One Name Studies Beginners | Online Course

Introduction to One-Name Studies (901)

A one-name study is an exciting new journey into your surname's past. It involves the collection of all the occurrences of a surname and biographical data about everybody who shares that surname. This course is an introduction to one-name studies, written with the guidance of the Guild of One-Name Studies and is suitable for anyone with an interest in a particular surname.

You will learn about the history and study of surnames, which surnames are suitable for a study (and which ones really are not), what a one-name study consists of, and how to get started. We cover how to collect and analyse data from the core records. You learn about all the practical aspects of running a one name study; collecting data, how to publicise your study, data protection, publish results and make sure your study is preserved for others in the future. You will also learn how the Guild of One-Name Studies guides and supports its members.

Non Guild members signing up for the course will get FREE Guild Membership for the remainder of the financial year.

Set books:
There are two set books for this course:

Seven Pillars, Guild of One-Names Studies
Surname Research, Julie Goucher

These will be supplied in pdf format at the start of the course.

Lesson Headings:

About One-Name Studies
Surnames and their History
Core Records you will need and Information gathering
Analysing and making sense of your data
Practical aspects of running your own One-Name Study

Relevant countries: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales

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.

See How the Courses Work.