Unlock Your Irish Family History
Seeking Irish ancestry is a journey, and a challenging one, with missing records, changed surnames, and brick walls galore.
Join our interactive genealogy classes on Zoom with Karlee Twiner, a professional genealogist whose specialty is Irish roots. You will receive hands-on training, personalized feedback, and access to exclusive resources, all from the comfort of your home. Learn with other members of the fastest growing Irish group on Facebook, Irish by Ancestry, more than 105,000 members in less than one year.
Limited spots are available for each class, so reserve your spot today.
What You Will Learn
By joining a class, you will become proficient in:
- Accessing and interpreting vital records and alternative archives (crucial for success in Irish genealogy)
- Understanding migration patterns, naming patterns, and maps
- Navigating online databases (free and paid) and genealogy software tools
- Constructing accurate family trees and avoiding major pitfalls
- Understanding historical context in Ireland and abroad
Benefits of Joining Our Classes
Beyond the fundamentals, you will also:
- Connect with a group of friends who share your interest in the Irish heritage and cultural identity
- Preserve your family history for future generations
- Enjoy more productive time on a rewarding, compelling hobby
These courses equip you with the skills and knowledge to explore your family history with confidence. Take this meaningful journey into the past with us.
About the Instructor
Karlee Twiner discovered her passion for genealogy as a teenager, inspired by family stories her mother found online. That spark led her to pursue a degree in family history with a focus on Irish research.
She completed her internship at the Irish Family History Centre in Dublin, deepening her expertise and connection to Irish heritage. Karlee currently works at FamilySearch, improving the research experience for patrons worldwide. She also leads research trips to Ireland, guiding others through archives to uncover their ancestral roots.
What Past Students Have Said About Our Classes
“(Roots & Branches) provided the necessary tools to find our roots.” —John G.
“I greatly appreciate these weeks worth of class time!” —Sherrie A.
HERE ARE THE CURRENT OFFERINGS:
2026 Class Schedule
CLASS: The Irish in America
DATE: February 16, 2026
TIME: noon EST
Learn how to find more information about your Irish-American ancestors so that you can properly get your line back across the water. Learn tips and tricks to find out which part of Ireland each family came from and ways to find those pesky maiden names. This class will focus on American records and how to extract the necessary information from them about your Irish ancestors. Things learned in this class can also be applied to immigrant ancestors from other countries as well.
CLASS: The Irish in Canada
DATE: March 5, 2026
TIME: 5 p.m. EST
Canada was a popular place for our Irish ancestors to go, even if it was just for a brief period before they continued on to America. Learn what records are available for Canada and nuances that arrive because of its inclusion in the British Empire.
CLASS: Immigration Records
DATE: March 17, 2026
TIME: 5 p.m. EST
Deep dive into immigration-specific records. Learn how to find ship manifests, declarations of intention, passport applications, and more! These records may help you connect to your specific Irish homeland.
CLASS: Your Irish DNA
DATE: April 1, 2026
TIME: 6 p.m. EST
Having trouble using a paper trail to find your ancestors? Or maybe you’ve taken a DNA test but don’t know what to do with it. Learn how to use DNA to your advantage and not just for finding out how “Irish” you are.
CLASS: The 1901 and 1911 Censuses
DATE: April 15, 2026
TIME: 5 p.m. EST
Learn about the two complete censuses for Ireland. Discover ways to use the census to uncover other records and find more family. These censuses are a treasure trove of information, so come learn how to utilize them properly!
CLASS: The Long-Awaited 1926 Census Party
DATE: April 18, 2026
TIME: noon EST
This class is also a celebration! Let’s learn about the 1926 census together. This is the newest Irish census available, the first of the Irish Free State. Learn what is and isn’t included in this census and learn tips and tricks for finding people, especially if the algorithm fails you.
CLASS: Census and Census Substitutes (Pre-1901)
DATE: May 9, 2026
TIME: noon EST
Unfortunately, most Irish census data has been lost through various accidents and oversights. However, all is not lost. There are several other records that can be used to follow your ancestors over the years. Learn how to read and use records like Griffith’s Valuation.
CLASS: The Irish in Great Britain
DATE: May 18, 2026
TIME: noon EST
Did your Irish ancestors first stop in England, Scotland, and/or Wales? Learn how to navigate the records of Great Britain to help you find where they came from originally in Ireland. Learn about the differences between all three countries and how these differences may affect the records that are available for you to search.
CLASS: Civil Registration
DATE: June 5, 2026
TIME: noon EST
Want to find a birth, marriage, or death record? Come learn the limits to Irish Civil Registration and how to use the records properly. Learn how to bridge the gap between Civil Registration and church records.
CLASS: Catholic Church Records
DATE: June 29, 2026
TIME: 5 p.m. EST
Discover your Catholic ancestors and what records are available for them. Learn the strengths and limitations of these records and how history affects your ability to find your ancestors.
CLASS: Protestant Church Records
DATE: July 9, 2026
TIME: 5 p.m. EST
Learn about the different Protestant denominations that prevailed in Ireland and what records are available. Learn where to find records for each denomination and what kind of information each sect kept.
CLASS: The Irish in Australia
DATE: July 23, 2026
TIME: 5 pm EST
It is not uncommon to find Irish ancestors who were sent to Australia against their will (i.e. Transportation for criminal offenses), but the Irish also went to Australia willingly. Learn about the different records that Australia has to offer in order to trace back your family tree.
Get Help Working on Your Own Irish Family Tree
These classes are appropriate and helpful for beginners and intermediate genealogy hobbyists. Once you complete your registration, close to your class date you will receive a welcome pack with your class handouts, Zoom link, and further instructions to make the most of your time.
Each class takes place in ONE SESSION, in two hours over Zoom. Check to ensure your time zone—all classes are in Eastern time.
**Anyone registered for TWO OR MORE CLASSES will be ENTERED TO WIN A FREE FIVE-HOUR PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGY PROJECT (a $325 value). Our grand-prize winner will be announced September 1! **
We look forward to finding your family roots together!
IF YOU WANT TO JOIN MORE THAN ONE CLASS, COMPLETE YOUR TRANSACTION THEN RETURN TO THIS REGISTRATION PAGE