Welcome to Introduction to Genealogy, the very first class offered in the Let's Learn Genealogy forum. This is a self-paced, four-lesson class packed full of new concepts, techniques and ideas which will hopefully get you started on your way to a fulfilling lifetime of tracing your family tree. I hope you'll also be able to learn from one another in the classroom forum, as we post comments, questions and answers in an effort to demystify genealogy.

This page serves as the gateway page for the class. It contains information on how the course is set up and an outline of what you can expect to learn. New lessons are linked to from the end of each previous lesson, or can be reached from this class index page. The About Genealogy Tip of the Day email newsletter will update you as other classes become available in Let's Learn Genealogy. If you aren't already a subscriber, you can sign up here.

• Course FAQ
  Preliminary information you'll need to know before you begin the course.
  
  
• Lesson 1: Genealogical Basics
  • Why Genealogy?
  • Genealogical Basics
  • Charting Your Course
  • Recording Names
  • Recording Dates
  • Recording Places
  • Putting it All Together
  • Quiz
• Lesson 2: Family & Home Sources
  • First Steps
  • Clues from Family Sources
  • Gathering Oral Histories
  • Ask the Right Questions
  • Previous Research
  • Family Cemeteries
  • Citing Family Sources
  • Putting it All Together
  • Quiz
• Lesson 3: Genealogy Research 101
  • Research Basics
  • Preparing to Search
  • What to Look For
  • Where to Look
  • Correspondence 101
  • Tracking Your Progress
  • Computer Software
  • Putting it All Together
  • Quiz
• Lesson 4: Vital Records - Birth, Marriage, Death, Divorce
  • Why Vital Records
  • Birth Records
  • Marriage Records
  • Death Records
  • Divorce Records
  • How to Obtain Vital Records
  • Where to Find Vital Records
  • Source Citations for Vital Records
  • Putting it All Together
  • Quiz