At Family History Academy, one of the questions I’m often asked is,“How do you decide what courses to offer and who should teach them?” The answer is a mix of instinct, experience, and a little bit of crystal ball gazing!

Spotting Trends Early

Family history/genealogy is a constantly evolving field, with new technologies, methodologies, and interests cropping up all the time. One of my favourite parts of running Family History Academy is staying ahead of the curve. For example, when forensic genealogy started gaining attention, I made it a priority to find someone to teach it. It’s exciting to see a course fill up and know that we were able to offer something our learners wanted before it became more mainstream.

Finding the Right Educators

A course is only as good as its educator. That’s why I actively seek out the best in the field. Sometimes, I approach someone I know has a fantastic reputation and simply ask, “If you could teach anything, what would it be?” Often, the best courses come from letting passionate educators design their dream course/workshop. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and their reputation speaks for itself.

A Balancing Act

Of course, there’s a balancing act involved. Some topics are evergreen – DNA, writing, research methodologies, brick walls, or land records – but even these need fresh perspectives to stay relevant. I aim to strike a balance between tried-and-true topics and on-topic trends.

Your Voice Matters

I also listen to feedback from you - our learners. What are you struggling with? What topics do you wish were covered? Your suggestions help guide future offerings, ensuring Family History Academy stays responsive to the needs of our community.

Looking Ahead

 Selecting courses and educators is as much art as science, but at its heart is a simple goal: to deliver the highest quality education to family historians everywhere. Whether it’s a course on advanced DNA techniques or a workshop on editing genealogical publications, I’m always on the lookout for what’s next. And who knows? The course you’ve been waiting for might be just around the corner.