Genealogy - Genealogy Television Series

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Genealogy Television Series

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There are numerous documentary television series available on genealogy and family tree research.  Some of the more popular series research the ancestry and family trees of celebrities, while others research non-celebrities, and some include the results of DNA ethnicity testing and DNA matching.  These series can be of interest whether you are a beginner or an expert.  The availability of a given series will vary based on your country, streaming provider, etc.  The photo shown above reflects the UK version of Who Do You Think You Are?, and was sourced here and edited via Adobe Photoshop Elements.  

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Genealogy Television Series


Listed below are some television documentaries on genealogy and family tree research.  Some of the more popular series research the ancestry and family trees of celebrities, while others research non-celebrities, and some include the results of DNA ethnicity testing and DNA matching.  If you know of any other series, please kindly let me know.  Click on each toggle to expand it and reveal further details.

Genealogical Proof Standard

Listed below are some instructional videos about the Genealogical Proof Standard, which is a set research guidelines that was established by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). While the guidelines are primarily intended for professional genealogists, they can and should be utilized by the amateur or hobbyist. The standard consists of five elements, which are conducting reasonably exhaustive research, each statement of fact has a complete and accurate source citation, the evidence is reliable and has been skillfully correlated and interpreted, any contradictory evidence has been resolved, and the conclusion has been soundly reasoned and coherently written.

  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: An Introduction (23:50)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Reasonably Exhaustive Search (28:43)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Complete and Accurate Citation of Sources (28:15)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Analysis and Correlation of Collected Information (31:58)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Resolution of Conflicting Evidence (37:24)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Soundly Reasoned, Coherently Written Conclusion (25:32)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Negative Evidence (30:51)
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



Names, Dates, and Places

Listed below are some instructional videos about names, dates, and places. These videos provide some practical tips on how to best record and enter names in your family tree, including forenames, surnames, and how to handle name changes. There are also tips on entering dates and locations, which can be confusing at times. For example, I have some ancestors that lived in the same home, and the county boundaries changed multiple times.

  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogy Standards: Names, Dates, and Places (21:05)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – How to Handle Name Changes in Your Family Tree (22:01)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Double Dating: Julian Calendar or Gregorian Calendar (11:38)
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



Origins (2014-2016)

Origins (Orignes in French) is a French language crime drama television series from France. The series focuses on a professional genealogist who assists a police detective in solving crimes, including murder. It’s a light series, and though it doesn’t delve much into research, genealogists still may find this an entertaining drama. The series ran from 2014 to 2016, and there are 12 episodes that run about an hour each. The series is available on Amazon Prime in the US.
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



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Genealogy Television Dramas


Listed below are some fictional television dramas.  Depending on your television entertainment viewing preferences, these fictional dramas might be of interest to genealogists, as family tree research is part of the plot.  If you know of any other series or movies, please kindly let me know.  Click on each toggle to expand it and reveal further details.

Family Tree (2013)

Family Tree is a fictional drama and comedy television series from HBO. The main character is researching his family tree, and makes new discoveries in each episode. I saw the first couple of episodes, but did not finish the series, as it was not that captivating to me. The series aired in 2013, and there are eight episodes that run about an hour each. The series is available on HBO and Amazon Prime.
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



Origins (2014-2016)

Origins (Orignes in French) is a French language crime drama television series from France. The series focuses on a professional genealogist who assists a police detective in solving crimes, including murder. It’s a light series, and though it doesn’t delve much into research, genealogists still may find this an entertaining drama. The series ran from 2014 to 2016, and there are 12 episodes that run about an hour each. The series is available on Amazon Prime in the US.
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



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Genealogy Instructional Videos


Listed below are some instructional and educational videos about genealogy and family tree research.  This video list is personalized, and includes tips, techniques, and practices that I have applied to my own research, or have found helpful, even as reminders and refreshers.  If you know of other videos that you found helpful, please kindly let me know.  The videos are grouped together by topic.  Click on each toggle to expand it and reveal further details.

Genealogical Proof Standard

Listed below are some instructional videos about the Genealogical Proof Standard, which is a set research guidelines that was established by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). While the guidelines are primarily intended for professional genealogists, they can and should be utilized by the amateur or hobbyist. The standard consists of five elements, which are conducting reasonably exhaustive research, each statement of fact has a complete and accurate source citation, the evidence is reliable and has been skillfully correlated and interpreted, any contradictory evidence has been resolved, and the conclusion has been soundly reasoned and coherently written.

  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: An Introduction (23:50)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Reasonably Exhaustive Search (28:43)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Complete and Accurate Citation of Sources (28:15)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Analysis and Correlation of Collected Information (31:58)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Resolution of Conflicting Evidence (37:24)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Soundly Reasoned, Coherently Written Conclusion (25:32)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogical Proof Standard: Negative Evidence (30:51)
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



Names, Dates, and Places

Listed below are some instructional videos about names, dates, and places. These videos provide some practical tips on how to best record and enter names in your family tree, including forenames, surnames, and how to handle name changes. There are also tips on entering dates and locations, which can be confusing at times. For example, I have some ancestors that lived in the same home, and the county boundaries changed multiple times.

  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Genealogy Standards: Names, Dates, and Places (21:05)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – How to Handle Name Changes in Your Family Tree (22:01)
  • YouTube - Ancestry.com – Double Dating: Julian Calendar or Gregorian Calendar (11:38)
Summary Updated February 15, 2021



    

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© Copyright  -  Timothy J. Barron  -  This page was updated March 27, 2021