Legacy Tree
  • .
  • Dansk
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Portuguese, Brazil
    • Zweeds
    • Norwegian Bokmål
    • Russian

marts 10, 2023 by Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

RootsTech 2023 Legacy Tree Genealogists

RootsTech 2023 Recap: Uniting and Learning In Genealogy Family Research

RootsTech 2023 MyHeritage

It was surreal and wonderful to see everyone at RootsTech 2023 Genealogy Family Research in person again after a couple of years away during the pandemic. Legacy Tree Genealogists were happy to see old friends and make new ones as we all came together through our passion for genealogy research.

The theme of RootsTech 2023 was “Uniting.” Genealogy research helps us unite our families past, present, and future. Through all the ups and downs of the never ending genealogy journey, it’s reassuring to know we’re not in it alone, and there are many people and resources that can help us discover who we are and where we came from. 

Legacy Tree Genealogists at RootsTech 2023: The Expo Hall 

Legacy Tree Genealogists were eager to be back at the conference, answering questions, sharing research tips, helping kids learn to write in old English, and greeting attendees who visited our booth in the Expo Hall. We were thrilled to meet so many new people with fascinating family histories.

RootsTech 2023 Legacy Tree Genealogists

Legacy Tree Professional Genealogists: Paul Woodbury, Tani Anderson, and Ryan Rockwood

Genealogy Family Research For All

RootsTech offered hundreds of classes and learning opportunities both in-person and virtually. Over 440,000 people participated worldwide from 202 countries. Inspiring speakers in the main hall included Jordin Sparks, Sean Astin, and Me Ra Koh. Every speaker and teacher inspired us to continue working to discover and unite our families past, present, and future.

Steve Rockwood talked about connecting cousins and families worldwide, “All means all,” he repeated. Jordin Sparks wants to be remembered for generations as the song lyrics say, “she’s messy, but she’s kind.” Sean Astin recounted his time acting in The Lord of The Rings Trilogy and quoted his lines, “Those were the stories that meant something,” to get the crowd in the mood for the importance of finding and preserving family stories. And Me Ra Koh talked about the power of family, “it’s everything.”

RootsTech2023 Jessica Taylor MyHeritage

Legacy Tree Genealogists founder and CEO, Jessica Taylor, teaching attendees how to find
family members using the MyHeritage search engine

Helping Others On Their Genealogy Family Research Journey

The Legacy Tree Genealogists booth was busy as attendees came to ask our professional genealogists questions about their unique brick walls. There were people with families from all over the world–Latin America, the British Isles, Lebanon, Canada, Germany, Russia, France, Brazil, Japan, China, and many more. Our team was happily busy from one question to another. 

Throughout the conference, we hosted three LIVE Facebook Q&As that are available for you to now watch on demand:

Using DNA For Genealogy Research with Paul Woodbury

How To Create An Accurate Family Tree with Sherri Bennett

How To Hire A Genealogist with Carolyn Tolman

RootsTech 2023 LIVE Facebook Q&A

Heather Johnson interviews DNA professional genealogist
Paul Woodbury for
LIVE Facebook Q&A

Other Legacy Tree team members were able to present various genealogy topics for the virtual attendees. Kelli Bergheimer presented on common DNA Misconceptions and Getting Organized Using Technology and a Research Report. 

On Family Discovery Day, we helped kids learn how to write in old English and provided a mad libs-like puzzle, Crack The Code!, to solve using their newfound knowledge. 

RootsTech 2023 Family Discovery Day

Other Highlights From RootsTech 2023

RootsTech 2023 Legacy Books

Jessica Taylor saying hello to our friends at Legacy Books

 

RootsTech 2023 friends of Legacy Tree

Friends of Legacy Tree Genealogists

 

RootsTech 2023 Scott Fisher Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor with Scott Fisher of Extreme Genes Podcast

 

RootsTech 2023 Kirby Heybourne

Kirby Heybourne and Anne Marie Vivienne

 

RootsTech 2023 Storied

So fun to see the Storied neighborhood!

 

RootsTech 2023 FamilySearch

Full classes at the Family Search booth

 

RootsTech 2023 Billion Graves

So many balloons for the kids at Billion Graves!

 

RootsTech 2023 FamilySearch

Thank you, FamilySearch, for putting together yet another successful RootsTech!

If you weren’t able to visit us in person at RootsTech, and you’d like to schedule a consultation with one of our professional genealogists, you can schedule an appointment here.

Filed Under: Conferences & Education, Genealogy Education, Genealogy for Enjoyment, Legacy Tree Genealogists, Professional Genealogy Tagged With: genealogy, Professional Genealogists, RootsTech

februar 9, 2023 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 4 Comments

Legacy Tree Genealogists RootsTech 2023 Schedule

RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Team

Check out the RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists schedule of events below, and be sure to stop by our booth (#1203) and say hello!

It’s been a few years since we’ve been able to attend RootsTech in person, and we are excited to be there and see all of you who will be attending in person and virtually. 

RootsTech is the world’s largest family history conference. With hundreds of classes to choose from and keynote speakers like Lisa Louise Cooke and David Allen Lambert, it will be a memorable conference. 

Held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the conference will run from Thursday, March 2nd – Saturday, March 4th. 

Legacy Tree Genealogists will be there in full force–exhibiting in the Expo Hall, teaching classes, and hosting Facebook Live Q&As from our booth. 

Check out the RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists schedule of events below, and be sure to stop by our booth (#1203) and say hello!

THURSDAY: MARCH 2, 2023 RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Schedule

8:00 A.M. LIVE Facebook: Using DNA for Genetic Genealogy Research

We’re kicking off RootsTech with a fascinating conversation with our DNA expert, Paul Woodbury. Please send us your questions about DNA and Genetic Genealogy on Instagram or Facebook, or click here to send your questions in directly. Join us for this LIVE conversation on our Facebook page. 

RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook Live

RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Paul Woodbury DNA

Right: Paul Woodbury

 

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M. DNA Research with Paul Woodbury

If you have DNA questions and know your ancestors come from these countries and regions, come by and see us at booth #1203.

  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Latin/South America
  • Scandinavia

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

1:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Asian Family Research with Ryan Rockwood

Do you have questions about researching your Asian family history? Our expert in Asian research, Ryan Rockwood, will be ready and eager to answer your questions. 

  • Methodological Differences Between Eastern and Western Genealogy
  • Japanese Genealogy Overview
  • Korean Genealogy Overview
  • Japanese Genealogy: Acquiring Your Koseki
  • Japanese Immigration Patterns

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

3:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. “MyHeritage: Finding Your Ancestors with the MyHeritage Search Engine” with Jessica Taylor.

We love collaborating with MyHeritage, and Legacy Tree founder and President, Jessica Taylor, will share great tips about finding your ancestors using the MyHeritage Search Engine. We hope to see you there!

Location: MyHeritage booth

4:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Live Stream Presentation, DNA Misconceptions, with Kelli Bergheimer. 

Find the link to watch her live stream presentation here on the RootsTech schedule–make sure to select the “Sessions” button on the top of the page. 

4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. What to Expect When Working with a Professional Genealogist with Tani Anderson.

Have you ever been curious about what it would be like to have a professional helping you find your family and ancestors? What questions do you have about the process, the experience, and the cost? Tani will be at the booth to help you understand all the ins and outs of working with a professional. 

  • How to Prepare for a Successful Genealogy Project
  • What to Expect When Hiring a Genealogist
  • Hiring a Genealogist 101
  • When to Hire a Professional Genealogist

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

RootsTech Genealogy Conference Salt Lake City, Utah

FRIDAY: MARCH 3, 2023 RootsTech Legacy Tree Schedule 

10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.  Join Legacy Tree Genealogists Kelli Bergheimer for DNA 101 

  • DNA 101
  • Genealogy Research in Ohio

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

12:00 P.M – 2:00 P.M.  Hands on Application of Genetic Genealogy and Beginning Research with Sarah Stoddard 

  • Documentary Evidence to Resolve Unknowns in DNA
  • Using DNA to Solve Genealogy “Brick Walls”
  • Beginning German Research
  • Beginning English Research

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

1:30 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. Live Stream Presentation, Getting Organized Using Technology and a Research Report, with Kelli Bergheimer

You can find the link to watch Kelli’s live stream presentation here on the RootsTech schedule–make sure to select the “Sessions” button on the top of the page.

2:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. “MyHeritage: Finding Your Ancestors with the MyHeritage Search Engine” with Jessica Taylor.

We love collaborating with MyHeritage, and Legacy Tree founder and President, Jessica Taylor, will share great tips about finding your ancestors using the MyHeritage Search Engine. We hope to see you there!

Location: MyHeritage booth

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. Finding ancestors in the British Empire with Kim Gilboy.

Join our expert genealogist, Kim Gilboy, to ask questions about how to find your family and ancestors from these regions.

  • British Isles
  • Canadian
  • Australian
  • Caribbean Research

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. Finding Ancestors in Latin America, Mexico and the United States with Sheri Bennett.

Learn more about your ancestors from these countries and regions with expert Sheri Bennett. Bring your questions, and get one step closer to finding family in these areas. 

  • Mexico
  • Latin American
  • Southern States
  • United States Research

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

6:30 P.M. LIVE Facebook: 3 Most Important Records to Creating an Accurate Family Tree with Sheri Bennett.

Join the conversation on our Facebook page. Please send us your questions about how to create an accurate family tree on Instagram or Facebook, or click here to send your questions in directly

RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook Live

Legacy Tree Genealogists Sheri Bennett

Sheri Bennett, Legacy Tree Genealogists

 

SATURDAY: MARCH 3, 2023 RootsTech Legacy Tree Schedule 

 

RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists Facebook Live

Legacy Tree Genealogists Carolyn Tolman

Carolyn Tolman, Legacy Tree Genealogists


8:00 A.M.
Join us for our final
LIVE Facebook session: How To Hire a Genealogist with Carolyn Tolman.

Send us any questions you have about the process, how to choose the right genealogist for your project, and what to expect along the way. Please send us your questions on Instagram or Facebook, or click here to send your questions in directly

Family Discovery Day:

Crack the Code activity for kids! Bring your kids by to learn some Old English words and how to write them.

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Genealogy Research in the United States and When to Hire a Professional Genealogist with Carolyn Tolman

It’s not always as easy as you’d hope to find ancestors here in the United States. Bring your questions and Carolyn will help you create a clearer path to your goals. 

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

12:00 P.M. – 12:30 P.M. How DNA Can Help Break Down Brick Walls and Identify Bio-Parents with Carolyn Tolman

It takes a lot of courage and hope to find your bio-parents. Carolyn Tolman will be available to answer your questions about using DNA to break down brick walls. 

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

12:30 P.M. – 1:00 P.M. Nordic and French Research with Stacy Johnson

Have family from the Nordic or French regions? Bring your questions.

Location: Legacy Tree Booth #1203

1:30 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Meet with Expert Genealogist Shelbie Drake if you have questions about family from:

  • Germany, Austria, Hungary
  • Czech Republic
  • Slovakia

RootsTech Expo Map 2023

We hope this RootsTech Legacy Tree Genealogists schedule or events is helpful! If you can’t join us in person at RootsTech this year, you can attend RootsTech virtually for FREE. We hope to see you there! You can schedule a consultation here if you’d like to work with our expert genealogist team personally. 

Filed Under: Conferences & Education, DNA Research, Europe, Genealogy Brick Walls, Genealogy Education, Legacy Tree Genealogists Tagged With: genealogy conferences, genealogy education, RootsTech

januar 26, 2023 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 4 Comments

Scenic Ireland_Irish Family Hisroey

Irish Family History: Online Resources to Help Find Your Irish Ancestors

Until recently, Irish family history research was considered problematic. But in recent years, individuals can do the bulk of their research online with many digitized records available from private and public entities.  

Scenic Ireland for people researching Irish family history

Getting Started with Irish Family History Online 

The first step to Irish research is to document all the information you know about your ancestors and check with older family members who are still living to get as much detail as possible from them. Finding the maiden names of the females in your family will save you hours of research.  

Next, do as much Irish family history research online as you can. If you decide to visit Ireland, bring a copy of your research with you to aid in requesting certificates or documents.  

1st Wave of Irish Emigration- 1708 

There were two large waves of emigration from Ireland to North America. The first group was mainly Presbyterians being persecuted by the Anglican Church. James McGregor, the founding father of Presbyterianism in America, enabled five shiploads of people to travel to America in 1708. Their entry port in the States was Boston, Massachusetts. From Boston, they traveled to other states and Canada. Many of this first wave of immigrants had leases on land in Ulster located in Northern Ireland, which they could sell to buy their passage and start a new life.   

James Donovan_Irish diaspora and family history. Irish Family History.

Finding Irish Family History Records in Ulster, Northern Ireland 

The six counties of Northern Ireland are in Ulster. Ulster also includes three of the counties in the Republic of Ireland- Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan.  

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is the official Archives for Northern Ireland (NI) www.nidirect.gov.uk. PRONI has documents online going back to the 1600s, including Freeholder’s Records, Londonderry Corporation Records, Historical maps, Street Directories, Valuation Revision Books (part of Griffith Valuation), Will Calendars, and Ulster Covenant Records.  

For those visiting PRONI in person and wishing to see a document, you must do the initial search online before you travel. The e-catalog is a fully searchable database containing over one million catalog entries. You can search this directory using text, date, or reference number. All documents have a unique reference number needed to order the document to be viewed at PRONI. You must make a reservation to view your document. It is recommended to do this research before you travel. 

2nd Wave of Irish Emigration- 1845-1849 

The second large group to emigrate were mainly Roman Catholics escaping the famine between 1845-1849. Most traveled to England from Cork, Dublin, Belfast, and Derry and then boarded ships sailing from Liverpool and Glasgow to North America. Unfortunately, the authorities did not keep accurate ship records of those emigrants. 

Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) has excellent detailed records of Irish people who emigrated to the USA by ship. Irish people who entered the States through New Bedford, Boston, New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Mobile, and New Orleans were interviewed when they arrived, and their details were documented. Information gathered from arriving emigrants included name, who they were traveling with (parents, brother, sister), age, occupation, and in some cases, the location they came from in Ireland. 

US Naturalization Records for Irish Immigrants 

US Naturalization records will tell you where your ancestor arrived in America, their first American address, and in some cases, a birth address in Ireland. 

Men generally took out the Naturalization papers, and a wife would be automatically included, with no information. It is always worth seeing if the wife also took out Naturalization papers, as women tended to give more details about their ancestry. These records can be found both on Ancestry.com and www.findmypast.com. It is worth looking at the originals in the local courthouse as you can usually find more information in the original record.  

Nellie Bly_Irish family history

Castle Garden Immigration Entry Point 

Castle Garden in New York served as a US immigration entry point from 1820-1891.  Eight million people, including Irish immigrants, arrived in Castle Garden from Europe. Records of these immigrants can be found in the Familysearch.org records. 

Ellis Island Records for Irish Ancestors

Ellis Island was a major entry point for emigrants after Castle Garden shut down in 1891. This entry port accepted passengers from 1891-1924. Records of these immigrants can be found in the FamilySearch records.    

National Library of Ireland 

www.nli.ie 

When searching for records in Ireland itself, first look at The National Library of Ireland (NLI) www.nli.ie website, which has microfilmed copies of the Roman Catholic records online. The starting dates vary widely from county to county, but many commence around 1820. The records are not indexed, so you cannot do a name search.  

Ancestry and Findmypast Indexes 

Ancestry.com 

Findmypast.com 

Ancestry and Findmypast have produced indexes where you can do a name search. Ancestry has also transcribed the Roman Catholic Parish records for County Meath. 

Roots Ireland for Irish Family History Research

www.rootsireland.ie 

Roots Ireland holds some records pre-1820. It also has records of some registers not in the NLI. You can search 5 years on either side of the chosen event.   

Irish Government Genealogy Records

www.irishgenealogy.ie 

The Irish Government funds another Genealogical site. On this website there is a Church record section that covers Dublin, The Diocese of Cork, Ross, Kerry, and Carlow for all faiths. Unfortunately, some of the Cork City parish records – St Mary’s, St Anne’s, St Patrick’s, and Blackrock – are not included, as they are still in local custody, so you will need to contact the relevant parish secretary.  

