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...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Preparing for a Heritage Travel Tour in Ireland
Travel experts anticipate that 2022 will be one of the biggest years for traveling than we have seen in years. If you are thinking about traveling out of the country, consider doing a little research to set up a heritage travel tour. A travel tour utilizes an itinerary based on where your ancestors were born and traveled during their lifetimes. Here is some helpful information about preparing for a heritage tour from one of our onsite researchers. The Irish diaspora sent approximately 10 … [Read more...]
Breaking Down Brick Walls with Limited DNA Evidence
Genealogy researchers run into dead-ends from time to time, especially when there is a limit to what information DNA testing can provide. When you have exhausted the obvious possibilities, it can be helpful to have patience and create a convincing web of evidence. Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Carolyn Tolman provides specific examples of how she used limited DNA and documentary evidence together to break down a brick wall in her family. Even professional genealogists have “brick walls” in their … [Read more...]
How to Write a Professional Genealogy Research Report
Whether you are writing a genealogy report for your family or you aspire to become a professional genealogist, thorough and accurate documentation is an essential skill. Legacy Tree Genealogists’ Robert Call provides six core components that professional genealogists use that can help make your research more organized and enjoyable for others to read. Writing is an important part of the genealogy pursuit. In genealogy, the simplest form of writing we might do is data entry—entering the names, … [Read more...]