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
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…
Tracing Ancestors of the English Civil Wars and Interregnum
Today, 383 years ago, on August 22nd, 1642, King Charles I raised his royal standard at Nottingham as a formal declaration of war against Parliament. Two months later, the Battle of Edgehill would result in the death and disfigurement of thousands. The English Civil Wars (roughly 1642–1651) and Interregnum (1649-1660) were among the most transformative…
Researching your American Quaker ancestors, Part 2
The last blog discussed the history of Quakers, including migration to America and some of their practices. This blog will examine how this affects Quaker genealogical research and offer guidance on where to locate records of your Quaker ancestors. Quaker records and research The Quakers had several types of meetings, or congregations, all of which…
Researching your American Quaker Ancestors
Many Americans today have ancestors who lived in different regions and belonged to a variety of churches. One religious group especially noted for its detailed records is the Society of Friends, or Quakers. Although the Quakers first settled in Pennsylvania, their influence soon spread throughout the colonies. If your ancestors lived in or passed through…
Using DNA with LDS Pioneer Ancestors
DNA has changed the way genealogists can research their family, providing a new type of source. But using DNA to answer genealogical mysteries can be more complicated for people who descend from early LDS Pioneers. This article explores some of the common challenges encountered when researching pioneer ancestors using autosomal DNA. Genetic Genealogy Basics MyHeritage,…
Tracing Icelandic Roots
Conducting family history research in Iceland offers unique opportunities thanks to the country’s exceptional recordkeeping and strong cultural emphasis on lineage. Iceland boasts some of the world’s most complete genealogical records, often reaching back to the medieval period. This article offers a step-by-step guide to tracing Icelandic ancestry using available resources and record types, with…