At Legacy Tree Genealogists we are frequently contacted by adoptees who want to find biological family--parents, siblings, grandparents, etc., but for various reasons have little to no information about them. This is a perfect task for both DNA analysis and traditional research, and in this article Leah shares a recent example she worked on which illustrates the genetic analysis process involved in adoption research. I started working with David (names have been changed) in late July. He had … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Finding Belgian Ancestors in the Netherlands
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers all over the world to obtain records for our clients. We asked Frans, onsite in Europe, to give us insight into tracing Belgian ancestors and conducting Belgian and Dutch research at the Regional Historic Centre of Limburg, the provincial archive located in Maastricht, Netherlands. “Dearly beloved mother, sister, and brother, I received your letter with immense joy, for I was thinking that you had died. As for my children, I have four … [Read more...]
More Than Just Wills: The Parts of Probate
No genealogical research in America prior to the 20th century is complete without a search for probate records. Most of us are at least a little familiar with these sorts of documents, although perhaps only through words and documents which affect us even in the 21st century such as “wills” and “estates.” In short, probate is the broad term for the process by which a deceased individual’s worldly possessions are legally divided and debts are paid upon his or her death. How this has functioned … [Read more...]
A New Development for German Census Records
A new development in German census records may make tracing your immigrant German ancestors more feasible than ever before! For genealogists tracing families in the United States, federal census records are one of the first sources searched for information – and for good reason. All of the enumerations from 1850 onward listed every member of the household by name. As time went on, the censuses became much more detailed and, depending on the year, included information such as the month and year … [Read more...]
7 Resources for African American Genealogy Research
African American genealogy research can be difficult and sometimes requires thinking outside of the box. There are several resources outside of U.S. Census records that can provide information or clues to further your research. Freedmen’s Bureau Records – The Bureau was created to provide assistance to the thousands of newly freed slaves and impoverished whites of the south and Washington, DC. The records span 1865 to 1878 and include marriages, military records, complaints, and requests for … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: the Diocesan Archives of Teggiano, Italy
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers all over the world to access records for our clients. We asked Michele from the province of Salerno in southern Italy to give us insight into what it’s like to research at the Diocesan Archives of Teggiano. Check it out! Perched on a green hill in the extreme south of the Campania region, the picturesque village of Teggiano bloomed into a medieval stronghold, keeping within its walls secrets of an ancient past symbolized by the glorious … [Read more...]
The Upside of Negative Results
Making a new discovery about an ancestor is thrilling—so much so that one can even experience a “natural high”—that intake of breath as we realize we just found a new window of insight into our research subject. It is exhilarating to uncover a record that provides a new specific fact about an ancestor — like the occupation used by that ancestor to support the family, or the identity of his parents, enabling the line to be extended another generation, or the place of origin of an immigrating … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: Hidden Gold in California
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers all over the world to access records. We asked Sharon from Silicon Valley, California (USA) to give us insight into what it’s like conducting in-depth genealogy research in California, both onsite and online. While our onsite articles typically focus on international research, American researchers should remember not to neglect the repositories closer to home! Whether your family was drawn to California by the lure of riches, new … [Read more...]