Tracing Lineages, Preserving Heritage
At Historikerkanzlei, we offer in-depth family research services for individuals, families, and institutions seeking to explore their genealogical roots, confirm ancestral claims, or reconstruct lost lines of descent. Whether your interest lies in uncovering the story of a single ancestor or building a comprehensive family tree spanning multiple generations and continents, our team brings unmatched historical expertise and professional precision to every project.
Our research is conducted with the same rigor we apply to legal succession cases. That means: accurate sourcing, verifiable documentation, historical context, and the ability to work across multiple jurisdictions and languages.
Genealogical services with legal and historical precision
Each family has a unique story, often shaped by migration, war, social change, and shifting borders. Our goal is to bring clarity to those stories using proven methods and primary sources.
We provide:
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Ancestral Line Research: We trace direct maternal or paternal lines (or both), confirming names, birthplaces, and life events for each generation.
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Comprehensive Family Trees: Ideal for clients seeking an overview of their extended family structure across multiple branches and generations.
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Written Family Histories: We create narrative biographies that integrate personal milestones with historical and regional context—bringing your family’s past to life.
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Visual Family Charts: Beautifully designed genealogical diagrams, suitable for printing and presentation.
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Historical Contextualization: We explain how migrations, occupations, naming patterns, religious affiliations, or historical events shaped your family’s movements and relationships.
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Archival Documentation: Certified transcripts, original record scans, translations, and sourcing references included in every report.
We also offer specialized research for families with Jewish, Habsburg-era, Sudeten German, Balkan, or Eastern European roots—regions where archival access and historical complexity require seasoned experts.
How Historikerkanzlei Works with You
Our process is collaborative and tailored to your specific needs. Here’s what you can expect:
Initial Consultation: We begin with a thorough review of your request. You may provide known names, places, dates, family stories, or existing trees. This helps us define the scope: whether you want full genealogical reconstruction, focus on a particular ancestor, or need evidence for citizenship, name origin, or legal documentation.
Archive and Registry Research: We conduct on-site and digital research in Austrian, German, and international archives, church books, civil registries, emigration records, and land registers. When needed, we reach out to local parish offices or municipal registrars.
Analysis and Validation: All findings are cross-checked with existing records and historical timelines. We validate names, dates, and relationships through triangulated sources to ensure the accuracy of the final report.
Delivery of Results: You receive a professionally prepared genealogical report, including:
- Family trees
- Scanned documents
- Transcriptions and translations
- Source list and annotations
- Optional historical narrative
Ongoing Support: Need help interpreting old documents or foreign-language entries? Curious about how your ancestors lived or migrated? We offer follow-up consultations, translation assistance, and continued research where needed.
Why choose Historikerkanzlei for your family research?
Genealogy Meets Scholarship: We are not hobbyists—we are historians, legal researchers, and credentialed experts.
Access to Rare Sources: Thanks to our in-house archives and academic partnerships, we access documents not available to the public or online.
Legal-Grade Accuracy: Our documentation meets legal evidentiary standards—essential for clients seeking dual citizenship, inheritance claims, or restitution.
Cultural Sensitivity: Our multilingual team works respectfully with sensitive histories, such as Holocaust research, religious conversions, or name changes.
Personalized Reports: Every report is handcrafted for you. No auto-generated trees. No speculation—just documented, human stories, professionally told.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you research families outside of Austria? Yes. While we are based in Austria, our expertise extends across Europe and beyond. We regularly conduct research in Germany, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, the Balkans, and countries of former emigration such as the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Australia.
What sources do you use? We use a wide variety of sources: church records, civil registries, census files, military rolls, immigration and emigration lists, notarial records, land and tax registers, historical newspapers, and more. We combine online and on-site research.
Do you provide translated documents? Yes. We include professional translations of any relevant records not written in the client’s language. Translations can also be notarized or sworn if required.
How long does the research take? This depends on the scope and complexity. A focused lineage may take 4–6 weeks, while broader family tree projects or multi-regional research may require several months. You will receive an estimated timeline at the outset.
Can I give you partial information? Absolutely. Even fragments—such as a name, a location, or an emigration date—can be enough to begin. We help reconstruct from partial knowledge.
Do you use DNA testing? We offer optional integration with genetic testing, such as autosomal DNA or Y-DNA/mtDNA to support or clarify results. However, DNA is not required for traditional family tree research.
Will I receive printed materials? Yes. You may opt for a bound physical report, wall-sized family tree printouts, or digital versions optimized for sharing or long-term preservation.
