Genealogy Research that's Insightful, Thorough & Personal
Our staff of amazing genealogists and family historians cannot wait to start documenting your ancestry. They will work with you to plan and achieve your research goals.
We will need your help in bringing your ancestors back to life by supplying items not available in public records or online, such as photos, passages from diaries, family stories, unsolved mysteries, and other interesting details.
The end result will be a fun trip down several memory lanes, and you will want to share it with family and friends.
“When Alex Haley prodded me to have my ancestry traced, I reached out to Johni Cerny and she has been my genealogist for 34 years—tracing my African-American roots and the ancestry of many of my close friends. She eternally reminds all of us how we got to this planet. Johni also keeps my soul eternally smiling and nobody does it better!”
Quincy D. Jones
“Thank you, thank you, thank you…for the amazing work you did to identify my biological father. The DNA results were gibberish until you explained it in layman’s terms for me and then used it to find him. Now it is time for you to trace his ancestry. I can’t wait to see the results of that adventure!”
Janet Williamson
“Wow, the research package arrived a few days ago and I can hardly put it down. The report and all those wonderful documents tell an interesting story about my mother’s Graupman ancestors. We will treasure this forever! Let me know what else you can do to trace the Graupman line in German records.”
K. Meyer
“My sister always felt like the odd person out in our family. DNA testing confirmed we were half-siblings. In her late 60s, we didn’t hold out much hope for identifying her biological father. With over 1,000 matches, we turned to Lineages’ staff expert for help. A few months and a lot of hard work, they solved the mystery. Lineages gave my sister the gift of a lifetime. Thank you, Lineages!”
N. M. Carlsbad, California
Explore Our Blog
The Execution of Sarah Kirk, 1787
On a spring evening in 1787, the quiet countryside of Christiana Hundred, Delaware, was shattered by the cries of a violent quarrel. Inside a small farmhouse, Sarah Kirk and her husband, James, exchanged blows that would end with his death and her eventual execution. Their tragedy, preserved in court papers and a few newspaper columns,…
Día de los Muertos: the Power of Remembering
Every autumn, as October fades into November, families across Mexico and Latin America begin preparing for one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year: Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Streets and homes fill with the scent of marigolds, the glow of candles, and the colors of paper banners fluttering in…
Genetic Genealogists and Adoption: Why Expertise Matters!
For many adoptees, the question of biological identity has lingered for decades. Paper records may be sealed, birth names changed, and memories lost over time. Yet in the last decade, genetic genealogy has transformed what was once considered impossible into an achievable goal. At the heart of these breakthroughs are professional genetic genealogists, specialists who…
October is Family History Month!
Family History Month was established on 26 September 2001 (just 2 ½ weeks after the awful events of 9/11) through a resolution by the U.S. Senate, spearheaded by Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, designating October as the original observance. The idea was promoted by genealogical societies, libraries, and family history organizations who recognized the need…
Making the Most of Record Hints
One of the most important features of today’s genealogy platforms is their ability to suggest records that may match your ancestors. These “Record Hints” (sometimes called “Hints,” “Matches,” or “Smart Matches,” depending on the site) are automatically generated links between a person in your family tree and records in that platform’s collections. Used wisely, record…
A Beginner’s Guide to Latin American Genealogy
September marks Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin American communities. Genealogy plays a powerful role in this celebration, offering families a chance to connect with their roots and preserve traditions that might otherwise be lost. Exploring church registers in Mexico, civil records in Puerto Rico,…
Solving Crimes with DNA
On a spring morning in 2018, police surrounded a small home in Citrus Heights, California. The man they arrested, Joseph James DeAngelo, was a former police officer who had been living a quiet life as a grandfather. To his neighbors, he was a grumpy retiree who tinkered with his boat. To investigators, he was the…
Headstone Cleaning – A Unique Gift Idea!
Headstones are more than markers for the deceased—they are enduring testaments to the lives of our ancestors. For genealogists and family historians, visiting a cemetery can be one of the most rewarding parts of the research journey. These stones may offer dates, names, relationships, religious symbols, epitaphs, military service details, and even clues to immigration…
Honoring Labor Day by Tracing Our Ancestors’ Occupations
Often considered the end of summer, Labor Day is a time to enjoy the long weekend by relaxing, being outside, or having a cookout. It also is a time to acknowledge and be thankful for the many laws that were passed to ensure safe working conditions and workers’ rights. Family historians can use this time…