Immerse yourself in your family history with the SoG Family History Skills Course Stage 1. Perfect for those who are beginning their family history research, for those who are self-taught and want a grounding in techniques and resources, or for those thinking of practising professionally.
See here for information on how to join and access our 20% course discoun.
Our 12-week course covers:
- How to start your family history
- Family sources and assessing evidence
- Records of births, marriages and deaths
- Census returns
- The 1939 Register
- Newspapers
- Voting records
- Directories
- Wills & Probate Records
- The Armed Forces the 20th century
- The Merchant Navy in the 20th century
- Using UK archives
- Records of the poor
- Non-Anglican Family History
- Reading and using historical documents and records
What's included?
- Access to recordings enabling you to catch up or re-watch for 2 weeks after the end of the course
- Access to Q&A sessions with our expert tutors
- Downloadable and printable handouts containing vital sources, websites and tips from the sessions
- Recommended further resources, such as reading lists
- Access to Stage 1 to 3 Skills Courses Facebook Group, a space specifically for both past and present learners
Click here for information about our events. Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.
Programme details
| Getting Started | Online | 13/01/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Records of the Poor | Online | 17/03/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Non-Anglican Family History | Online | 24/03/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Reading & Using Records | Online | 31/03/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Family Sources & Assessing Evidence | Online | 20/01/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Civil Registration Records of Births, Marriages & Deaths & the 1939 Register | Online | 27/01/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Census Returns | Online | 03/02/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Parish Registers & Records | Online | 10/02/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Newspapers, Directories & Voting Records | Online | 17/02/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Wills & Probate | Online | 24/02/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| The Armed Forces & Merchant Navy in the 20th Century | Online | 03/03/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Using UK Archives | Online | 10/03/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
About the Speaker
Else Churchill
Else Churchill is the Genealogist at the Society of Genealogists in London. Formerly a professional genealogical librarian and researcher, Else has worked for the SoG since 1994. She is the Society’s subject lead, working across the organisation and runs the publishing programme. She was the recipient of the IHGS Julian Bickersteth Memorial Medal in 2023 for her exemplary contribution to family history studies.
About the Speaker
Alec Tritton
Alec Tritton has been a family historian for over 35 years, and lectures regularly on many topics related to genealogy and family history, and particularly on Nonconformity and burial grounds. He was formerly the Chairman of the Federation of Family History Societies, Chairman of the Guild of One-Name studies and Vice-Chairman of the Society of Genealogists. He is currently Chairman of the Halsted Trust and has been a tutor for our society for several years.
About the Speaker
Simon Fowler
Simon Fowler is currently a history PhD student. He previously worked at The National Archives and successfully ran a research business for over a decade. Simon is an experienced lecturer and has written several dozen books mainly on family history, including How to Research your Second World War Ancestors recently published by The History Press.
About the Speaker
Janice Tullock
Janice Tullock is an archives consultant, researcher and genealogist working with collections and archive services across the UK. She was co-consultant on the establishment of the UK Archives Accreditation Standard and was in the first group of Fellows of the Archives and Records Association. Janice has worked with many diverse collections including Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, Edinburgh University and the National Waterways Museum.
About the Speaker
John Hanson FSG
John Hanson worked for many years for one of the country’s major banks, ending up as a Systems Specialist in mainframe databases. John has written extensively on family history subjects and has been a lecturer and teacher in family history for over twenty-five years, particularly on computers in genealogy and the census. He served on the executive committee of the Guild of One-Name Studies for several years and also as a trustee and served on many committees at the Society of Genealogists. He is currently the research director of the Halsted Trust and is a Fellow of SoG.