This website also includes the civil records for non-Catholic marriages starting in 1845. Civil Registration commenced in 1864 and included births from 1864 to 1920, Marriages from 1845 to 1945, and deaths from 1871 to 1970. Deaths between 1864 and 1870 are currently being compiled.   

You can order and pay for Birth, Marriage, and Death certificates on www.certificates.ie, and they will email them back to you. 

Northern Ireland Genealogy Office 

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/archives-family-and-local-history 

The official site of the Northern Ireland Genealogy Office www.nidirect.gov.uk contains records starting in 1920. PRONI has microfilmed all the Church Denominations Records for all nine counties of Ulster. In many cases, Presbyterian and Methodist Records for the Republic of Ireland are also held at PRONI. 

The Representative Church Body 

www.ireland.anglican.org 

The Representative Church Body is the official archives for the Church of Ireland (Anglican). A full list of records that survived the burning of the Public Records Office in 1922 can be found at www.ireland.anglican.org.  The website also contains an updated list (as of September 2021) of all the births, marriages, and burials for the 26 counties in Ireland. 

Ireland_Irish family history

Ireland Census Records to Help With Irish Family History 

www.census.nationalarchives.ie  

The Census of 1901 and 1911 are online at www.census.nationalarchives.ie. Fragments of earlier Census records have survived and are on the same website.  

Property Surveys to Find Irish Ancestors 

www.askaboutireland.ie 

www.nationalarchives.ie 

Due to the lack of 19th-century property records, we depend on the two property surveys, Griffith Valuation 1847-1864 and Tithe Applotment Books 1823-1838 to provide property ownership information.  

Griffith Valuation can be found at Ask About Ireland and on Ancestry.com.  

The Tithe Applotment Books are on the National Archives website www.nationalarchives.ie. 

General Alphabetical Index to The Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland 

The book “General Alphabetical Index to The Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland,” based on the Census of Ireland for the year 1851 may help if you know the name of an area your ancestors were from but don’t know which county. 

Legacy Tree Blog 

Legacy Tree also has a collection of blog articles that can help you learn about Irish genealogy research and how to find your family in Ireland.  

https://www.legacytree.com/blog/irish-genealogy-resources   

https://www.legacytree.com/blog/5-keys-to-researching-your-irish-ancestors 

https://www.legacytree.com/blog/preparing-for-a-heritage-travel-tour-in-ireland 

https://www.legacytree.com/blog/15-steps-to-finding-your-immigrant-ancestors 

  

Finding your ancestors in Ireland is possible. Often even with the resources listed above, you will need the assistance of a professional genealogist to put the pieces together for you. If you need an expert to assist with your Irish research project, please reach out to Legacy Tree Genealogists for a free quote. 

 

Filed Under: Archives & Repositories, British Isles, Census, Church Records, Europe, Genealogy Records and Resources, genealogy research, Genealogy Tips & Best Practices, Immigration, Internet Research, Irish Ancestors Tagged With: Ireland, irish ancestors, Irish Family History, Irish genealogy

december 22, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

DNA and Genetic Genealogy top articles

Top 5 DNA and Genetic Genealogy Blog Posts in 2022

DNA and Genetic Genealogy Blog Posts

The use of DNA and genetic genealogy have become widely used strategies for solving challenging genealogy research projects since DNA testing became available to the public in the early 2000s. 

With our team of expert genetic genealogists at Legacy Tree, we can break through brick walls, discover unknown parentage, and make family tree connections that were impossible just a few short decades ago.

In case you missed them, below are the top five DNA and genetic genealogy blog posts of 2022 that can help you better understand genetic genealogy and possibly overcome brick wall challenges that could hinder your research progress. (If you haven’t done so, you can subscribe to our blog on this page.)

How Are We Related? Navigating the Terminology.

How are we related

How are we related? That’s a question that we have been asked quite a bit lately, and sometimes determining that exact familial connection with someone else can be confusing.

  • What is the difference between a second cousin and a first cousin, once removed?
  • What does the “removed” mean, anyway?
  • If my mom has a cousin, how is he related to me?
  • Is my grandfather’s sister my great-aunt, or my grand-aunt?

If you have ever felt confusion over these terms, you are not alone!

Most of us know that our parents’ siblings’ children are our first cousins, and that our parents’ siblings themselves are our aunts and uncles. That’s easy enough to understand. It’s when you get to more distant connections that it becomes confusing.

Read the full article here. 

How Do I Determine Genetically Equivalent Relationships?

DNA and genetic genealogy explain family relationships

An understanding of genealogical relationships is necessary before diving into genetically equivalent relationships in your family history. This article will provide an overview of both concepts.

Correctly evaluating shared DNA within the context of genetically equivalent relationships first requires mastery of genealogical relationships. Here we review important genealogical relationships based on some of the pertinent variables. For the sake of simplicity, we limit our analysis to biological relatives and exclude in-law and step relationships.

Read the full article here. 

The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of Y-DNA Testing

Hire a DNA genealogist

DNA testing for genealogy has become really popular in the past few years, and incredible discoveries are being made through DNA testing that in many cases, could not be made any other way. Most of the recent attention has been on autosomal testing. However, Y-DNA testing also provides great genealogical value, and while more limited in scope, it can be a tremendous aid in breaking through more distant genealogical brick walls.

The testing coverage of the Y chromosome has increased in recent years, and the cost has dropped significantly, making advanced testing an option for more consumers. This article is not a how-to on interpreting results, but will discuss some basics of Y-DNA testing, and hopefully provide some ideas for how Y-DNA testing might further your genealogical research. 

Read the full article here. 

Third Cousins Twice Removed and Consanguinity: Figuring Out How You’re Related to Your Relatives

Family Relationships Chart - How am I related

The Ancestry.com app We’re Related has proven to be a fun novelty sort of parlor game. The app utilizes the information found in your Ancestry online family tree to look for similarly-named individuals in the family trees of various famous people: politicians, actors, musicians, and your Facebook friends.

In this article we provide charts and explanations on how to discover your connection to your relatives. It can help you verify your family tree and provide clarity to those relationships. And who knows, you just may find out you are related to someone famous.

Read the full article here.

Why Don’t I Share Any DNA with My Known Relative?

DNA and Genetic Genealogy top articles

What do you do when you know you should be related to someone but through DNA testing you discover that you share no DNA? Is the analysis tool wrong? Do one of you have a big family secret waiting to be discovered? It’s not the tool, and regarding a big family secret—maybe yes, maybe no. It depends.

In this article we explore situations where you don’t share DNA with a known relative, why that happens, and what that means for your family tree.

Read the full article here. 

 

DNA and genetic genealogy research can be rewarding as connections are made and your family tree grows. To get more information about how Legacy Tree Genealogists can assist with your DNA projects, contact us here.

 

Filed Under: DNA Research, Genealogy Brick Walls, Top Posts Tagged With: 2022, DNA, genetic genealogy, methodology, top posts

november 21, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 4 Comments

DNA Surprises

How Genealogy Research Provides Comfort After a DNA Surprise

A DNA Surprise is an event in a person’s life where they find out their parentage is not what they had always believed. In this article we talk with Right to Know founder Kara Rubinstein Deyerin about her own DNA Surprise and how genealogy research and other tools can provide comfort during this challenging experience. 

Kara Rubenstein

Kara Rubinstein Deyerin, Right to Know Founder

Tell us how you felt when you had a DNA surprise. 

 I felt like a unicorn. Who grows up thinking they are half Black and learns they’re not? I felt very much alone when I made that discovery through DNA testing. I cried all the time. I told my children and my family right away. I don’t know how some people keep it to themselves. I wear my emotions on my sleeve, and I knew I had to explain why I was not doing well. I had a tough time even looking in the mirror because I had no context for what I saw—I was not the person I had believed myself to be.  

What is misattributed parentage (MPE), and who does it affect?    

Misattributed Parentage Experience refers to people experiencing DNA surprises or being impacted by a DNA surprise. Because if you do have a DNA surprise, it’s not just you who is impacted, it’s your entire nuclear family. And because most of us are adults, we have significant others. And perhaps children. It’s the people you grew up with; you’re raising family. They are also called raising parents or social parents. And then you have this new genetic family. The ramifications are so significant, and we get people calling us who are the moms or the siblings or the children. It’s not just the people who have these discoveries who have a lot to process. 

