Staff

Delivery method: Online learning with tutor support. 

A will can be a treasure trove of information for a family historian, providing details of the testator, their family members and associates, as well as descriptions of land and properties.

Course Description

A will can be a treasure trove of information for a family historian, providing details of the testator, their family members and associates, as well as descriptions of land and properties. A will can be a rare opportunity to ‘hear’ your ancestor’s own words and find out more about their relationships and what was important to them in their lifetime. More broadly, wills are social documents, providing a window on a particular time and place in history. 
 
‘Branching Out’ is a series of online, self-paced 5-credit modules, which focus on key documents, resources and collections for family history research. They give students an opportunity to study a key topic in depth, using relevant examples and collections. 
 
This course focuses primarily on British research. Students will learn how to effectively search a number of subscription and free genealogical websites. 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.