Genealogy in service of life, memory, and dignity
At Historikerkanzlei, we believe that genealogy is more than a tool for legal claims or historical exploration—it is a means to serve people in need, restore broken family ties, and support life-saving medical efforts. Our Pro Bono Program is dedicated to humanitarian research, offered free of charge in cases where genealogy can provide real-world help, healing, or hope.
This includes efforts to reconnect families fractured by war or emigration, assist in memorial or restitution cases, and—most urgently—support bone marrow transplant patients in their search for genetically compatible donors.
Supporting Bone Marrow Transplant Patients
Each year, thousands of people in Austria and beyond are diagnosed with life-threatening blood disorders that can only be treated through stem cell or bone marrow transplantation. While over 52,000 individuals in Austria are registered in the Austrian Ancestral Cell Register, the genetic diversity of tissue types—over 2,000 known variants—makes finding a matching donor exceptionally difficult.
The best chance of success lies in identifying biologically related donors, especially among first- and second-degree relatives. However, for many patients, family ties have been severed due to migration, displacement, or wartime separation. They may no longer know where their relatives live—or if they are even alive.
This is where Historikerkanzlei steps in. Leveraging our international network of researchers and decades of genealogical experience, we assist transplant patients by:
- Reconstructing extended family trees to identify potential donor candidates
- Locating relatives across continents—particularly in Central Europe, North and South America, and Australia
- Making discreet contact with potential relatives on behalf of the patient
- Providing supporting genealogical documentation when needed
This service is offered free of charge, as part of our ethical commitment to use genealogical expertise in the service of human life.
Other Humanitarian & Historical Pro Bono Cases
Our pro bono commitment extends beyond medical needs. In specific situations where families have been separated or forgotten due to injustice, we offer genealogical research at no cost. These include:
- Holocaust and war victim research
- Family reconnections for refugees and displaced persons
- Stateless individuals seeking ancestry proof for citizenship
- Memory reconstruction for orphaned or adopted individuals
- Support for museums, memorials, and educational institutions
Every year, we dedicate a portion of our time and resources to such cases—not only in Austria, but throughout the broader Central and Eastern European regions and beyond.
Our contribution to the Genealogical Community
We also support genealogy as a public good by contributing financially and intellectually to numerous historical and genealogical associations and institutions in Austria. This includes collaboration on:
- Archival preservation projects
- Academic publications and lectures
- Access digitization of historical documents
- Volunteer indexing and transcription initiatives
Why we do this
- Human life matters: When genealogy can help save a life, it must.
- History deserves truth: Not all stories can afford to be told. We help tell them.
- Memory is justice: Every person deserves to know where they come from.
- Expertise is a responsibility: With rare access and capabilities, we feel a duty to use them wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I request a pro bono case? Please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: “Pro Bono Request.” Include details of your situation, any known names, places, and your specific goal (e.g. bone marrow match, family search, stateless status).
Are medical requests confidential? Yes. All medical-related searches are conducted in full compliance with privacy laws and only with written consent.
Can you locate relatives in other countries? Yes. Thanks to our global research partners, we have successfully traced relatives across Europe, the Americas, and Australia.
What if I’m not sure who I’m related to? Even minimal information—names, regions, or approximate dates—can be enough to begin a family reconstruction. We will assess feasibility during the intake process.
Is there a waiting list? Pro bono requests are reviewed based on urgency, humanitarian need, and our internal capacity. Priority is given to time-sensitive medical cases.
Do you work with institutions or NGOs? Yes. We regularly assist nonprofits, religious organizations, and educators on projects of historical or humanitarian significance.
