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COURSES FOR BEGINNERS
   
  Introduction
  Local Adult Education Courses
  Local Record Office Courses
  Local Family History Society Courses
  National Centre Courses
  Residential Courses
   
   
   
  Introduction
   
  There are numerous courses aimed at helping beginners to research their family trees. The vast majority are run by local authority adult education departments and the Workers Educational Association. Details of these courses can be found on the government's LearnDirect website (see below). A sprinkling of record offices also run courses aimed at beginners, as do a few family history societies. The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies (located in Canterbury) runs a whole series of courses including several aimed at beginners. The Society of Genealogists (located in central London) runs several short courses/tutorials on specific topics of interest to beginners as well as the more experienced family historians. If you can afford the time and money, an attractive option is to attend one of the residential beginner courses.
   
   
   
  Local Adult Education Courses
   
  Most adult education centres throughout England and Wales run evening and day time classes on family history for beginners. A convenient way of finding what courses are available in your area is to search on the government's excellent LearnDirect web site. This site contains details of over a staggering 900,000 courses covering every conceivable subject and discipline. It addition to courses run by local authorities it includes those operated by the Workers Educational Association (WEA). To find what family history courses are on offer in your area you are advised to use the site's Advanced Search facility. As this search operates on course titles, you are recommended to key in turn 'family history', 'genealogy' and then 'tracing' since most family history courses have one of these terms in their titles (but not all three which is why you have to key these three terms in separately).
   
 
   
   
   
  Local Record Office Courses
   
  Essex Record Office
  Glamorgan Record Office
  Warwickshire County Record Office
   
   
   
  Local Family History Society Courses
   
  Berkshire FHS
  Birmingham & Midland SGH
  Bradford FHS
  Dorset FHS
   
   
   
  National Centre Courses
   
  Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
  Society of Genealogists
  • The society runs several courses suited to beginners (e.g. 'Family Tree Maker for Beginners') all of which can be booked online
   
   
   
  Residential Courses
   
  Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies - ideally situated in the centre of historic Canterbury
  • Introduction to Family History - 5 days (Mon to Fri) - all basic sources discussed and practical experience gained with the help of a simulated genealogical exercise
  Burton Manor - stately house in landscaped grounds in Cheshire
  Earnley Concourse - purpose built residential centre close to Chichester
  Halsway Manor - an historic manor situated on the slopes of Quantok Hills in Somersetshire
  • Family History Course - mid-week course (Mon evening to Fri breakfast) - a mix of tuition, internet research, visits and time for individually supported research for those new to family history
   
   
   
 
This page last updated: 13 March 2008