Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a genealogist and what do they do?

A genealogist is a professional who researches family history and reconstructs lineage using historical records. They identify ancestors, descendants, and family connections through documents, archives, and sometimes DNA.

In practice, a genealogist:

  • Analyzes civil and church records
  • Searches archives and databases
  • Builds verified family trees
  • Solves complex cases (missing relatives, heirs, unknown parents)

Use case: Individuals, families, and legal professionals needing accurate ancestry research.

2. Why should I hire a professional genealogist?

You should hire a genealogist when research becomes complex, time-consuming, or requires specialized expertise.

Benefits:
  • Access to restricted or local archives
  • Faster and more accurate results
  • Professional methodology and validation

👉 Especially important for international or legal cases.

3. How does genealogy research work?

Genealogy research works by collecting, analyzing, and correlating historical records to reconstruct family relationships.

Basic process:
  1. Start with known information
  2. Search records.
  3. Compare and validate data
  4. Build a documented family tree

 Each step depends on evidence, not assumptions.

4. How do genealogists find ancestors?

Genealogists find ancestors by tracing records backward generation by generation.

Key sources:
  • Birth, marriage, death records
  • Church records
  • Immigration documents
  • Legal records (wills, inventories)
  • newspaper library
  • academic papers
  • public and historical archives 

The goal is to link each generation with verified evidence.

5. How does DNA testing work in genealogy?

DNA testing identifies genetic matches who share common ancestors. It compares DNA segments between individuals to estimate relationships.

How it’s used:
  • Confirm biological relationships
  • Identify unknown relatives
  • Support documentary research
  • Find common ancestors 

👉 DNA suggests connections, but records confirm them.

6. How do genealogists verify family connections?

Genealogists verify connections by cross-referencing multiple independent sources.

Method:
  • Compare names, dates, and locations
  • Analyze consistency across records
  • Resolve conflicting evidence

 One record suggests—multiple records confirm.

7. What services does a genealogist offer?

A genealogist offers research services focused on ancestry, documentation, and family reconstruction.

Common services:
  • Family tree research
  • Heir search and identification 
  • Citizenship documentation
  • DNA analysis and search for biological family. 

 Services vary depending on the client’s goal.

8. How can a genealogist help with citizenship applications?

A genealogist helps by locating and organizing documents that prove lineage required for citizenship.

What they do:
  • Identify ancestors
  • Obtain birth/marriage records
  • Build documented lineage
  • Cheaper than citizenship service companies.

👉 Essential for Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish citizenship cases.

9. How can a genealogist help find heirs?

A genealogist identifies legal heirs by reconstructing family lines and locating living descendants.

Process:
  • Trace descendants across generations
  • Confirm identities
  • Obtain contact information for the heirs.

👉 Widely used in inheritance and legal cases.

10. Is hiring a genealogist worth it?

Yes, especially for complex, legal, or international cases where accuracy is critical.

Benefits:
  • Saves time
  • Reduces errors
  • Provides verified results
Risk of not hiring:
  • Incorrect family trees
  • Missed records
  • Legal complications

11. How long does genealogy research take?

Genealogy research can take days, weeks, or months depending on complexity.

Timeline:
  • Simple cases → days/weeks
  • Complex cases → months/years

👉 Time increases with missing data and geographic scope.

12. What is the difference between genealogy and ancestry websites?

Genealogy websites provide tools and databases, while genealogists provide expert analysis and research.

Comparison:
  • Websites → data access
  • Genealogists → interpretation and validation

 Both work best when combined.

13. How do I choose the best genealogist?

Choose a genealogist based on experience, specialization, and methodology.

Criteria:
  • Experience in your region (e.g., Brazil, Europe)
  • Proven research cases
  • Clear methodology
  • Strong documentation practices
  • Search for reputation 

 Avoid professionals who cannot explain their process.

14. Why do genealogy searches fail?

Genealogy fails due to incorrect assumptions, missing records, and lack of validation.

Common mistakes:
  • Assuming people with the same name are the same
  • Using only one source
  • Ignoring historical context

 Accuracy requires method and verification.