What is a Non-Paternal Event (NPE)?

We like to use a non-paternal event to mean people who find out their father is not their father. For example, several situations fall under the non-paternal event umbrella:  

  1. A non-paternal event (NPE) can stem from an affair, assault, or sexual encounter where paternity was obscured, hidden, or unknown.  
  2. An NPE can also refer to a donor-conceived individual who was conceived from the provision of eggs or sperm or a donated embryo or surrogacy.  
  3. An NPE can also include adoptees. It can be informal or formal adoption. Stepchildren can even fall under this as sometimes their parentage was obscured.   

A non-paternal event can also include adoptees.

Some people grow up knowing, “Oh, I know there’s a dad out there, but I’ve never really cared.” Or “I know I’m adopted, but I love my raising family or adoptive family.” Or somebody who grows up knowing they were donor conceived. These are all non-paternal events.  

How Can Genealogists help in cases of Misattributed Parentage Experience and Non-Paternal Events?   

Genealogists are vital because you need answers. It helps to have a restart, a way to rebuild your identity. And without knowing your parentage and where you come from, you have no foundation to start that recreation of your sense of self.   

Is it important to seek support after a DNA surprise?   

Seeking help is essential. We can find support from others who have had these experiences, and that’s important. But often, we need therapy. We need to see a licensed therapist. You do have to take care of your children, spouse, family, friends, and parents. But at this point in your life, you must come first because of what you are experiencing.   

How did Right to Know get started? Right to Know Logo

I got invited to do a ‘DNA surprises’ special on our local news station. Most people think, “Oh, she’s just the product of an affair. A one-night stand.” But I wanted people to understand that this same emotional experience happens to people who discover they are adopted or are donor conceived. When we did this interview, I invited an adoptee, a donor-conceived person, and another person with a similar story to mine. She had a non-paternal event. Afterward, we sat down for dinner and realized, “We have no mental health support. We have nobody advocating for our rights. We have an entirely new medical history that changes everything for us.” To address this, we decided to start the non-profit Right to Know in 2019.   

What is the mission of the Right to Know?   

We need to shift our ideas of the right to privacy versus medical information for everyone to understand that people have a right to their medical information. It is a fundamental human right to know your genetic identity. You need your family medical history to make informed decisions about your health.   

What services do you provide at Right to Know?   

We have a mentor program to help people find connections and not feel alone. For example, if you find out you are donor-conceived, we will pair you with someone who also found out they were donor-conceived, but a little further along the healing process.   

We also have a directory of therapists who have experience working with MPEs (www.MPECounseling.org). We hear so often that people sit down with their therapists and the therapists say, “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe that happened.” There’s not any training yet to support this area. We created continuing education credit classes for therapists on these issues because we repeatedly heard that therapists didn’t know how to help people in these situations.  

A major service we provide is to help people find their birth parents. We work with several non-profit groups we call ‘search angels’ who donate time to find genetic parents at no charge. And then, if we cannot help them, or they need more research on their family tree beyond the parents’ identity, we refer them to groups like Legacy Tree Genealogists.

We provide live webinars and online recorded classes covering various topics related to MPE’s including family history and DNA research, as well as monthly virtual meetups with a therapist. Our past webinars are available on our education site (www.MPE-Education.org).  

What challenges might a person experience when reaching out to their biological family?  

 You may experience rejection or reunion. Most people believe this only applies to your biological family, but you can also experience rejection from your raising family. One woman who came to Right to Know said her raising father showed up with a garbage bag full of all her little kid memories from childhood. He said, “You’re not my daughter anymore. You never were.” So, it can be challenging within the raising family as well. If you’re married and discover you’re a different race, spouses sometimes have a hard time.   

And then, you have the new genetic family that you’re reaching out to, and that’s where people usually think about rejection. We did a study, and only 15% said they were entirely rejected by their birth families, which is a positive thing (To see a happy birth family reunion, visit here). 

Another common struggle is the ‘ghost kingdom’ which is imagining what your life would have been like growing up knowing that missing parent. For a parent who relinquished a child, it’s wondering what life would have been like to raise their child. Or, for someone who adopted a child, it’s wondering what it would have been like to have had a child who mirrored them genetically. We need to have those times when we imagine it, but we also need to let go. We can’t stay in our ghost kingdom.   

Identity crisis is another experience common MPE. It requires a person to go back and re-edit their past and start to rebuild a future with this new identity, and that’s where genealogy research is essential.   

How does genealogical research benefit an MPE?  

Once a person discovers their biological past is different than they believed, they always want to know more about their history. They want to build those family trees and learn where great grandma came from. It is crucial to learn about your biological genealogy to rebuild your sense of self.  

Tell us a bit about the Untangling Your Roots summit.   Untangling Our Roots

Untangling Your Roots will be in Louisville, Kentucky, from March 30th through April 1st, 2023. We are partnering with the National Association of Adoptees and Parents, and the purpose of the summit is to unite these communities, amplify our voices, and share our experiences. We have more than 50 speakers on various topics, so there’ll be something for everyone. It’s so amazing to be with people in person who have had similar experiences and are there to support you. We are also hosting a significant other day at the summit. This new knowledge is a lot for your life partner to process. So, we offer a track with a therapist putting on a program for significant others.  

There are five topic choices for each session. There will be many podcasters and authors there, so it should be a lot of fun. On the final day of the summit, we hold a comedy hour. The summit ends with an hour of reflection and rejuvenation.   

Final Words from Kara:   

For the person who has had a DNA surprise, you need to remember that you may have had a lot of time to process this information, but the other people in your raising family and biological family have not. Often people get so excited about finding their genetic family that they go too fast and overwhelm the other people involved. I tell everyone in this phase to go slow, slow, slow, slow.  

On the flip side, if somebody is reaching out to you, take a moment to listen to them. Share family photos because they need to know who they look like and why. Share some medical information. And if a relationship develops, that’s great. And if one doesn’t, that’s okay too. But at least take a moment to share those few things. Because for someone who has a surprise, this is so much to process. If you can help them heal through such a traumatic experience, that is the greatest gift. 

If you’ve had a misattributed parentage experience (MPE) and want to discover your genetic family tree, the team of researchers at Legacy Tree Genealogists are experts at identifying birth parents and connecting you to your biological family tree. You can learn more by reaching out here, or scheduling a DNA consultation.  

 

Filed Under: Adoption & Genetic Genealogy, DNA Research, forensic genealogist, Legacy Tree Affiliates Tagged With: adoption, Biological Family, DNA, Dna surprise, DNA testing, genealogy research, Unknown parentage

november 2, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

Researching Your Irish Ancestors

5 Keys to Researching Your Irish Ancestors

Researching your Irish ancestors requires you to understand the geography

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Are you researching your Irish ancestors? Or were your ancestors part of the Irish diaspora worldwide? Five key things to know before you begin your research. 

1. North and South 

Since 1921, the island of Ireland has been separated into two countries – the Republic of Ireland in the south and Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, in the north. It’s essential to know the distinction between the two before you begin. Northern Irish records are held in the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast, whereas Irish records are held by the General Records Office (GRO) in Dublin. Some online databases are split between the two countries, but others include the whole island. To ensure you are researching your Irish ancestors in the right place, try to find out which region (e.g., county) in Ireland your ancestors came from first. Then you can focus on the most recent Civil records available from that country.  

 2. The Brick Wall of Irish Ancestry  

Many researchers will despair when researching Irish ancestors before the twentieth century, and this is because of a great tragedy that occurred in 1922. Ireland conducted a nationwide census every decade from 1821 to 1911. At this time, all records were held by the Public Records Office (PRO) in Dublin. During the Irish Civil War, the building that housed the PRO was caught in the crossfire. An explosion and fire ravaged the building, and many of precious records were destroyed. This has caused many researchers to despair, but this Irish brick wall can be broken. The records that remained, which can still help you with your search, include the following:  

  • 1901 and 1911 censuses 
  • Fragments of the 1821-1891 censuses  
  • Civil Registration Records  
  • Some Church of Ireland Parish registers 
  • Baptismal, marriage, and death records for Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Methodists 
  • Griffiths’ Valuation (a record of owned or rented land in the mid-nineteenth century)  
  • Indexes to wills and probate bonds  
  • And a good deal more
National Archives of Ireland helps when researching your Irish ancestors

National Archives of Ireland

3. Civil v. Parish Records in Ireland

Civil records will be your primary go-to for researching your Irish ancestors after the mid-nineteenth century. These are records made by the state when it became compulsory to register a birth (1864), a marriage (1845), and a death (1871). Before this, you can rely on Parish records – baptisms, marriages, and burials made by churches – for individual members of each congregation. Some of the records go back to the 1600s, but you are entirely at the mercy of knowing which denomination your ancestors belonged to, how well the records were preserved, and whether they are digitized. You can find links to some of these at the end of this article.  

