SQL for Genealogy: Online Video Course

  • Convert your family tree into a database
  • Create detailed genealogy reports using simple and complex SQL

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

Prior to our course launch, we will be releasing the lessons in installments for single purchase.

Register your interest (for free) and we will email you as each lesson becomes available.

Pre-Register For The Course Lessons

COURSE BREAKDOWN

Each lesson is a project where you build up queries to produce a useful report from the data in your family tree.

Lesson 0: Convert Your Family Tree Into A SQL Database

You should already have a family tree online or in desktop software. Your tree may be in:

  • Ancestry.com
  • MyHeritage.com
  • Geni.com
  • Family Tree Maker
  • RootsMagic

We’ll walk you through exporting the tree to a GEDCOM file and creating a SQL database on your Windows or Mac computer.

Lesson 1: Creating The Person List

Build a detailed SQL report of every person in your family tree, complete with birth and death details alongside their parents’ names.

If you’re a SQL beginner, you’ll learn how create and combine subqueries to make a single list.

Lesson 2: Creating a Surname Frequency Report

Generate a frequency report of all surnames in your family tree, giving you insights into the most prominent family lines.

If you’re a SQL beginner, you’ll learn how to group data to produce summary insights.

We show you how to use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to transform your data into charts like this:

Lesson 3: Parsing Address Details into Towns, States, and Countries

Learn how to parse birthplaces and deathplaces into manageable pieces for further analysis.

By the end, you’ll have a cleaner, more organized set of data.

Lesson 4: Creating Frequency Reports for Addresses

Building on what you learned in Lesson 4, this lesson will teach you how to create frequency reports for the various addresses in your family tree.

By the end, you’ll be able to identify key locations in your family’s history, adding depth to your genealogy research.

We show you how to use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel to transform your data into geographical heat maps like this:

Lesson 5: Creating the “At This Place” Report

Learn how to create a report that lists all family tree events at a specific location.

You’ll be able to pull together these events into a cohesive report, giving you a clear view of your family’s activities in particular towns, states, or countries.

Lesson 6: Creating the “On This Date” Report

Create a report that lists all family tree events on a specific date.

Compile these events into a detailed report that lets you focus on significant days in your family’s history.

Lesson 7: Identifying Duplicate Entries in Your Family Tree

Learn techniques to spot and handle duplicate individuals that are messing up your tree.

This helps keep your genealogy data accurate and clean.

Lesson 8: Identifying Age Issues in Your Family Tree

Discover how to check for age discrepancies.

For example, find individuals with lifespans beyond typical life expectancy or women having children outside typical child-bearing ages.

Lesson 9: Identifying Missing Details in Your Family Tree

Use SQL to detect and highlight missing details in your tree.

For example, run reports to show all people without a death location or married women without a known maiden name.

Lesson 10: Extracting Ancestral Lines with Recursive Queries

Recursive querying is one of the more advanced SQL topics.

This lesson will show how to build recursive queries to show ancestral lines.

Lesson 11: Your Ancestor Gap Report

Analyze your data to pinpoint which ancestral lines have gaps and missing ancestors.

This shows you where to direct and focus your family research.

INSTRUCTOR BIO

Margaret O’Brien has over twenty years of professional SQL experience alongside her hobby as a genealogy enthusiast.

She created the DataMiningDNA.com website to share insights and tutorials to guide genealogy and family research.

TESTIMONIALS

This is a new course so we’ll show you some reviews and feedback for our other digital products. The reviews are from our Gumroad store.

FAQ

What kind of computer do I need?

You need either a Windows or Mac laptop or desktop computer. The free software used in this course will not install on an iPad.

What format is the course?

This is an online video course supplemented with downloadable SQL scripts.

What do I need before I start the course?

You need a family tree that can be exported to a GEDCOM file (we’ll give you resources on how to do that).

If your family tree is on any of the platforms below, you’ll be good:

  • Ancestry website
  • MyHeritage website
  • Geni website
  • Family Tree Maker software
  • MyHeritage Family Tree Builder software
  • RootsMagic software

If you don’t see your platform on the list, get in touch and we’ll tell you if you can use this course.