From Acorn to Oak: Building a Family Tree (Part 3)

Overview

From Acorn to Oak, Part Three, is the third of three courses in a genealogy series. It will help you to continue to develop your family tree by introducing you to new historical records and online searching techniques. It is also suitable for those who have already completed a significant amount of family tree research, but would like to learn more about genealogical records and how to research databases more effectively. 
 
This course focuses primarily on British family history research. Students will learn how to effectively search a number of subscription and free genealogical websites, as well as use and interpret non-conformist records and directories. This module will also focus on how to write your family history, how to break down those fiendish brick walls and what DNA tests can tell us about our family history. 
 
This online learning course enables you to study from home and participate in an online community of other students learning about genealogy. The module is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment. Wherever possible, alternative free resources are highlighted, and the majority of the subscription websites used are available to access for free through local public library services. Some of the online resources referred to during this course do require a subscription, if accessed from home. 

Programme 

Activities and tasks will be embedded into each unit so students can practise the techniques they have learned and develop their skills. Students will be encouraged to share their own work and participate in discussions on Blackboard. Alongside the learning materials on Blackboard the tutor will be on hand via email to answer any queries and provide guidance throughout the course. They will also participate in the online discussions.   

• Unit 1 – Introduction 
• Unit 2 - Non-conformist records   
• Unit 3 – Directories 
• Unit 4 - Telling your story: how to build a narrative from family history data 
• Unit 5 - How to deal with ancestors with common names 
• Unit 6 - DNA: how can it complement your DNA research? 

This module will contain 1-2 live webinars to bring all the strands of the module together and students can submit questions to be answered. 

Learning Outcomes

1. Build and develop their family tree back into the eighteenth century, if possible, by effectively searching a wide variety of historical records to locate information.
2. Perform advance level online searches on a number of genealogical websites to locate relevant records using multiple pieces of information.
3. Collate, analyse and synthesise information, from a wide variety of primary and secondary source material, to produce a research project that positions their ancestors within a wider socio-economic and historic context.
4. Approach a family tree 'brick wall' methodically and critically, using a variety of search tools. 

Assessments

Written Project (2000 words) 100%  

Reading Suggestions

Reading suggestions will be offered throughout the course. 

Entry Requirements

This course is for everyone. No previous experience is needed and there are no formal entry requirements.

What Do I Need?

As this is an online course, you would need the following:

• Internet access.
• Access to a laptop or computer with a web camera and microphone; the use of headphones might also be of benefit.
• Use of the Chrome web-browser where possible.