Become A Better Genealogist With A Smart Education Plan

Being a good genealogist requires education. There’s always a new record set to explore, a new research method to try, or a new tool to master. Creating a genealogy education plan is the best way to stay on top of it all. This will help you grow your skills, stay updated, and make real progress in your research.

In this blog post, you’ll learn different educational resources from YouTube videos, to institutes and conferences, podcasts, and so much more.

Like many genealogists, I love to learn. For over fifteen years, listening to classes and podcasts made long hours as an over-the-road truck driver more enjoyable. If you want to become a better genealogist, education needs to be part of your routine. A well-rounded approach starts with a plan.

My blog post, 7 Ways To Maximize Your Genealogy With These Simple Plans, included making an education plan because it’s that important. Let’s get going.

Start Where You Are

In genealogy, we always start with what we know and work from there. Making an education plan is no different. What resources are you currently using to learn genealogy? Do you listen to podcasts? Have you taken an online or in-person class or webinar? If you’ve never kept track of what you’ve done, now’s the time. Write this down in a Word Doc or Google Sheet. Or you can use Airtable, like me.

As a professional genealogist, I must submit my education to the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) every year. I keep a tracker in Airtable to make that task easy at the end of the year.

Now that you know what you’ve done, what do you want to learn, and how will you get there? Here are some suggestions:

YouTube

YouTube is wonderful for genealogy education. Many experienced genealogists, archives, and societies upload tutorials and webinars for free. You can watch at your own pace and rewatch as needed.

Some great channels to follow:

• Family Locket – Diana Elder and daughter, Nicole Dyer, are professional genealogists who offer beginner advice (and beyond) on how to research.
• BYU Library Family History Center – Provides classes on a variety of topics.
• Professional genealogists – Many offer advice on breaking brick walls and using records effectively. Some of my favorites are Your DNA Guide, Genealogy TV, and American Ancestors.

Tip: Create a YouTube playlist of genealogy videos to watch when you have time. Subscribing is easy, and you’ll aways be informed when there’s a new video.

Webinars

Webinars allow you to learn from experts in real time. Many organizations offer free or low-cost webinars on various topics.

Where to find webinars:

• Legacy Family Tree Webinars – If you register for a webinar, the first week of viewing is free. You must have a paid version to watch past that time and to view the syllabi. But at $50/year, it’s well worth a subscription.
• State archives and libraries – Many host live webinars on local records.
• Societies like NGS (National Genealogical Society) and APG (Association of Professional Genealogists) – They provide training on methodology and record analysis.

Tip: Many webinars are recorded, so if you miss the live session, you can watch later.

Podcasts

Podcasts are great for busy genealogists. You can listen while commuting, exercising, or doing chores.

Top genealogy podcasts:

• Genealogy Gems Podcast (Lisa Louise Cooke) – Covers research strategies and tech tips.
• Research Like a Pro (Diana Elder and Nicole Dyer) – Helps with methodology and organization.
• Extreme Genes (Scott Fisher) – Shares real-life research stories and expert interviews.
• The Genealogy Guys Podcast (George Morgan and Drew Smith) – Offers news, research tips, and listener questions.
• From Roadblocks to Roots (Jessica Neaves) – Shares actionable steps to progess in your research.

Tip: Find a podcast that fits your interests and make it part of your routine.

Discussion Groups and Facebook Groups

Genealogy is easier when you can talk to others who share your passion. Online discussion groups are a great way to ask questions, share discoveries, and learn from others.

Where to connect:

• Facebook Groups – Look for groups focused on your areas of interest, such as DNA genealogy, specific states or countries, or surname research.
• GenealogyWise – A forum dedicated to genealogy discussions.
• Local or national genealogy societies – Many have online groups for members.

Tip: Engaging with others can help you solve research problems and stay motivated.

Genealogy Institutes

If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, genealogy institutes offer in-depth courses on specialized topics. These are typically week-long, intensive programs taught by experts.

Top genealogy institutes:

• GRIP (Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh) – Offers both in-person and virtual courses.
• SLIG (Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy) – Known for advanced research training.
• IGHR (Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research) – Covers methodology, records, and regional research.
• MAAGI (Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute) – A focus on African American research.

Tip: These programs can be a big investment, but they provide expert training and networking opportunities.

Conferences

Genealogy conferences bring researchers together to learn from top experts, discover new tools, and connect with others in the field.

Major genealogy conferences:

• RootsTech – The largest genealogy conference with both in-person and virtual sessions.
• NGS Family History Conference – Covers a variety of research topics and skill levels.
• Local and regional conferences – Many states and local societies hold annual conferences.

Tip: Conferences provide access to new tools, live demonstrations, and the chance to ask questions directly to experts.

Local Historical and Genealogy Societies

Don’t overlook local resources! Historical and genealogy societies often have expert members, local records, and special programs.

How to get involved:

• Join your state or county genealogy society – They often have newsletters, research help, and exclusive records.
• Attend society meetings and workshops – Learn from experienced researchers.
• Volunteer – Many societies need help indexing records or working in libraries.
• Visit local libraries and archives – They may have unique collections not available online.

Tip: These groups are excellent for learning about records specific to your ancestors’ locations.

Putting It All Together

Now that you know some options, it’s time to create your genealogy education plan. Here’s how:

Set Goals – What do you want to learn? DNA research? Military records? Organizing your findings? Just like starting with a research question in your genealogy research, you have to know what it is you want to find. Are there gaps in your education you need to fill? Take the time to really think about where you want to go in genealogy.

Pick Learning Methods – Choose a mix of YouTube videos, webinars, podcasts, and discussion groups. You’ll undoubtedly have your favorites, but don’t dismiss any learning style.

Schedule Time – Set aside time weekly or monthly to focus on learning.

Track Progress – Keep notes on what you’ve learned and apply it to your research.

Stay Flexible – Your interests may change, so update your plan as needed. Your learning may change with each ancestor you research. It’s ok to switch things out as needed.

Finally

I love learning about genealogy, so I participate in every category listed above. It’s a key part of genealogy success. The more you know, the better your research will be. With so many resources available, you can build a plan that fits your schedule, budget, and interests. Whether you prefer watching videos, listening to podcasts, or attending live events, there’s a way to keep learning and growing.

What’s your next genealogy learning goal? Start building your education plan today!

Genealogy tip: Don’t overwhelm yourself with all the choices out there. Start small and manageable. Try listening to a podcast once a week. From there, if you want to add, do so incrementally. Make education a habit.

If you need help deciding what your needs are or if you want some professional help with your research, click below for a no-obligation, 30-minute consultation. I’d love to hear about your latest project.