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

Not a member yet? Three months Membership of the Society of Genealogists is included in our Stage 2 Skills Course when purchased at the non-member rate of £267. 

That's a whole 3 months to enjoy being part of a thriving genealogy community and access to our online collections, exclusive guides and special member-only pricing on publications and  courses. 

Perfect for queries arising as you flex all the skills that you will learn in the Stage 2 course. Existing members can purchase at special members rate of £213.  For full membership benefits see here.

What's Included?

• 3 Months Membership (for those not yet members)
• 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 final talk
• 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

Time and Cost

Bookings are open until 3 May 2025. Every Saturday morning, from 26 April to 12 July 2025, join us on Zoom for a 2-hour class. You will have access to the recording of each talk until two weeks after the final session.

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.