Today we’re going to discuss another important surname anomaly that commonly appeared in areas using patronymics and sporadically elsewhere: Farm Names. But first, it’s important to understand how surnames have evolved, and the nuances that can create brick walls in our genealogy research if we aren’t aware of them. Let’s dive in!Lesson in History: The Birth of Modern SurnamesBefore different religious factions broke off from the Roman Catholic Church, our ancestors who were not nobility or … [Read more...]
Windmills, Tulips, and Wooden Shoes: A Guide to Dutch Surnames
Exploring your Dutch ancestry and family history is made easier with an understanding of Dutch surnames and their origins. The Netherlands: a small country with enormous cultural and historical impact. Located in the heart of northern Europe, the Netherlands produced some of the most renowned contributors to science, philosophy, and the arts during the Renaissance, and was known as a haven of relative tolerance during historical periods of persecution. A founding member of the EU, today it is … [Read more...]
Tracing Ancestry Through Medieval Italian Records
Family History: How Far Back Can You Go?As professional genealogists one question we are often asked is, “How far back can you take my pedigree?” While we’d all love to have a pedigree documented back to the beginnings of mankind, this just isn’t possible. And creating an accurate, documented and sourced family tree cannot be completed in the span of an afternoon--answering one of our other most frequently received questions--How Long Does It Take to Build a Family Tree?Genealogical … [Read more...]
Why Is It Not on The Map? How Learning History Aids Your Genealogy
"Why is it not on the map?" We discuss how learning history can help you in your family history research--especially when it involves areas with shifting boundaries and name changes!One of the biggest frustrations for a family historian is finding a new place name written in a family record … but then not being able to find that place on a modern-day map, as was the issue we recently discussed in our blog article, Finding Vital Records for Galicia, Austria-Hungary.Sometimes this quandary … [Read more...]
Mapire: A Free Tool for Historical Maps of Europe
Historical maps of Europe are an often underutilized resource in European genealogy research. We share a free tool that allows you to add European maps to your genealogy toolbox!Since most records were held on the town/parish level in Europe, locating the correct town is an essential first step before researching your ancestors in their country of birth. Over the centuries, borders in Europe sometimes changed drastically, so it is important to know to which country or empire your ancestral … [Read more...]
4 Pro Tips for Finding Dutch Family History Resources
Do your ancestors hail from the Netherlands? Learn more about Dutch family history resources!Dutch genealogy is fast becoming more convenient, but not necessarily easier. There are a number of excellent and comprehensive sites making Dutch genealogy and family history research more accessible, but taking the right steps in approaching this wealth of material is important. Keep reading to learn more about the vast Dutch family history resources that just might hold the key to unlock your … [Read more...]
Uncovering the History Behind Surname Origins
*Legacy Tree successfully uncovers the rich family history of a client seeking to learn more about his unique surname origins. Shared with client permission.Paolo Zeppetelli contacted Legacy Tree Genealogists with a quest to learn more about his Italian heritage. The Zeppetelli name is not a particularly common surname in Italy, and he was curious to know of its origins. As he began collecting information, he concluded that uncovering the history behind the Zeppetelli surname origins would … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Guide to French Genealogy & Family History Resources
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers in France to share insights into the resources available for those researching French genealogy and family history.France has a wonderful, rich heritage, not only regarding the nation’s political and cultural history, but also in family history records. Thanks to careful archival preservation, the documents available are well documented and … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: A Guide to Spanish Genealogy & Family History Resources
One of the great things about Legacy Tree is that we have onsite researchers all over the globe. We have had several clients with Spanish ancestors, and to research these projects we have gone onsite in Spain. Let me share with you some of the wonderful things about Spanish records and archives that may help you as you research your Spanish genealogy and family history.Organization of Spanish RecordsAs is the case with most genealogical records, Spanish records are organized by geographical … [Read more...]
In Search of Nobility: Tracing Noble Roots
*shared with client permissionInheriting documents can be a boon for every budding family historian. Untold stories and treasures can be found in these treasure troves. However, when those documents are in a foreign language, researchers may find themselves unaware of the importance of the items they hold. Researching ancestry in Europe can even lead to hidden surprises such as a reference to nobility.This was the case for our client who believed the eleven Russian language documents they … [Read more...]