4. Religion in More Detail 

Religion is a significant part of the culture of Irish and Northern Irish heritage. Catholic and Protestant denominations are the key to many eighteenth and early nineteenth-century records that pre-date Civil records. These are mainly from the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, and the Quakers.

If you know which denomination your ancestors belonged to, you can focus on specific records and areas. Unlocking a denomination, or even a particular church, can lead you to helpful information in the form of gravestones and burial grounds. Surnames can also be a great help for this too: chances are, an Irish surname will land you in Roman Catholic records, whereas a Scottish or English surname might indicate Northern Presbyterian or Church of Ireland roots. This is not true of every surname, however, and there are always exceptions.  

Researching Your Irish Ancestors through church records

Cathedral in Cobh, Ireland

5. Online Resources for Researching Your Irish Ancestors

We’ve pulled together a list of the best resources online to help you get started:  

The National Archives of Ireland – Census of 1901 and 1911 – Free to use 

This archive is the place to start if you know your ancestors were in Ireland in 1901 and 1911. You can search each census year by name, age, county, or street. You can also browse through the census if you know which county or area your ancestors came from. This resource also contains the few remaining fragments of the 1821-1891 censuses. The 1911 Census in particular gives you a wealth of information, including occupation, marriage year, number of children born, literacy levels, languages spoken and religious denomination.  

Irish Genealogy – Free to use 

This brilliant website contains most indexes to the Civil birth, marriage and death records, and Church records of baptisms, marriages, and burials, from most counties across the island. Some records include the original transcript, which allows you to get up close and personal with your ancestors’ handwriting and helps connect the dots through details such as occupations, addresses, and specific churches attended.  

Ancestry – $ Membership required 

Ancestry has over 100 database collections for The Republic of Ireland, and 50 for Northern Ireland, including passenger lists, muster rolls, agricultural censuses, grave inscriptions, religious censuses, and Griffiths’ Valuations. The indexes are free to search, but membership is required to view the records in full.  

Ulster Historical Foundation – $ Membership required  

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a wonderful collection of resources for researching your Irish ancestors from the province of Ulster, the nine counties in the north of Ireland. These are Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry/Derry, and Tyrone in Northern Ireland. Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan are found in the Republic of Ireland. This website also contains a wealth of unique alternative databases such as seventeenth-century plantation certificates, local newspaper notices, and workhouse inmate rolls. The main indexes are free to search, but membership and credits are required to view the records fully. 

 Don’t worry if you can’t find what you’re looking for immediately – many of these databases are continually digitizing and uploading new records. And if you’re in it for the long haul, the 1926 Irish Census will be released in January 2027! 

Not Finding What You’re Looking for Online? 

You may have trouble finding records because they have not been made digitally available (usually those in the last 100 years). If the Civil records are not available online, they may be able to view in person at the Reading Rooms in Belfast or Dublin. Other societies, such as the Presbyterian Historical Society of Ireland, hold exclusive records only available in their reading rooms. Through the Legacy Tree onsite researchers, we can assist you with your genealogy goals in Ireland.

If you are researching your Irish ancestors and would like help tracing their lineage, our experts can help! Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss which of our project options work best for your research needs.  

Filed Under: Genealogy Brick Walls, Genealogy Records and Resources, genealogy research, Irish Ancestors, Top Posts Tagged With: archives, british, genealogy, Ireland, irish ancestors, irish research, legacy tree, national archives of ireland

september 20, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 6 Comments

Connect to Your Roots: Plan Your 2023 Heritage Tour Now

Connect to Your Roots: Plan Your 2023 Heritage Tour Now

Connect to Your Roots: Plan Your 2023 Heritage Tour NowOur ancestors’ stories are an integral part of who we are. Many are drawn to their ancestral homeland with the quest of discovering the details of the lives of those who came before them. If you are thinking about traveling out of the country, consider planning a heritage travel tour.

What is a Heritage Travel Tour?

A heritage, or ancestral, tour involves traveling to different locations to understand the history and culture associated with them. But they don’t just involve sightseeing.

A travel tour utilizes an itinerary based on where your ancestors were born and traveled during their lifetimes. These tours can bring you closer to your roots by visiting ancestral residences, uncovering family stories, locating or possibly connecting with living relatives, and learning more about your ancestors’ day-to-day lives. Even if you can’t pinpoint an exact place of residence for your ancestor, churches, schools, and places of work were all important parts of daily life. Visiting these places can be rewarding.

The article, The Importance of Cultural Heritage, stated it well: “Culture can give people a connection to certain social values, beliefs, religions, and customs…It can provide an automatic sense of unity and belonging within a group and allows us to better understand previous generations and the history of where we come from.”

International Travel Forecast: Make Your Plans Now

The international tourism scene is booming and the World Travel and Tourism Council says it will outpace the growth of the overall economy in the next 10 years, and it is anticipated that 2023 will be one of the biggest years for traveling than we have seen in years. At the same time, with inflation and other economic factors, global travel prices are predicted to continue to increase, according to the 2023 Global Business Travel Forecast.

This is why many tourists have already started making their travel plans for next year. People are planning well in advance, trying to get bargains for trips. “We have already seen that there is an increase in heritage tours being scheduled for 2023,” said Adam Zalewski, founder, and co-owner of genealogytour.com based in Poland.

Start with Heritage Travel Tour Planning

Visiting the places your ancestors knew is life-changing, and preparation for a successful heritage tour is key. To help you make the most of your heritage tour, Legacy Tree Genealogists can do preliminary research in immigrant destination countries so your travel will be personalized and meaningful.

With a team of professional genealogists all over the world, Legacy Tree has access to archives and repositories in more than 100 countries. Our genealogists speak and read a multitude of languages and have the skills and expertise necessary to discover the details of your ancestors’ stories and help you plan your heritage tour. View our sample Heritage Travel plan.

As the highest-rated genealogy research company in the world, you can count on us to bring the details of your ancestors’ journey to life. And when you decide to schedule that journey, our travel affiliate partners can ensure that your ancestry tour goes off without a hitch.

Travel Planning Experts

Genealogytour.com is an expert in Polish heritage and genealogy-related services, serving more than 10,000 customers for over 15 years. They organize heritage tours to present the country of your ancestors, as well as specific areas and towns, so you can (literally) follow in your ancestors’ footprints.

They can assist in visits to original homes where ancestors used to live, their graves, and very often, living relatives of their clients. Their tour guides are experienced in genealogy and knowledgeable about your ancestry before the tour begins.

“While preparing our itineraries, we try to show Poland as it looked when your ancestors used to live here, but in a modern way,” said Adam Zalewski, founder, and co-owner. “We believe that the tour is not just about seeing the country but about experiencing it, by meeting people, learning about the culture, and seeing what your ancestors’ everyday lives were like.”

My Bella Vita Travel was the first company to offer private heritage tours specific to Calabria, Italy. Their team has helped travelers rediscover their southern Italian roots over the last 16 years and has introduced hundreds of Americans, Canadians, and Australians of Italian descent to their Calabrian cousins.

Their team of bilingual Heritage Specialists has been trained and certified and understands the intricacies of navigating the often difficult and confusing land of Italian genealogy. They know how to negotiate with city officials and the various paths to locate tricky information.

CEO and founder Cherrye Moore said, “It’s amazing to see our guests reconnect with their southern Italian roots and to help them find answers to long-asked questions. We understand the importance of this trip and are honored to be on this journey with them.”

At Morris Columbus Travel, travel specialists find and create the perfect trip for every traveler. Since 1958, they have built relationships with the world’s top cruise lines, tour operators, safari outfitters, hotels, airlines, rail, car rentals, and more. Unlike the average travel booking website or an automated phone system, Morris Columbus Travel will take the time to get to know you and your family, making sure your vacation is perfectly tailored to your needs. They have more than 55 years of experience serving customers all over the United States.

