Trace Your Past Reviews 236

For those new to DNA or with limited experience, the DNA Trace course is a good overview of DNA applications to genealogical research. The tools used are well explained and will prove very useful. I highly recommend the course.

I am an avid researcher myself but was struggling to find sources and information in Austria. Connecting to Trace and an international researcher gave me a great amount of information that can only be gotten by in-person, professional research.

I had a great experience with Trace. Everything, including the possibility of not being successful, was explained in advance. The final packet of information is so helpful and outlines next steps. I would recommend them for genealogical roadblocks and would definitely use them again!
Thanks!

I've been doing genealogical research for almost 40 years, and getting help breaking down a research "brick wall" was worth the money to me. My genealogical research was completed in just over one year from the time the researcher was selected. I received several updates usually about two months apart, monthly would have been nicer just to know progress was being made. The researcher went "above and beyond" the research scope, which I appreciate. I discovered the name of my ancestor's parents, which was a nice addition to that family tree. After receiving my final report and reading through it, I did make a suggestion that if further information outside the "contractual agreement" is needed, they should have asked me, or let me know if other information would assist the researcher.

Communication was very clear with updates as each step was completed. They had clearly read my background information and knew what I was looking for. Will was also clear in setting appointments for call and following up.

It cost a lot, got me nothing. And…they won’t let me connect with the researcher to try to get someplace meaningful. I spent more than $1000 and the research questions were left unanswered. You can certainly find better.

I gave trace a 'downpayment', intended to do 1930's era Spain research on a college friend's father and paternal ancestors. That didn't work out. I 'cold called' the Spanish consulate in NYC (email on their website for 'help') and someone in embassy helped localize the family name and emailed me a link to the local magistrate to apply for birth records. Within days, basically for free after filling out an on-line application, I had an electronic confirmation of records. Within one month, with Spanish authorities paying the postage I had hard copies of both birth records. Where Trace.com helped me was with Spanish-to-English translation of these birth records. My goal is find the pathway how my friend's father got to USA in mid-to-late 1930's during or after Spanish Civil War. I will do this by continuing to work with US Coast Guard to access my friend's father's merchant mariner records. I will also continue to work with USCIS and NARA to access this same man's ARN (Alien Registration Number) files. NARA has some of the merchant mariner records - USCG has some. I have had little positive results from year-long PAID dealings with USCIS and NARA. They unfortunately move at their own (slow) pace. USCG is much quicker and efficient. I think it is because I am a merchant mariner - asking about a merchant mariner. So, it's been interesting. Trace.com could help further by asking their Spanish researchers to find the 1930's Spanish records called LIBRETTAS MARITIMAS - Seaman's books - the merchant mariner records. These may be in commercial ministry hands or in naval museum control. These may be 'sensitive' documents to the Spanish, although I don't see why when they are 80 years old, but - Spain was a dictatorship from 1939 to 1979 so.... I would like a realistic trace.com quote on finding Spanish LIBRETTA MARITIMAS when time permits. I enjoyed working with trace.com I will do it again, if the price is reasonable on a limited-scope project. My thanks to your researchers. Please pass along my thanks. Stay well and safe / best regards / Tony Winig

You provided the information requested by me in a timely manner.
You updated me every step along the way.

I had hit a brick wall in my ancestry research, and had given up. Trace was able to find definitive information about my ancestors that I had been unable to obtain.

Overall, I'm very happy with their service. I think it's a little expensive for the amount of information that I got, but it's on par with similar geneological research organizations. I highly recommend it.

I worked with Trace a few years ago and am working with them again for another project and they are very helpful and timely

I received everything I asked for. It did not completely answer all of my questions but brought me much closer to an answer. Since everything was in German, I appreciated a summary at the end.

We did not find my Grandfather as I had hoped. But they did give me a lot of new information I can go forward with in my search, Their information based on DNA matches is very interesting and informative. All in all I think they did a pretty good job on an extremely difficult case. Kudos to them for their service.
M. Husby

I contacted Will Sant about a problem I had in locating an ancestor, and asked how his program could help. He quickly returned my email, and gave me a detailed outline of what would need to be done, and the cost. He was extremely helpful, and was respectful at all times. I will recommend him and your company to any needing this type of service.

Will was a wonderful guide in gathering info from me to attempt me finding where in Ireland/England my ancestors are from.I have decided to continue my own journey,with a cousin,to find this info.Will did not try to push me to purchase the proposal,but did let me know if I change my mind to contact Trace.

Unable to recommend this company for any research - especially in Eastern Europe. I found them to be uncommunicative when they failed to provide any information. Hired them to research grandparents vital records in Lithuania during early 1800s. Paid the company $2500 and received virtually nothing in return after 3 years of trying to make contact with them; although they continued to promise that "on site researchers" were hired. They totally dropped the ball; and were not apologetic or concerned that they had managed to keep my money but provide nothing in return.

Supplied all the information I requested in a reasonable amount of time. Frequent contact initiated by firm to refine object of my search and to inform me of progress. Will contact firm again to expand on information obtained this time.

Very disappointed. I was leery to begin with once I heard the process they use but I thought I would give it a try because they were about 1/2 price from their competitors. A typical you get what you pay for situation I guess. Their process involves absolutely no communication between you the customer and the person actually doing the research so what you end up getting is a lot of feedback on what you already know. I would advise anyone considering their services to look elsewhere.

They did a great job. They found out information that I had been searching for about my Paternal Grandmother and her mother. I am happy to know how My Great Grandmother was taken by my Grandmothers first Husband, and she passed in his home. I was going in another direction. Now I have the right person. I am planning on their help to straighten out a couple more things for my tree. I am currently having them research my husband’s family. He was adopted and born in a different country.

It's taking a bit more time and money to get the results I want. But so far the group is enjoyable to work with.