Why would you want to trace your ancestors?

Well, there are a number of good reasons, but let’s face it, most people trace their ancestors for curiosity’s sake. Others trace their ancestors because they want to know about their different ethnic backgrounds. Others want to trace their roots simply for an increased understanding of just who they are and where they came from. Someone else may need proof of their heritage to gain special benefits from…

Building a Basic Timeline 

More often than not, you will want to create a basic timeline for your problem ancestor. Start with information about all of the events in their life, including their birth and death dates, any marriages, birth and death of any children, the death of a spouse, and death of parents. You might also want to incorporate relevant information about the locations you are working with, for example, boundary changes.…

In 2018, I discovered and visited the town of Kraśnik in Eastern Poland where my maternal grandfather's family - his mother Maria Zagórska and two sisters of my grandfather with their husbands and children emigrated to in 1943. I visited the town cemetery and found a grave of my great-grandmother and of the sister of my grandfather (Maria Proficz nee Zagórska).

I left a note there, where I indicated my name and contacts. In a few days I received an e-mail... This is how I found my aunt…

A surprise gift just for you! For one day only (24 hours) you can save:

25% off 1 course package (maximum savings $862.50) with code: pk2019ss at checkout.

or

50% off 1 course (maximum savings $80.00) with code: sc2019ss at…

Recording your information

The Pedigree Chart (or Ancestral Chart) will record your direct line ancestors’ information. In other words, you will record the dates and locations of births, marriages, deaths and burials from one father and mother to the next father and mother. While the potential is there for an endless number of ancestors, most of us in the beginning only have knowledge of two or three generations.…

OGS Conference

Canada’s largest annual gathering of family historians, the Ontario Genealogical Society’s Annual Conference, will be in London, Ontario from June 21^st to the 23^rd at the London Convention Center.

So many activities are planned… Opening Ceremonies begin Friday evening, followed by a jam-packed program with lecture streams for Saturday and Sunday. Don’t forget about…

Have questions about your courses or your research? Virtual Meetings are a way for you to communicate with an instructor. These meetings are NOT mandatory, but a fun & interactive way to ask questions about courses/research. Below are the June scheduled sessions. Join us!

Wednesday, June 12th at 8:00 PM EDT – Canadian courses with Kathryn Lake Hogan                                            Time zones:

Wednesday, June 12th –…

The Southern California Genealogical Society – Jamboree 2019, “50th Birthday Bash”, will be taking place May 30th - June 2nd and we here at The National Institute for Genealogical Studies are excited. Why are we excited? Because we will be attending! …

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!!

The National Institute for Genealogical Studies invites you to come celebrate with us, with our students, our graduates and our instructors. Anyone can attend. Graduates: invite your family – everyone is welcome! 

Join us for our 2019 graduation ceremony…

When Matthias (sometimes spelled with one “t”) Judd joined the Union Army in the Civil War, it may have been motivated out of revenge for the killing of his brother Siles Judd by Confederate guerrillas. It must have weighed heavy on his heart. In truth, he probably had several reasons for volunteering. One of the reasons may have sprung out of pure patriotism-love for country. There might have been another factor: Matthias was thinking about his grandfather John Judd and his grandfather’s…

Collaboration and Brick Walls

Many of us tend to work on our genealogy research alone. It is an independent activity where we can lose ourselves for hours on end. In some cases, family members actually work together to solve a common research problem. It is these situations that can benefit us the most.…

The Ohio Genealogical Society Conference, “Building A Heritage”, will be taking place May 1st - 4th and we here at The National Institute for Genealogical Studies are excited. Why are we excited? Because we will be attending! …

Join us in a round of applause congratulating, Craig Newton.

Craig was the winner of our drawing for $1,000 worth of courses during the 2019 Alberta Genealogical Society Conference. Louise had a wonderful time speaking with all of you during the conference. Thank you for stopping by…

April is almost over and we at The National Institute for Genealogical Studies are looking forward to May. Will we see you at one of the following conferences? Make sure to check out the exhibit hall, stop by our booth, and visit with us. We look forward to seeing you!

1. May 1st -…

The Alberta Genealogical Society Conference, “Images Through Time”, will be taking place April 26th – 28th and we here at The National Institute for Genealogical Studies are excited. Why are we excited? Because we will be…

Searching for James Noble, born about 1805-1811, perhaps Co. Cavan, but uncertain, died 1900 in Walkerton, On. Canada. Emigrated to Canada approximately 1830-1840. Married Mary Harmon, born 1816, Ireland. Son David Allan Noble born 1850 in Gore Township, Peel County, Ontario, Canada. 

Also searching for Stephen Black, D.O.B. 1799 - possibly in Co. Armagh, N.I. and wife Mary Stevenson, also possibly born Armagh. Have marriage bond dated 1830 from Diocese of Armagh, Church of Ireland.…

SPRING, is it approaching, just slowly, slowly, slowly.  It is 77 Degrees and the change is so drastic  I feel out of sync.

Planted the 3 plants for the garden in pots, one will need moved to larger pot when I locate what I am going to toss that is no longer producing.  These plants are for the Butterflies and Hummingbirds we encourage in our yard. WE lost one of these 2 years ago. 

The Cherry tree is like my genealogy. It is budding on branches and…