Biographical research

What is biographical research?

Biographical research is an in-depth and comprehensive study of the life of a specific individual based on archival and documentary sources, allowing the detailed reconstruction of their personal history and presenting it clearly within a historical and social context. Specialists at the European genealogical center conduct thorough archival searches to identify autobiographies, personal files, birth, marriage, and death records, as well as information about places of residence, military or civil service, education, and professional activities. Depending on the historical period, party or criminal files, service records, award documents, and other archival materials may be located, which help reconstruct the history of a lineage accurately through the lens of the individual. Such research is most often requested to describe the life of relatives in the second half of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when numerous historical sources have been preserved. The biographical research method becomes a key and essential element of modern genealogy, as it allows factual data to be effectively combined with personal history, making the family tree far more detailed, rich, and alive.

Unlike comprehensive genealogical research, where the main goal is to study members of a family line, biographical research focuses on the individual. The life story of an ancestor, reconstructed from archival materials, serves as the basis for creating a detailed portrait that considers not only birth and death dates but also personal circumstances, social environment, professional achievements, everyday concerns, and challenges faced during their lifetime. This approach reconstructs the individual’s life in the context of their era and allows one to trace how the surname and family were involved in historical events, as well as to restore the atmosphere and evidence of the past era in which the ancestor lived.

To create a detailed biography based on documents, various archival sources are examined. First and foremost, these include civil registration records and parish registers, where birth, marriage, and death dates, information about family connections, and social status were recorded. Next, personal files are studied, which are especially abundant for the twentieth century and contain diverse personal information: questionnaires with biographical data, educational records, service evaluations, award documents, and correspondence with employers or educational institutions. These sources provide the most complete understanding of a relative’s life and their place in the history of the family and lineage.

Example of biographical research

Whose lives are most often studied?

Among our services, biographical research is particularly focused on representatives of specific social groups:

Officials and civil servants. Their professional activities were carefully and thoroughly recorded in service lists, evaluations, and various departmental orders. These archival sources allow researchers to track career advancement, places of service, and even awards received for long-term service or special achievements.
Nobility. A large and diverse volume of materials has been preserved for nobles, ranging from genealogical books and family trees to service lists and official files confirming noble status or formal admittance into the nobility. These sources make it possible to reconstruct the detailed life of a specific noble and integrate it fully into the overall history of the family lineage.
Military personnel. Archives contain comprehensive service records of officers and generals, award files, and official orders documenting ranks, injuries, and participation in battles and military campaigns. For regular soldiers, valuable sources include collections from local military offices, containing records of conscription, assignments to regiments, and exact service terms. These documents make it possible to trace a military career in detail and highlight participation in key historical events.
Merchants. Information about merchants and prominent merchant families is preserved in municipal magistrate and city council archives. These sources allow researchers to trace the involvement of merchant families in local governance, holding city offices, and contributing actively to the management and development of civic life. In addition, records from trade and craft institutions provide further information about entrepreneurial activities, commercial relations, and business engagement of individual family members over time.
Clergy. The lives and careers of clergy are extensively documented in diocesan archives. Information can be found regarding parish appointments, clerical registers, ordinations, and records from theological schools. Confession records and parish registers complement this information, revealing how a person served, the trajectory of their clerical career, and the religious and community life of their parish over time.

Features of conducting biographical research

An important aspect of studying an individual’s life is the reconstruction of the historical context. Researchers pay close attention to the social, cultural, and political circumstances that influenced the life of the ancestor. For example, population migrations, revolutions, wars, or political repression could radically change the fate of a family member. For this reason, biographical research goes far beyond simply listing dates and events — it aims to provide a complete picture, showing the person’s place in the history of their family and country.

During the research process, specialists carefully collect all relevant documents and systematically organize them, creating a clear, well-structured, and logical framework for the biography. Each fact is thoroughly supported by authentic archival materials, making the study as reliable, accurate, and scholarly as possible. The result is a detailed, source-based biography, which can be presented as a comprehensive report with copies of documents or in the form of a richly illustrated book, where the family’s history is closely connected to the life of a specific individual.

Price of biographical research and timeframe

The cost of biographical research starts at €400. The final price is determined based on the region and scope of the search, and it is agreed upon with the client beforehand. Payment is made in full before the research begins. If necessary, an installment option is available: 50% of the total cost listed in the proposal is paid upfront, with the remaining amount due after one month.

Biographical research is typically carried out over a period from 3 to 6 months.

Biographical research: reconstructing a life path

How is biographical research conducted?

After a thorough analysis of all known information about the person being studied, including any surviving memoirs from relatives, our specialists determine the direction of the work and create an individual research plan. This is followed by a comprehensive biographical search, during which a wide variety of sources are examined: materials from state and municipal archives, personal and service files, civil registration records, parish registers, population censuses, and scholarly publications. Special attention is given to personal files preserved from the twentieth century, which contain personal information, questionnaires, service records, award materials, and educational data.

What does biographical research involve?

The work consists of a comprehensive analysis of archival and historical sources, allowing for the reconstruction of a complete picture of a person’s life. During the research process, specialists examine autobiographical, personal, and service files, records of places of residence, employment, military or civil service, education, participation in professional and governmental structures, as well as party, criminal, and award documents when available. In addition, the historical and social context is analyzed, including political events, migrations, economic conditions, and regional cultural features that could have influenced the ancestor’s life. As a result, the client receives a report with copies of all documents found, which can be presented as a printed report or a unique book.

Why is it important to study a person’s biography?

Biographical research allows not only the reconstruction of factual information about a specific ancestor, but also a deeper understanding of the context that influenced their life and the life of their family. It reveals connections between family members, shows their place in history, professional activities, participation in significant events, and relationships with governmental, political, or social institutions. The study helps identify social status and relationships, educational and career achievements, and events that left a mark on the ancestor’s life. A detailed biography based on documents enables the creation of a complete picture of the individual, understanding the dynamics of family and lineage development, and preserving the memory of the ancestor for future generations.