Introduction to Medieval Genealogy (501)
Don't stop tracing your family once you have exhausted the parish registers. It is possible to trace lines back beyond the 1500s, and this course outlines some of the ways that you can break into medieval genealogy. It will help you create the foundations for researching medieval records, describe the nature of medieval records, on-line locations and finding guides that can improve your chances of finding direct or probable relations. It will also help you understand the geographical and political landscapes of medieval England, including general histories and the key events which generated records.
Topics covered include using medieval pedigrees, heralds visitations and how to prove (or disprove) the genealogies given by using inquisitions post mortem, feet of fines, chancery and other government records as well as taxation, church and military records. It is possible to find a foothold into medieval genealogy using many Tudor and Stuart records; you will be shown ways in which you can push the boundaries further back. Many medieval records were written in medieval Latin and medieval French, but do not panic! In this introductory overview of medieval genealogy we will concentrate on the most accessible sources, gaining contextual background to understand medieval society and the nature of medieval records; how they were put together, and their limitations. Whilst this course is intended to be an introduction to medieval genealogy, it will depend on the family history research you have already completed in the 16th and 17th centuries, so if you are beginning your genealogical journey perhaps this course is one for the future.
This course is undergoing an update for its run in 2027.
Set reading:
The set reading for this course is a website, rather than a set book: Medieval Genealogy
Lesson Headings:
- Starting out on Medieval Research- identifying families to track
- Planning the move to Medieval Records-getting to grips with medieval pedigrees
- Records of the Landed Classes- the structure of medieval society and the meanings of terminology
- Medieval Church records, Military records and Taxation
Relevant countries: England
What to expect:
Each lesson includes lesson notes, activities and forum exercises for students to complete during the week and a one-hour live tutorial (text chat or Zoom) with the tutor and the rest of the class. Times for the tutorials are set at the beginning of each course by the tutor.
This is an assessed course. The length of the course given is the number of teaching weeks but students should also allow time in the couple of weeks after the course ends to complete assignments.
Students said:
"Excellent information, a huge amount of links and very helpful responses and support by the tutor. Lots to still absorb, but I've learned loads and have already applied some of this learning in my research."
"It was BRILLIANT - I had not expected it to be so fascinating at all. The lesson notes were excellent and the TASKS set all designed to reinforce our learning."
- Tutor: Rhiannon Lloyd
- Length: 4 weeks
- Start date: Mon 1 Mar 2027