Cuban genealogy relies primarily on government civil registration and Roman Catholic church records. Unfortunately, very few of these records are available online. And knowing your ancestor's exact location of where they lived in Cuba is also a requirement, making Cuban research seem next to impossible. Though limited by access problems, researching your Cuban family is possible and can be highly successful given the right tools. Tracking down the town of origin and identifying available … [Read more...]
My Heritage Travel: Reconnecting to our Ancestral Roots
Heritage travel isn’t always about white sand, warm water, and sunshine. For those seeking to reconnect with their ancestral roots in faraway places, a heritage vacation is a unique and enriching experience that offers a chance to explore one's roots and cultural heritage. By visiting the sites where one's ancestors lived, worked, and thrived, you can connect with distant relatives, learn about the local history and culture, and experience the traditions and customs passed down through … [Read more...]
Using AI Effectively for Genealogy Research
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for genealogy research is still in its infancy but gaining momentum as each new tool is released, including ChatGPT and Google Translate. These tools do not replace the need for a professional genealogist to analyze the data but can speed up the research process by finding information more rapidly. We asked our research team how genealogists can apply AI to their genealogy research projects. Here are some of their key learnings and cautions. First, How … [Read more...]
Digging for Deaths Part 2: Census Mortality Schedules
As discussed in the first installment of this series, Census mortality schedules can be used without official vital records to document the deaths of individuals who passed within a year of the official census date. However, a deeper understanding of the structure of each year’s schedule and an eye for detail may lead to additional discoveries. Asking the Important Questions: Differences Between Census Years The numbers and types of questions asked differed across census years. For example, in … [Read more...]
RootsTech 2023 Recap: Uniting and Learning In Genealogy Family Research
It was surreal and wonderful to see everyone at RootsTech 2023 Genealogy Family Research in person again after a couple of years away during the pandemic. Legacy Tree Genealogists were happy to see old friends and make new ones as we all came together through our passion for genealogy research. The theme of RootsTech 2023 was “Uniting.” Genealogy research helps us unite our families past, present, and future. Through all the ups and downs of the never ending genealogy journey, it’s reassuring … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Genealogists RootsTech 2023 Schedule
Check out the RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists schedule of events below, and be sure to stop by our booth (#1203) and say hello! It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to attend RootsTech in person, and we are excited to be there and see all of you who will be attending in person and virtually. RootsTech is the world’s largest family history conference. With hundreds of classes to choose from and keynote speakers like Lisa Louise Cooke and David Allen Lambert, it will be a … [Read more...]
Struggling to Find Your Italian Ancestors? How to Navigate Italian Archives.
From Jersey Shore to Postiglione: Finding Italian Ancestors You never know when and where your Italian ancestors will show up. How one genealogist found her Italian ancestors on a most unusual family vacation. It was the summer of 2016. As was my extended family's tradition, we rented a house at the Jersey Shore for a week in the summer. As is the goal of all family vacations, the hope is to create new memories and forge stronger connections between members. That is why my family … [Read more...]
Irish Family History: Online Resources to Help Find Your Irish Ancestors
Until recently, Irish family history research was considered problematic. But in recent years, individuals can do the bulk of their research online with many digitized records available from private and public entities. Getting Started with Irish Family History Online The first step to Irish research is to document all the information you know about your ancestors and check with older family members who are still living to get as much detail as possible from them. Finding the maiden … [Read more...]