"How do I evaluate conflicting evidence in my family history?" Read on to discover tips from professional genealogists.A common medical aphorism states, “When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” Essentially, this means that when making a diagnosis, doctors should avoid jumping to an exotic conclusion when there is a more commonplace explanation. The same principle applies when evaluating genealogical evidence.One of the most common mistakes a novice researcher can make is … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: A Genealogist’s Guide to Australian Archives
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers to share an inside look at the resources available for family history research at various Australian archives.Australian archives can be broadly sorted into governmental, public and private collections. They can occur at each of the three levels of government (federal, state and local), within other public institutions such as state libraries, or … [Read more...]
When Life Gives You Lemons: Genealogy Activities for Coronavirus Quarantine
Social distancing got you down? We've compiled a list of genealogy-focused Coronavirus quarantine activities.With social distancing and self-isolation policies implemented around the globe, now is a great time to focus on researching the ancestors that have come before us. Learning about their lives and the struggles they endured can provide perspective, hope, and appreciation for the journey-takers that helped write the pages of our own story.Not sure where to begin? We've created a fun … [Read more...]
Tips for Using City Directories for Genealogy Research
The R.L. Polk company, though not the earliest company to do so, published their first city directory in the 1870s, as a way to centralize community information. They employed sales associates and census enumerators to go door to door to collect information, sell advertising and make sales for their new directories. These handy guides were the quitessential Google search of their day--the go-to resource for finding information. These same directories can be an important resource for genealogy … [Read more...]
Charles Booth’s London Poverty Maps: A Glimpse Into the Lives of Your Ancestors
If your ancestors lived in London at the end of the 1800s, the digitized Booth poverty maps provide fascinating insight into neighborhoods and standards of living in the city. The maps form part of Charles Booth’s, Inquiry into the Life and Labour of the People in London, a study conducted between 1886 and 1903. Booth was a Victorian philanthropist and a successful businessman.I have several ancestors who lived in London during that time, so I decided to see what could be gleaned about their … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Genealogy Research at the Pest County Archives in Budapest, Hungary
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers in Hungary to share an inside look at the resources available for family history research at the Pest County Archives located in Budapest, Hungary.The Pest County Archives | Pest Megyei LevéltárPest county (Hungarian: Pest megye) was formed after World War II, incorporating a part of the former Pest-Pilis-Solt-Kiskun county, as well as smaller … [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...]
Top 3 Online Resources for Researching Your French-Canadian Ancestry
Legacy Tree works with researchers all over the world to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers, located in Québec, Canada to share his top online resources for researching your French-Canadian ancestry in Québec.Québec has a vibrant cultural heritage that reflects on its family history records. Thanks to records preservation and the efforts of many individuals and organizations, a large number of documents are available and well organized. With technological … [Read more...]
“Where Are My Ancestors From?” 5 Tips for Using Migration Patterns in Family History Research
If you're having difficulty pinpointing your family's origins, these tips are for you! We share how to use migration patterns to extend your family history.You want to extend your family tree as far back as records will allow, but what do you do if you’re having a difficult time pinpointing your family’s origins? Migration patterns and genetic communities offered by DNA testing companies are two of the most overlooked pieces of research we have at our disposal. The following 5 tips will help … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Top 10: Most Popular Family History Blog Articles from 2019
A countdown of our most popular family history blog articles from 2019Another year has come and gone! Before we usher 2019 out the door, we want to share our countdown of the most popular family history blog articles from the past year. Did your favorite make the list?10. Genealogy Sleuthing: How to Date Old Family Photos - Part I9. Using AncestryDNA's ThruLines to Further Your Genealogy Research 8. "Why Don't I Share Any DNA with My Known Relative?"7. Third Cousins Twice … [Read more...]
