1. What does a professional genealogist do?
A professional genealogist researches historical records to trace family ancestry and document family relationships. This work includes analyzing birth, marriage, death, church, military, land, probate, immigration, and census records to build a reliable and documented family history.
2. How can I start researching my family history?
Start by gathering information from your oldest family members such as names, dates, locations, and old documents like birth certificates, family Bibles, photos, and letters. From there, a genealogist can use historical records to expand your family tree further.
3. How far back can genealogy research go?
Genealogy research can often trace families back several centuries depending on the region and available records. In areas with strong church and civil documentation, such as America and Mexico, research may extend into the 1600s or earlier.
4. What information do you need to begin genealogy research?
Helpful starting information includes:
- Full names
- Approximate birth or death dates
- Locations where a person lived
- Names of parents, spouses, or children
Even limited details can often be enough to begin a research project.
5. How accurate are online family trees?
Many online family trees contain errors because they are often copied without verifying records. A professional genealogist confirms information using original documents and reliable sources to ensure accuracy.
6. How long does genealogy research take?
The time required varies depending on the complexity of the family line and available records. Some research questions can be answered in a few hours, while larger projects may take weeks or months. Some questions may take years and new records coming to light to answer.
7. What types of records do genealogists use?
Genealogists rely on many historical sources including:
- Census records
- Church baptism, marriage, and burial records
- Civil birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Military service records
- Land and property records
- Immigration and passenger lists
- Probate and wills
- Historical newspapers
8. Can a genealogist break through a “brick wall” in my family tree?
A genealogist may be able to solve difficult research problems by locating overlooked records, identifying alternate spellings of names, or analyzing historical context that reveals new evidence.
9. Can genealogy research confirm family legends?
Yes, genealogy research often helps verify family stories, traditions, and legends. While some stories prove accurate, others may contain partial truths that require documentation to clarify. Whether proven absolutely accurate or completely unconfirmed the legends themselves still have value. Someone in your family’s history told the story and it became part of the family identity and for that reason alone, unless proven absolutely false, family legends deserve to continue to be told.
10. What is the difference between genealogy and family history?
Genealogy focuses on documenting family relationships and lineage, while family history also includes the stories, historical context, and experiences of ancestors.
11. Can you research Mexican Spanish ancestry?
Yes. Spanish Mexican genealogy, specifically in northern Nueva España, is supported by extensive church, military, and civil records that often extend back several centuries. These records can provide detailed information about ancestors and their communities.
12. What are Spanish colonial records?
Spanish colonial records are historical documents created during the Spanish Empire in the Americas. They include military rosters, mission records, land grants, church registers, and administrative documents that can help trace families in colonial Mexico and the American Southwest.
13. What is a presidio record in genealogy?
Presidio records document soldiers stationed at frontier military posts in Spanish colonial territories. These records can identify ancestors who served in the Spanish military and provide valuable clues about migration and settlement patterns.
14. What is genetic genealogy?
Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing combined with traditional historical records to identify family relationships and trace ancestry. By comparing DNA with others in large databases, genealogists can discover relatives and confirm family connections that may not appear in written records.
15. How does a DNA test help with genealogy research?
DNA testing compares your genetic markers with those of other individuals in the testing company’s database. When shared DNA segments are identified, it can reveal relatives ranging from close family members to distant cousins who share a common ancestor.
16. How much does genealogy research cost?
Genealogy research costs vary depending on the project size and complexity. Some genealogists charge hourly rates while others offer fixed research packages for specific goals.
17. What will I receive from a genealogy research project?
Clients typically receive:
- A detailed research report
- Source citations for all evidence used
- Recommendations for future research
18. Why should I hire a professional genealogist?
Professional genealogists have specialized research skills, access to historical archives, and experience interpreting difficult records that may not be easily understood by beginners.
19. Can genealogy research preserve my family’s story?
Yes. Genealogy research helps preserve family history by documenting ancestors, recording their lives, and ensuring future generations understand their heritage.
20. Why is preserving family history important?
Family history connects people to their heritage, culture, and identity. Preserving genealogical research ensures that the stories and experiences of past generations are not lost.
21. Can DNA testing confirm family relationships?
Yes. DNA testing can confirm biological relationships such as parent-child connections, siblings, and cousins. It can also help verify suspected ancestors when traditional records are incomplete or unclear.
22. Can genetic genealogy help break through genealogy “brick walls”?
Often it can. By identifying DNA matches who descend from the same ancestors, genealogists can build research networks and uncover clues that lead to previously unknown family lines.
23. What DNA test should I take for genealogy?
At this time the Ancestry test is the preferred test as it is the most widely used and allows the user to designate other accounts, such as professional genealogists, to share their results with.
24. Should DNA results be combined with traditional genealogy research?
Absolutely. DNA evidence is most powerful when combined with historical records such as census documents, church registers, and military records. Together they provide a stronger and more accurate family history.
25. Can DNA testing reveal my ethnic origins?
DNA testing companies estimate ethnic origins by comparing your DNA to reference populations around the world. While these estimates provide useful insights, they should be considered approximate and more for entertainment purposes, rather than exact factual information.
26. Can DNA testing identify unknown parents or ancestors?
In many cases, yes. Genetic genealogy has helped thousands of people identify unknown parents, grandparents, and extended family members through DNA match analysis and family tree reconstruction. I have helped a number of individuals with either one unknown parent or locating both parents for adoptees.
27. Is genetic genealogy used in historical or forensic research?
Yes. Genetic genealogy is increasingly used in historical research, adoption cases, and forensic investigations to identify individuals and reconstruct family relationships.
28. Is DNA testing safe and private?
Most reputable DNA testing companies allow users to control their privacy settings and decide how their DNA results are shared. It is important to review the company’s privacy policies before testing.
How to order research:
- Use the Contact page to email your research question / details.
- Review research package options provided based on your objective.
- Select your preferred research package.
- Receive your digital and hard copy report to share with friends & family.