Take your research back into the 1600s! Focus on how to find your earlier ancestors and explore life in the 17th Century with the Society of Genealogists resident genealogy guru Else Churchill. Under the guidance of Else's expert tuition, you'll learn about a diverse set of records, archives and other genealogy resources. Plus, get hands on tips for dealing with record gaps and the complications you might expect to find when researching during a time of such political turmoil. Plus enjoy time sharing interests and family history with your fellow classmates, who are guaranteed to be just as passionate about genealogy as you are!
The 8-week course covers:
- England in the 17th Century
- Parish Registers and Records
- Religion and Tax
- Local County Gentry Families and Networks
- 17th Century Towns and Cities
- The Civil Wars in 100 Objects with guest speaker Andrew Hopper
- Finding Women in London’s Court of Orphans,1660-1720 with guest speaker Jess Ayres
- Church Courts - Probate and Other Records
- Other Court Records - Quarter Sessions, Civil Chancery and Equity Courts, Court of Chivalry, High Commission
Using case studies, document workshops and small group discussions alongside lectures you will learn about England in the 17th century, the sources available to research your ancestors in this period, and what their life would have been like.
- 20% Discount for all Society of Genealogists Members
- Recordings available until 20/08/2026 for everyone who pre-books
Click here for information about our events. Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.
Programme details
| England in the 17th Century | Online | 01/06/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| Parish Registers and Records | Online | 08/06/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| Religion and Tax | Online | 15/06/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| Local County Gentry Families and Networks | Online | 22/06/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| 17th Century Towns and Cities | Online | 29/06/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| The Civil War in 100 Objects and Finding Women in London’s Court of Orphans, 1660-1720 | Online | 06/07/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| Church Courts - Probate and Other Records | Online | 13/07/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 | |
| Other Court Records | Online | 20/07/2026 | 18:30 - 20:30 |
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. TEST
About the Speaker
Andrew Hopper
Andrew Hopper is Professor of Local and Social History in Oxford Lifelong Learning and is a Fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford. He is best known for his two monographs 'Black Tom': Sir Thomas Fairfax and the English Revolution (Manchester University Press, 2007) and Turncoats and Renegadoes: Changing Sides in the English Civil Wars(Oxford University Press, 2012). His next monograph Widowhood and Bereavement in the English Civil Wars is currently in press with Oxford University Press. It is based on the AHRC-funded Civil War Petitions Project (2017-2023) for which he was Principal Investigator.: www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk Andrew is also chair of the editorial board of Midland History, a patron of the Naseby Battlefield Project and co-editor of The World Turned Upside Down popular podcast: https://www.worldturnedupsidedown.co.uk/
About the
Jess Ayres
Dr Jess Ayres Is a historian and archive professional specialising in the early modern history of London, with a specific focus on women, and institutional record-keeping. She recently completed a PhD entitled Women in London’s Court of Orphans, 1660-1720.
