Uncover the remarkable stories of your African American ancestors through historical documents and proven genealogy techniques. This practical course builds your research skills while exploring the vital roles of Africans and their descendants in the North American colonies, the growth of slavery, emancipation, and subsequent events through modern times.
What You’ll Learn
- Professional genealogy methods and the Genealogical Proof Standard
- How to find and interpret records unique to African American family research
- Techniques for researching ancestors during slavery, emancipation, and Reconstruction
- Strategies for using vital records, government documents, and institutional archives
- How DNA testing can enhance traditional research methods
Each generation of your family left behind pieces of their story. You’ll find them in Freedman’s Bureau archives, church records, land deeds, and census records. Civil service files, railroad employment records, and documents from the WPA and CCC each add details to your family’s American journey. In African American Roots: A Historical Perspective you’ll develop the tools and knowledge to reveal your family’s unique place in American history.
Seven focused modules combine historical context, practical research guidance, and interactive learning:
- Module 1—Getting Started
- Module 2—Colonial Times (pre-1776 Revolutionary War)
- Module 3—Revolutionary War to pre-Civil War
- Module 4—1860-1900: Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow Segregation
- Module 5—Early Twentieth Century through World War II
- Module 6—Mid-twentieth Century: The Road to Equal Rights
- Module 7—DNA
- Bibliography
Each module includes targeted readings, curated web resources, and self-assessment quizzes. Genealogical records are referenced in each module pertinent to that time period or topic. A detailed syllabus is provided upon registration.
Janice Lovelace, PhD (psychology), has more than thirty years of experience in genealogical research and has presented nationally on methodology, DNA, and ethnic minority genealogy.
Access your course anytime, anywhere using a computer or tablet with an internet connection. All course content—including lessons, examples, exercises, and quizzes—is cloud-based, requiring no software downloads or installations.
The course runs on Canvas, which requires an up-to-date web browser. Check your browser compatibility at https://guides.instructure.com/m/67952/l/720329-which-browsers-does-canvas-support.
Your registration provides a personal, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to access the course materials for your individual educational use only. All coursework must be completed independently.
The Continuing Genealogical Studies series offers flexible, self-paced online courses designed to fit your schedule. Whether you’re balancing work, volunteer commitments, or personal obligations, you can complete the coursework when it’s most convenient for you. You control your learning journey and set the pace that works best for your needs.
Your course access begins on the date of enrollment and continues for six months. Need more time? Paid extension options are available by contacting the NGS Course Administrator.
You’ll receive an automatic email with course details confirming your registration. Within three business days, the NGS Course Administrator will send your login credentials for the Canvas online learning platform.
All purchases of courses are final. No refunds or credits are available.