Finding records in Poland can be challenging due to historical fluctuations of its borders and a lack of available information. Legacy Tree Genealogists’ researcher Trina Galauner has extensive experience with genealogical research in Poland. In this blog, she discusses changes in Poland’s landscape and provides resources to find vital records to help you with your research.Poland did not exist as a country from 1795 to 1918. Unless your Polish ancestors emigrated before or after these … [Read more...]
Tips and Resources for Researching Immigrant Ancestors from Austria
Legacy Tree Genealogists' Shelbie Drake specializes in German and Austrian research. In this article, she provides valuable tips and resources to help you find records in the area that was once known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire.The Austro-Hungarian EmpireAt face value, the name of the Central European country Austria seems straightforward. However, the history of the Austro-Hungarian Empire - the dual monarchy of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary - is a prime example of why … [Read more...]
Finding Vital Records for Galicia, Austria-Hungary
Historical name and border changes can affect what records were created and where they are held today. In this article, we look at how to find vital records in Galicia, Austria-Hungary. Before historical records can be searched for any location, it is necessary to understand the historical names and border changes associated with that place, since this can impact what kinds of records were created and where they are held today. If you have ancestors that reported they were from Galicia, … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Genealogy Research in Vienna, Former Center of an Empire
Legacy Tree works with researchers all over the world to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers, located in Vienna, Austria, to share his experiences with genealogy research in Vienna archives and offices.Until 1919, Vienna was the capital of one of the largest empires in Europe, and many people passed through Vienna, or produced records that are now held in archives in Vienna. With close to two million inhabitants, Vienna is a population center likely to be … [Read more...]
Beginning German Genealogy Research: “What does ‘German’ really mean?”
My great-grandmother Erika was German. She was adamant about the fact that she was German. After her arrival in the United States, when she was asked to fill out information about her place of birth, she indicated that she was born in Germany. Erika was born in 1921 in Waschulken. Today, this small town is located in northeastern Poland, however at the time it was part of Germany. Although borders have since been moved, she never stopped claiming she was German.In the United States, many … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Civil Records at the German State Archive in Duisburg
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked Sylvia, onsite in Germany, to share her experiences researching at the German State archive in Duisburg.The German State Nordrhein-Westfalen has three State Archives (Landesarchive): in Duisburg, Münster, and Detmold. The repositories of the Landesarchiv Duisburg cover the northern part of the ‘Rheinland’, the three northern districts of the former Prussian ‘Rheinprovinz’: … [Read more...]
Ukrainian Genealogy Research? Three Must-Have Tools to the Rescue!
Language. This can be the most important skill - and also the biggest hurdle - for genealogists seeking their Ukrainian ancestry. For some, the heritage of ancestral languages crosses generations and is still maintained today. However, for those who are second, third, or fourth generations removed from the immigrant ancestor, the language of your ancestors might be a distant memory. Common sentiments shared by fellow researchers are “Baba spoke, but no one else in the family learned...” or “Didu … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Inside the Polish National Archives in Kraków
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked Ireneusz, onsite in Poland, to share his experiences researching at the Polish archives.Using the Polish Archives for Genealogy ResearchThe State Archives in Kraków was founded in 1878 and is one of the largest in Poland, containing nearly 1.5 million items in its collections. Due to its size and overall value to Poland’s heritage, its name was changed in 2012 to the … [Read more...]
4 Steps to Finding Your Polish Ancestors
Legacy Tree Genealogists employs researchers with a wide range of expertise. We asked our Polish expert, Julie, to share tips for finding Polish ancestors based on decades of experience.If you’re an American researching your Polish ancestors, you aren’t alone. Polish Americans make up “the largest Slavic ethnic group in the United States, second largest Central and Eastern European group and the eighth largest immigrant group overall.”[1] So how do we begin tracing our roots in … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: The Chodovec Archive Complex, Czech Republic
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked Helena, one of our onsite researchers from the Czech Republic to share an inside look at genealogy research at the Chodovec Archive Complex in Prague. At the outskirts of Prague, you can find a giant building complex housing three large archives – three genealogical eggs in one basket! Completed in 2001, it has research rooms, conference halls, exhibition areas and … [Read more...]