Genealogy at the BPL
Family History Lectures and Genealogy Classes
All BPL events are free and open to the public. Registration is required to attend the events listed below.
Check out some of our previously recorded lectures and classes on the BPL's YouTube channel- http://tinyurl.com/mv8c8y3x.
Verifying Descent and Applying to Lineage Societies
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Whether you want to apply to a lineage society (such as the General Society of Colonial Wars, the Colonial Dames of America, Order of Founders and Patriots of America, etc.) or simply want to prove your descent from a colonial war veteran, this lecture will provide you with key strategies, resources, and alternative records for verifying—and documenting—your colonial connection.
David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist has been on the staff of American Ancestors since 1993 and is an internationally recognized speaker on the topics of genealogy and history. He has authored many articles in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, the New Hampshire Genealogical Record, Rhode Island Roots, Mayflower Descendant, and American Ancestors magazine; and is the author of eleven books. David is an elected Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston, Mass., and a life member of the New Hampshire Society of the Cincinnati and the General Society of the War of 1812. David also serves as the tribal genealogist for the Massachusett Tribe at Punkapoag in Massachusetts. His areas of expertise include New England and Atlantic Canadian records of the 17th through 21st century; American and international military records; DNA research; and Native American and African American genealogical research in New England.
This program is not being recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by September 4, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Genealogy: Using Immigration and Naturalization Records to Research Your Ancestors
Thursday, September 26, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
The U.S. is a country built by immigrants. Most residents of the U.S. today are either immigrants themselves or descended from immigrants, many of whom became naturalized citizens. This class will provide an overview of what kinds of immigration and naturalization records are available for genealogical research and where to find them.
This class will be recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by September 2, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Forensic Genealogy
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Forensic genealogy is an exciting field gaining respect worldwide. But what exactly is forensic genealogy? How is it applied? Is there a difference between a genealogist and a forensic genealogist? Who needs a forensic genealogist and why? This presentation addresses these questions and provides some interesting real-world examples.
Christine Cochran is a forensic genealogist and owner of Forensic & Family Genealogy, LLC. She has been conducting genealogical research for more than thirty years and owned her own business for over eight years. She has conducted research for the popular PBS show “Finding Your Roots” starring Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and has been interviewed by Genealogy TV, KGNU radio, and PBN radio. She has also been published internationally in Irish Roots Magazine. She holds a bachelor's degree from the Colorado School of Mines, a Master’s degree from Regis University, and is a graduate of Professional Genealogists Study Groups (ProGen.)
This program is not being recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by September 18, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Genealogy Databases You Can Use from Home
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Researching your family history has never been easier, with so many records now available online. This class will provide an overview of the genealogy databases that you can use from home, with a focus on resources available through the Boston Public Library.
Skill level: beginner
This class will be recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by September 25, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Landing The Ancestors: Federal and State Land Records
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Land records are among the earliest, most complete and most valuable genealogical records-and often among the most puzzling. Understanding how land was acquired, measured and recorded under the law is essential to using the records effectively.
Judy G. Russell, The Legal Genealogist®, is a genealogist with a law degree who provides expert guidance through the murky territory where law and family history intersect. An internationally-known lecturer and award-winning writer, she holds credentials as a Certified Genealogist® and Certified Genealogical Lecturer℠ from the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. Her blog is at https://www.legalgenealogist.com.
This program is not being recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by October 23, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Genealogy: Researching Your Native American Ancestors
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Researching Native American ancestry can be difficult for several reasons including differing levels of recognition, different definitions of what Native American ancestry is, and the controversies surrounding DNA testing. This class will provide a brief overview of available resources for researching Native American ancestry.
Skill level: intermediate
This class will be recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by November 6, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Introducing My China Roots: A New Database for Researching Chinese Ancestors at the BPL
Thursday, November 21, 2024
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Interested in using My China Roots? Join us for this webinar, where Clotilde Yap will provide a brief introduction to Chinese family history research, including how to get started, key challenges, and what clues to look for both at home and online. Finally, Clotilde will provide a live demo of the database, highlighting some of the new records and features that have recently been added.
Clotilde Yap has assisted families from around the world in tracing their Chinese family history since joining My China Roots in 2017. As the Head of Global Collections for MCR, she researches untapped archives of Chinese communities across the globe, partnering with libraries, museums and community organizations to preserve their collections for posterity.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by November 7, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Putting Family History on the Map
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Join guest speaker Julia Williams from the Leventhal Map & Education Center as she discusses the use of historic maps for genealogical research. They will provide a demo of Leventhal Center's Atlascope tool, which overlays historic maps on top of modern-day ones so you can easily compare past and present.
Julia Williams (she/her) is the Gallery & Communications Coordinator at the Leventhal Map & Education Center with interests in social, cultural, and local history. She has experience working with New England Historical Genealogical Society as a genealogist on the 10 Million Names project, a project aimed at recovering the names of the estimated ten million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America. In her work at the Leventhal Center, she highlights the way local community-centered information can strengthen our knowledge, perception, and understanding of different historic material. She earned both her MA in Museum Education and her BA in Education & Human Development from Tufts University.
This program will be recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by November 27, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.
Genealogy: Using Obituaries to Research Your Ancestors
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Online event
Register here- https://boston-public-library.zoom.us
Obituaries and death notice can be excellent starting points for family history research. This class will provide information about how to find obituaries and death notices and how to use them to further your research. We will be focusing on resources that can be accessed at the Boston Public Library.
Skill level: beginner
This class will be recorded.
Please note that registration is required for this event as it is taking place over Zoom.
We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, please contact: Jessy Wheeler at jwheeler@bpl.org, by December 4, 2024. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange for accommodations.