Developed by experts at American Ancestors/NEHGS, this free-to-access national curriculum is designed to expose students in grades 4 through 6 to the concepts, benefits, and joys of family history.
Save $20 off your American Ancestors membership this April
This spring is the perfect time to take advantage of our resources and make progress on your family history research. Use code APRIL0424 at checkout and save on a new membership!
Listen to Rare Audio From Formerly Enslaved People
ABC News Correspondent Alex Presha sat down with 10 Million Names historians Dr. Kendra Field and Dr. Vincent Brown to discuss the impact of first-hand accounts, exploring the legacy of slavery through rare and historic audio interviews with formerly enslaved individuals that were recorded in the 1940s and ’70s.
10 Million Names is a new initiative to recover the names and stories of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in America between the 1500s and 1865.
Together with a collaborative network of genealogists, cultural organizations, and community-based family historians, we will amplify centuries of family stories, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions, and expand access to information about enslaved African Americans.
Where Were Your Ancestors during the Boston Tea Party?
In partnership with the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, we are pleased to introduce the Boston Tea Party Descendants Program: a lineage society for descendants of Boston Tea Party participants and those involved in colonial rebellion in Boston. The program has already aided in the discovery of unprecedented documentation from this historic event.
Courses On Demand: Educational experiences by our experts, at your convenience
Enjoy some of our most recent and popular courses on your schedule. Each course includes recorded lectures, handouts, activities, and more. Brush up on your research skills and explore topics across the field of genealogy with Courses On Demand!
Vita Brevis: A Resource for Family History
There's something new to discover every week on our blog Vita Brevis. From expert research advice to jaw-dropping family connections, celebrity genealogies, and more, you'll discover stories about families of every kind—and learn why family history matters to everybody.
Upcoming Events
Ohio Family History Research
This four-part online seminar will provide an overview of the records, resources, repositories, and strategies for exploring your Ohio roots. We will also discuss the historical context that shaped the records available for your Ohio ancestors. Whether Ohio was a final destination for your ancestor or a stop along their journey west, join us for this deep-dive into family history research for the Buckeye State.
Researching Catholic Ancestors
If you have Catholic Ancestors, there is a wealth of information available when it comes to family history research. Join us for this 5-session online seminar, where we’ll discuss the records, repositories, and strategies for tracing your Catholic ancestors.
2024 American Stories, American Lives Gala
Join us for our annual American Stories, American Lives Gala with award-winning director, producer, screenwriter, and actor Ron Howard.
On Demand: Verifying Mayflower Lineage
Join experts from American Ancestors for a three-part online course that will explore the many resources, record collections, and research strategies for verifying your connection to the Mayflower. We will also include several case studies demonstrating ways to break down brick walls, including an examination of using DNA to confirm a hypothesis.
Available for purchase until:
The Brue Family Learning Center
Researching Scottish Ancestors
Today, there are an estimated 25 million Americans of Scottish descent. Tracing your Scottish heritage is rewarding, but not without its challenges. This four-session online seminar will provide you with key historical context, strategies, and resources setting you on the right path to trace your ancestry back several generations in Scotland.
Natalie Dykstra with Chasing Beauty: The Life of Isabella Stewart Gardner
An extraordinary achievement of storytelling and scholarship, Chasing Beauty illuminates the fascinating ways the Gardner museum and its holdings can be seen as a kind of memoir, dazzling and haunting, created with objects instead of words. Don’t miss hearing from the award-winning author Natalie Dykstra about the complex and singular woman behind this fascinating and beloved Boston museum—a tale of beauty and loss, grit, and American self-invention.
American Inspiration