Take your research back before the 18th century and learn about the sources and research techniques used by professional genealogists. By the end of the twelve weeks you’ll be taking your family tree further back, using complex records, managing source citations like a pro, applying advanced problem-solving techniques to your current mysteries, and be ready to really understand the incredible historic documents available both on and offline.
Our 12-week course covers:
- Church court records
- Getting around Latin - practical tips when Latin is a problem
- 17th century records
- Title deeds - records of land and property ownership
- Introduction to heraldry for genealogists
- Researching before parish records
- Using autosomal DNA in family history
- Manorial records and customs
- Chancery and Equity courts
- Tracing living people
- Writing & publishing your family history research
- Tying it all together and next steps
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 2 weeks after the end of the course
- Access to Q&A sessions with our expert tutors
- Downloadable and printable handouts containing vital lessons and tips from each of the sessions
- 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 3 series of classes?
Stage 3 is designed for those with experience of genealogical research and the basic records or those who have attended the Stage 2 course. You may be considering a career in genealogy or it could be a serious hobby.
Programme details
| Church Court Records | Online | 15/09/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Getting Round Latin – practical tips when Latin is a problem | Online | 22/09/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Introducing 17th Century Records | Online | 29/09/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Title Deeds | Online | 06/10/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Introduction to Heraldry | Online | 13/10/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Researching before Parish Registers | Online | 20/10/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Working with Autosomal DNA Results | Online | 27/10/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Manorial Records, Customs & Tenure | Online | 03/11/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Chancery & Equity Courts | Online | 10/11/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Tracing Living People | Online | 17/11/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Writing & Publishing Your Research | Online | 24/11/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Tying It All Together | Online | 01/12/2026 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
About the Speaker
Sarah Pettyfer
Sarah Pettyfer holds the IHGS Higher Certificate and Diploma in Genealogy and is a professional family and house history researcher and a solicitor (no longer practising). It is therefore not surprising that her specialist areas of interest are legal records, such as court records, both civil (manorial, chancery, etc) and criminal and deeds. Sarah prefers to undertake pre-C19th research. She is a Member of AGRA, RQG, APG. Sarah is also the author of "Tracing Your Surrey Ancestors: A guide of family historians" part of the Pen and Sword 'county' series".
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.
About the Speaker
Ann Ballard
Ann Ballard is a graduate of the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies having gained the Higher Certificate (2010), the Diploma in Genealogy (2011), and the Licentiateship (2017); Ann has also passed the Elementary and Intermediate exams in Heraldry. She is a Course Tutor at IHGS for both the Higher Certificate and the Heraldry course. Ann’s passion for family history started in the 1970s, when family papers and photos from the early 19th century were passed to her following the death of her grandfather. She has gained considerable practical experience in research of her own and extended family histories, and those of others, over many years. Her main career was nursing until 1990, during which time she obtained qualifications in nursing and management, and also in adult education / teaching. She has her own business, providing Family History research with a particular interest in Heraldry.
About the Speaker
Eilir Daniels
Eilir Ann Daniels is an expert in tracing living relatives as well as Welsh family history and the founder of the research service, Your Welsh Ancestors. She has over thirty years’ experience of archival research and carries out work for individuals, solicitors and media companies, including regular research for the BBC's flagship Who Do You Think You Are? series. She is a Member of AGRA (the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives). She is the Wales columnist for British Connections, the quarterly journal of the https://www.isbgfh.com/ (ISBGFH) and also presents talks on various family history topics for numerous organisations. In addition to this, Eilir teaches the Pharos Tracing Living Relatives and Tracing Your Welsh Ancestors courses.
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
Dr Caroline Adams
Dr. Caroline Adams is a palaeographer and historian. She runs a research business, Key to the Past, and teaches palaeography online as part of her own business. Until 2014 she was Senior Archivist at West Sussex Record Office, and she is working on a book on Elizabethan Chichester. She is probably more at home in the early modern period than the present.
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
Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders is a freelance researcher based in the north of England, focussing primarily on the early modern period (c.1500-1780). He is also working on a PhD at the University of York researching a social history of the print trade in seventeenth century England. He teaches undergraduates at York, at the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning, and courses on local history for Pharos Tutors. He is a Trustee and Outreach Team member of the British Association for Local History, an Associate of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives, and an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
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.
