Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are available for research?
Following is a list of countries where we are currently offering projects. Research may be available in additional countries upon request.
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA
Where is most of your research conducted?
Research is carried out at a variety of places including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, LDS Family History Centers, government archives, public libraries, civil registration offices, county courthouses, and other major repositories of records. We also take advantage of the many helpful resources available online at websites like FamilySearch.org, Rootsweb, Findmypast, and Ancestry.com. Members of our team also frequently work at the following libraries and archives:
The British Library - London, UK
Danish National Archives - Copenhagen, Denmark
Family History Library - Salt Lake City, USA
Library and Archives Canada - Ottawa, Canada
Library of Congress - Washington, D.C., USA
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - Washington, D.C., USA
National Archives of Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
National Archives of Norway - Oslo, Norway
National Archives of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
National Archives of Sweden - Stockholm, Sweden
National Archives of the UK - Kew, UK
National Library of Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
National Library of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
National Library of Spain - Madrid, Spain
New York Public Library - New York City, USA
New England Historic Genealogical Society - Boston, USA
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) - Belfast, UK
In addition to the archives and libraries listed above, our researchers also travel to local archives in places like Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. These countries keep most records of genealogical value at regional archives. Also, the United States and Canada have regional archives (i.e. state libraries and provincial archives) in every U.S. state and Canadian province.
Why does it take so many hours to complete a project?
Family history research is a very time-consuming and labor intensive endeavor. Some of the typical tasks involved in a standard family history project include:
Aren't most genealogy records now available online?
There are many great databases available online, but many records can still only be obtained by visiting various archives and libraries in person.
How can I solve a brick wall family line?
Unfortunately, some brick walls cannot be solved due to loss of records, adoptions, disappearances, and other events. To solve a brick wall family line it is usually best to approach the problem holistically. First and foremost, you should gather all available documentation relating to your brick wall ancestor along with records for that ancestor's spouses and children. It is also a good idea to determine whether any of your ancestor's neighbors might have been relatives, or perhaps originated from your ancestor's place of origin since many communities of people immigrated to other countries in a process known as "chain migration."
I can't get my ancestry traced back prior to 1800. What should I do next?
Research prior to 1800 can be challenging in some places due to lack of available records. This would be the case in the United States and Canada where vital records, census records, obituaries, cemetery records, and other types of records aren't readily available for most families prior to the 19th century.
Is there a coat of arms available for my family?
A coat of arms may have been awarded to a member of your family in the past, but this isn't likely unless you have documented noble or royal ancestry.
How can I find long lost cousins, living relatives, or adopted children?
Through genealogical research there is a very good possibility that we can locate your long lost relatives. A variety of records can be explored to find these individuals. Some good examples of records we might search are: census records, birth certificates, death certificates, cemetery records, telephone directories, land deeds, and motor vehicle registration records.
How far back in time can someone's family be traced?
Depending on where your family immigrated, we can often trace your ancestry back to what is known in genealogy as a "gateway ancestor". A gateway ancestor is the individual who immigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere from another country (i.e. from countries such as the UK, Ireland, Spain, or Germany). If the gateway ancestor is located, then it is sometimes possible to continue the research in your ancestor's country of origin.
How long does a standard research project take?
Genealogical research is a very time consuming endeavor and to get good results patience is required. We usually finish our standard research projects within 10-12 weeks after processing your order.
Can you write a family history for me?
After extensive genealogical research is conducted into your family's origins, you may want us to write a detailed family history for you. We will take all of the facts related to your ancestor's life and weave them together into a fascinating story which will be a pleasure for you, your family, and future generations to read. Local, state, and national history is embedded into your family's genealogy so that a unique and compelling narrative can be created for your ancestors.
Following is a list of countries where we are currently offering projects. Research may be available in additional countries upon request.
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA
Where is most of your research conducted?
Research is carried out at a variety of places including the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, LDS Family History Centers, government archives, public libraries, civil registration offices, county courthouses, and other major repositories of records. We also take advantage of the many helpful resources available online at websites like FamilySearch.org, Rootsweb, Findmypast, and Ancestry.com. Members of our team also frequently work at the following libraries and archives:
The British Library - London, UK
Danish National Archives - Copenhagen, Denmark
Family History Library - Salt Lake City, USA
Library and Archives Canada - Ottawa, Canada
Library of Congress - Washington, D.C., USA
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) - Washington, D.C., USA
National Archives of Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
National Archives of Norway - Oslo, Norway
National Archives of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
National Archives of Sweden - Stockholm, Sweden
National Archives of the UK - Kew, UK
National Library of Ireland - Dublin, Ireland
National Library of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
National Library of Spain - Madrid, Spain
New York Public Library - New York City, USA
New England Historic Genealogical Society - Boston, USA
Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) - Belfast, UK
In addition to the archives and libraries listed above, our researchers also travel to local archives in places like Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. These countries keep most records of genealogical value at regional archives. Also, the United States and Canada have regional archives (i.e. state libraries and provincial archives) in every U.S. state and Canadian province.
