The Legacy Tree Genealogists Blog

Hand-picked, tested and trained, our professional genealogist team knows how to find your story. We search the world for answers. Find the un-findable. And we’re experts at everything from tracking down rare international records to analyzing DNA test results. Based near the world’s largest family history library in downtown Salt Lake City, we also work with researchers and archives around the globe. Contact us today if you would like help discovering your ancestors!

Legacy Tree Genealogists at RootsTech 2020: Schedule of Events

February 13, 2020 by Amber - Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

This year marks the 10th anniversary of RootsTech, the world's largest family history conference. With hundreds of classes to choose from and keynote speakers like Emmitt Smith and Leigh Anne Tuohy, this milestone anniversary will be filled with education, entertainment and connection as you are immersed in the conference theme of "Discovering the Story of You". Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the conference will run from Wednesday, February 26th through Saturday, February 29th. Legacy Tree Genealogists will be there in full-force–exhibiting in the Expo Hall, teaching classes and hosting a Facebook Live Q&A from our booth.Check out our schedule of events below, and be sure to stop by our booth (#429) and say hello!Legacy Tree Genealogists RootsTech 2020 ScheduleWednesday, February 26th1:30 p.m. – RootsTech “DNA & Facebook: Finding Your Ancestral Community” Michelle Chubenko | Room 250This presentation will explore the success of multiple DNA genealogy groups on …

getting hired as a professional genealogist

From Hobby to Career: How to Get Hired as a Professional Genealogist

February 13, 2020 by Katy - Legacy Tree Genealogists Project Manager Leave a Comment

Looking to take your hobby to the next level? We share insider information on how to get hired as a professional genealogist.Legacy Tree Genealogists is the highest-rated genealogy research firm in the industry, as well as one of Utah’s fastest-growing companies. We could not have gotten to this point without the work of a team of excellent researchers. It should be no surprise, then, that we frequently field questions about how to become part of that team. It isn’t easy, but it is worth it!First things first, genealogy is a career. And like most careers, earning a position requires preparation and training. We’re a bit flexible about what that entails, but you must have some professional-level education and experience.Most members of Legacy Tree’s core genealogist team have one or more of the following achievements under their belt: A university degree in genealogy, history, anthropology, genetics, or something directly comparable. A professional accreditation (AG) …

Tying the Knot: Ancestral Marriage Records and Where You Might Find Them

February 7, 2020 by Carolyn - Legacy Tree Genealogists Project Manager 5 Comments

Marriage records are a major source of genealogical information since they mark the merging of two families and provide what may be the only source of a married woman’s maiden surname. Searching for maiden names in marriage records is one of the first priorities of all genealogy research. One maiden name brings a whole new set of ancestors and their stories into play.Marriage has always been a very public covenant, since two people were vowing to care for each other and their children, ideally preventing single parents and orphans from relying on public charity. In the United States, counties have been recording marriages for much longer than they have been recording births and deaths. Even if the county records are otherwise very sparse, you can usually expect to find a collection of early marriage records. Whether a civil or church authority performed the ceremony, local laws usually required that the marriage be recorded in civil records. Traditionally, marriages were performed …

Windmills, Tulips, and Wooden Shoes: A Guide to Dutch Surnames

January 30, 2020 by Marissa - Legacy Tree Genealogists Researcher 9 Comments

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 known for its hundreds of historic windmills, its sprawling fields of tulips, and its bicycle-friendly cities. It has been ranked among the best countries in the world for raising children.If you have any ancestral surnames linking your family to this region, you may be wondering what those surnames mean, how they developed, and what they might be able to tell you about your ancestors. In this article, we’ll explore the common origins and meanings of Dutch surnames and the historical and …