Our Genealogy Research Portfolio - Success Stories
At Forebear Find, we take pride in helping families discover their heritage and preserve their legacies through professional genealogy research. Below are representative examples of our successful projects, showcasing the depth, accuracy, and care we bring to every ancestry journey. Each project demonstrates our expertise in Italian dual citizenship research, African American genealogy, European lineage tracing, and custom family narratives.
Featured Genealogy Research Projects
These case studies represent the diverse range of genealogy services we provide. While details have been modified to protect client privacy, the research challenges, methodologies, and outcomes accurately reflect our work.
Italian Dual Citizenship Research - Sicilian Lineage to Citizenship
Challenge: A client needed to trace their Italian ancestry back to their great-grandfather who emigrated from Sicily in 1903 to qualify for Italian citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis). The family had lost touch with their Italian roots and possessed only a single faded photograph and an approximate village name.
Research Approach: We began by locating the ancestor's naturalization records in U.S. archives, which confirmed he naturalized after his child's birth—a critical requirement for citizenship eligibility. Using ship passenger manifests from Ellis Island, we identified his exact town of origin: a small comune in the province of Palermo. We then contacted the Italian municipality directly to obtain certified birth certificates for four generations, navigating the complex Italian bureaucracy and language barriers on behalf of our client.
Results: We successfully compiled a complete documentation package including all required Italian vital records with proper certifications and apostilles, U.S. birth and marriage certificates, and proof of lineage continuity. The client successfully applied for Italian citizenship through their local consulate. Total research time: 25 hours over 8 weeks.
African American Genealogy - From Slavery to Freedom in South Carolina
Challenge: A family sought to trace their African American lineage beyond the 1870 census—a common genealogical brick wall due to the lack of surname records for enslaved individuals. They knew their ancestors had lived in the South Carolina Lowcountry but had no documentation prior to Reconstruction.
Research Approach: We employed specialized African American genealogy research techniques, beginning with Freedmen's Bureau records which revealed labor contracts naming the former slaveholder. Using plantation records and the 1860 slave schedule, we identified the family group on the plantation. Post-emancipation, we traced the family through county courthouse marriage records, land deeds showing property acquisition, and African American church records. We also utilized military records from the Civil War Colored Troops.
Results: We successfully documented five generations of this family, breaking through the slavery barrier to identify their ancestors back to approximately 1840. The project culminated in a comprehensive family tree, a detailed narrative history honoring their ancestors' resilience and achievements, and copies of over 40 historical documents. The family held a reunion to share these discoveries. Research time: 30 hours over 3 months.
Scots-Irish Immigration Research - Ulster to Appalachia
Challenge: A client wanted to understand their Scots-Irish heritage and trace their family's immigration to America in the 1800s. Family tradition held that ancestors came from Northern Ireland, but no documentation existed beyond 1900 in the United States.
Research Approach: Working backward from U.S. census records, we identified the immigrant generation in Pennsylvania. Ship passenger lists revealed their departure from Belfast in 1848 during the potato famine era. In Northern Ireland, we accessed Presbyterian church records (the predominant faith of Scots-Irish immigrants) to trace the family in County Antrim back to the 1790s. We also researched historical context about the Ulster Scots migration patterns and the economic conditions that prompted emigration.
Results: We created a comprehensive immigration narrative spanning three countries (Scotland, Ireland, and America) and documenting the family's journey from Scottish Lowlands to Ulster Plantation to Appalachian settlement. The deliverable included a beautifully written 15-page historical narrative with period photographs, maps showing migration routes, timeline of family events, and authenticated copies of all records. Research time: 18 hours over 6 weeks.
Multi-Generational Italian Family Tree - Noble Lineage Research
Challenge: A client with family tradition of noble ancestry in Northern Italy wanted to verify these claims and build a comprehensive family tree extending as far back as records allowed.
Research Approach: We conducted extensive research in Italian state archives (Archivi di Stato) and parish church records in Lombardy. Working through centuries of Latin parish registers and Italian civil records, we traced the lineage back to the early 1600s. We verified the family's connection to minor nobility through heraldic records and notarial documents showing property transactions and titles.
Results: We documented 12 generations of this Italian family line, confirming their ancestral connection to a landed family with a documented coat of arms. The family tree included over 200 individuals with detailed information about occupations, properties, and family relationships. We also provided historical context about the social structure of Renaissance and early modern Italy. The client commissioned a formal family history book based on our research. Research time: 40 hours over 4 months.
Immigration Records Research - Ellis Island to New York City
Challenge: Multiple family members wanted to trace their Italian immigrant ancestors who arrived through Ellis Island in the early 1900s and settled in New York City, but had conflicting information about names and dates.
Research Approach: We systematically searched ship passenger manifests allowing for name variations (Italian names were often Americanized or misspelled by immigration officials). Once we identified the correct arrival, we used the ship manifest information to locate the family in New York census records. We then traced them through naturalization records, vital records in New York City, and Italian records from their village of origin to build a complete picture.
Results: We identified the precise ship, date of arrival, and port of origin for three related families who traveled together from the same Italian province. We documented their settlement pattern in Manhattan, their naturalization process, and their economic activities in New York. The project included authenticated copies of all immigration documents, family group sheets, and a narrative describing the immigrant experience. Research time: 15 hours over 5 weeks.
Types of Deliverables in Our Research Portfolio
Every Forebear Find genealogy project includes professional documentation tailored to your research goals:
- Comprehensive Research Reports: Detailed narratives explaining research methodology, findings, and analysis with proper genealogical citations
- Family Tree Charts: Visual representations showing lineage connections across multiple generations
- Ancestor Profiles: Individual biographical summaries with historical context and source documentation
- Document Collections: Digital copies of all discovered vital records, census records, and archival documents
- Timeline Charts: Chronological overviews of family events and historical milestones
- Custom Narratives: Professionally written family history stories bringing ancestors to life
- Citizenship Packages: Organized documentation sets with certifications and apostilles for legal use
Research Specializations Demonstrated in Our Portfolio
- Italian dual citizenship genealogy (jure sanguinis) across all 20 Italian regions
- African American genealogy through slavery and Reconstruction periods
- European immigration research (Italian, Irish, German, Eastern European)
- Ellis Island and ship passenger manifest research
- U.S. naturalization and citizenship records
- Military records research (Civil War, WWI, WWII)
- Church records (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish)
- Land records and property research
- Noble lineage and heraldic research
- DNA analysis interpretation and genetic genealogy
Client Testimonials About Our Research
"Rocco's research uncovered family connections we never knew existed. The documentation he provided was exactly what we needed for our Italian citizenship application, and the family narrative he wrote brought our ancestors' stories to life."
— Italian Citizenship Client, New York
"Finding our enslaved ancestors seemed impossible, but Forebear Find's expertise in African American genealogy helped us break through that barrier. We finally have names, faces, and stories to honor our family's legacy."
— African American Genealogy Client, South Carolina
Ready to Start Your Own Genealogy Journey?
These projects represent just a sample of our genealogy research work. Every family's story is unique, and we're passionate about helping you discover yours. Whether you're pursuing Italian dual citizenship, tracing African American roots, building a comprehensive family tree, or creating a custom family history narrative, we bring the same dedication and expertise to every project.
Start your research today:
- Schedule a free consultation to discuss your genealogy goals
- Review our service offerings and pricing packages
- Ask questions about your specific research challenges
- Learn how we can help you discover and preserve your family heritage