Ancestry reconstruction

Full ancestry restoration across all family branches

Ancestry reconstruction is a comprehensive study of all branches of a family line, including maternal lines, during which archival documents, cartographic materials, scholarly literature, and databases are systematically collected and analyzed. You can order a full ancestral reconstruction to gain a complete understanding of your family’s past, discover previously unknown kinship connections, identify places of residence, social status, and main occupations of your ancestors.

The search may focus on a specific historical period or extend back to the earliest surviving records. In most cases, specialists at our center are able to find information about ancestors dating as far back as the early seventeenth century, using both primary genealogical sources, such as parish registers, population censuses, and personal files, as well as supplementary materials from historical collections and libraries.

Research begins with a careful and thorough analysis of all materials preserved within the family. These may include private archives, postcards, old photographs, birth, marriage, and death certificates, church record extracts, and oral traditions passed down from older relatives. At this stage, specialists at the European Genealogical Center carefully evaluate the available information, determine research directions, and select the most appropriate archival sources for investigation. The timeframe for the research depends on the specific archives involved and the overall volume of the initial materials. On average, a full genealogical study takes about one year to complete, although well-preserved archives can significantly accelerate the final results.

During the ancestry reconstruction, in-depth study of regional historical literature, official documents stored in national and regional archives, and museum collections is conducted. Depending on the research goals, local context, the social class of ancestors, and the period under consideration, various sources are used: parish registers, censuses, confession, household and service lists, tax registers, personal files from workplaces, military service, or education.

A clear understanding of regional administrative practices is of great importance in reconstructing family history. Different provinces and districts maintained their own population recording procedures, which directly affects search methods, data analysis, and processing. A structured approach allows researchers to build an accurate picture of ancestors’ lives, uncover lost links in the family tree, and clarify information partially preserved in the memories of older family members.

To gain a deeper understanding of ancestors’ lives, our genealogists also consider cultural, social, and economic contexts. This approach allows sources to be interpreted more broadly, taking into account education level, occupation, involvement in public and religious life, and the influence of historical events on the family line. Analytical commentary ensures that the final ancestral reconstruction is not only documentarily accurate but also richly informative.

Ancestry reconstruction is carried out in two stages. The first stage produces an interim report containing all collected data, copies of documents, genealogical trees, maps, and initial conclusions. Dividing the project into stages allows the client to monitor progress and, if necessary, adjust the research direction.

The final stage involves preparing a second report, which details the reconstruction of each family line and includes all discovered documents, copies, and genealogical charts. Upon request, the materials can be provided in digital form, in print, or as a custom family history book, which can also serve as an excellent gift.

In addition to providing the completed materials, our specialists offer practical recommendations for continuing the research if preliminary search boundaries have been established. They indicate which archives to consult further, what additional sources may be studied, and how to independently expand the family tree. This approach makes the project not only effective but also opens up opportunities for further exploration of the family’s history.

Example of an ancestry reconstruction

Cost of ancestry reconstruction and timeline

The price for this service starts at €2,500. The final cost depends on the scope and regions of the search. Payment is made in two stages: 50% of the total is paid before work begins, and the remaining 50% is settled after the first report is completed.

The typical duration of the project is from 8 to 12 months.

The path to your family history from the present back to the 17th century

What can be learned by ordering a family tree?

Ancestry reconstruction makes it possible to uncover information about the names and life dates of your ancestors, their places of residence, occupations, and social status. Documents can reveal family connections, trace migration routes if the family relocated, for example, from Europe to Siberia or the Far East, uncover ancestors' participation in historical events, and even confirm family legends, which often contain a kernel of truth. By ordering this service, you gather the heritage of your family’s past in one place while also gaining new knowledge about your lineage and many previously unknown surnames.

How many family lines can be restored during the research?

The number of surnames is directly related to the number of generations that can be traced. For example, if information is available about the names of four great-grandfathers and four great-grandmothers, there are eight lines. When researching all branches up to the generation of great-great-great-grandparents, the number of lines with ideally preserved documents can reach thirty-two, and it can grow exponentially with deeper research. Thus, even research limited in depth contributes to the expansion of the family tree and the discovery of previously unknown surnames within the family.

Can I order research on a specific family line?

If you want to focus on a single family branch, you can order a genealogical research for a chosen surname. This work allows for detailed analysis of archival documents and sources related to the line of interest, revealing close kinship connections, places of residence, and key events in the lives of ancestors. Research on an individual line is generally less expensive than reconstructing the history of the entire family.

Where should I start collecting information to build a family tree myself?

The process of compiling a family tree should begin with gathering information from living relatives: parents, grandparents, and other older family members, recording interviews and memoirs. They can provide details about war awards, facts from ancestors' lives during the Soviet era, help recall forgotten names of people they personally knew, and convey the values of past generations. It is useful to prepare in advance by creating a list of questions and gathering family documents, photographs, and letters. If difficulties arise during research, professional experts can always provide guidance on how to work with archives and where to find additional data.

How far back can a family tree be reconstructed?

The depth of a family history reconstruction depends on which documents have been preserved in specific archives and how accessible they are for research. In some cases, the search is limited to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (100−200 years, 5−7 generations), when parish registers and censuses were actively maintained. In other cases, it is possible to trace back to earlier periods, including the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (200−300 years, 8−12 generations). The older and more prominent the family, the greater the importance of specialized sources: noble registers, heraldic papers, court acts, land records, and other historical materials. Tracing roots requires time and a comprehensive approach, but the result is a fully detailed picture of the family’s origin and the identification of the founders of the lineage.