Announcing Special Offer Ends 30 November
Make 2026 Your Year of Discovery
Book now to secure 2025 prices – and enjoy exclusive early-booking bonuses across three remarkable 2026 courses.
With almost 12,000 event bookings so far this year alone, the Society of Genealogists has helped thousands of people uncover their stories, strengthen their research skills, and connect with experts who inspire them.
Now, we’re giving our community one final opportunity to plan ahead and secure their place on the courses that will shape their family-history journey in the New Year.
Each of these courses comes with something extra for early bookers, whether it’s bonus masterclasses, additional learning support, or Gold Membership to deepen your research while you study. Together they offer more than a saving; they give you the chance to start 2026 already connected, confident, and part of a thriving learning community.
For those ready to make 2026 a year of discovery and achievement, three SoG courses stand out. Each is led by some of the most respected names in genealogy, history, and genetic research. Whether you’re beginning your journey, exploring your ancestors’ hidden stories, or mastering the latest DNA tools, there’s a path designed for you.
Advancing Your DNA Skills
Take your genetic genealogy expertise to the next level
If you already understand the basics of DNA testing, this 12-week expert-led course will transform how you interpret results, connect with matches, and solve family mysteries. Learn from Mia Bennett, Debbie Kennett, Michelle Leonard, Dr Sophie Kay, and Donna Rutherford, a team of some of the UK’s most recognisable and trusted names in DNA genealogy.
Dates: 5 January – 25 March 2026
Format: Online (Wednesdays and Mondays)
Prices: Members £347 | Non-Members £437 | 2026 price up to £475
Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and receive Gold Membership for the duration of the course.
See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1574117
Crime and Punishment for Family Historians
Uncover the villains, victims, law-keepers and law-breakers in your family tree
Every family has a few skeletons. This 12-week course explores the drama, humanity, and records behind criminal justice from the medieval crusades to the 21st century. Learn to find and interpret police, court and prison sources through gripping case studies with leading historians Angela Buckley, Nathan Dylan Goodwin, Janet Few, Dave Annal, Debbie Kennett and more.
Dates: 8 January – 26 March 2026
Format: Online (Thursday evenings)
Prices: Members £212 | Non-Members £265 | 2026 price up to £327
Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and enjoy three bonus talks on Victorian detectives, forensic genealogy, and the science of sleuthing.
See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1605161
Family History Skills – Stage 1
Build confidence and learn to research like a professional
The perfect foundation course for anyone beginning their family-history journey or seeking structure and support from trusted experts. Over 12 weeks, you’ll learn how to use key records, interpret evidence, and build a tree with skill and accuracy, guided by Else Churchill, Simon Fowler, Alec Tritton, Janice Tullock and John Hanson.
Dates: 13 January – 31 March 2026
Format: Online (Tuesday evenings)
Prices: Members £213 | Non-Members £267 | 2026 price up to £327
Early-booking bonus: Book by 30 November to secure 2025 price and receive a 20% discount code to use on our Skills Stage 2 and 3 courses.
See more here: https://portal.sog.org.uk/Event/view/1319297
Book your course
secure the 2025 price, and step confidently into 2026 knowing your year of learning and discovery is already underway.
Advancing Your DNA Skills | Crime and Punishment for Family Historians | Family History Skills – Stage 1
That’s a Wrap for Mini–All About That Place 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s mini All About That Place event. Catch up on all the recordings on our YouTube channel and explore Projectkin’s helpful Substack interviews celebrating one-place studies and community research.
Top Talk (Poll Winner): Choosing My One Place Study by Mia Bennett.
Congratulations to Mia on being voted this year’s favourite presentation. If you haven’t yet seen the talk, you can watch it here: Choosing My One Place Study.
Our thanks go to Barbara Tien at Projectkin, the Society for One-Place Studies, the British Association for Local History (BALH), and everyone who took part in making this collaborative celebration of place-based research such a success.
Gold Members
you can enjoy more of Mia’s talks in our Gold Video Library, including “Where Did They Belong? Administrative Boundaries and Your English Ancestors”. Not a member yet? Join here today.
SoG Fellow Award
Congratulations and welcome to the newest SoG Fellows, Debbie Kennett FSG.
Fellowship is awarded to those who have made commendable contributions to genealogy, from pioneers in new techniques, to dedicated transcription project leaders and so much more.
More Society of Genealogists Freebies!
As well as the All About That Place recordings, you can catch-up with our latest free educational talk, Researching in Devon. Now available to view on our YouTube channel.
Our Gold Video Library contains over 45 talks focusing on place. Discover them all for just £15p/m with Gold Membership.
Tips from inside the SoG
Our top tip this month comes from Victorian London Week event attendee, Pamela.
“I learned to look wider afield and not just the BMDs (Births, Deaths and Marriages) for information. Also, to source information that gives a feel for what the place was like at the time your ancestors were living there.”
A shout-out too to Natalie, who shared a top tip on how to make copying and pasting chunks of information from transcriptions into your genealogy notes or database easy. Instead of pressing Ctrl+V, press the Windows key and V. This opens Windows clipboard and in it you can see everything you’ve copied (not just the last bit), and pin information to save it for later too.
NOVEMBER EVENTS
Medical Matters
Our November theme is Medical Matters – a topic that promises a wealth of intriguing discoveries (and perhaps a few surprises). The Thursday Social and Occupation of the Month will focus on Tracing Dentist Ancestors, uncovering the story behind those early tooth-pullers, technicians and surgeons who shaped the profession.
