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 Records As 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 permission Inheriting 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...]
Hidden Italian Treasure – Processetti and Allegati Matrimonial Packets
One of the most useful record sets for extending your Italian ancestry quickly is the marriage supplements or allegati records. Allegati, also called processetti, is the name for the packet of documents that a bride and groom were required to present to the priest or mayor in preparation for their upcoming marriage. Depending on when the marriage occurred historically determines whether the packet was called processetti or allegati. 1804-1815: allegati 1816-1865: … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Inside the French National Archives
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked Sophie, onsite in France, to share her experiences researching at the French National Archives. The French National Archives were created as a result of the French Revolution. Prior to their creation, on September 12th, 1790 by the Constituent Assembly, there was no centralized body for archiving documents produced by the administration. On June 25th, 1794, the National … [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...]
ScotlandsPeople: Research Tips from a Scot Descendant
Some of the most distinctively Scottish icons are kilts, bagpipes, the highland cow, and the Loch Ness monster, Nessie. If you have ever eaten Scottish shortbread or enjoyed the Scottish games you know exactly what makes Scotland unique. Like many of you, I am a descendant of Scottish ancestry. If you want to trace your Scottish family history, Scotland’s written historical records date back to 1513. The government of Scotland has made these primary records available in online digital images … [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...]
Finding Foundlings: Searching for Abandoned Children in Italy
I learned about foundlings - abandoned newborns - in Italy while tracing my own immigrant ancestor back to the province of Palermo in Sicily. My maiden name is Palumbo, but as I tried to move backwards from my immigrant ancestor, Salvatore Fortunato Palumbo, I discovered that Palumbo was not his original surname. Explaining this discovery in detail is beyond the scope of this blog post, but I have documented evidence that my paternal great-great-grandfather’s name was Salvatore Fortunato … [Read more...]
Finding Your Heritage in Unexpected Places
**Note: The details from this French-Canadian genealogy research project are shared with permission from our client. Project results are always kept private unless permission is granted to share. Recently we were contacted by a client who requested we begin researching her direct paternal ancestor. This ancestor was named John Lucy, of Ontario, Canada, and was allegedly of Irish heritage. Our client explained that her father had recently died and that he would have loved to know the history … [Read more...]
