If there is a syllabus or slides, you can download them below. If you are attending in person, view this session on the in-person website.
Researching your Loyalist Ancestors in United States and Canada
Not all our early American ancestors were patriots fighting for independence. Approximately one-third of the population in the American colonies at the time were loyal to the Crown, with tens of thousands leaving their homes and taking up residence in Canada’s eastern provinces or England. You can piece together your ancestor’s movements and motivations using several resources. This class will provide you with the historical context, records, and research strategies for identifying and learning more about your loyalist ancestors.
Suggested Content
Researching Black Patriots and Loyalists During the Revolutionary Era
The American War of Independence was not only a fight for freedom from a tyrannical world superpower. For the thousands of Black soldiers who fought for the patriot cause, and even more—tens of thousands—for the Loyalists, emancipation was on the line. In this online lecture, Researcher Danielle Rose will provide a brief history of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War and their motivations for joining either side; and discuss several resources, records, and strategies for piecing together the service and stories of individuals.