Since 2004, Legacy Tree Genealogists has had the privilege of helping thousands of clients around the world discover their family history. Once you have completed a research project with us, you can share your family history in new ways. Many of our affiliate partners offer a variety of services that complement the genealogy services that we provide. In this blog, we are highlighting just a few of our newest affiliates. We encourage you to visit their websites and explore some of the great … [Read more...]
Ask a Genealogist: What Makes a Great Family Tree Researcher?
We spoke with one of our researchers, Kim Gilboy, to learn more about what makes a great family tree researcher. We learned that skills like analysis, teamwork, and persistence are all very important, but a love for family tree research is at the heart of every professional genealogist. Q: Would you tell us about yourself? A: Genealogy research is something I absolutely love. I lived in the San Francisco Bay area and had family and friends in Utah. I'd come to Utah, spend a couple of days … [Read more...]
5 Roles We Can Play to Help Preserve Our Family History
Genealogy is not only about researching family history, it's about pulling the family closer together with a common interest. Legacy Tree Genealogists' Ryan Rockwood explains how family tree research is often a family affair in which family members assume their unique and valuable roles. A few weeks ago, my wife tragically lost her grandpa Tom after sustaining brain injuries due to a fall. It was shocking and heartbreaking, especially since he was in relatively normal health … [Read more...]
Connecting Generations Through Family History
Legacy Tree Genealogists' Sheri Bennett provides some personal insight into how the love for genealogy can spread from one generation to the next. What starts as an interest shared by family can become an incurable obsession that spreads from one generation to the next. Genealogy begins as an interest, becomes a hobby, sometimes continues as a vocation, takes over as an obsession, and finally becomes an incurable disease. I have seen this in my own life and now in the lives of my children and … [Read more...]
How can DNA Solve Unknown Parentage and Break Down a Brick Wall?
One of our researchers uses her own family tree investigation as an example to explain how DNA can be used to break down brick walls, solve an unknown parentage case and uncover surprises in genealogical research. Important Female Ancestors Who are the important female ancestors you would like to honor in your life? Sometimes finding historical records about our female ancestors is not enough. Sometimes, all you can do is send in a DNA test, hoping that somehow, some way, you will find a … [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...]
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 calf Many 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...]
Stories Worth Telling: The Saibara Story in Texas
What untold immigration stories are waiting to be discovered in your family history? We share the story of Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara. The history of America is an interlacing web of immigration stories from all over the world, many still untold. Every pioneer, either celebrated in life or silent to the grave, has a story worth telling—you just need to know how to go about telling it! Such is the case with Japanese immigrant, Seito Saibara, a name largely unknown outside of the … [Read more...]
Preserving the Stories Your Descendants Need to Hear
While Legacy Tree can help you tell the story of your ancestors, you are the best person to tell your story. Learn how to document and preserve your story for future generations. Legacy Tree Genealogists is committed to helping our clients discover and preserve the stories of their ancestors. Our researchers employ proven research strategies and adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard when searching available records and often analyze DNA evidence to uncover facts and clues about their … [Read more...]
“The Milkman’s Son”: Tips for Writing a Captivating Family History, and a Giveaway!
Randy Lindsay, author of The Milkman's Son, shares tips for writing a family history others will want to read, PLUS a giveaway for a copy of his book. Randy's Story In the summer of 2005, an ordinary trip to visit my dad changed my life. I should have known I was in for a surprise when he muted the sound on the television and had an actual discussion with me. Dad told me he was having dreams. He saw the faces of people he believed were his ancestors and even though none of these ghosts spoke … [Read more...]