“Agencies like ours that invest time and resources to train and expand the knowledge of our advisors offer a valuable tool in helping you plan your next getaway because an enjoyable vacation creates a lifetime of memories for you, your family, and friends,” said Brent Jenson, President. “Please contact one of our trained, knowledgeable travel consultants and give us a chance to show you what we do best – we make dreams come true!”

European Focus private tours are custom-designed trips led by a professional guide in any of the 18 countries in Europe where the company has more than 32 years of experience. James Derheim is your guide and the owner, ensuring the utmost dedication. He is with you from start to finish and works with you every step of the way to create your best possible experience. Before your trip, he scouts your ancestral town (when practical), to become familiar with what there is to see and do. Contacts are made in advance with pastors, archivists, and local historians. It’s a real escape, free from figuring out foreign maps, languages, and customs.

“Explore your ancestral town in a way that you never imagined was possible. Have the kinds of experiences that make all the documents you’ve collected come to life,” said James. “Half of the trips led each season between April and November are with return guests. I care about your happiness because, without it, I wouldn’t have a business.”

Now is the Time to Begin Your Journey

Discovering your family history is an exciting and rewarding journey. To get the most out of your heritage tour, it’s important to prepare now and make a plan based on solid family research. Please contact us for a free estimate on research and we can also create your customized Heritage Travel Plan. Our genealogists have the skills and expertise to uncover the details of your ancestors’ stories and help you plan a meaningful heritage tour.

Filed Under: Legacy Tree Affiliates, Onsite, Travel Plans

juli 6, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 1 Comment

Ask a Genealogist: Tracing Ancestry in Spain

Ask a Genealogist: Tracing Ancestry in Spain

We sat down with Katy Barnes to discuss research in Spain. She spent seven years as a senior editor and researcher with Legacy Tree Genealogists, with a wide range of geographic specialties, and has a degree in family history and genealogy.

Ask a Genealogist: Spanish Ancestor ResearchWhat interested you in genealogy and specifically research into Spain?

I’ve always loved history, writing, and other topics that frequently intersect with genealogy, such as politics, culture, and law. I discovered genealogy as a hobby in high school, trying to answer questions many people have about their origins and where they came from. I then attended a university where I could major in the subject.

I got into Spanish and Latin American genealogical research by way of the language. I started taking Spanish classes in high school and really fell in love with it, thanks to a particularly good teacher I had. And then in college, I was able to supplement studying language with courses about Spanish and Latin American genealogy.

Is research in Spain different than research in other countries?

Every country has its own research quirks. Successful Spanish research relies heavily on religious records, for example, given the history of the Roman Catholic Church there.

Research in Spain can also be challenging because many of the records have not been made available digitally as they have in other parts of the world. There isn’t as wide a variety of records in Spain as we might see in the United States. For example, censuses, newspapers, tax lists, and yearbooks might not be available, or if they are, they might be difficult to access.

Research in Spain often requires onsite research, archives, and local churches. But the upside is that Catholic records usually go back further and are generally more consistent with results.

What areas do most of your projects in Spain come from?

You might think most people have ancestors from countries that were former colonies of the Spanish Empire. But even if the client has an interest in Spain, we usually begin with a recent immigrant country and trace the client’s ancestors there first.

Most frequently I’ve researched Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, and Columbia, in terms of projects involving immigrants from Spain. There hasn’t been a lot of consistency about where they or their ancestors originally came from.

The Spanish were not one of the most predominant immigrant groups going to America on a wide scale, at least compared to, say, Irish, Italians, or Germans in the 19th century. A lot of the Spanish migration that did happen, happened more recently in the 20th century.

If your ancestors came to the New World much earlier, perhaps in the 1500s and 1600s, they might have come from central or northern Spain or from the Basque provinces in the northeast. At one time, there was a large migration from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.

Would you talk about immigration from Spain to the U.S. and how that has impacted research?

A century following some economic troubles in Spain, people typically chose to go to other countries in Europe rather than to the U.S. Obviously, there were some Spanish people that immigrated to the U.S., and for those that did, it often makes research easier because more recent records in the U.S. are likely to contain key genealogy information.

Then we need to make that jump back to Spain to look for the immigrants’ exact birthplace, birth dates, and the names of their parents.

On the other hand, in both Spain and in the U.S., records that are more recent are likely to be protected by privacy laws, which can be a research obstacle.

Most frequently we are working with immigrants, in the United States or other countries in Central and South America, who are descendants of a much earlier Spanish diaspora to the New World.

What are some unique experiences you’ve encountered with Spanish research?

The most typical brick wall you’re going to run into in Spanish research is going to be identifying a family member’s hometown in Spain. Because most records are not yet digitized or indexed, you have to know the town of origin in order to look for records or to know where to send an onsite researcher.

I researched a client’s ancestors and was provided a location they believed was the hometown of a Spanish immigrant who came to the U.S. in the 20th century. But the incorrect town was provided since there was another town in Spain with a similar name. Sometimes those brick walls can just be small issues like that, but we need to be sure to start with and research the correct location.

Another unique experience was when I completed a project where the client’s ancestors moved from Spain and arrived in Mexico in the 1800s. I was able to determine exactly where they came from and, interestingly, discovered that the husband was twice an immigrant.

He married a Spanish woman in Malaga, which is in southern Spain. But their marriage record indicated that he had been born in a specific town in France. We were able to get the Spanish hometown, but also a French hometown. That sort of discovery is rare, and it’s definitely rewarding when it can be solved.

How can using a professional genealogist help rather than someone researching on their own?

Limitations can impede progress and cause frustration for hobbyist genealogists researching their families, especially when you consider different languages, old handwriting, geography, cultural issues, and laws. It’s certainly not impossible, but a lot of our clients come to us knowing that our experience can get them answers more efficiently and with greater confidence in their accuracy.

I can speak to that personally. I have German ancestry and my German language skills are minimal compared to my Spanish skills. So even as a professional, I have leaned on my more knowledgeable German researcher colleagues to help with translations and explanations of cultural context.

Another benefit Legacy Tree offers is a network of established onsite researchers around the world. These researchers know the area, are fluent in the language, are familiar with their archives, and usually have a good relationship with the local priest or the archivist. Because we have a strong connection with onsite researchers, we have a relationship and can let them know what we need. And we don’t have to begin all over or try to build that relationship from the start.

Also see: Legacy Tree Onsite: A Guide to Spanish Genealogy & Family History Resources

If you’re not sure how to pursue your Spanish heritage, we are ready to help. Contact us today to discuss your research goals and get started!

Filed Under: Genealogy & Lineage Societies, genealogy research, Professional Genealogy, Spain

juni 28, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 6 Comments

Maria Sequichie, her Cherokee name was Wa-lee-yah

Ask a Genealogist: Exploring Your Cherokee Heritage

Michelle Carroll uses a combination of genetic genealogy and traditional research to help clients break through genealogy brick walls. In addition to holding a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University, her diverse background has resulted in a breadth of genealogical knowledge including Cherokee, African American, French Canadian/Acadian, and Norwegian ancestry.

 

Maria Sequichie, her Cherokee name was Wa-lee-yah

Photos of Michelle’s second great aunt, Maria Sequichie (1866-1936). Her Cherokee name was Wa-lee-yah. Her parents came to Indian Territory (current-day Oklahoma) on the Trail of Tears. Her father died in 1875 at about 40 years of age as a result of an injury he received while serving in the U.S. military for the Indian Home Guards. Maria attended school at the Cherokee Female Seminary in Tahlequah, one of the first women’s boarding schools west of the Mississippi, and then went on to Bacone University. After graduation, Maria was a schoolteacher in the Cooweescoowee and Delaware districts of the Cherokee Nation.

What got you interested in genealogy?

I became interested in genealogy when I was in grade school and built my first family tree. I have been researching on a more serious level for more than 15 years. Helping people solve their family questions and mysteries is one of my favorite things to do.

 

What specifically interested you about Native American research?

Learning about my Cherokee heritage has been one of the most rewarding parts of my genealogical journey. I was lucky to grow up in a town with my maternal and paternal grandparents around me. The stories they told me about their lives and about their grandparents fascinated me – and I wanted to know more.

