Discover your family’s story with our step-by-step Foundations in Family History course. Whether you’ve just received your DNA test results and want to understand your matches, you’re ready to take your genealogy passion to the next level, or you’re a librarian or archivist looking to better serve your patrons – this course is designed for you. Even if you’re self-taught and already exploring your family history, you’ll fill knowledge gaps and uncover new resources you haven’t used before.

We’ve carefully crafted this course to give you the essential research skills you need to find, evaluate, and connect historical records, building your family tree with confidence, one generation at a time.

At NGS, we understand that learning should fit your life, not the other way around. That’s why we’ve embraced eLearning in genealogy using Canvas, a modern cloud-based platform that puts you in control. No fixed schedules, no rigid timelines – just the flexibility to learn at your own pace, whether you’re balancing work, volunteering, family commitments, or all three. Your journey, your schedule, your way to discover your family’s past.

The Foundations in Family History course is organized into three sections, each covering key genealogical topics and research skills. The eighteen learning modules build upon each other in a logical sequence to help you develop strong research practices.

Each section includes instructional materials, readings, examples, web resources, videos, self-correcting quizzes, bibliographies, glossaries, and graded assignments.

Students begin with Foundations 101, which is required before taking 102, which must be completed before 103. This step-by-step approach helps you build knowledge and confidence gradually.

You can purchase sections individually or save with our full course bundle. NGS members receive discounts on both options.