The Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog

Hand-picked, tested and trained, our professional genealogist team knows how to find your story. We search the world for answers. Find the un-findable. And we’re experts at everything from tracking down rare international records to analyzing DNA test results. Based near the world’s largest family history library in downtown Salt Lake City, we also work with researchers and archives around the globe. Contact us today if you would like help discovering your ancestors!

My Journey to Dual Italian Citizenship

July 19, 2022 by Sarah Gutmann 2 Comments

Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Sarah Gutmann was excited to have stumbled upon a record that could potentially change the narrative of her family’s history. In this article, she describes her journey toward dual citizenship to pay homage to her family’s Italian heritage.For eight decades my grandpa believed his father, Joseph Fraggetta was a first-generation American. Despite this claim, I could not find my great grandfather’s 1906 birth record. One day, about 15 years ago, I was poking around on Ancestry.com, and I stumbled across a 1913 passenger list that perfectly aligned with Joseph Fraggetta’s family of origin. This included a seven-year-old boy named Giuseppe Fraggetta.With such an uncommon surname and matching demographics, it seemed too coincidental to be pushed aside. As a genealogist, I was excited to have stumbled upon a record that could potentially change the narrative of my family’s history. I expected Grandpa to be just as pleased and intrigued by my …

Ask a Genealogist: Tracing Ancestry in Spain

July 6, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 1 Comment

We sat down with Katy Barnes to discuss research in Spain. She spent seven years as a senior editor and researcher with Legacy Tree Genealogists, with a wide range of geographic specialties, and has a degree in family history and genealogy. What interested you in genealogy and specifically research into Spain?I've always loved history, writing, and other topics that frequently intersect with genealogy, such as politics, culture, and law. I discovered genealogy as a hobby in high school, trying to answer questions many people have about their origins and where they came from. I then attended a university where I could major in the subject.I got into Spanish and Latin American genealogical research by way of the language. I started taking Spanish classes in high school and really fell in love with it, thanks to a particularly good teacher I had. And then in college, I was able to supplement studying language with courses about Spanish and Latin American genealogy.Is research in …

Maria Sequichie, her Cherokee name was Wa-lee-yah

Ask a Genealogist: Exploring Your Cherokee Heritage

June 28, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 6 Comments

Michelle Carroll uses a combination of genetic genealogy and traditional research to help clients break through genealogy brick walls. In addition to holding a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University, her diverse background has resulted in a breadth of genealogical knowledge including Cherokee, African American, French Canadian/Acadian, and Norwegian ancestry. What got you interested in genealogy?I became interested in genealogy when I was in grade school and built my first family tree. I have been researching on a more serious level for more than 15 years. Helping people solve their family questions and mysteries is one of my favorite things to do. What specifically interested you about Native American research?Learning about my Cherokee heritage has been one of the most rewarding parts of my genealogical journey. I was lucky to grow up in a town with my maternal and paternal grandparents around me. The stories they told me about their …

Guest Blog: My Genealogy Travels and Research

June 23, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

A family tree has many branches and researching ancestors can be an ongoing process. In fact, nearly half of our clients order additional genealogy research projects to answer more questions about their family history. One client, Norman E. “Ned” Donoghue, II, embarked on a quest to trace his ancestry half a century ago and has enjoyed learning more about his family’s past. When he wanted to extend his ancestry beyond his own available resources, he reached out to Legacy Tree Genealogists and has since allowed us to complete nearly 20 genealogy research projects for him. Here, Ned shares his personal journey.This article is written by Norman E. “Ned” Donoghue, IIThroughout my life, I’ve traveled far and wide to Europe, Central America, Africa (Morocco), many Caribbean and European islands, and around the United States. I have particularly sought to learn about the lives and struggles, triumphs, and challenges of my mother’s Brumbaugh family and my father’s Donoghue family …