Maria Sequichie married John Ross McIntosh

Maria married John Ross McIntosh, who served as a Chief Justice of the Cherokee Nation.

My grandfather was part Cherokee, and his mother was on the Dawes Rolls, which is required for membership in the Cherokee Nation, one of the three federally recognized Cherokee tribes –the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Eastern Band of Cherokee (NC), and United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (OK).

His family took part in the Trail of Tears migration in the 1830s when members of the Five Civilized tribes were forced to leave their homes and were sent to march to “lands in the west” called Indian Territory. The Five Civilized Tribes are made up of Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles. Tracing the Cherokee rolls beyond the Trail of Tears and learning about the location my family lived, which was near the North Carolina and Georgia border, was really exciting to me, too. I’d love to go visit that area someday.

My grandfather’s cousin is a published Cherokee author. Reading the books that she wrote when I was growing up was so much fun. Her name is Joyce Sequichie Hifler and one of my favorite books she authored, When the Night Bird Sings, describes their time growing up in Oklahoma, how they were raised, what was important to the family, and how they interacted with nature.

What are some challenges with Cherokee heritage research? 

One of the biggest challenges I’ve found is when the Cherokee came to Indian Territory in current-day Oklahoma, if the U.S. government couldn’t pronounce Indian names when documenting them, they often translated or changed their names to English equivalents. (It is important to note that the Cherokees did not have a written language until 1821 and didn’t keep written records of deaths or marriages until after that time.) Some of my ancestors have had more than one name change during their lifetime, which makes it difficult to trace a family through the records.

In 1835, representatives of the Cherokee nation negotiated the Treaty of New Echota with the U.S. government, which traded all Cherokee land east of the Mississippi for $5 million, relocation assistance, and compensation for lost property. In 1906, the U.S. Court of Claims settled a lawsuit between the Eastern Cherokee and the United States resulting in a $1 million award. To distribute the money to individuals, an application process was created and overseen by Guion Miller. Unfortunately, people falsely tried to apply for reparations, and the government needed to be sure compensation went to actual tribe members. Over two-thirds of the more than 45,000 applications were rejected because the applicants were not on the roll that was needed to prove that they deserved the payout.

However, for people today that are researching their Cherokee ancestors, the rejected applications are still full of great genealogical information. Just because an application was rejected doesn’t mean that the family was not Cherokee. It may mean that their ancestors simply weren’t on the rolls, whether they intentionally tried to avoid putting their names on the rolls or whether they just got missed.

Can you describe a brick wall you have overcome?

One recent success was when I explored a genealogical brick wall of a Native American client. I found an interview at a local repository that was done by an amateur historian that lived in the early 1900s. This man was interested in local tribes and interviewed members, collected photos, and wrote down the histories that these different tribes orally presented to him. He ended up with a large collection that was put into an archive at a local university.

The client was able to listen to an audio recording of the son of his ancestor, who talked about their family, traditions, the way that they caught fish, and how they prepared food. He learned so much about his history and how his culture was presented.

Examples like this are why it’s important to look at local universities and archives. They usually have lists online that can help you find out what the different collections include (even if not all of it is available online). You might have to call the library or university and have someone help you get the information. It’s worth the extra effort to find those gems that really help you in your research.

What suggestions do you have for people researching their Cherokee ancestry?

Although there are unique challenges associated with Cherokee research, finding a family connection is an achievable goal with a good research plan and an understanding of available records. I suggest reading our previous post on the basics of researching Cherokee Ancestry. 

Then read on to learn more about how to approach your research project, the limitations of DNA in Native American research, tribal citizenship, and the use of Cherokee rolls.

If you are interested in finding out more about your Native American heritage, I encourage you to do some research, look at the records, and start to look into your grandparents and your great-grandparents. Start to trace where they lived, when they were born, when they died, and trace their families.

And just like any genealogy research, one of the most important things you can do to start with is to really understand all of the records that are available and then try to figure out which ones would be the most useful to research the next generation of your family.

If you’re just getting started in Cherokee research, I recommend the books Cherokee Connections by Myra Vanderpool Gormley and Cherokee Proud by Tony Mack McClure. Both are older books but they can help you to understand how to start, what to look for, how to trace your family, and most importantly, the records are primarily traced through Cherokee rolls.

How can using a professional genealogist help someone who would like to learn more about their family’s Cherokee heritage?

I was impressed when I first started working for Legacy Tree genealogists at the knowledge of the people that I work with, and the fact that we have researchers all over the country and worldwide. We can find information that can be challenging for the novice.

No matter where your research takes you, we’re here to help you. In locations around the world, we can provide onsite research and we have connections with a lot of the big repositories and are able to pull files quickly that will help you get to the next step in your research.

Although researching Native American roots can be challenging, the connections you make with relatives and the stories you learn about your family make it worthwhile. Consider allowing Legacy Tree Genealogist’s team of expert genealogists to help you accomplish your research goals! Contact us today for a free consultation and learn what our experts can do for you.

Filed Under: Genealogy & Lineage Societies, genealogy research, Native American Genealogy

juni 23, 2022 by Legacy Tree Genealogists Leave a Comment

Guest Blog: My Genealogy Travels and Research

Guest Blog: My Genealogy Travels and Research

Guest Blog: My Genealogy Travels and ResearchA family tree has many branches and researching ancestors can be an ongoing process. In fact, nearly half of our clients order additional genealogy research projects to answer more questions about their family history. One client, Norman E. “Ned” Donoghue, II, embarked on a quest to trace his ancestry half a century ago and has enjoyed learning more about his family’s past. When he wanted to extend his ancestry beyond his own available resources, he reached out to Legacy Tree Genealogists and has since allowed us to complete nearly 20 genealogy research projects for him. Here, Ned shares his personal journey.

This article is written by Norman E. “Ned” Donoghue, II

Throughout my life, I’ve traveled far and wide to Europe, Central America, Africa (Morocco), many Caribbean and European islands, and around the United States. I have particularly sought to learn about the lives and struggles, triumphs, and challenges of my mother’s Brumbaugh family and my father’s Donoghue family ancestors. But in recent years when international travel has been somewhat limited, I have done a deep dive into records online as well as through various family documents, correspondence, and photographs that have been very carefully kept, passed down, and preserved for more than two centuries.

In all, after more than 50 years of researching on my own, I began to extend my research even further through the services of the very excellent professional genealogists at Legacy Tree Genealogists, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have more experience and resources than I have at my disposal and have enabled me to extend my research through remote and onsite services.

Through this special digital lens, I was able to revisit central moments in the history of those family members who came before me. This is being currently pursued with respect to my father’s Donoghue ancestors to break through the “brick wall” of the original Dennis Donoghue, a “sailor lost at sea,” before his widow Ellen’s 1833 immigration from England through New York to Philadelphia. We’ve even spent hours on DNA projects in hopes of finding the best way to break through.

Below are some of the milestones on my journey, aided immeasurably by the generous sharing of my equally history-conscious cousin David Christian Sinding, who shared family artifacts, paperwork, and insight. Our journey together during the last several years has broadened and deepened our personal relationship and the scope of family inquiry and understanding.

My Mother’s Brumbaugh Family

I have read my 101-year-old grandmother’s final letter about her life, recalling darning stockings and riding in a surrey pulled by a horse named Dexter as a youth. I preserved letters she occasionally sent to me.

____________________________________

“My sister and I had to darn the stockings. We wore long cotton ones, white or black and sometimes the holes were quite big….We had a horse and cow and chickens. Every Sunday we would all go to church and S.S. [Sunday School] in a surrey with old Dexter the horse.”

~ Peggy Valentine Brumbaugh (1892-1993)

____________________________________

I read Sterling Galt Valentine’s last letter he sent to my grandmother in 1924. I followed his handicapped son’s career through three marriages and innumerable odd jobs. I traced the career of his younger sister Adele who, after graduating 2nd in her class in 1915, died of a heart problem at 22. My grandmother helped lift her from the coffin to dress her for eternity. I traced my great-grandmother’s 1920 chart of her carefully researched family trees.

