Beyond the 1850 Census - February 2026

Course Type:  Immersive

February 11, 2026 1PM - 3PM ET

Using Probate, Deed, and Tax Records to Trace Early American Ancestors

Before 1850, U.S. Census records stop naming every family member, often leaving researchers in the dark. But the trail doesn't end there. This course equips you with the "skeleton key" to early American genealogy: probate records, deed books, and tax lists. Through real-world examples and step-by-step demonstrations, you’ll learn how to track "hidden" ancestors, connect generations, and reconstruct entire family groups—even when the census stays silent. Don’t let a missing name stop your search; get the tools and confidence to solve your toughest family mysteries.

Experience Interactive Learning with an Expert

 Sean Kessler is a professional genealogist and experienced researcher with over a decade of experience in family history. He offers genealogy services through his business, Kessler Research, and previously taught Exploring German Genealogy for Family Tree University. Sean served as editor of Der Kurier, the quarterly journal of the Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society, where he curated content, developed style standards, and ensured editorial accuracy.

This two-hour session is designed to immerse you in a hands-on learning experience. Led by genealogy expert Seam, you’ll benefit from:

• Expert Guidance: Learn directly from a renowned genealogy professional.
• Practical Handouts: Access downloadable resources to enhance your learning.
• Interactive Q&A: Get your questions answered during the session and through our exclusive online forum for 7 days. You'll have access to the instructor for 7 days after the live sessions via a dedicated discussion board, ensuring all your questions are answered and you receive personalized guidance as you apply what you've learned.

Can’t attend live? No worries! All registered students receive access to the session recording for a full year, so you can revisit the material whenever it’s convenient for you.

What You’ll Learn

• Shatter the "1850 Brick Wall": Stop feeling stuck when the census names disappear. You’ll gain the specific skills needed to track ancestors born before 1825 with total confidence.
• Master "Silent" Records: Learn to decode the hidden language of probate files, deed books, and tax lists—the trio of records that hold the secrets the census left out.
• Uncover Hidden Relationships: Discover how to prove kinship in both testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will) estates, ensuring no branch of your tree is left behind.
• Track Land & Legacy: Gain the "detective" skills to extract vital clues from property transactions and historical land boundaries that reveal where your family lived and who they lived near.
• Navigate Changing Borders: Learn how to outsmart shifting county lines and evolving jurisdictions so you always know exactly which archive holds your ancestor's records.
• Build an 18th-Century Tree: Stop hovering in the mid-1800s. Use these repeatable strategies to push your research back into the 1700s and bridge the gap between generations.
• Transform Data into Stories: Move beyond simple names and dates by learning how to use county-level archives to reconstruct the daily lives and communities of your early American ancestors.
  

Your ancestors’ stories didn't end in 1850—and your research shouldn't either.
Enroll today and get the tools you need to finally bring your early American family to life.