Nestled in a wooded grove of land in Park Hill, Oklahoma, the Cherokee Heritage Center sits on the former site of the Cherokee Female Seminary, c. 1851, one of the first institutions of higher learning for women west of the Mississippi. The idea for a heritage center began in 1962 and culminated when Tsa-La-Gi opened to the public in 1967. Today, the center serves as a premier location for those wishing to learn about and experience Cherokee culture, and it offers ample opportunity to explore a … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Chinese Genealogy Research at the Family History Library
The Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah is a great place to start when conducting Chinese genealogy research! The Chinese genealogical records found at the Family History Library (located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA), feature treasures for all people who are interested in researching Chinese ancestry. With millions of microfilmed records from various areas and time periods in China, one single Chinese name can open up a world of rich content. Stories of ancestors may lead to books, … [Read more...]
“Can DNA Help Me Find My Biological Family?”
*"Can DNA help me find my biological family?" We share one client's journey from skepticism to success story. Shared with client permission. Colette had always known she was adopted— her parents never hid that from her. They would say things like, "when we got you" instead of "when you were born." She knew that she was different from her family and that she didn't resemble either of her parents. From a very early age, Colette wanted to know whom she resembled and find out more about her birth … [Read more...]
How to Connect with Your Pilgrim Ancestors and Join the Mayflower Society
Would you like to join the Mayflower Society? We walk you through the steps of proving your Pilgrim ancestry! If you know or suspect that you are descended from one of the original Pilgrims who arrived in Massachusetts on 9 November 1620 there is still time to join the General Society of Mayflower Descendants (more commonly known as the Mayflower Society) before the November 2020 celebration of the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower. Proving your connection to a Mayflower … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Top 10: Our Most Popular Family History Blog Articles from 2018
Another year has come and gone! Before we usher 2018 out the door, we want to share our countdown of the most popular family history blog articles from 2018. Did your favorite make the list? 10. Beginning German Genealogy Research: "What Does 'German' Really Mean?" 9. Third Cousins Twice Removed and Consaguinity: Figuring Out How You're Related to Your Relatives 8. Understanding Your AncestryDNA Matches 7. DNA: Transforming African American Genealogy 6. 6 Things You Need to Know … [Read more...]
Going Beyond the Obituaries: How to Use Newspapers in Your Family History Research
Newspapers hold a treasure trove of information on your family history! Not only can you find obituaries, but you can often find birth, marriage, and divorce notices; passenger lists; arrests and information on crimes; war heroes and casualties; tragedies and triumphs; historical context, and more. How to Access Newspapers for Family History Research Historical newspapers can be found on pay sites such as GenealogyBank, which contains over 9,000 newspapers dating from 1690 to today; … [Read more...]
Research Spotlight: Colonial New Jersey Family History Resources
One of our genealogists shares insight into two Colonial New Jersey family history resources you may not be aware of! Because the New Jersey colonial census records and the U.S. Federal census schedules of 1790 through 1820 for New Jersey were destroyed, early genealogy research there can be especially challenging. Building off of an earlier blog post - Two Excellent New Jersey Resources - here two more resources that should not be overlooked if you are researching colonial New Jersey family … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: A Visit to the Mid-Continent Public Library – Midwest Genealogy Center
Legacy Tree works with researchers all over the world to access records for our clients. We asked one of our researchers to share her experiences with family history research at the Midwest Genealogy Center located in Independence Missouri. Genealogists are in for an amazing surprise when visiting the 52,000 square foot Midwest Genealogy Center (MGC), part of the Mid-Continent Public Library system in Independence, Missouri. This unique library located just outside of Kansas City is focused … [Read more...]