We spoke with one of our researchers, Kim Gilboy, to learn more about what makes a great family tree researcher. We learned that skills like analysis, teamwork, and persistence are all very important, but a love for family tree research is at the heart of every professional genealogist. Q: Would you tell us about yourself? A: Genealogy research is something I absolutely love. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area and had family and friends in Utah. I'd come to Utah, spend a couple of days … [Read more...]
Ask a Genealogist: Interesting Facts about Finnish Genealogy Research
Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Stacy Siirilä Johnson is a second-generation Finnish American and a native of Michigan. She is accredited for research in France, has bachelor’s degrees in history and French, and specializes in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Germany. We asked Stacy about her experiences in Finnish research to learn more about the nuances of researching ancestors from Finland. Q: What got you interested in genealogy and your areas of research? A: Everyone has a story to … [Read more...]
Celebrate the Women in Your History
One of the challenges genealogists find when researching female ancestors is the lack of resources that document their lives. Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Allison McCord helps celebrate Women’s History Month by showcasing three women born in the mid-1800s, documented through the 1900 U.S. Census, which required more detailed information than any previous census. As Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, have you been wondering about the history of the women in your family tree? Women’s … [Read more...]
Finding Your Eastern European Ancestral Village
Tracing ancestors can be complex when your family emigrates from another country. Research is especially complicated for Eastern Europe, where many countries experienced border and name changes over the years. Legacy Tree Genealogists' Michelle Chubenko provides tools and tips for identifying and researching ancestral villages in Europe. In the past 150 years, Central and Eastern Europe have seen numerous border changes. While researchers may be familiar with the modern successor states, … [Read more...]
Genealogy Degrees and Accreditations
Becoming a professional genealogist is rarely accomplished in a straight line, and unlike many other fields, there is no single accrediting authority that determines whether researchers can call themselves professionals. In this blog post, researcher Christy Fillerup discusses some options for genealogists to gain credentials and professional standing. At Legacy Tree Genealogists, our core team members have at least one of the following: a genealogy degree or genetics-based degree, a … [Read more...]
The Bread and Butter of Latin American Research: Church and Civil Registration Records
Whether your ancestors lived along the U.S./Mexican border or the southernmost tip of Argentina, all Latin American genealogical research is heavily dependent on two main record sets—Catholic Church records and civil registration records. Grasping at least a basic understanding of these record types—including their history, the information provided in them, and where to find them—is imperative to discovering your Latin American roots. Catholic Church Records As the Spanish Crown colonized … [Read more...]
Looking Back: The 1950 U.S. Federal Census is Coming Soon!
Legacy Tree Genealogists' Sarah Gutmann talks about the soon-to-be-released 1950 United States Federal Census and how it can be used to further genealogical research. She also explains when and how the database will be available online and searchable. Put on your poodle skirt and throw on an episode of I Love Lucy because we will soon be able to look back at the 1950s! On 1 April 2022, the National Archives will release the 1950 Census to the public. As is standard practice, precisely 72 … [Read more...]
Meet Jessica, Advanced Project Manager for Legacy Tree Genealogists
Jessica’s interest in genealogy began in the early 1990s after speaking with her grandmother about her family history. Like many families, Jessica knew virtually nothing about the relatives who came before her. Growing up in the Deep South during the Great Depression drove her grandparents to withhold many of their own, sometimes painful experiences. Doing so left a huge gap in the knowledge of where her family came from. While understandable, the questions still lingered so Jessica took matters … [Read more...]