Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
Awaken Your Ancestors
Elementary Family History Course
Awaken Your Ancestors
Stop Guessing Your Family History. Start Proving It.
Learn how to break through genealogy brick walls and build your family tree the right way, using proven methods from the experts in British Isles research.
Start Your Journey Today
Evidence-led family history, taught step by step.
Move from scattered searches to confident research with a structured course built for real genealogical progress.
The Problem
You've started your family tree...
You've searched online. Maybe even built out a few branches.
And then, nothing.
Records don't match. Names repeat. Dates don't line up.
The Solution
This Course Shows You Exactly What To Do Next
The Awaken Your Ancestors Elementary Family History Course gives you a clear, step-by-step path to build research habits that stand up to scrutiny.
Find real records
Learn how to locate and understand historical records instead of relying on copied trees.
Avoid common mistakes
Spot the errors that send family historians down expensive and frustrating wrong paths.
Use evidence
Build a family tree based on proof, not assumptions or tempting coincidences.
Research with confidence
Extend your lineage back centuries with a method you can trust and repeat.
What You'll Learn
A Complete Foundation in Genealogy Research
You'll work through 10 guided modules, including these core foundations.
Family Records
Unlock clues hidden in documents, heirlooms, and family archives.
Birth, Marriage and Death Records
Learn how to locate and interpret GRO indexes and official records.
Census Returns
Trace entire family groups using the 1841-1911 census returns and 1939 Register.
Parish Registers
Discover baptisms, marriages, and burials reaching into the 1500s.
Methodology
Build a structured, accurate pedigree using proven research techniques.
The Parish Chest
Explore records that reveal everyday lives, not just names and dates.
Pulling It All Together
Create a fully developed family tree reaching back into the 18th century and beyond.
Trusted Since 1961
From the Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies
A leading authority in British Isles genealogy education since 1961.
Meet The Experts- Structured, expert-led learning
- Study at your own pace
- Designed for beginners and those stuck on their research
Your Ancestors Are Waiting
Discover Their Stories Today
Their stories are your story. Break through those brickwalls. Find your non-conformist ancestors, learn how to navigate common issues such as name changes. Find clues and answers through records beyond the obvious. Study at your own pace with IHGS and gain the tools to complete your family history today.
USD amount is approximate and may vary with the current exchange rate.
Who This Is For
For family historians ready to stop spinning their wheels.
- Complete beginners who don't know where to start
- Hobbyists who feel stuck or overwhelmed
- Anyone who wants to do genealogy properly, not guess their way through it
Why IHGS
Learn From Specialists in British Isles Research
If your ancestry traces back to England, Scotland, Ireland, or Wales, this is where most DIY research goes wrong.
Records beyond the obvious
Learn how to navigate records that aren't always online.
Historical context
Understand how to interpret historical documents correctly.
Research discipline
Avoid errors common in user-generated family trees.
This is not guesswork. This is real genealogical research training.
IHGS Library
Research depth you can build on.
The IHGS library supports serious family history study with specialist resources for British Isles research, and it is a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, giving researchers access to additional digitised records through the FamilySearch network.
Your Story Didn't Start With You
Every record you uncover, every name you verify, every generation you trace brings your family's story back to life.
What You'll Gain
A foundation you can keep building on.
Ready to Break Through Your Brick Wall?
Enroll in Awaken Your Ancestors Today
Start building your family tree with confidence, clarity, and expert guidance.
USD amount is approximate and may vary with the current exchange rate.