The Raitala Genealogy and Family Tree Page

The Raitala Family Tree

It is quite possible that someone else has already performed work on a Raitala family tree, so be sure to examine some of the sources listed below carefully. Have you struck a Raitala brick wall? Read "Searching For A Needle In An Ancestral Haystack" for some helpful advice.

Best Tree Collections for Discovering Raitala Ancestors

Raitala Genealogy

Keep an open mind when searching through Raitala records. Years ago many people were unable to read and write, thus a given ancestor's name could be spelled in a variety of ways depending on who recorded it. If you want to know How can city directories be used to help my Raitala research?, then read this frequently asked question.

Top Five Genealogy Databases to Search for Raitala

Historical newspapers give us the ability to discover ancestral history through eyewitness accounts. There are currently matching Raitala records at Ancestry.com! Start exploring this online Raitala family history resource today.

Death Records

Military Records

Origins of the Raitala Surname

It is quite possible for two people with the Raitala last name to have been given that surname for entirely different reasons. Discovering the country from which your Raitala ancestors originated can often yield additional clues for the meaning of the surname. Keep in mind that it was not unusual for a last name to be altered as an ancestor entered a new country.

Raitala DNA Projects

DNA testing for genealogy continues to improve. If you had some of your Raitala relatives tested several years ago, it may be worthwhile to have them retested. Likewise, as DNA testing companies have gathered more results and samples, you may be able to find more matches if you search again with your test results. If you're not sure how DNA testing could aid your Raitala research, read "Basics of DNA Family History Research".

Raitala Family History

There is more to exploring your Raitala ancestry than just gathering a bunch of names and dates. Understanding where your ancestors lived, how they were employed, and what they did for fun, may give you a better appreciation of your heritage. Whether you are a beginner or expert genealogists, knowing How can I decipher the handwriting in old Raitala documents? is always useful.

Photo Collections

Networking with Raitala Researchers

When you've come up against a brick wall in your genealogy research, posting a message board query can help; one of the biggest benefits is that message board queries are accessed through search engines, which means even someone not specifically engaged in genealogy but interested in your subject may find your query and bring valuable new information to the table -- it happens! The article "Looking for John Smith - Focusing a Query" provides some valuable tips for posting successful Raitala queries.

Raitala Achievements & Celebrities

Web Sites & Blogs with Raitala Research

If you are having difficulty locating records for the last name of Raitala, contact the folks at ProGenealogists for a free research estimate. You may also find it helpful to read, "When, Why and How to Hire a Professional Genealogist."

RootsWeb search of US Naturalization Records
RootsWeb search of Obituary Daily Times
RootsWeb search of Social Security Death Index

Upcoming Raitala Family Reunions

Notifying everyone in advance to bring old photos and documents can bring big rewards, making a special place at the reunion (maybe even a special Raitala booth) where people can come at their leisure to sit, look and chat; in addition to information and clues that might be written on the back of a photo, every photograph has a story and serves as an excellent stimulus to recall -- people might comment not only on the people in the photo, but also on what's in the background, or they might have information around where the photo was taken or the event -- just be sure to have someone there to capture new information. The article "Planning Details For A Family Reunion" may provide you with tips for hosting a successful Raitala reunion.