Advancing Your DNA Skills

Take your genetic genealogy expertise to the next level

If you already understand the basics of DNA testing, this 12-week expert-led course will transform how you interpret results, connect with matches, and solve family mysteries. Learn from Mia Bennett, Debbie Kennett, Michelle Leonard, Dr Sophie Kay, and Donna Rutherford, a team of some of the UK’s most recognisable and trusted names in DNA genealogy.

Dates: 5 January – 25 March 2026

Format: Online (Wednesdays and Mondays)

Prices: Members £347 | Non-Members £437 | 2026 price up to £475

Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and receive Gold Membership for the duration of the course.

See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1574117

Crime and Punishment for Family Historians

Uncover the villains, victims, law-keepers and law-breakers in your family tree

Every family has a few skeletons. This 12-week course explores the drama, humanity, and records behind criminal justice from the medieval crusades to the 21st century. Learn to find and interpret police, court and prison sources through gripping case studies with leading historians Angela Buckley, Nathan Dylan Goodwin, Janet Few, Dave Annal, Debbie Kennett and more.

Dates: 8 January – 26 March 2026

Format: Online (Thursday evenings)

Prices: Members £212 | Non-Members £265 | 2026 price up to £327

Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and enjoy three bonus talks on Victorian detectives, forensic genealogy, and the science of sleuthing.

See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1605161

Family History Skills – Stage 1

Build confidence and learn to research like a professional

The perfect foundation course for anyone beginning their family-history journey or seeking structure and support from trusted experts. Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn how to use key records, interpret evidence, and build a tree with skill and accuracy, guided by Else Churchill, Simon Fowler, Alec Tritton, Janice Tullock and John Hanson.

Dates: 13 January – 31 March 2026

Format: Online (Tuesday evenings)

Prices: Members £213 | Non-Members £267 | 2026 price up to £327

Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and receive a 20% discount code to use on our Skills Stage 2 and 3 courses.

See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1319297

That’s a Wrap for Mini–All About That Place 2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s mini All About That Place event. Catch up on all the recordings on our YouTube channel  and explore Projectkin’s helpful Substack interviews  celebrating one-place studies and community research.

Top Talk (Poll Winner): Choosing My One Place Study by Mia Bennett.
Congratulations to Mia on being voted this year’s favourite presentation. If you haven’t yet seen the talk, you can watch it here: Choosing My One Place Study.

Our thanks go to Barbara Tien at Projectkin, the Society for One-Place Studies, the British Association for Local History (BALH), and everyone who took part in making this collaborative celebration of place-based research such a success.

SoG Fellow Award

Congratulations and welcome to the newest SoG Fellows, Debbie Kennett FSG.

Fellowship is awarded to those who have made commendable contributions to genealogy, from pioneers in new techniques, to dedicated transcription project leaders and so much more. 

Our November theme is Medical Matters - a topic that promises a wealth of intriguing discoveries (and perhaps a few surprises). The Thursday Social and Occupation of the Month will focus on Tracing Dentist Ancestors, uncovering the story behind those early tooth-pullers, technicians and surgeons who shaped the profession.

For those who love exploring original collections, we’ll be visiting the Royal College of Surgeons Archives, a must for anyone researching medical practitioners in their family.

In our ever-popular Lunchtime Chat members will discuss causes of death - from “consumption” and “dropsy” to some more unusual entries lurking on death certificates!

If that whets your appetite, don’t miss our online talk Beyond the Death Certificate, which takes a fresh look at how to interpret the information (and omissions!) found in these vital records.

We’ve also lined up two fascinating in-person talks: The Story of Nursing in the British Army and Deciphering Military Medical Records. And for everyone, don’t miss our free Armed Forces Advice Surgery on 8 November, when military expert Graham Bandy will answer questions about your soldier, sailor, or airman ancestors.

Our interactive Zoom workshop with Sophie Kay, Six Hats for Genetic Genealogy, will help you think creatively about how to use DNA results in your research - ideal for anyone wanting to take their genetic genealogy to the next level.

