RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Library of Virginia, the leading source on Virginia’s history, government and people, has announced a series of free local and family history workshops for beginners and experienced researchers to explore historic records. 

The 2026 Local and Family History Workshop series begins on Feb. 13 with “Finding Free Black Ancestors,” which will explore methods and resources for African American genealogy through the end of the Civil War. This workshop, set for 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will focus on how to find free Black ancestors in the Library of Virginia's collections using records such as “Free Negro Registers,” wills, chancery court records, deeds and tax lists. Participants will learn how to determine whether an individual was enslaved or free. Lydia Neuroth, project manager of Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative; Vince Brooks, local records program manager; and Cara Griggs, senior reference archivist, will describe records related to Black and multiracial people who were free before the Civil War and demonstrate the use of digital resources such as the Chancery Records Index and Virginia Untold for further research.

On March 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., an “Introduction to Research” workshop for beginners will feature Amanda Morrell, senior reference archivist, and Annie Hatton, reference librarian, who will discuss basic research strategies, useful websites (including FamilySearch and Ancestry), and how to effectively use AI tools. Participants will take a tour of the Library and receive hands-on experience with records and resources in our collections. 

The series’ later workshops, a mix of virtual and in-person formats, will delve into topics including American migration routes, African Americans during the Revolutionary War and strategies for researching beyond simple names and dates.

See the full workshop schedule below or visit https://bit.ly/LVAFamilyHistoryWorkshops. 

Registration for these workshops is required. In-person workshops are held in the conference rooms of the Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia.

The Library of Virginia's genealogy workshops are made possible in part with federal funding provided through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

2026 LOCAL & FAMILY HISTORY WORKSHOP SERIES AT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA 

Genealogy Workshop | Finding Free Black Ancestors
Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/15784241
Explore the methods and resources for African American genealogy through the end of the Civil War using records such as “Free Negro Registers,” wills, chancery court records, deeds and tax lists. Participants will learn how to determine whether an individual was enslaved or free. Presenters include Lydia Neuroth, project manager of Virginia Untold: The African American Narrative; Vince Brooks, local records program manager; and Cara Griggs, senior reference archivist.
 

Research Workshop | Introduction to Research
Friday, March 13, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16215178
Learn about basic research strategies, useful websites (including FamilySearch and Ancestry) and how to effectively use AI tools. Participants will take a tour of the Library and receive hands-on experience with records and resources in our collections. Presenters include Amanda Morrell, senior reference archivist, and Annie Hatton, reference librarian. No experience is necessary.
 

Research Workshop (Virtual) | On the Move! American Migration Routes From the Colonial Period to the Early Republic, Part 1 
Friday, May 8, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. | Online
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16216564
Senior map archivist Cassandra Farrell will discuss routes traveled by early Americans during the colonial and early Republic eras in the first session of a two-part workshop.
 

Research Workshop (Virtual) | On the Move! American Migration Routes From the Colonial Period to the Early Republic, Part 2 
Friday, May 15, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. | Online
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16216673
Senior map archivist Cassandra Farrell will continue her discussion of routes traveled by early Americans during the colonial and early Republic eras in the second session of a two-part workshop.
 

Genealogy Workshop | Unforgotten Patriots: Virginia's Black Men & Women in the Revolutionary War
Friday, July 10, 2026 | 10:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16226245
Explore the critical yet often overlooked role of Black men and women in Virginia during the American Revolutionary War with genealogist Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy. The presentation will highlight military service, labor and intelligence roles; key battles; notable leaders; and the ongoing importance of lineage societies and genealogical research in preserving these stories.

 Genealogy Workshop | Early Virginia Genealogy
Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 | 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16216781
Explore methods and resources for researching Virginia genealogy prior to 1850. Senior reference archivist Cara Griggs will present ways that information can be found despite record loss and records that lack detail. Topics include records generated by British, state and local governments; records of religious organizations; Virginia Land Office records; records that document immigration and migration; military records; and newspapers.
 

Genealogy Workshop (Virtual) | Lives in Context: Strategies for Research Beyond Names & Dates Online 
Friday, Nov. 13, 2026 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. | Online
Free | Register: https://lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/16226313
Through a series of case studies, senior reference archivist Cara Griggs and senior reference librarian Becky Schneider will provide strategies for gaining deeper insight into historical context by explaining how to find, evaluate and interpret a wide variety of records and publications — from historical documents to contemporary scholarship.

Related images can be found at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/tqsdc8c31b2be0zrs6b6y/AG7Its9bYCt5zGgwNSEkiEA?rlkey=xi9cz1i96431lbffj1rm1smko&st=7fp2750d&dl=0

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ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA 

The Library of Virginia is the leading source of information on Virginia’s history, government and people. The Library’s collections, containing more than 134 million items, document and illustrate the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens. Our online resources draw nearly 2 million website visits per year, and our on-site records, exhibitions and events bring in thousands of visitors annually. The Library is located in downtown Richmond near Capitol Square at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Learn more at www.lva.virginia.gov.