Discover Your
Structured lessons in genealogy research, census record analysis, and DNA interpretation. No professional certification required — just curiosity about where you came from.
Where to Begin
- Online archive navigation
- Census record interpretation
- DNA results analysis
- Family tree construction
Research Skills for Everyday Americans
Genealogy research once required expensive professional services or access to physical archives. That landscape has changed. Digitized census records, indexed immigration documents, and consumer DNA testing have placed extraordinary resources within reach of anyone with an internet connection.
Xocahe Febeha organizes this abundance into a clear learning path. Each lesson builds on the last, moving from foundational concepts through advanced interpretation techniques. Participants leave each module with practical skills they can apply immediately.
Learn About Our Approach
Core Learning Areas
Six focused modules covering the full spectrum of genealogy research practice.
Online Archives
Navigate Ancestry, FamilySearch, Fold3, and state digital repositories. Learn search strategies that surface records even with name variations and incomplete dates.
Census Records
Interpret federal census schedules from 1790 through 1950. Understand what each census captured, how to read historical handwriting, and how to spot transcription errors.
DNA Interpretation
Make sense of autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA results from major testing companies. Connect DNA matches to documented family lines using the Leeds Method and chromosome mapping.
Document Organization
Build a filing system that scales from dozens to thousands of records. Digital naming conventions, source citation practices, and backup strategies keep research accessible.
Family Tree Building
Construct comprehensive family trees using software and online platforms. Learn evidence-based practices that distinguish confirmed facts from working hypotheses.
Immigration Records
Trace ancestors through passenger manifests, naturalization papers, and port arrival records. Understand the immigration waves that shaped American family histories.
Built Around How People Actually Learn
Generic tutorials leave learners with isolated techniques but no framework for applying them. Xocahe Febeha takes a different approach: every lesson connects to a broader research methodology so participants understand not just what to do, but why it works.
Layered Curriculum
Concepts introduced early reappear in new contexts, reinforcing understanding through application rather than repetition.
Source-First Thinking
Participants learn to evaluate every record for reliability, bias, and context before drawing conclusions.
Real Research Examples
Lessons use authentic historical records so participants practice with the same complexity they will encounter in their own research.
Four Pillars of Genealogy Research
Historical Context
Records do not exist in isolation. Understanding the historical events, migration patterns, and social structures of each era helps researchers locate and interpret documents that might otherwise seem unrelated to their family story.
Evidence Analysis
Original records, derivative sources, and authored works each carry different levels of reliability. Learning to weigh conflicting evidence and document reasoning transforms research from guesswork into a disciplined inquiry process.
Digital Resources
Digitization projects have made millions of records available without travel. Knowing which databases hold which record types, how indexing works, and when to look beyond the index to original images opens research doors that many beginners miss entirely.
Collaborative Research
Other researchers may have already documented branches of your family tree. Learning how to find distant cousins through DNA matching, shared tree hints, and genealogical society resources can accelerate research dramatically.
Ready to Start Tracing Your Roots?
Browse the workshop catalog and find a learning path that fits your starting point.
Upcoming Learning Events
Scheduled workshops and sessions open for enrollment.
Introduction to Online Archives
A hands-on session covering the major genealogy databases, search techniques, and how to evaluate what you find.
Reading Census Records 1850-1940
Deep dive into federal census schedules, handwriting challenges, and extracting maximum information from each household entry.
DNA Matching Fundamentals
Understand centimorgans, shared segments, and how to connect DNA matches to documented family lines using systematic methods.