Created by Julie Goucher, 2023

Researching European ancestry is many things, from frustrating, saddening, exciting, challenging, and many other emotions. I tutor the Researching Ancestors in Continental Europe course for Pharos Tutors which starts in May 2025.  The course which runs over five weeks is accompanied by a 120 page

Tracing Ancestors from Continental European – Copyright Julie Goucher, 2021

resource pack. Writing such a course was fascinating, in our modern world as more and more material is coming online enabling research for afar as a starting point.

Whilst a former student said they did not find the course helpful as they were researching in the 18th Century, they had not grasped that war, including the Second World War impacted resources, material, border changes. In some instances, the collective historical narrative is missing, destroyed or severely impacted. When I explained that, it was a light bulb moment. Recent history can and does impact historical material from earlier periods.

It is vital to lay the foundations to researching in a specific country, and the wider continent. Without that foundation, it is a bit like building a house in a swamp.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

• Recognise the broad and complex history of Europe
• Summarise the resources available across Europe and how to obtain access to them, and the questions to ask
• Analyse the social and personal factors to be considered and how those factors potentially impact on their research
• Evaluate the impact of War, Displacement, border changes and how they significantly impact the lives of our ancestors

If you are researching in Continental Europe why not join me next month – Information and joining details can be found HERE