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 one month after the end of the course
- 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 weekly exercises and reflections and a reading list
- A dedicated space in our online community making it easy to keep in touch with fellow learners after the course
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.
To maximise learning from the ‘Working with Autosomal DNA Results’ session, you will have ideally taken at the very least an Ancestry DNA test.
- 20% Discount for all Society of Genealogists Members
- Recordings available until 30/12/2027 for everyone who pre-books
Click here for information about our events. Contact events@sog.org.uk if you have any questions.
Programme details
| Church Court Records | Online | 14/09/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Getting around Latin - practical tips when Latin is a problem | Online | 21/09/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Introducing 17th Century Records | Online | 28/09/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Title Deeds | Online | 05/10/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Introduction to Heraldry | Online | 12/10/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Researching before Parish Registers | Online | 19/10/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Working with Autosomal DNA Results | Online | 26/10/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Manorial Records, Customs & Tenure | Online | 02/11/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Chancery & Equity Courts | Online | 09/11/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Tracing Living People | Online | 16/11/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Writing & Publishing Your Research | Online | 23/11/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 | |
| Tying It All Together | Online | 30/11/2027 | 18:00 - 20:00 |
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
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 and Chair of AGRA. She is also a member of RQG, and APG. Sarah is also the author of "Tracing your Surrey Ancestors: A guide for family historians" published by Pen & Sword.
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
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
Joe Saunders
Joe Saunders is a freelance researcher, 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 for Pharos Tutors, is a Trustee 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
Dr Caroline Jane Adams
Dr. Caroline Adams is a palaeographer and historian. She was formerly an archivist, and then ran her own research business, Key to the Past, for ten years. She is now mostly retired but teaches palaeography and archival studies. She is particularly interested in manorial records and has published an Elizabethan manorial survey.
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.
