One of our researchers explains how Facebook can be used to find hidden gems in the form of videos, photos, and information for your family research. Your family history can be found in the most unlikely places. I’d like to share a few success stories I’ve found locating my family and also learning about the lives, times, and locations they come from. A great place to start is Facebook. It is the perfect place for the local historian who is looking to share their work or for those who are … [Read more...]
A Journey Through Life
One of our genealogists shares a tribute to her father-in-law and the cherished book of memoirs he created. We also share tips for writing your life story.It’s “a little bit drama, a little bit comedy, and a lot documentary.”A warning notes “Dates are generally accurate, but some may be subject to memory flaws.”It took more than 20 years to create and fills a 4-inch thick three-ring binder.And it is now a family treasure: A Journey Through Life.For 20 years my father-in-law … [Read more...]
Meet Tani, Project Manager for Legacy Tree Genealogists
Meet Tani, one of Legacy Tree Genealogists talented project managers!Tani began her love affair with genealogy as a young girl at sleep-overs with her maternal grandmother when together they would compile family history books. Later visiting the Family History Library with her mother and grandmother simply fanned the genealogy flame in her young heart. Both of these amazing women spent many of their final days and hours fully engaged in compiling records with sources and stories to pass on to … [Read more...]
Meet Jill, Project Manager for Legacy Tree Genealogists
Meet Jill, one of Legacy Tree Genealogists talented project managers! Jill Balmuth got the genealogy bug in 2005 when a stranger showed up to her grandmother's funeral. That stranger turned out to be her grandmother's first cousin, who shared family stories and information about relatives close and distant. She wanted to know more, and a love for genealogy was born.Prior to joining Legacy Tree Genealogists, Jill had a genealogy consulting business, Jewel Genealogy, named to honor … [Read more...]
A Guide to Pre-1850 US Federal Censuses
This guide will discuss what kinds of information you can expect to find in pre-1850 US Federal Censuses and how to use those documents in your own research. US Federal Censuses are critical to genealogical research in the United States. The later censuses—those after 1850 and especially those after 1880—offered more genealogical information than earlier ones and are frequently used by hobbyists and professional genealogists alike. Censuses before 1850 are more difficult to use because they … [Read more...]
Ancestors and Their Pets: All Creatures Great and Small
The Legacy Tree team loves animals, and recently some of them shared stories of ancestors who had pets, or worked with animals, and even had close encounters with dangerous beasts!A cousin’s pet calfMany of our ancestors lived on farms, or in rural areas, and grew up around livestock. This photograph from Washington state in the 1930s clearly demonstrates a family member’s attachment to one of the calves. Unfortunately, this friendship had to end when times became tough (or perhaps simply … [Read more...]
Top 3 Resources to Trace Your Ancestry in Guatemala
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers located in Guatemala to share an overview of the top 3 resources for tracing your Guatemalan ancestry.A journey through Guatemala history is essential to understand the nature of Guatemala genealogy records. Guatemala, like the rest of the Central America countries, was colonized by the Spaniards, who arrived in 1524 and conquered the native … [Read more...]
Better Living Through Statistics: What Are The Odds?
The What Are the Odds DNA tool is a free resource to help you compare the probability of relationships with your DNA matches. The advent of consumer autosomal DNA testing has allowed genealogists to use DNA results to break down seemingly impenetrable genealogical brick walls. Whether your research question is “who is my biological father?” or “who is my third-great-grandmother?”, autosomal DNA can be used to find answers about your origins.Suppose you’re looking at your DNA match list … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Using the Bulgarian State Archives in Family History Research
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers located in Bulgaria to share an overview of the various record collections available at the Bulgarian State Archives for family history research.The Bulgarian State ArchivesBulgaria, officially the Republic of Bulgaria (Република България), occupies the eastern part of the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. The national record keeper is the … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Top 10: Best Family History Blog Articles from 2020
A countdown of the best family history blog articles from 2020.Another year has come and gone, and what a year it has been! Before we usher 2020 out the door, we want to share our countdown of the best family history blog articles from the past year. Did your favorite make the list?10. There’s a Degree in That?? Genealogical Education Opportunities9. Third Cousins Twice Removed and Consanguinity: Figuring Out How You’re Related to Your Relatives8. Understanding Your AncestryDNA … [Read more...]