November’s County of the Month is East Surrey, so expect a spotlight on records, resources, and research tips for this historically rich area.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Alexzandra Hildred of the Mary Rose Museum, who will share the extraordinary story of the 179 individuals discovered on board the Mary Rose.

Using forensic science techniques, researchers have reconstructed the faces of some of these men - mostly in their twenties, though ranging from just 10 to over 40 years old - offering a moving glimpse into the Tudor world and its enduring legacy.

This month, we’re delighted to feature Phil Isherwood, who joins us on Saturday, 15 November, for his talk Organising Your Research with Evernote - a practical session on using digital tools to manage your genealogical discoveries efficiently and effectively.

Phil brings a unique combination of analytical skill and curiosity to his family history work. With a degree in Astrophysics and a Pharos Intermediate Certificate (Distinction), he applies a structured, evidence-based approach to research - while never losing sight of the human stories behind the records.

We asked Phil a few quick questions to get to know him better:

What got you into genealogy Curiosity.

Favourite genealogy source? The British Newspaper Archive.

Best ancestral surname? Fogwill (on my side), Bartolucci (on my wife’s side).

Most frustrating brick wall ancestor? Daniel Usherwood, born about 1665, died in Frodsham, Cheshire in 1715.

Any famous ancestors? My wife is descended from Mary Boleyn - “The Other Boleyn Girl”.

Day job? IT & Business Operations Consultant.

Favourite Doctor Who? David Tennant.

Favourite author? Robert Harris.

Favourite school subject? Maths.

Follow Phil on Bluesky: @geniephil.bsky.social

Don’t miss Phil’s session on 15 November – and for those who can’t make it live, the recording will be available in our Gold Library shortly after the event.

Have you ever thought about volunteering with us?

We have various projects designed for the meticulous, the curious and the creative! From facilitating events, to transcribing Pedigree Rolls - there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about genealogy and share your expertise.

We have over 200 volunteers working from all over the world, but we also have in-person opportunities working from our north London-based Research Hub. Training is available for all our projects, and we have a dedicated volunteers’ forum where you can ask questions or have a chat.

So, whether you would like to learn more or would just like to make new friends, why not check out our volunteers page and get in touch?

My Ancestor was Scottish, 2nd Edition by Alan Stewart (2020)

A comprehensive and indispensable guide to tracing Scottish ancestry. Alan Stewart’s book can help you get to grips with the differences and nuances of researching genealogy in Scotland, from civil registration and census returns, to parish registers, wills and testaments, tax and valuation records, services of heirs and legal records.

In addition to exploring Scottish maps and newspapers, the author devotes chapters to Scottish clans, armed forces records, and Scottish resources at the library of the Society of Genealogists.

The Black Cultural Archives (BCA) has announced the appointment of Dr Wanda Wyporska, FRHistS, as its new Chief Executive.

A historian, author, and activist, Dr Wyporska brings extensive leadership experience from roles including former Chief Executive of the Society of Genealogists, The Equality Trust, Black Equity Organisation, and Safe Passage International. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Clore Social Fellow, she holds a doctorate from Hertford College, Oxford.

A daughter of Windrush, Dr Wyporska has long championed racial and social justice, contributing to national advisory groups, media discussions, and major public events. She currently serves as a trustee of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and the National Football Museum.

In her new role, Dr Wyporska will lead BCA’s mission to collect, preserve, and celebrate the histories of people of African and Caribbean descent in the UK, fostering pride, activism, and community engagement.

The Association of Genealogy Educators and Schools (AGES) will hold its next online conference on Saturday, 28 March 2026. The event will bring together those involved in genealogy and family history education, training, and research. A Call for Presentations will be issued in early November 2025, and AGES welcomes proposals from anyone engaged in genealogy education, as well as attendees from across the field. For updates, visit https://agesgenealogy.org or contact AGESinbox@gmail.com. Founded in 2018, AGES supports the developing academic field of genealogy through its focus on teaching, training, and research.