Genealogy is often referred to as family history: it's the study of your ancestors, lineage, and heritage. If you've ever wondered about where your grandparents came from, what family traits have been passed down through the years, or if you're related to someone famous, you've already been interested in genealogy.

Why do people want to research their family tree?

There are a lot of reasons why people are interested in their genealogy. Some people are curious to verify old family stories about "the old country" or having "royal blood". Others hope to connect with living relatives by tracing their ancestry; this is especially common for people who were adopted (or have parents/grandparents who were). And, a growing segment of genealogy researchers are hoping to get dual citizenship by documenting that their family tree has recent connections to another country.

Where do I begin with my genealogy?

Start with what you know: the names, birth/death dates and places of your parents and grandparents, if you have them. If you still have living relatives, they'll be one of your best sources of information. From there, choose an online genealogy platform that allows you to create a family tree and start entering the details you get. (Even guesses or approximations are okay when you're getting started.) Then, you'll use online databases to find documents that support those facts, like census records or birth certificates, if you don't already have them in your possession.

How do DNA tests help me know where I came from?

DNA testing is the biggest trend in genealogy right now, and with good reason: it's one of the most reliable ways to find living relatives, confirm suspected parentage, and even get ethnicity estimates. However, the science is still evolving, so be ready to take any results you get with a grain of salt.

What kinds of records are available online?

You'll find everything from birth/death/marriage certificates to yearbook photos and beyond when you use a genealogy service. One of the most popular types of genealogical records is the US Census, which documents every household in the nation every 10 years. You can often find details about your relatives' educational level, income, how many children they had, and how long they had been married at the time. Even documents like draft registration records can tell you a person's height, weight, hair and eye color.

Why should I pay for a genealogy service?

There are many genealogical records available at no cost, but the vast majority require you to pay to access them. You could pay for individual documents through county clerks' offices, but it usually makes more sense to subscribe to an online genealogy service that lets you search and view billions of records at your convenience. Most genealogy platforms also make it easy to connect with other people who might be doing research in the same part of the world or with the same family names, and to get help if you get stuck.

Are genealogy services expensive?

Not at all. You can get a subscription for anywhere from $10 to $25 per month, and there are usually discounts if you pay for your plan annually instead of monthly. Most genealogy sites also have different levels of service: for example, if you know that you only need access to records from the United States and not worldwide, you can probably choose a less costly plan than the all-inclusive package.

Do I have any famous relatives?

That's probably one of the most common questions asked by people who are interested in learning about their family tree. Most of us have heard that we descended from royalty, right? It's possible that those family stories are true, but you'll have to start by charting out your family tree to see if you connect with any famous people at some point in the past. The good news is that many famous family trees have already been established, which should make it easier to discover your connection (if there is one).

LegacyTree Genealogists Review for November 2025

Item: LegacyTree Genealogists Review
Rating: 4.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Sunday, November 16th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Genealogy Service Reviews

Where is the best place to discover your genealogy online? Everyone on earth seems to have an innate, yearning desire to deeply understand who they are and where they came from. One of the most exciting ways to dive into this is through genealogy. Learning about ancestors on both sides of the family, what areas of the world they lived in, and stories from their lives can give an indescribably profound sense of pride and self-worth to an individual.

4.5

GREAT

Great

LegacyTree Genealogists

Request a quote for exact pricing
3 primary plans ranging from $2,950 - $10,800
Wide range of unique genealogy products
Genealogy research projects by a professional
Fantastic customer reviews
"A+" Better Business Bureau rating

GREAT

4.5

On the LegacyTree Genealogists website

Legacy Tree Genealogists make doing your genealogy easy-peasy because they do a lot of the work with you. Since 2004, this team of researchers has helped thousands of clients throughout the world discover their story. They were named as one of Utah's 100 Fastest Growing Companies and have been recognized and promoted by MyHeritage, 23andMe, Billion Graves, Findmypast, FamilyTreeDNA, Somos, RootsFinders, and many other big players in the genealogy arena.

Request a quote

Everyone's family history research needs are slightly different, so rather than having a monthly or yearly one-size-fits-all membership model, you'll need to request a quote from Legacy Tree Genealogists to get official pricing. They'll need your name, phone number, reason for needing to hire a genealogist, and who referred you. You'll get a free consultation to discuss what you want out of the service, and then you'll either be guided to the basic, standard, or premium plan.

Achieve 1-4 research goals

Legacy Tree Genealogists offer 3 plans for you to choose from. However all of these packages can be adjusted based on your particular needs.