Why does it take so many hours to complete a project?
Family history research is a very time-consuming and labor intensive endeavor. Some of the typical tasks involved in a standard family history project include:
- traveling to archives and libraries
- reviewing formerly completed work
- formulating research strategies
- making photocopies of records from books, magazines, and other published material
- searching for records on microfilm
- ordering records from archives, civil registration offices, historical societies, and public libraries
- scanning records to computer
- searching online databases
- entering data into genealogy software programs
- creating family group sheets, pedigree charts, and register reports
- creating research calendars
- highlighting records and typing source citations
- contacting living relatives for interviews
- writing periodic project updates for clients
- writing reports
- editing completed work
- printing and shipping final research package
Aren't most genealogy records now available online?
There are many great databases available online, but many records can still only be obtained by visiting various archives and libraries in person.
How can I solve a brick wall family line?
Unfortunately, some brick walls cannot be solved due to loss of records, adoptions, disappearances, and other events. To solve a brick wall family line it is usually best to approach the problem holistically. First and foremost, you should gather all available documentation relating to your brick wall ancestor along with records for that ancestor's spouses and children. It is also a good idea to determine whether any of your ancestor's neighbors might have been relatives, or perhaps originated from your ancestor's place of origin since many communities of people immigrated to other countries in a process known as "chain migration."
I can't get my ancestry traced back prior to 1800. What should I do next?
Research prior to 1800 can be challenging in some places due to lack of available records. This would be the case in the United States and Canada where vital records, census records, obituaries, cemetery records, and other types of records aren't readily available for most families prior to the 19th century.
Is there a coat of arms available for my family?
A coat of arms may have been awarded to a member of your family in the past, but this isn't likely unless you have documented noble or royal ancestry.
How can I find long lost cousins, living relatives, or adopted children?
Through genealogical research there is a very good possibility that we can locate your long lost relatives. A variety of records can be explored to find these individuals. Some good examples of records we might search are: census records, birth certificates, death certificates, cemetery records, telephone directories, land deeds, and motor vehicle registration records.
How far back in time can someone's family be traced?
Depending on where your family immigrated, we can often trace your ancestry back to what is known in genealogy as a "gateway ancestor". A gateway ancestor is the individual who immigrated to the United States, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere from another country (i.e. from countries such as the UK, Ireland, Spain, or Germany). If the gateway ancestor is located, then it is sometimes possible to continue the research in your ancestor's country of origin.
How long does a standard research project take?
Genealogical research is a very time consuming endeavor and to get good results patience is required. We usually finish our standard research projects within 10-12 weeks after processing your order.
Can you write a family history for me?
After extensive genealogical research is conducted into your family's origins, you may want us to write a detailed family history for you. We will take all of the facts related to your ancestor's life and weave them together into a fascinating story which will be a pleasure for you, your family, and future generations to read. Local, state, and national history is embedded into your family's genealogy so that a unique and compelling narrative can be created for your ancestors.
Not to know what happened before we were born is to remain perpetually a child. For what is the worth of a human life unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history - Cicero (106-43 B.C.
Genealogy Research Consultation
Are you ready to speak to a professional genealogist about your family history project? Whether you are looking for hard to find family records, living relatives, or would like to put together a family tree that your family will cherish for many generations to come, MyGenealogist.com is ready to assist you with all of your genealogy research needs!
Speak to a genealogist today to learn how we can be of help to you in your genealogy quest. We'll answer your questions before you begin your ancestry research project. To learn more about our projects and pricing please click here. If you are ready to begin this exciting research, please provide us with some information as listed in the box below to help us get started on your case. Please send the information above to helpdesk@mygenealogist.com.
Speak to a genealogist today to learn how we can be of help to you in your genealogy quest. We'll answer your questions before you begin your ancestry research project. To learn more about our projects and pricing please click here. If you are ready to begin this exciting research, please provide us with some information as listed in the box below to help us get started on your case. Please send the information above to helpdesk@mygenealogist.com.