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...]
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, 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...]
Top 5 Blog Posts of 2021: Brick Wall Strategies
Genealogical research can bring family members together, deepen connections, and reconnect long-lost relatives in surprising ways. Today, more people are do-it-yourself researchers than ever before, especially with access to technology that makes it easier to find records, communicate with other genealogy enthusiasts, and share information. DNA testing available to the public that began in the early 2000s added another valuable dimension to the resources available regarding genetic genealogical … [Read more...]
French-Canadian Research Roadblocks
Researching French-Canadian ancestry can be incredibly rewarding, thanks to excellent records, preservation, and digitization. Our post, Top 3 Online Resources for Researching Your French-Canadian Ancestry, describes useful online resources that may help you trace your ancestors as far back as the 17th century. As promising as French-Canadian research can be, there are unique challenges with this particular population that may hinder progress. Everything from naming conventions to … [Read more...]