COURSE REGISTRATION FORM
A Beginner’s Course in Researching Your Family History
Course Level: Beginner
Format: Classroom • Online • Self-Paced
Course Length: 10 Lessons
STUDENT INFORMATION
Full Name:
Mailing Address:
City: __________________________ State/Province: __________
Postal Code: ___________________ Country: _________________
Telephone:
Email Address:
Preferred Method of Contact:
☐ Email
☐ Telephone
☐ Mail
COURSE FORMAT
Please select your preferred course format:
☐ Classroom / Instructor-Led
☐ Online
☐ Self-Paced Independent Study
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
GENEALOGY EXPERIENCE
How would you describe your current genealogy experience?
☐ I am completely new to genealogy.
☐ I have completed some family research.
☐ I have created a family tree.
☐ I have researched historical records.
☐ I have used genealogy websites or databases.
☐ I have participated in DNA testing for genealogy.
☐ I have researched in archives or courthouses.
YOUR FAMILY-HISTORY RESEARCH
Which family surname or surnames are you interested in researching?
What locations are associated with your family?
City/Town/Village:
County/District:
State/Province/Region:
Country or Countries:
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Please select all that apply:
☐ Building a family tree
☐ Birth, marriage, and death records
☐ Census records
☐ Cemetery records
☐ Church records
☐ Land and property records
☐ Wills and probate records
☐ Court records
☐ Immigration records
☐ Passenger lists
☐ Naturalization records
☐ Military records
☐ African American genealogy
☐ German genealogy
☐ European genealogy
☐ DNA genealogy
☐ Y-DNA research
☐ Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
☐ Autosomal DNA
☐ Historical archives
☐ Historical charters and manuscripts
☐ Family photographs
☐ Oral family history
☐ Writing a family history
☐ Publishing family research
☐ Preserving family documents
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
FAMILY DNA RESEARCH
Have you or a family member taken a genealogy DNA test?
☐ Yes
☐ No
☐ Unsure
If yes, which type?
☐ Autosomal DNA
☐ Y-DNA
☐ Big Y or other advanced Y-DNA testing
☐ Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
☐ Unsure
Testing company, if known:
Students are not required to submit DNA results as a condition of registration.
YOUR RESEARCH GOAL
What is the main question you would like genealogy research to help you answer?
Is there a particular ancestor you would like to research?
Ancestor’s Name:
Approximate Birth Date:
Birthplace, if known:
Approximate Death Date:
Place of Death, if known:
RECORDS YOU ALREADY HAVE
Check any records already available to you:
☐ Birth certificates
☐ Marriage records
☐ Death certificates
☐ Census records
☐ Cemetery records
☐ Funeral records
☐ Obituaries
☐ Family Bible
☐ Photographs
☐ Letters
☐ Military records
☐ Immigration records
☐ Naturalization records
☐ Deeds
☐ Wills or probate records
☐ Court records
☐ Church records
☐ DNA results
☐ Family tree
☐ Published family history
☐ Historical manuscripts or charters
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
The 10-lesson course introduces students to:
Lesson 1 — Introduction to Family History
Lesson 2 — Interviewing Family Members
Lesson 3 — Building Your First Family Tree
Lesson 4 — Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
Lesson 5 — Census Records
Lesson 6 — Land, Probate, and Court Records
Lesson 7 — Immigration and Military Records
Lesson 8 — DNA and Genealogy
Lesson 9 — Evaluating Historical Evidence
Lesson 10 — Writing Your Family History
STUDENT RESEARCH COMMITMENT
Genealogy requires careful examination of historical evidence.
Students are encouraged to follow the course research standard:
Research first. Ask questions when you need guidance. Document what you find. Never guess.
Students should distinguish between:
Documented facts
Family traditions
Research hypotheses
Unresolved questions
Information should not be presented as established fact unless sufficient evidence supports the conclusion.
ORIGINAL FAMILY DOCUMENTS
Students may use digital copies of family records, photographs, certificates, letters, and other historical materials during the course.
Please do not send irreplaceable original documents.
Students should retain possession of original:
- Family Bibles
- Photographs
- Letters
- Certificates
- Military papers
- Deeds
- Wills
- Diaries
- Historical manuscripts
- Charters
- Other irreplaceable family materials
Digital copies should be used whenever practical.
PRIVACY AND DNA
Genealogy may reveal previously unknown information about biological relationships and family history.
Participation in DNA testing is voluntary unless a separate research activity specifically requires DNA evidence and the student independently chooses to participate.
Students are responsible for reviewing the privacy policies, consent procedures, sample-retention practices, data-use policies, and terms of any DNA testing company they choose.
The House of Wettin-Dernbach Foundation does not require students to provide passwords or account credentials for genealogy or DNA services.
STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By signing below, I acknowledge that:
☐ I am registering for A Beginner’s Course in Researching Your Family History.
☐ I understand that genealogical research may not answer every family-history question.
☐ I understand that historical records may contain errors or conflicting information.
☐ I understand that family traditions should be independently researched.
☐ I understand that online family trees should not automatically be treated as proof.
☐ I understand that DNA testing is voluntary and may reveal unexpected biological relationships.
☐ I will not submit irreplaceable original family documents.
☐ I understand that responsible genealogy requires sources and evidence.
STUDENT SIGNATURE
Printed Name:
Signature:
Date: ______________________________
FOUNDATION USE ONLY
Registration Received: ______________________________
Student Number: ___________________________________
Course Format: ____________________________________
Course Start Date: _________________________________
Instructor/Coordinator: _____________________________
Materials Issued:
☐ Yes ☐ No
Registration Confirmed:
☐ Yes ☐ No
Notes:
HOUSE OF WETTIN-DERNBACH FOUNDATION
Genealogy • Historical Research • Education • Preservation
A Beginner’s Course in Researching Your Family History
Course Research Standard
Research first. Ask questions when you need guidance. Document what you find. Never guess.
Note: Download the completed form, sign it, and submit it as instructed. You will be billed $20.00 for access to the course and, upon successful completion, will receive your Certificate of Completion. Return form to the House of Wettin-Dernbach at its email: admin@houseofdernbach.com House_of_Wettin_Dernbach_Course_Registration_Fillable.pdf
Copyright © 2026 House of Wettin-Dernbach Foundation. All rights reserved.
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