About Me

Why Me?

I am Tadej Trnovšek and as a professional genealogist I can help you trace your ancestors. As a historian, I can explain the historical context and the time period in which your ancestors lived. As a sociologist of culture, I can tell you about their everyday life—what their fears and joys were, and how they navigated the challenges of daily existence. As an award-winning writer, I know how to craft your family history into a narrative that will not only inform but also captivate—your family’s story will read like a well-crafted piece of literature. And as a graphic designer and book designer, I can create a beautifully designed family chronicle that you’ll be proud of—not just for its content, but for its appearance as well.

What sets my work apart is the depth I bring to genealogical research. I don’t just compile names, dates, and places. I dig into the essence of what it meant to live in the time and place your ancestors inhabited, focusing on their experiences and the spirit of their age. Through my research, I aim to provide a rich, multifaceted understanding of your family history that goes far beyond the typical genealogical chart.

How It All Began

My journey into the world of genealogy began in 1999, during my time as a history student at the University of Ljubljana. As part of an assignment, we were tasked with visiting the archives to gather information about our ancestors and create a simple family tree spanning three or four generations. What started as a routine academic task quickly sparked a deep curiosity and excitement within me about uncovering my own family history.

While most of my classmates completed the project within a few days, I found myself spending every free moment in the archives for the next few years. Immersed in the process, I was captivated by the detective-like nature of genealogy—solving mysteries about my ancestors felt like stepping into a Sherlock Holmes novel. This passion for uncovering the stories of the past has stayed with me to this day.

After three and a half years of research, I had exhausted every genealogical source available. By that time, my family tree included over 700 names of direct ancestors, some tracing back to the early 16th century and representing the 15th generation of my lineage. Yet, instead of feeling like the end of the journey, this milestone was only the beginning of my genealogical adventure.

Social History: The Missing Piece

What followed largely shaped my path as a genealogist. Faced with a vast collection of ancestral names, I found myself feeling a sense of emptiness and frustration. Despite the countless hours of effort I had poured into my research, the results seemed overwhelming and lacking real substance. When I tried to share my findings with my relatives, I encountered my first major challenge: visually presenting such an extensive family tree.

To illustrate just how impractical this would be, consider this: if I allowed 2 inches for each name and surname and left 0.4 inches of space between them, I would need a sheet of paper approximately 3,268 feet wide to accommodate a tree spanning 15 generations. This logistical impossibility led me to find a more meaningful way to share my work.

Determined to make the most of my efforts, I chose to incorporate my research into my bachelor’s thesis. Fortunately, my dual focus on history and sociology of culture offered the perfect foundation. With the support of my mentors, we realized that a genealogical study complemented by an in-depth exploration of social history would make an excellent topic.

After conducting additional research, I achieved two milestones in 2007: I became the first student at my university to graduate with a thesis in genealogy, “Social History of the Family: The Chronicle of the Trnovšek Family”, and I gained a deeper understanding of who my ancestors truly were. It was only after weaving their social history into my genealogical findings that I could truly bring their stories to life.

My Academic Journey: Exploring History Through Curatorial Work

After completing my studies, I was given the opportunity to work as a curator at the Museum of Christianity in Slovenia. Over the next 16 years, I developed as a historian, eventually becoming a senior curator and mentor. The invaluable experience I gained there continues to assist me greatly in my role as a genealogist. During my time at the museum, I had the chance to pursue additional training in graphic design, photography, and book editing. I also dedicated many years to researching highly fascinating genealogical documents – manorial records (urbars). I became an expert in this type of material, translating numerous urbars from the 16th and 17th centuries, and published an extensive 530-page book on the subject.

I left a lasting impact at the museum, one that is still visible and present today. For about ten years of my curatorial career, I focused on the research of Slovenian medieval manuscripts. As an expert in this field, I had the opportunity to collaborate with numerous European and local specialists in medieval reading culture. My work in this area is reflected in the permanent exhibition titled The Mysterious World of Medieval Scribes and in the award-winning children’s book The Treasure of Scribe Bernard, which is still part of the mandatory reading list in some Slovenian elementary schools.

Despite these incredibly productive years at the museum, my true passion has always been genealogy. In 2024, I founded Genealogy Slovenia with the aim of helping people discover their ancestors and, more importantly, to help them understand who they were and the time they lived in.

My Life Outside Genealogy

In addition to climbing family trees, I am also passionate about rock climbing. I love hiking, cycling, and skiing as well. Above all, my family is my greatest value and my teacher. As a father and husband, I am blessed with a wonderful wife who stands by me and supports me in all aspects of life. I am a passionate lover of nature, which continually recharges my energy. I also adore animals and their ability to live in the here and now. In addition, I have a deep appreciation for artistic expression, particularly in the fields of printmaking and wood design. Traveling is another great joy of mine, as it allows me to explore new cultures and gain fresh perspectives.