Ascendancy Research

Ascendancy research is the classic family-history project: starting from a known Italian ancestor — a grandparent who emigrated, a great-grandmother named in a marriage record — and moving backward, generation by generation, for as long as the records permit.

How the research proceeds

Each step backward depends on the one before it. A birth record names the parents; a marriage record names their parents and often their towns of origin; the parish books then carry the line further into the past. I work directly on the original civil and church records, so every generation added to your tree rests on a document you can see.

When the records allow, I have traced families back to the sixteenth century. How far your line can go depends on what has survived in the particular town and parish — which is why a first review of your information, and a candid opinion, comes before any estimate.

What I need from you

The most useful starting point is whatever you already know, in as much detail as possible: names, dates (even approximate), the town or region, and any documents already in your possession. If you have information on several individuals, a family tree chart or a simple filled-in form helps me see the whole picture and avoid duplicating work already done.

What you receive

Documented results: copies or photographs of the original records found, with the relationships they establish clearly set out — delivered by email or through a shared Dropbox folder, and translated from Italian or Latin where you wish.

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