Join Dr Sophie Kay for a 4-week online course, starting on 7 April, featuring webinars, group discussions and a digital workbook. The course is aimed at family historians who wish to improve their research skills, to help them work in a more methodical manner with greater success.
Live online course Starts 7 April 2026
Research Skills Studio with Dr Sophie Kay
Feeling stuck with your family tree — unsure how to break through brick walls or make sense of your growing collection of clues? Join genealogist Dr Sophie Kay for a four-week online course designed to transform the way you research.
With a clear, methodical approach, The Research Skills Studio gives you practical tools to organise your findings, uncover hidden connections, and make real progress with your family history.
REGISTER NOWTuesdays • 7–28 April 2026 • 7.30–9pm (UK time) • Replay access until 28 May 2026
Course at a glance
- ✅ 4 live tutorials
- ✅ 4 after-show group discussions
- ✅ Digital Research Skills Workbook (worth £20)
How will the course help you?
In this online course tutored by Dr Kay, she will teach you a set of family history research tactics to help you:
- Search for your ancestors with greater precision
- Dig deeper into your ancestors' worlds and spot further clues in the process
- Analyse more effectively the problems you encounter in the records
- Spot patterns and possibilities that can unlock tougher research problems
- Start using memorable tactics straightaway — and keep using them long-term
- PLUS, learn how to keep a more organised record of your research
What does the course include?
- 4 x expert family history webinar tutorials
- 4 x “after-show” group discussions
- Your digital copy of Sophie’s Research Skills Workbook (worth £20)
You’ll also learn how to:
- Research in a more thorough, methodical way
- Gain stronger insights into your ancestors’ lives
- Maximise your chances of success with tricky problems
When does the course take place?
Tuesday 7 to 28 April 2026, 7.30 to 9pm UK time
- Session 1 (Tue 07 Apr, 7.30–9pm): Search Superpowers – design an effective search net through clever use of wildcards and Soundex
- Session 2 (Tue 14 Apr, 7.30–9pm): Mapping Magic – use historical maps to transform your insights through Ancestral Walks
- Session 3 (Tue 21 Apr, 7.30–9pm): Evidence Expeditions – pick apart your historical evidence with the “Three Cs” method
- Session 4 (Tue 28 Apr, 7.30–9pm): Sibling Serendipity – harness collateral lines to problem-solve and enrich your research
All sessions are presented live. Video recordings will be shared within 24 hours and available until 28 May 2026.
REGISTER NOWAbout the course tutor, Dr Sophie Kay
Photo copyright Lenka Jones.
From DNA to historical maps, from research methods to historical occupations, Dr Sophie Kay is a professional genealogist and geneticist at Khronicle® who tackles all manner of family history research challenges from the medieval era to modern day.
She’s the Ancestry and Genealogy Expert for popular archaeology show, Time Team, and the Scientist in Residence for The Mixed Museum, where she delivers educational sessions and content in genetic genealogy. A qualified research scientist, Sophie is also a Member of AGRA, a UK organisation of professional genealogists, and works on a variety of projects in both DNA and archival research for private clients and public organisations.
Sophie’s family history blog can be found at The Parchment Rustler, where she shares tips, tricks and strategies for making the most of your ancestral research journey