Video
Watch a real lesson before you decide anything.
Full lessons, not trailers. Every one is captioned, has a written transcript, and comes with the worksheet used on screen. Nothing here needs an account.
Free lessons
Four full lessons, no account required
Lesson one: start with what you know
The full opening lesson of First Steps in Family History. Writing down what you already have, marking which parts are proven, and choosing the single question to research first.
Watch this lessonReading a census page line by line
One 1900 household, every column explained, including the two questions about children born and children living that point at people missing from your tree.
Watch this lessonWhen the handwriting defeats you
Six letter forms that trip up new readers of 19th century documents, worked through on a real East Texas deed until the page makes sense.
Watch this lessonGrouping your DNA matches
Taking a match list from confusing to useful in one sitting, using four grandparent groups and a single spreadsheet.
Watch this lessonHow the videos work
Made to be watched with a pen in your hand
Each lesson shows one method on one real document, then stops and asks you to try it on your own family. The pause is the point. Watching six lessons in a row feels productive and teaches you almost nothing.
Free to start
Watch lesson one tonight
Twenty two minutes, the worksheet included, and no account to create. If it is not for you, you have lost an evening and learned something anyway.