Family tree webinars are live or recorded online presentations that teach genealogy research skills, introduce record collections, and demonstrate family tree software, typically offered by genealogy societies, libraries, and companies like Legacy Family Tree Webinars. They range from free beginner sessions to paid expert series, and most are archived so you can watch them on demand.
Background: Why Webinars Became a Genealogy Staple
Genealogy education used to mean in-person conferences and local society meetings. That changed as internet access spread and platforms like GoToWebinar and Zoom matured. Webinars let a researcher in rural Ohio attend a class taught by a UK archivist without traveling. They also solved a timing problem: family historians often have spare time in the evening, not on a Saturday morning when a society meets.
The biggest player in this space is Legacy Family Tree Webinars, which began in 2010 and now hosts hundreds of free and paid sessions each year. Its model—free to watch live, with a paid membership for unlimited on-demand access—became the industry standard. Many national archives, including the U.S. National Archives (NARA) and the UK’s National Archives, also offer free webinars, as do commercial sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage.
Webinars are not just lectures. They include shared screens, live chat, and downloadable handouts. The chat feature is particularly valuable: you can ask the presenter a question in real time, and the host or other attendees often answer within seconds. That interaction is something a pre-recorded YouTube video cannot replicate.
How Family Tree Webinars Work
The mechanics are simple. You register with an email address, and the host sends a link to join at the scheduled time. Most platforms require no software download—you watch in a browser. During the live session, you see the presenter’s slides or screen, hear their audio, and type questions into a chat box. After the webinar, the host typically emails you a link to the recording and the slides (if the presenter allows).
On-demand access works differently. For free webinars, the recording is often available to everyone after a short delay. For paid series, you must be a subscriber to watch the archive. Some sites, like FamilySearch, keep their webinars free permanently, while others, like Legacy, put free webinars behind a membership after a few months.
Most genealogy webinars last 60–90 minutes. The first 5–10 minutes are housekeeping, and the last 10 minutes are Q&A. That leaves roughly 45–70 minutes of actual content. If you want to watch efficiently, many platforms let you speed up playback (1.25x or 1.5x) and skip the intro.
How to Choose the Right Webinar
With thousands of recorded sessions available, choosing one can be overwhelming. Start by defining your goal: are you stuck on a specific ancestor, learning a new DNA tool, or trying to use a particular archive? Then filter by skill level—beginner, intermediate, advanced—because a session on autosomal DNA phasing will confuse a newbie.
- Check the description and handouts: A good webinar lists the topics covered and often provides a PDF syllabus. If the description is vague, skip it.
- Look at the presenter’s background: Are they a professional genealogist, an archivist, or a software developer? An archivist might know the records better; a developer might know the tool’s quirks.
- Read reviews or forum posts: Genealogy Facebook groups and Reddit’s r/Genealogy often discuss which webinars are worth watching. Search the presenter’s name plus “webinar” to see feedback.
- Consider the length: A 90-minute deep dive is not always better than a 45-minute overview. For a quick question, a short session is more efficient.
If you are on a budget, start with free options. FamilySearch’s Learning Center has hundreds of free video courses, and Legacy’s free webinars are usually available for at least a few weeks after the live date. Only pay for a membership if you find yourself regularly wanting the archives.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Technical issues are the most common frustration. A weak internet connection can cause buffering, and if you join late, you may miss the login instructions. To minimize problems, join 10 minutes early, close other bandwidth-heavy apps, and use a wired connection if possible. If the platform requires a plugin (rare now), install it before the session starts.
Another issue is content mismatch. You might sign up for a webinar titled “Finding Your Irish Ancestors” only to discover it focuses on Northern Ireland’s civil records, not Catholic parish registers. Read the full description and the presenter’s bio before registering. If you are unsure, email the host and ask what records or regions they will cover.
Finally, some webinars are thinly veiled sales pitches. A company might offer a “free” session that spends 30 minutes touting its subscription service. Check if the host is a vendor. If they are, expect some product promotion, but a good presentation will still teach you something useful. If you feel the content was mostly an ad, note the presenter’s name and avoid their future sessions.
Free vs. Paid: What Do You Get?
The genealogy webinar world splits into two tiers. Free webinars are often sponsored by archives, libraries, or genealogy societies as part of their public education mission. They cover broad topics like “Beginning DNA” or “Using the 1950 Census.” Paid webinars, usually through a subscription like Legacy Family Tree Webinars Plus, offer advanced topics, longer sessions, and permanent access to a huge archive.
Legacy’s paid membership (about $49.95 per year as of 2025) gives you access to over 1,000 recorded webinars, plus the ability to download handouts and certificates of completion. That may sound expensive, but compared to a single in-person conference (often $200+ plus travel), it is a bargain. Many members keep it for the archive alone.
Free webinars, however, are not low quality. FamilySearch’s Learning Center is entirely free and includes courses from well-known genealogists like Thomas MacEntee and Diahan Southard. The main downside is that free sessions are often older and may reference records or software that have changed. Always check the recording date—a webinar from 2015 about Ancestry’s DNA tools will be outdated.
How to Get the Most Out of a Webinar
Watching passively is a waste of time. Active viewing makes a huge difference. Before the session, print the handout (if available) and write down your own research questions. During the webinar, take notes in your own words—not just copying the slides. Afterward, immediately apply what you learned to your own tree within 48 hours, while the details are fresh.
Also, use the chat feature. If you have a specific question, ask it even if it feels basic. Presenters often answer after the session and may even share additional resources. If you miss the live chat, many webinars have a discussion forum or a Facebook group where you can ask questions later.
Finally, create a system to track what you watched. A simple spreadsheet with columns for date, title, presenter, key takeaways, and follow-up tasks works well. That way, you can revisit a webinar on a specific county or record type without re-watching the whole thing.
Alternatives to Webinars
Webinars are not the only way to learn genealogy. If you prefer reading, books and blogs offer depth that a 60-minute talk cannot match. If you like interactive learning, consider a virtual or in-person genealogy conference, where you can network and ask questions in person. YouTube has many free genealogy tutorials, but they lack the live chat and handouts that webinars provide.
For hands-on practice, try a “genealogy boot camp” or a local society workshop where you work with records under supervision. Some libraries also offer one-on-one genealogy consultations. The best approach is a mix: use webinars for structured learning, books for deep dives, and hands-on projects to apply skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay to watch family tree webinars? No. Many webinars are free, especially those from FamilySearch, NARA, and local genealogy societies. Paid subscriptions like Legacy Family Tree Webinars Plus are optional and mainly provide access to a large archive of past sessions.
Can I watch a webinar after it airs live? Usually yes. Most hosts record the session and make it available on demand, either free for a limited time or permanently for members. Check the host’s website for their specific archive policy.
Are webinars as good as in-person conferences? They are different. Webinars offer convenience and a huge variety of topics, but they lack the networking and hands-on workshops of a conference. Many genealogists use both.
What if I have a technical problem during a live webinar? First, try refreshing your browser. If that fails, check the host’s help page or email their support. Most platforms also have a chat feature where you can ask for help.
How do I find webinars on a specific topic? Search the host’s website (e.g., FamilySearch, Legacy) for a topic or presenter. Also, check genealogy blogs and Facebook groups, where new webinars are often announced. You can also set up Google Alerts for “genealogy webinar” plus your topic.
Can I get a certificate for attending a webinar? Some paid services, like Legacy, offer certificates of completion that you can download after watching a recorded session. Free webinars rarely provide certificates, but you can always print the handout as proof of attendance.
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