Genealogy, or genealogical research, refers to the process of collecting, systematizing, and analyzing information about ancestors’ origins and their family relationships. Researchers use archival sources and published materials to gather as much detail as possible.

A family tree is essentially a schematic representation that illustrates the family relationships between a specific person, their ancestors, and descendants.

In simple terms, a genealogical line refers to one branch of a genealogical tree. For example, this could be either the paternal (father’s) or maternal (mother’s) line, depending on the ancestor being traced.

The success and timeframe of genealogical research rely on several factors. Specifically, it depends on the following key considerations:

To determine this, a straightforward formula is useful: name — date — location, or who? where? when? The more complete the information about the ancestor, the more precise the search becomes. A complete name helps pinpoint the individual with accuracy, eliminating potential errors or confusion. Additionally, having an approximate date, such as the time of birth, marriage, or death, will determine what types of historical sources will be useful for research. Furthermore, knowing the location where a significant event occurred gives you insight into where these relevant sources can be found.

The reliability of the data has a considerable impact on how quickly progress is made. If there is an error in the initial data, it will significantly slow down the search. However, when there are available documents about the last known ancestor, the research process not only accelerates but also improves in terms of completeness and clarity.

Significantly, in genealogical research, one important principle is territorial grouping of archival documents. Certainly, the preservation of documents can differ based on geography. For example, World War II destroyed many records. Particularly, the Poltava region faced great losses, where significant documents were destroyed during military actions.

Another factor to consider is that the Russian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire operated as estate-based states. Consequently, this had an impact on how each person’s life was structured. Archives stored documents from different estates in various collections, but they did not preserve these records consistently.

Before 1919, religious institutions such as churches, synagogues, mosques, and prayer houses typically handled birth, marriage, and death registrations. The law of the Russian Empire regulated religion during this period. Knowing the religion of an ancestor can help identify what type of documents survive, the depth of the search required, and the potential volume of information collected.

Ukrainian archives contain various types of genealogical records spanning different historical periods and religious communities:

Civil Vital Records (Soviet Period, 1919+)

Standardized government forms with consistent information fields, available in Ukrainian and Russian.

Orthodox Church Records (Pre-1919)

Church registers containing detailed family information including parents’ names, occupations, and godparents.

Jewish Synagogue Records

Metrical books maintained by Jewish religious communities, often containing Hebrew dates alongside civil dates and additional genealogical details.

In most cases, genealogical research in Ukraine and Eastern Europe can trace a family tree back to the late 17th or early 18th century, typically between the 1680s and 1720s. However, in some rare cases, it might be possible to extend it back to the 16th century.

Provide any information you already have, such as full names, approximate birth/death dates, and places of residence. Ideal starting documents include birth, marriage, or death certificates; immigration or naturalization records; family letters; and any existing family trees. Even incomplete data helps narrow archival searches.

Yes. Earliest civil records in Ukraine (Transcarpathia) date from 1895 onward, while some church registers (Orthodox, Greek-Catholic, Roman-Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.) can extend back to the 17th century. I combine on-site archival visits with digital catalog searches to locate both civil and ecclesiastical sources.

I work with all oblasts (regions) of Ukraine, including those with complex archival histories—Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Poltava and more. I also research neighboring territories that once belonged to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russian Empire, Kingdom of Romania and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Comprehensive genealogical research in Ukrainian archives usually takes 5—10 months.

The research can be divided into segments or stages. A typical 10-hour research engagement yields a preliminary report within 7 business days. Subsequent 10-hour blocks can be scheduled as needed. Complex cases requiring deep archival dives may extend timelines accordingly.

Your comprehensive report includes:

• Transcribed and translated copies of all located documents
• Analysis of archival findings and context
• A pedigree chart in graphical form
• A narrative summary of each ancestral line, with source citations

I verify facts thoroughly across multiple sources—civil registers, church books, census and tax records, residential documents. I also study territorial‐history guides to account for boundary changes and lost archives, minimizing risk of misidentification.

While I do not perform DNA tests myself, I can interpret and integrate your DNA match data into your family tree. This includes triangulating genetic matches with documentary evidence to confirm relationships and uncover new ancestral lines.

My hourly rate is 25 EUR/hour, billed in 1-hour increments. A non-refundable expertise fee of 75 EUR precedes research work. Invoices are payable via bank transfer (including neobanks as Wise, Revolut etc.), PayPal, and cryptocurrencies.

All client data and documents are handled under strict confidentiality. Digital files are stored on encrypted drives, and physical records accessed on-site are never removed from archival premises without proper authorization. We sign nondisclosure agreements upon request.

Yes. I provide translations from Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Latin, Romanian, and German into English. All report narrative, document transcriptions, and translations are delivered in English unless otherwise requested.