenna shares his knowledge with enthusiasm, passion and vigour. You could read dozens of books and not benefit to the same extent as taking this course. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to others. Mr. McKenna covered a vast range of topics - and gave expert tips - in 13 lessons. He is both an awesome and inspiring instructor. I cannot praise enough for taking the time to share his comments on my assignment submissions. An encouraging word makes all the difference. His sincerity and personal integrity shine through. An exceptional man. I would like to sign up for additional courses by Mr. McKenna." -- Martina B.
- "The instructor was great. Grades were very quickly completed. The class covered a lot of very important topics." -- Linda W.
- "It was very helpful and pointed out ways to correct my research mistakes. It seemed to cover everything related to the topic I would like to know." -- Rey B.
- "I enjoyed hearing back from Mac. He was very punctual with getting your papers and tests graded." -- Bobbi jo G.
- "I appreciated the instructor's comments after each assignment. Very helpful." -- Peter C.
- "The instructor was very good. I would take other classes from this instructor." -- Mary L.
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