African American Genealogy course from GenClass open for registration until November 14th

October 22, 10:14 AMAfrican American Genealogy ExaminerMichael Hait

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Since February 2009, your African American Genealogy Examiner author has been the instructor for a course on African-American Genealogy at GenClass.com.  Registration for the November session is now open, until November 14.

The African-American Genealogy course features information on tracing your family history back through the years, and will provide you with a strong foundation for further genealogical study.  Several case studies, explored throughout the eight lessons, demonstrate the principles of research, as we trace one family in particular back from the 1930's into the era of slavery.  Other families showcase different techniques.

The course has a one-month duration, with eight lessons delivered two per week by email.  You can complete the course at your own leisure.  Throughout the month, you will also have direct access to the instructor via email, to ask questions regarding the lessons or discuss your own research experiences.

You can expect this course to contain information and resources of the same quality you have come to expect from the African-American Genealogy Examiner.  Priced at just $34.50, GenClass offers an affordable option for genealogical education.

Click here to register

Here are a few recommendations from former students:

“I found that as an Instructor, Michael is quite knowledgeable and the course was clear and concise. His ideas for research were some that were unique and by taking this course, one should be able to obtain the information desired.” (H. C., 3 May 2009)

“[Michael] was an excellent instructor. The lessons were organized, well written, and very informative. [Michael] was readily available to answers questions, and he exhibited a wide range of knowledge and expertise in the subject matter. I would definitely take another course with him as the instructor.” (S. T., 30 Jun 2009)

“Michael Hait's class really helped me in areas that I felt stumped, especially when I applied his course to one particular ancestor. I gained more information than I had before on this particular ancestor. Easy and helpful course!” (F. A., 24 Aug 2009)

A detailed course outline follows:

Lesson One:  The Basics of Genealogical Method

1.1 Defining your problem
1.2 The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)
1.3 A “reasonably exhaustive search”
1.4 Principles of source citation
1.5 Sources, information, and evidence
1.6 Evaluating your evidence
1.7 “Cluster genealogy”
1.8 Suggested Reading

Lesson Two:  Beginning Your Research

2.1 First Step:  Collecting your sources
2.2 Compiling your information
2.3 Organizing your information
2.4 Family traditions and oral histories
2.5 Continuing your research outside the home
2.6 Summary of common record groups

Lesson Three:  Using the federal census to identify your ancestors

3.1 Introduction to the Federal Census
3.2 Locating your family in the federal census
3.3 Tracing back through the recent years
3.4 Overcoming the missing 1890 census
3.5 Using the 1880 census to identify families
3.6 The 1870 census:  the first after emancipation
3.7 Finding other clues in the census

Lesson Four:  Overview of Civil War records

4.1 The beginnings of the Civil War
4.2 The African-American contribution
4.3 The U. S. Colored Troops
4.4 Identifying your veteran ancestor
4.5 Compiled Military Service Records
4.6 U. S. Pension Records
4.7 Identifying your pensioner ancestor
4.8 Clues in a pension application file

Lesson Five:  How to identify the last owner of your enslaved ancestor. Part One of Two.

5.1 Overview of the history of American slavery
5.2 Introduction to researching slaves
5.3 African-American families under slavery
5.4 Freedom records
5.5 Freedman’s Bank records
5.6 Freedmen’s Bureau records
5.7 Runaway slave advertisements
5.8 Slave narratives

Lesson Six:  How to identify the last owner of your enslaved ancestor.  Part Two of Two.

6.1 Introduction to the federal census slave schedules
6.2 Identifying your ancestor in the slave schedules
6.3 Comparing multiple lists of slaves
6.4 Identifying an unknown owner using the federal census

Lesson Seven:  Using Chattel and Probate records to follow slave transactions

7.1 Introduction to Probate Records
7.2 Identifying relevant probate records
7.3 Wills
7.4 Estate Inventories
7.5 Introduction to Chattel Records
7.6 Following slave transactions

Lesson Eight:  Other Resources for Research

8.1 Pre-1850 federal census records and local tax lists
8.2 Court Records
8.3 Manuscript collections
8.4 The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
8.5 DNA Testing, Part one:  Introduction to Genetic Genealogy
8.6 DNA Testing, Part two:  Finding candidates for DNA testing
8.7 Helpful books
8.8 Helpful websites

 For more information, visit the GenClass homepage.