I discovered the farm on the Monocacy River in Maryland, owned once by our 4th great-grandfather, George Valentine, a German immigrant in 1749. I attended two Valentine family reunions in 2010 and 2011 and discovered that our 2nd great-grandfather, Milton Valentine, went from farm boy to beloved college president who recited poetry in his speeches. I discovered his diary entry for the day of his 1852 wedding to Maggie Galt when he wrote, “Best days’ work I ever did.” I also found that his father-in-law, Sterling Galt, a farmer and civic stalwart and father of seven successful children, died peacefully in his daughter’s and son-in-law’s parlor in his 85th year. Together with Milton’s children, the Valentines were the mainstays of the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania community for more than 100 years, from 1846 to 1947.

I rescued from obscurity my mother’s 1750 German immigrant 3rd great-grandfather Johann Jacob Brumbach and chronicled on my website his rise as a farmer and distiller with seven children. He owned a dozen farms on 3500 acres on the Maryland and Pennsylvania frontiers by the time of his death in 1799. I even found the inventory of his estate and calculated how much whiskey was consumed during the family’s public auction in 1799.

I also found his correspondence with a Quaker merchant prince, Henry Drinker, who was exiled to Virginia because he refused to participate in the military during the Revolutionary War. (The Continental Congress had many Quakers exiled to Virginia in 1777 in fear they were disloyal to the new United States government and were possibly spying for the British. Those exiled were promised freedom if they swore loyalty to the new government, but many of them refused.)

One of Brumbach’s son’s names was in Elizabeth Drinker’s famous diary of 50 years (vol. 3: 1667; August 23, 1803); he had been invited into the Drinkers’ home for breakfast and to pay off the mortgage.

I discovered the five generations of family members who belonged to the Old Deep Run Mennonite Church and found that, although my great-grandmother Lizzie Moyer married outside her faith, they did not shun her.

I traced Simon Brumbaugh from an upstate schoolteacher to a country doctor in the 1880s in Pipersville Village, where he raised his family and gifted the village land and a building for use as a chapel (now a library) and also his home in Philadelphia.

My great-great-grandfather, Reverend William Hambleton Elliott, was an orphaned farm boy on pre-Civil War Kent Island, who became a bishop of the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church at its height in the late 19th century. His family’s land is now part of today’s Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michael’s, Maryland.

____________________________________

I followed widower Rev. Elliott’s 1857 correspondence to the object of his desire, Catharine, the woman he would soon marry, and the intimate letters home he sent to her over the years. “My heart is at home while my duty keeps my person here,” he wrote from a clergy conference in Easton, Pennsylvania.

~ Rev. Wm Hambleton Elliott (1815-1893)

____________________________________

I discovered and reconstructed the tragic life of Lillie Hentz, the beautiful blonde daughter of J. Henry Hentz, the 1880s millionaire wine importer, and the brother of great-grandmother Catharine Hentz Elliott. I read with great interest Catharine Hentz Elliott’s 1852-1870 and 1880-1889 books of her daily life (up to the five last days of her life) as she nursed her daughter, our Aunt Kate, sick with typhoid fever until Catharine herself succumbed from a related disease.

____________________________________

“Catharine Hentz Elliott, wife of ‘One of Philadelphia’s senior Methodist ministers… died at age 69 while waiting on a daughter dangerously ill with typhoid fever, was suddenly stricken down by an attack of typhoid pneumonia, and … yielded to death … after a few days’ illness.’”

~ Catharine Hentz Elliott (1820-1889)

____________________________________

I read my great-grandaunt Kate Elliott’s 1880 diary of her European trip (including her spotting the Princess of Monaco in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City) as well as the more somber 1944-1945 diaries of her last years, having never married but eagerly corresponded with a dozen nephews and nieces, and grandkids.

I read the letters sisters Kate and Adele Elliott received from their friend Edith Bolling Galt Wilson (2nd wife to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson) and put together an essay about the way the Elliotts and the Valentines had come to know Edith through her first husband, Norman Galt, a cousin of Maggie Galt Valentine. They were roommates in the 1880s at the Valentines’ home at Gettysburg College.

____________________________________

“Your praise of Mr. Wilson finds a straight road to my heart, and I hope you will give me the pleasure someday of having you meet him.”

~Mrs. Woodrow Wilson in her 1915 letter to Adele and Sterling

____________________________________

I read in the library at Westminster Seminary the doctoral dissertation on my grandfather Brumbaugh’s fight within the Presbyterian Church (USA) – which caused the division of that church in 1935 – and how he founded his own Bible Presbyterian Church.

My grandmother and grandfather Brumbaugh, while in college in Gettysburg, had eloped to marry in a United Methodist Church in Wilmington, Delaware in 1911. I learned that fellow students serenaded them under their window when they returned to college. My grandfather was a popular and celebrated athlete and scholar, and my grandmother was a beautiful and accomplished soprano.

My Father’s Donoghue Family

I found and preserved the 1852 cemetery deed for a plot at Old St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, and visited her sunken, unmarked grave site there with my family. I rescued and preserved the tin types of my four generations of Donoghue tinsmiths that were documented in censuses.

I also found the professionally photographed image of my great-grandfather Donoghue’s Tinsmith Shop in 1889, gleaming with the finest wares of his day in Christiana, Pennsylvania (population 500). There was a handsome photo of my great-grandfather William Watters, an immigrant mining engineer from England, working the nickel mines in Lancaster County of a leading Quaker industrialist of his day, Joseph Wharton.

Among the many discoveries was also the story of 1860 immigrants from Germany, Johan Stern and Theresa Müller, parents of my grandmother Donoghue. I also commissioned research that took the Stern and Müller history back to the 17th century.

I read newspapers.com records of my Donoghue ancestors in Lancaster in the late 19th and early 20th century in Christiana. I found my grandfather William Donoghue’s professional photo from about 1925 in his East End Hardware store, showing the items he offered for sale to the community from 1922 to 1947.

I traced four generations of Donoghue tinsmiths (1834-1947) in an essay to be published in the summer of 2022 on the O’Donoghue Society in London website, and I traced the rise into the upper-middle class of the Donoghue women (1834-1975) in another essay.

I traced the amazing “Horatio Alger”-kind of rise of my father Norman from business success to being a great dad. I preserved his photo album from 1913 to 1915 (both early office and photos) and gave a copy to the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum, which is now located in the very building where my father first worked himself up the ladder to serve as a chief cost accountant for Lukens Steel Company from 1913 to 1932.

I also preserved my mother’s photo album of her youth in Coatesville and Tacoma in Pennsylvania and elsewhere as they moved. I preserved photos and wrote a story of our idyllic 18th-century fieldstone home “Three Corners” in rural Edge’s Mill, Caln Township, near Downingtown. I also discovered that the home of my youth had been a milestone on the road back home to Philadelphia by the Quaker exiles of 1777-1778, about whom I wrote what I hope will be the definitive history, to be published in 2023.

No one can say I haven’t traveled a great deal these past years and experienced all the joys and sorrows of family life. I was there for many of the peaks and valleys of lives well lived by people whose DNA I carry. It’s been an unforgettable journey.

We would like to thank Norman E. “Ned” Donoghue, II for allowing us to share his journey. Ned’s story is a great example of how our life’s journey can take us around the world and into the past, without having to leave home. Whether you are an experienced researcher in genealogy or a complete beginner, we can help you. If you would like to experience your family’s past in more depth, contact us for a free quote on family history research. If you are planning a heritage tour, whether with a travel agency or on your own, hire our genealogists to discover the details of your family’s history before you go.

Look for Donoghue’s nonfiction book, The Quaker Exile from Revolutionary Philadelphia, 1777-1778,  forthcoming in 2023 from The Pennsylvania State University Press. Persons descended from Quakers and others in southeastern Pennsylvania in those years may be especially interested in the first monograph book on this fascinating and long under-reported episode in history.

Filed Under: Genealogy Brick Walls, Genealogy Records and Resources, genealogy research, Immigration, Legacy Tree Genealogists, Professional Genealogy

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 32
  • Next Page »
  • Læg din familiehistorie i vores hænder.
  • Careers
Terms of Use Privacy Policy

© 2004 - 2023 Legacy Tree Genealogists. All rights reserved.

  • .
  • Dansk
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Portuguese, Brazil
    • Zweeds
    • Norwegian Bokmål
    • Russian