Genealogy Research
Discover your Slovenian roots through expert family tree research
Uncover your ancestors and the places they came from. My genealogy research focuses on creating a clear, well-sourced family tree—typically starting with the ancestor who emigrated from Slovenia. The goal is to trace your lineage, uncover surnames and connections, and understand where your family fits into the broader historical picture.
How It Works
Consultation: We begin with a short consultation where we discuss your goals and available information. I then begin archival research using Slovenian historical sources to build and document your family tree. You will stay informed throughout the process.
Timeframe: The timeline depends on the depth of research and number of generations. Before we begin, we’ll agree on your expectations and estimated timeframe.
What You Get: You receive a family tree chart (genogram) with all discovered names, dates, and places of origin. I typically deliver results via Ancestry.com, PDF, or Excel, depending on your preference.
Pricing:
Each project is unique and priced accordingly after we define the scope.
Social History Research
Unlike other genealogists, I don’t just collect names. I create a living family tree by telling your ancestors’ stories within their historical context. By weaving in social history, I connect your family’s past with the events that shaped it. This approach avoids an overwhelming list of dates and names by giving each ancestor a meaningful place in history. It brings deeper understanding and gives your family story voice, context, and lasting significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No problem. We can proceed with the next stages or, if you prefer, quickly verify the accuracy of your existing family tree.
The most common sources of genealogical data are church records (baptismal (birth) records, marriage records, and death records), which are typically available online. Other valuable sources I use in genealogical research, such as status animarum, census records, various membership lists, school records, land registries, cadastres, manorial records, military lists, and interviews with individuals who have knowledge of the ancestors being researched, are not available online and must be searched in various Slovenian archives or on-site.
How far back I can trace your ancestors depends on the available sources. In church records, I have found ancestors as early as 1620, but such cases are rare. The mandatory registration of births and marriages started in 1563, though only a few parishes have records from the early 17th century. The oldest sources are manorial records, dating back to the late 15th century, where I have found ancestors as early as 1534. However, every genealogist inevitably encounters a ‘brick wall’ at some point. Even then, the research is not necessarily over, as further exploration may still uncover new information.
Additional costs may arise when searching for genealogical records on-site. Aside from church records, there are almost no other sources available online in Slovenia. Therefore, it is necessary to visit various archives, museums, or other institutions that hold the required materials. These additional costs are primarily related to travel expenses. Fortunately, Slovenia is a small country, so travel distances are short, making the costs relatively low. I charge $0.42 per mile for travel expenses. If such costs arise, the client will always be informed in advance about the exact amount. I make every effort to minimize these additional costs by combining multiple research tasks or visits to several archives in one trip.