For those who love exploring original collections, we’ll be visiting the Royal College of Surgeons Archives, a must for anyone researching medical practitioners in their family.
Lunchtime Chat
In our ever-popular Lunchtime Chat members will discuss causes of death – from “consumption” and “dropsy” to some more unusual entries lurking on death certificates!
If that whets your appetite, don’t miss our online talk Beyond the Death Certificate, which takes a fresh look at how to interpret the information (and omissions!) found in these vital records.
We’ve also lined up two fascinating in-person talks: The Story of Nursing in the British Army and Deciphering Military Medical Records. And for everyone, don’t miss our free Armed Forces Advice Surgery on 8 November, when military expert Graham Bandy will answer questions about your soldier, sailor, or airman ancestors.
Our interactive Zoom workshop with Sophie Kay, Six Hats for Genetic Genealogy, will help you think creatively about how to use DNA results in your research – ideal for anyone wanting to take their genetic genealogy to the next level.
November’s County of the Month is East Surrey, so expect a spotlight on records, resources, and research tips for this historically rich area.
We’re also thrilled to welcome Alexzandra Hildred of the Mary Rose Museum, who will share the extraordinary story of the 179 individuals discovered on board the Mary Rose.
Using forensic science techniques, researchers have reconstructed the faces of some of these men – mostly in their twenties, though ranging from just 10 to over 40 years old – offering a moving glimpse into the Tudor world and its enduring legacy.
Photogenealogy Advice Hour
Gold Members should not miss Photogenealogy Advice Hour – a dedicated session for expert guidance on those mysterious old family photos. Not a Gold Member yet? It’s available from just £15 per month!
Finally, we’re launching a brand new four-week course: Diving into the Parish and its Records. Parish records lie at the very heart of English family history – this course will help you unlock their secrets, understand their context, and make the most of these invaluable sources.
SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT: PHIL ISHERWOOD
This month, we’re delighted to feature Phil Isherwood, who joins us on Saturday, 15 November, for his talk Organising Your Research with Evernote – a practical session on using digital tools to manage your genealogical discoveries efficiently and effectively.
Phil brings a unique combination of analytical skill and curiosity to his family history work. With a degree in Astrophysics and a Pharos Intermediate Certificate (Distinction), he applies a structured, evidence-based approach to research – while never losing sight of the human stories behind the records.
We asked Phil a few quick questions to get to know him better:
What got you into genealogy Curiosity.
Favourite genealogy source? The British Newspaper Archive.
Best ancestral surname? Fogwill (on my side), Bartolucci (on my wife’s side).
Most frustrating brick wall ancestor? Daniel Usherwood, born about 1665, died in Frodsham, Cheshire in 1715.
Any famous ancestors? My wife is descended from Mary Boleyn – “The Other Boleyn Girl”.
Day job? IT & Business Operations Consultant.
Favourite Doctor Who? David Tennant.
Favourite author? Robert Harris.
Favourite school subject? Maths.
Follow Phil on Bluesky: @geniephil.bsky.social
Don’t miss Phil’s session on 15 November – and for those who can’t make it live, the recording will be available in our Gold Library shortly after the event.
LIBRARY NEWS
For the latest news about the new library see our November Library Update including loads of new uploads to our SoG Explore database, our new Featured Collection, and a student intern joining us from the USA.
VOLUNTEERING WITH US
Have you ever thought about volunteering with us?
We have various projects designed for the meticulous, the curious and the creative! From facilitating events, to transcribing Pedigree Rolls – there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about genealogy and share your expertise.
We have over 200 volunteers working from all over the world, but we also have in-person opportunities working from our north London-based Research Hub. Training is available for all our projects, and we have a dedicated volunteers’ forum where you can ask questions or have a chat.
So, whether you would like to learn more or would just like to make new friends, why not check out our volunteers page and get in touch?
NOVEMBER BOOK OF THE MONTH
My Ancestor was Scottish, 2nd Edition by Alan Stewart (2020)
A comprehensive and indispensable guide to tracing Scottish ancestry. Alan Stewart’s book can help you get to grips with the differences and nuances of researching genealogy in Scotland, from civil registration and census returns, to parish registers, wills and testaments, tax and valuation records, services of heirs and legal records.
In addition to exploring Scottish maps and newspapers, the author devotes chapters to Scottish clans, armed forces records, and Scottish resources at the library of the Society of Genealogists.
The usual cost of My Ancestor was Scottish is £8.99 and is currently available to SoG members at the discounted price of £7.19 (£7.99 to non-members).
A £3.50 postal charge applies in the UK. This book plus the full range of titles published by the Society are available from our bookshop through our website and onsite. Offer valid until 30 November 2025.
And don’t forget – if you visit us at the Research Hub, Wharf Road, you’ll enjoy 25% off all SoG titles and 50% off second-hand books.
Competition
Win a copy of November 2025’s discounted book, My Ancestor was Scottish. To enter, please answer the following question:
The NRS collects, preserves and publishes information about Scotland’s people and history, to inform current and future generations. What do the initials NRS stand for?
Please email your answer to competition@sog.org.uk by midnight GMT on 10 November 2025 with the heading ‘Genealogy Gazette Competition’. Please provide your full name, postal address, and telephone number. Only one entry per person. The winner will be notified by email.
The winner of October 2025’s discounted book, My Ancestor Settled in the West Indies by John Titford (2011), is Kathy Unwin.
The answer to ‘Locals often refer to which West Indian island as “Little England”?’ was Barbados.
