Researching enslaved ancestors in the former British Empire is not as hopeless as it may initially seem. With well kept records and archives now available online, researching enslaved ancestors is possible. Here we share some strategies to aid in your research. The Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery has created a wonderful beginning point for researching your enslaved ancestors. Their database has indexed many records, including a majority of the registers and … [Read more...]
A Guide to Pre-1850 US Federal Censuses
This guide will discuss what kinds of information you can expect to find in pre-1850 US Federal Censuses and how to use those documents in your own research. US Federal Censuses are critical to genealogical research in the United States. The later censuses—those after 1850 and especially those after 1880—offered more genealogical information than earlier ones and are frequently used by hobbyists and professional genealogists alike. Censuses before 1850 are more difficult to use because they … [Read more...]
Digging Into Your Chinese Ancestry: Chinese Repatriation of Bones
Learn about the Chinese repatriation of bones and how you can uncover records related to your Chinese ancestors. The Chinese people were one of many cultures who immigrated from their homeland seeking better opportunities. Beginning in the mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants sought their fortunes in the Gold Rushes of the United States, Canada, and Australia. They significantly contributed to the labor forces by building railroads, working in mining and agriculture, and establishing … [Read more...]
DNA to the Rescue! Solving an Irish Genealogy “Brick Wall”
A case study that demonstrates how to use document evidence in conjunction with DNA evidence to resolve an Irish genealogy "brick wall". *Shared with client permission Researchers with Irish ancestors have often thrown up their hands in despair when they learn about the massive record loss on that small island. Knowing one’s birthdate or even one’s age was not an Irish cultural value until well into the 20th century, which further complicates Irish research. “Crossing the pond” to document … [Read more...]
100 Years Without the 1890 Census: Tips for Researching Through Record Loss
The loss of the 1890 census created genealogy brick walls for many family history researchers. We share tips to help you find answers to extend your family history, despite record loss. What Happened to the 1890 Census? 100 years ago, the 1890 U.S. Federal Census began its slow journey to almost complete destruction. On 10 January 1921 a fire was reported in the late afternoon at the Commerce Building in Washington D.C. where the population schedules of the 1890 census were stored in the … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Top 10: Best Family History Blog Articles from 2020
A countdown of the best family history blog articles from 2020. Another year has come and gone, and what a year it has been! Before we usher 2020 out the door, we want to share our countdown of the best family history blog articles from the past year. Did your favorite make the list? 10. There’s a Degree in That?? Genealogical Education Opportunities 9. Third Cousins Twice Removed and Consanguinity: Figuring Out How You’re Related to Your Relatives 8. Understanding Your AncestryDNA … [Read more...]
Secrets of Murder: Uncovering a Family History Mystery
People often ask professional genealogists why they chose genealogy as a profession. What was the catalyst that started their journey into family history? Mine was simple: my grandparents grew up during the Great Depression in rural Alabama, and they chose not to relive those experiences and never passed on their family history to their children or grandchildren. I had been interested in my family history from a young age, but efforts to glean any information about my grandmother Marie’s … [Read more...]
A Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Historical Newspapers
For many record groups used by genealogists, there are intuitive molds of sorts for getting started. The U.S. Census is taken on the “0” year every decade. American vital records are usually documents controlled on the state level. The type and availability of church registers is determined by a denomination’s beliefs. But historical newspapers? Well, they break the mold as a record group—with not only diversity of content but also a multitude of sources that need to be used harmoniously for … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: So, You Have an Alberta Ancestor?
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers from across the globe to access records for our clients. We asked one of our onsite researchers located in Alberta, Canada to share an overview of the various archives available to research your Alberta ancestry. If you have ancestors that hail from Alberta Canada, this article will share the information you need to help you get started with research at the various archives throughout the province. If your Canadian ancestor lived in a … [Read more...]
5 Tips for Writing a Good Genealogy Report
Whether you are writing up a genealogy report for a client, for your family, or just to document your research for future researchers to understand what has already been done, writing a genealogy report can be tricky. We share five tips to writing a cohesive genealogy report. Why write a genealogy report? Most professionals will write a genealogy report, for very specific reasons. Besides helping others understand what you have learned about your ancestors, it can help you to organize your … [Read more...]