Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree
Learn to research and document your family history
This beginner-friendly online course introduces practical genealogy research techniques to help you discover and map your family tree using archives, databases and documentary evidence.
It teaches source evaluation, search strategies and an introduction to DNA testing so you can transform scattered records into a verifiable family history.
At a Glance
Genealogy: Researching Your Family Tree is an introductory online genealogy course taught by the University of Strathclyde.
It introduces core research methods, source evaluation, DNA basics, and practical techniques for documenting and preserving a family history.
| Level | Beginner |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration | 6+ weeks |
| Languages | English |
| Learners | 10K+ learners |
| Certificate | Optional paid certificate |
| Access | Timed cohort access with optional upgrade for extended access |
| Course includes |
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| Price | Free to access with optional paid certificate |
What This Course Teaches
This course frames outcomes as observable competencies you can perform in independent family-history research.
By the end of the course you will be able to design research plans, apply practical search and analysis methods, distinguish source types, analyse historical context, and document findings to recognised standards.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organised into 13 modules that progress from source fundamentals and practical search techniques through DNA concepts to evidence management and preservation, delivered as a stepwise, cohort-style online experience over six weeks.
Each week focuses on discrete modules with applied activities and guided discussion so learners build practical skills alongside a running case study.
Curriculum overview
01 Sources — primary, derived primary, secondary ▾
Defines and distinguishes source types and explains implications for reliability and interpretation.
- Source comparison exercises
02 Authorship & provenance ▾
Considers who created records, why, and how creation context affects use in research.
03 Identifying the right person: names and variants ▾
Addresses challenges from name changes, spelling variants and strategies to distinguish candidates.
- Search strategy activity using name variants
04 Lateral research methods (FAN technique, mind mapping) ▾
Introduces lateral approaches to expand research beyond immediate records and test hypotheses.
05 Database searching & wildcards ▾
Covers practical searching techniques in primary source databases, including wildcard and variant searches.
- Practical database search task
06 Key source types: civil, church, census, military ▾
Introduces common record types, typical data fields they contain, and how to use them together in research.
07 Major databases and evaluation ▾
Surveys international and selected local databases and gives criteria for assessing database quality.
08 Genealogical Proof Standard ▾
Explains the principles used to establish and evaluate genealogical proof in research conclusions.
- Evidence-evaluation exercise
09 DNA in genealogy: autosomal and Y-testing ▾
Introduces genetic inheritance basics and how autosomal and Y‑chromosome testing support genealogical research.
- Interpretive activity on basic DNA matching concepts
10 Context sources: social and local history ▾
Explores secondary and contextual sources to situate genealogical findings historically and socially.
11 Referencing and evidencing research ▾
Covers best practices for citing sources and providing traceable evidence for family history claims.
- Source citation exercise
12 Tools for recording and analysis ▾
Surveys options for storing, tracking and analysing genealogical data, from paper forms to software and online tools.
13 Writing and preserving family history ▾
Considers approaches to writing a family history and methods to protect physical and digital records for future use.
- Draft family-history outline or preservation checklist
Audience & Requirements
This course targets people who want to research their family history, ranging from complete beginners to hobbyist and more experienced researchers seeking modern techniques.
It is suitable for novice researchers, hobbyists wanting to apply DNA-aware methods, and experienced genealogists looking to update search and evidence-evaluation skills.
- Complete beginners interested in family history research.
- Hobbyist researchers seeking to adopt modern techniques, including DNA basics.
- Experienced genealogists wanting to refresh search, analysis, or documentation skills.
- Learners with limited local access to training who want an online structured course.
- No special prerequisites; the course accepts learners with no prior genealogy experience.
- Basic digital literacy for participating in online discussions and submitting exercises.
- Optional: access to DNA test results or a testing kit if you want hands‑on DNA activities.
Final Verdict
Overall, this course is a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to genealogical research and represents good value for learners seeking applied skills. Given its positive reputation and wide uptake, it reliably teaches search methods, source evaluation, and accessible DNA concepts while providing peer discussion and an optional certificate pathway.
It is well suited to hobbyists, novice researchers, and experienced practitioners wanting a structured refresh; if your aim is to build a documented family history using tested research and recording methods, this course is a sensible first step. Consider a different, more specialised programme if you need advanced genetic analysis or formal accreditation beyond the optional certificate.
