Skip main navigation

Genealogy Course – Research Your Family Tree Online – FutureLearn

Dive into your family ancestry and learn how to create a family tree on this online genealogy course Discover the basics of genealogy and build your own family tree Have you ever wondered about your family ancestry or wanted to create a family tree of your own On this 6-week genealogy course for beginners youll learn how to uncover the past and record your family history The information on this course does not apply to just one country so you can learn about your family lineage no matter where youre from Gain an introduction to genealogy Learn how to find and analyse sources discover different research strategies and tackle genealogy databases and wildcards Youll learn about the importance of names and explore the challenges that name changes cause for genealogists Youll be introduced to the main source types including civil church census and military records and learn how to use these different kinds of data Discover DNA testing Learn about the more technical sides of genealogical research such as the principles of the Genealogical Proof Standard where youll discover how to establish proof Youll be a scientist for the day and find out how DNA testing works in genealogical research Youll learn about the principles of genealogical inheritance find out how autosomal DNA testing helps genealogists and learn about Y chromosome inheritance Create a family tree Uncover the secrets of your familys past and turn your genealogy into a tangible family history Youll discover the best ways to record your research document it and protect it so that it lasts for generations to come Youll learn how to balance genealogical data and historical context delve into local and general histories and use maps and photographs to bring your family history to life Throughout the course youll also follow one womans journey as she researches her family tree and learns about her past Design a research plan for tracing family history Apply key techniques used when searching for and analysing genealogical records Describe the differences between genealogical source types and why they may cause problems for the researcher Develop an awareness of the use of historic and social context in family history research Develop an understanding of the ways in which genealogical information can be recorded and communicated

Related stories on FutureLearn

FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now