The Basic Plan costs $2,950 or $118/hour. This is for one research goal and provides you with professional research and analysis on your family tree equaling up to about 25 hours worth of work. This is a good option for people looking to discover recent ancestors, research a family line, search for a birth parent, prepare to join a lineage society, or dive deeper into DNA results. These projects are usually completed in 4-6 months.
A more comprehensive option is the Standard Plan at $5,600 or $112/hour. This is for two research goals and equals closer to a 50-hour project.
The most extensive choice is the Premium Plan that costs $10,800 or $108/hour. This allows you to achieve up to 4 research goals and a 100-hour project.

Unique genealogy products

Besides getting help from a professional genealogist on your unique research project, Legacy Tree Genealogists have a few other interesting things you can purchase. For $575 they have a DIY DNA consultation package that caters to people looking for an unknown biological parent or family member. You could purchase a family history chart, family history book, fully translated genealogy report, or a heritage travel plan for $120/hour.

Reviews with flying colors

Legacy Tree Genealogists is the highest client-rated genealogy firm in the world. They have an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau with great reviews from customers. It's not uncommon to hear that people have gone to them for repeat projects and come back astounded at what they've learned each time. Customers say they are accurate, timely, and thorough. For the amount of money people pay for the professional genealogy assistance here, it seems to be well worth it.

They handle the tough cases

Legacy Tree Genealogists is not for everyone and it's not meant to be. This is a full-scale operation for people who have detailed, complex research objectives. Most people will be able to get all the basics of what they want from a typical genealogy site, but Legacy Tree Genealogists takes on the tough cases and help you break through walls that might otherwise leave you in the dark about your family history.

These people are the best

If you need some assistance in your genealogical research, Legacy Tree Genealogists are extremely thorough and well-trained. These people are simply the best at what they do. We feel completely confident that they would accomplish any in-depth project you request.

On the LegacyTree Genealogists website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Discover Your Genealogy Online?

Everyone on earth seems to have an innate, yearning desire to deeply understand who they are and where they came from. One of the most exciting ways to dive into this is through genealogy. Learning about ancestors on both sides of the family, what areas of the world they lived in, and stories from their lives can give an indescribably profound sense of pride and self-worth to an individual.

Genealogy has become a fast growing hobby for people of all ages since it is easier than ever. No longer do you need to go to government agencies for vital documents or "cemetery hop" while trying to learn names and death dates of family members. It used to be a complex puzzle trying to trace your family lineage, but now there are incredible companies that have compiled billions of records and made it possible for people to easily create their own family tree.

Through genealogy websites you can not only learn the names of the people in your family tree, but you can usually see pictures of them and view any documents that are attached to their records. You could spend days pouring over journal entries, news articles, and contributions from other family members about an ancestor. To learn about the people who paved the way for your existence is remarkable and will likely teach you more about yourself than you can imagine.

These online genealogy platforms provide you with instant access to vast databases of historical records, DNA databases, and family trees from the comfort of your own home. This accessibility makes genealogical research much more feasible for people with varying levels of experience and resources.

Once you find an online platform that gives you all the resources you need to do your own genealogy, you'll understand why this pastime is so addicting for people. Incredible things have transpired for people who have looked for lost family members and been able to reconnect through genealogy work. All it takes through most companies is to set up an account and get started.

When deciding which online genealogy service to spend your time and energy with, take the following things into consideration:

Variety of information. Does the company have a plethora of information that you easily search online? What types of records do they keep on file that you can view? How does the layout of all the information compare to other genealogy sites? You'll want to easily be able to sort through files and keep things organized.
Features. Can you easily create your own family tree? Or can you search for a family member and easily get connected with a tree that has been started for you? Are other family members able to contribute to your ancestors' information through uploading documents, photos, and stories?
Cost. Some of the best genealogy sites are completely free. But, there are valuable resources on today's popular paid sites as well. Does the company charge a one-time fee for access to your family tree? Or do you have to pay a subscription? What happens to your family tree if you cancel your membership? How does the price of one genealogy site compare to another?

Ready to research your genealogy? Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best places for you to get started on your personal family tree. We know this information will help you make life-changing discoveries that give you a deeper sense of who you are and an appreciation for those who came before you.

LegacyTree Genealogists Review: Genealogy Services

2025 Genealogy Service Reviews

LegacyTree Genealogists

Where is the Best Place to Discover Your Genealogy Online?

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