In order to conduct genealogical research, it is necessary to perform an archival search and analysis of the preservation of documents concerning your family. On the basis of a preliminary genealogical examination and interviewing relatives, a full-fledged research can be offered which can be supplemented with DNA examination data if desired.
GENEALOGICAL EXPERTISE
Genealogical examination and communication with relatives
During the expertise phase the systematization of all discovered archival documents is performed, a prototype of genealogical tree is made and the depth of search is assessed.
It is the initial stage of any genealogical research, by the results of which the gaps in the information are clarified and algorithms for in-depth search are determined.
Requests will have to be sent to archives to find documentary sources of information:
birth certificates;
baptismal records;
marriage certificates;
immigration documents;
death certificates.
Land records, military records, and medical records may sometimes be found. Some families may have newspaper clippings, memorabilia, old letters, and photographs. These, too, will prove useful, especially if they have names, dates, and locations on them.
Undocumented sources of information, such as family lore, are discovered when talking to relatives. Such a conversation can be both enjoyable and productive if you prepare questions in advance and make the conversation coherent and logical.
The main advantage of this step is that it will force you to gather information about living relatives first. The most knowledgeable family members are usually the oldest members of the family. Some of them don’t have many years left. Don’t lose the opportunity to interview them while they are still alive.
It is also important to talk to and get information from the most distant relatives with whom you shared ancestors.
They may have information that is unfamiliar to you. Be sure to write down the maiden names of the women of your family. Pay attention, in old handwritten documents there may be different variants of names and dates, which will require additional verification.
The places of ancestors’ birth are also important – knowing the geography of distribution of your family, you can tie the coat of arms, specific to a particular area. This will further embellish the family tree and give it an identity.
In-depth archival search, digitization and artistic design of the family tree – the next stage of clarification of the family tree.
Genealogical research, which you can order in the House of Christian Family Traditions, can be divided into several types:
Classical research traces the history of a particular family, based on documentary sources from various archives. The list of materials to be analyzed is discussed with the client in advance.
Full “turnkey” research is more extensive and involves all available resources, including city, regional and departmental archives. Thus, you can discover your genealogy to 10-12 generations.
Pinpoint research is conducted in the local archives for the nationality of the client or for the repatriation of parents.
Ancient lettersAfter finding the necessary archival data, a detailed report will be made with attached copies of documents and official references, as well as a conclusion about possible further directions of the search.
DNA testing
DNA analysis is another popular component of genealogical searches that allows you to get more information about a person’s biographical origin and helps you figure out if two people are related by kinship ties.
DNA testing is an adjunct to genealogy research and is most often used to establish relatedness and confirm information that has been gathered from searches.
This service uses the latest technology and laboratory tests to determine ethnicity based on genotype research. The result of the DNA examination allows you to look back several thousand years, determine the migration paths of your ancestors and give an idea of what region of the ancient world your ancestors came from.
Thus you can find out the genealogical tree of the family at its very roots. A dynamic list of DNA matches in an extensive database will help you discover previously unknown relatives related to you by a common ancestor in any tribe, and restore lost family ties.