Ready to level up your research skills?
Our Stage 3 Family History Skills Course covers complex research techniques and a wealth of pre-18th Century sources. It's perfect for those wanting to really hone their expertise, those that have completed the Stage 2 Family History Skills course and those interested in pursuing a career in genealogy. From diving back in time to the medieval period, to investigating 17th Century records, learning the ins and outs of property and land sources, navigating the maze of Chancery and Equity Courts to picking up practical Latin, this course covers a range of advanced subjects.
If you're ready to take the next steps in understanding your ancestors, all from the comfort of your own home and alongside fellow genealogy enthusiasts, then join our range of expert tutors on Zoom each Saturday between 10:30am and 12:30pm for 12-weeks. Starting on 28 September 2024. Each session will be recorded and available for two weeks, perfect if you can't make a live class one week.
1 Year's Associate Membership with the SoG!
Not a member yet? 1 Year's Associate Membership with the Society of Genealogists is now included in our Stage 1 Skills Course when purchased at the non-member rate of £240. That's a whole 12 months of access to our online collections, exclusive guides and special member-only pricing on publications, courses and talks. Plus enjoy being part of a thriving genealogy community and access to a weekly 'ask the expert' family history helpline! Perfect for queries arising as you flex all the skills you'll learn in the Stage One course. Existing members can purchase at special members rate of £192. £240 to non-members.
What will I learn?
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 12-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:
- Researching before parish records
- 17th century records
- Church court records
- Chancery and Equity courts
- Manorial records and customs
- Records of land and property ownership
- Private muniment collections
- Mortgages
- Medieval charters
- The East India Company
- The British in India
- The British Library Oriental and India Office Collections
- Practical Latin
- Introduction to heraldry
- Compiling pedigree charts
- Citing sources
- Record keeping
- Intestacy and probate
- Tracing missing persons
- Careers in genealogy
Spaces are limited so book now to secure your spot on this popular course.
When is it?
Join us every Saturday morning, from 28 September to 14 December on Zoom for a 2-hour class. Don't forget you will have access to the recording of each session for two weeks, perfect if you can't make a live lesson!
Now available to book: Stage 3 Family History Skills 12 week course: £240 (or £192 to SoG Members). Not a member yet? 1 Year's Associate Membership is now included in this course. Find out more about membership benefits here.
What's Included?
- 1 Year's Associate Memberships (for those not yet members)
- A 12-week evening 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 each lesson
- 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 likeminded 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
Spaces are limited so book now to secure your spot on this popular course.
Meet Your Tutors
Else Churchill. Our in-house expert, Else has over 30-years of experience as a genealogist. Formerly a professional genealogical librarian and researcher, Else has worked for the Society of Genealogists since 1994. She now leads on external liaison, representation, the Society's education and publishing programmes, as well as being the Society's subject specialist.
Ian Waller is a retired professional genealogist with over thirty years’ experience in English research. He is the author of several books, a number published by our society. He is a qualified adult education tutor and lectures widely on family history topics at both the beginner and advanced levels. Ian is currently vice chairman of the Family History Federation, a Fellow of AGRA where he was a former Chairman/Council member, and also a Fellow of the Society of Genealogists.
Susan Moore graduated from the University of St Andrews and has spent all her working life in archives and libraries carrying out historical and genealogical research for clients. She now specialises in Chancery Proceedings and other legal records. Susan is the author of “Family Feuds - An Introduction to Chancery Proceedings” and “Tracing Your Family History in the Courts of Equity”. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a trustee of BALH and a Full Member of AGRA.
John Titterton has served on the Heraldry Society council and was Managing Editor of the Coat of Arms. He is a keen supporter of local societies, founding the Oxford Heraldry Group and serving 15 years as Programme Secretary of the Cheshire Heraldry Society. He researches on and has spoken and published articles and booklets about heraldry. His other interests include family history and he has a MA in Local History and Archaeology.
Caroline Adams runs a research business, Key to the Past, and regularly carries out house histories and local history research for clients and architects. She teaches palaeography with document interpretation and is an Associate of AGRA. Until 2014 she was Senior Archivist at West Sussex Record Office, and is now a freelance archivist, palaeographer and historian. She also holds a professional archives diploma, and degrees in local and landscape history.
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.
Eilir Daniels founded the research service, Your Welsh Ancestors. Her degree involved studying how industrialisation affected different aspects of society from the eighteenth century onwards, and this academic background now serves as a firm foundation for her research work. Eilir carries out work for individuals, solicitors as well as for radio and TV programmes, including regular research for the BBC's flagship Who Do You Think You Are? series. Eilir is also a Pharos Tutors instructor and a Full Member of AGRA.
Gill Thomas has a background in History, took her B.A at the University College Cardiff and has a Postgraduate Certificate in Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde. She is the owner of ‘Who What Where Research Services’ and is based in London. She is currently the chairman of AGRA. Gill specialises in Welsh research, particularly in the southern, western and mid-Wales and is the author of the One-Street Study, Weston Road in Chiswick.
Spaces are limited so book now to secure your spot on this popular course.
Join us
As a member, you can make the most of our resources, access our experts, and find a welcoming community of people interested in family history and genealogy.
We all have roots. Let’s find them together.
