Ready to delve deeper into the lives of your ancestors? Familiar with the basic genealogy records (e.g. General Registration, censuses, parish registers) and eager to learn more? Our Stage 2 Family History skills course is perfect for those wanting to tackle brick walls and get to grips with lesser known records.
Our Stage 2 Family History Skills Course covers the records and techniques that professional genealogists use. It's ideal for those that have already completed our Stage 1 course, or who are otherwise familiar with the basics and looking to progress their skills further. In this course you'll be learning techniques for tracking down elusive ancestors, pouring over educational and trade records, learning about the British overseas, military records, criminal records and finding out about the uses of DNA in genealogy.
Our 12-week course covers:
- Techniques for localising the elusive ancestor
- Education, trades and professions
- Apprenticeship records and guilds
- The British overseas
- Immigration to England
- Army and Navy records before 1914
- Crime and punishment in the 19th century
- Records of the 18th century
- Maps and estate plans
- Tithes and surveys
- Lloyd George's Domesday Survey
- Using DNA in genealogy
- Scottish & Irish resources
Existing members can purchase at special 20% off members rate of £213. Not a member yet? See here for all the benefits! Perfect for queries arising as you flex all the skills that you will learn in the Stage 2 course.
What's Included?
- A 12-week course delivered over Zoom by an array of expert genealogists
- Access to recordings enabling you to catch up or re-watch for one month after the final talk
- Q&A sessions with our expert tutors
- Downloadable and printable handouts containing vital lessons and tips
- Recommended further resources, such as reading lists
- The chance to meet like-minded people and access to our members-only community, making it easy to keep in touch with fellow learners after the course
- Access to Stage 1 to 3 Skills Courses Facebook Group, a space specifically for both past and present learners
Who should attend the Stage 2 series of classes?
Stage 2 is designed for those who have attended Stage 1 or with experience of the basic records.
Programme details
| I'm Stuck! Techniques for Localising the Elusive Ancestor | Online | 21/04/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Education, Trades & Professions | Online | 28/04/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Apprenticeship Records and Guilds | Online | 05/05/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| The Applications of Genetics and DNA Testing for Family History | Online | 12/05/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Name-rich Sources in the 18th Century | Online | 19/05/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Army Records before 1914 | Online | 26/05/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Immigration to England | Online | 02/06/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| The British Overseas | Online | 09/06/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Mapping Your Ancestors | Online | 16/06/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Early Royal and Merchant Navy Records | Online | 23/06/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Crime and Punishment in the 19th Century | Online | 30/06/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Records for Scotland and Ireland | Online | 07/07/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
About the Speaker
Chris Paton
Chris Paton is originally from Northern Ireland and is a Scottish based professional genealogist running the Scotland’s Greatest Story ancestral research service. A holder of a Postgraduate Diploma in Genealogical Studies, Chris has tutored for the University of Strathclyde’s postgraduate genealogical studies program and teaches online Scottish and Irish genealogy courses through Pharos Teaching and Tutoring Ltd. Chris is a regular contributor to several UK and Ireland based family history publications, has authored twenty books and guides, and also writes the daily Scottish GENES (Genealogy News and Events) blog at http://www.scottishgenes.blogspot.com/. He has lectured across Britain, Ireland, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, and currently serves as a member of the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland's stakeholder forum. Chris has also previously served on the boards of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and the Scottish Archive Network.
About the Speaker
David Annal
Dave Annal is a professional researcher with over 40 years' experience. He is a former Principal Family History Specialist with the National Archives and worked at the Family Records Centre. He is a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists and of the Royal Historical Society. Dave has written family history books including the bestselling “Easy Family History”, “Birth, Marriage & Death Records” (with Audrey Collins) and is the co-author of “Census: the Family Historian's Guide”. He has spoken at major events including Who Do You Think You Are? Live and Rootstech. Dave has been researching his own family history since the mid-1970s and he hasn't finished yet!
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
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
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
Janet Few
Dr. Janet Few is an experienced family, social and community historian who has presented throughout the UK, overseas and at sea. She has written several books of interest to genealogists and contributes to local and family history journals. She also writes historical fiction. Working as an historical interpreter, Janet spends time living in the seventeenth century as her alter ego, Mistress Agnes. You can read her very interesting blog, ‘the history interpreter’ online. Janet manages Swords and Spindles, a company providing living history presentations. Janet is currently serving as the president of the Family History Federation. She is heavily involved in the work of family history societies and was awarded the Society of Genealogists certificate of recognition in 2020 for her work.
About the Speaker
Debbie Kennett
Debbie Kennett is a well-known author and speaker and an internationally recognised expert on genetic genealogy. She is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment at University College London. She is the author of two books: DNA and Social Networking and The Surnames Handbook. She has written widely about DNA testing both for the family history press and in academic journals. She has been interviewed about genetic ancestry testing for BBC Radio 4, appearing on You and Yours and The Business of Genetic Ancestry, and has also appeared on TV on the BBC programme Watchdog.
