Behind the Research: Unexpected Finds in This Week's Genealogy Cases

Case Files Update: Recent Discoveries & Unexpected Connections

(Week of January 6)

This past week has been busy with exciting breakthroughs and intriguing new questions in my client casework. I'm currently finalizing the results for two completed cases, preparing them for delivery in the coming week.

Here's a snapshot of the progress and discoveries made:

Unraveling Ancestral Lines & Origins

• Paternal Tree Cleanup: For one client, I successfully cleaned up a paternal tree, meticulously deleting false lines to ensure accurate lineage.

• Ancestor Identification: Researched and identified numerous ancestors, adding new branches to family trees.

• Countries of Origin: For several immigrant ancestors across three separate cases, I traced their origins to specific countries and even towns:

  • One case led to 4th great-grandparents in the late 1700s, originating from Tarnów, Galicia (then Austria, now Poland).

  • Another journey concluded with ancestors traced back to Kletsk, Belarus.

  • A third case successfully identified the client's 3rd great-grandparents in Reus, Tarragona, Spain.

A Glimpse into the Past: Baptismal Record Discovery

Case File: I located a significant baptismal record in Szczepanowice, Poland. These types of records are invaluable for confirming early family connections and geographic origins.

Baptismal Record, March 22, 1834: A vital record for a client's ancestor, born in Szczepanowice, Poland.

An Interesting (and Challenging) Surname Find

I'm currently delving deeper into a client's ancestor with quite an unusual and unique surname. I've encountered various spellings including Aixemu, Aixemus, Ayxemus, Ayermio, and Aykenis Ayxermus. So far, research hasn't definitively pinpointed the surname's origin. One site suggested Turkey and Germany, yet this particular ancestor was active in 18th-century Spain. This presents a fascinating challenge, and I'm eager to learn more about this ancestor and her family's journey.

Surprises Along the Way: A Personal DNA Match!

Just yesterday, I had an exciting and unexpected discovery! While tracing a client's paternal paper trail, I was led to a public family tree that shared a family name. To my surprise, this tree also revealed a genetic match – with me! According to AncestryDNA, the tree owner and I are estimated to be 5th-8th generation cousins.

This immediately sparked my curiosity: Did I somehow miss matching with my own client, or is this connection on a completely different branch unrelated to their specific case? As this intriguing situation unfolds, I will be sure to post more updates.

Unexpected Gifts: A Book's Perfect Connection

The world of genealogy often presents delightful coincidences. My client recently purchased this wonderful book for me, written by one of her distant cousins. This book, Nobody Will Tell You This But Me, tells the stories of the very immigrant ancestors from Belarus that I am currently researching for her! It's an incredible, serendipitous gift that deeply enriches the research process and truly brings the ancestors to life.

Book Cover: Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb.

These updates highlight the dynamic and often surprising nature of genealogy research – a journey of discovery, connection, and unexpected turns.

Are you curious about the hidden stories in your own family tree?

Contact Marcy today at Budget Genealogy to explore your unique heritage! Visit my Services Page to learn more!