Searching for ancestors in archives

What does ancestor search involve?

The service of ancestor search is a systematic and detailed analysis of archival sources aimed at establishing documented and verifiable facts about members of a family. The primary purpose of this search is to obtain reliable information about an individual or several relatives through archival records that help clarify names, life dates, places of residence, and various family connections.

Unlike a full ancestry reconstruction or a comprehensive genealogical research, ancestor search is limited to specific tasks. It may include searching by surname, identifying precise details about a particular person, or confirming individual facts from family history. The work relies exclusively on reliable sources, ensuring accuracy in the information obtained. This service does not include a broader description of the family within a socio-cultural or historical context.

How is archival work structured?

A project focused on searching for ancestors begins with a careful analysis of all information you can provide about the individual or family, depending on the goals. Any preserved materials may serve as initial data: birth, marriage, and death certificates, letters, photographs, and recorded memories shared by older relatives. Based on this information, specialists create an individual search plan, define research directions, and choose appropriate methods for working with archival collections.

The next stage involves examining national and regional archives, libraries, museums, and specialized collections in greater depth. The main emphasis is placed on genealogical and biographical sources such as civil records, parish registers, population censuses, confession records, military and service documents, personal files, as well as materials from additional historical repositories and complementary collections.

When it is necessary to determine a person’s year of birth, a mother’s or wife’s maiden name, or other specific biographical details, a targeted search is carried out. This helps clarify kinship ties, confirm family traditions, uncover new biographical facts, or identify previously unknown branches of the family line. If ancestors migrated from one location to another, the relevant documents are examined, and additional migration maps and relationship charts are created to visualize the movements and interactions between family branches.

In any archival search, it is essential to consider regional administrative particularities, record-keeping methods, and the storage practices of individual archives. Once the necessary information is found, the document is recorded—our experts create extracts and copies. During the process, genealogical charts are prepared to illustrate connections between generations and surnames. All collected information is then assembled into a final report, which is delivered to the client.

Specialists at the European Genealogical Center provide professional assistance in interpreting documents and offer recommendations for expanding the search to additional branches. These may include advice on working with rare sources, foreign archives, or museum catalogs. The information obtained enables clients to continue exploring their family history independently.

Researching relatives in archives is a complex and meticulous process requiring careful analysis of multiple sources. To accurately reconstruct a family line or discover information about a specific person, it is important to consider the historical and social context. The older the family, the more materials must be studied and processed. Our professionals are ready to assist in the search for ancestors, taking into account all the nuances of archival work, and are prepared to undertake a project even when the initial information is minimal.

Ancestor search options

Surname-based ancestor search

One of the most common ways to begin exploring your family history and constructing a family tree is through a surname-based search. This method helps identify the surname’s distribution within a specific region, clarify the origin of the lineage, and locate the earliest mentions of the family in archival documents. In addition, it enables the comparison of family legends with historical facts and provides a clearer understanding of internal family connections.

Location-based ancestor search

Genealogical research by locality involves the collection and systematization of information about ancestors who lived in a particular town, village, or settlement during a defined period. Such analysis helps reveal kinship among residents of a single community, refine life dates, trace events that affected the family, and enrich the family tree with new documents and verified facts. Working with archival sources makes it possible to reconstruct the history of a specific lineage within its local context.

Targeted ancestor search

Sometimes a family possesses isolated details about the past — for example, the birth date of a great-great-grandmother or the place of service and name of a great-grandfather — but additional precise information is required. In such cases, a targeted archival search is carried out according to specific criteria. This method is particularly useful for clarifying biographical data, confirming family legends, and verifying key events in the family’s history. The materials discovered help expand the family tree and deepen the understanding of ancestral heritage.

How the search works?

Collection of initial data

At the first stage, all available information about the family is gathered: names, years of life, places of residence, and memories shared by relatives. These details help determine the direction of the search and plan the work with archival sources needed to reconstruct the family tree.

Archival search

The main part of the research is carried out in state and regional archives. Depending on the family’s social status and the preservation of archival collections, parish records, population censuses, confession lists, and other materials are examined. These sources help verify facts about the lives of family members, gather documents, and restore information about relatives.

Report preparation

At the end of the process, a structured report is prepared, including a description of the search, extracts and scans of documents, as well as expert commentary. The results allow you to trace generational connections, explore the history of the surname, and supplement the family tree with reliable information.

Example of a report

Cost and timeframe

The price starts at €200 and depends on the research parameters, which are discussed with the client after the request is submitted. The cost is calculated based on the objectives, the archive used for the work, and the historical period of the materials. Payment is made before the start of the project. If necessary, a 50% one-month installment plan is available.

Duration: from 4 to 8 months.