TraceYourPast.com, formerly known as Trace.com, is a premier global discovery platform that seamlessly connects customers with expert researchers across over 100 countries. Our mission is to align customer goals with meticulously selected researchers to minimize risks of overspending and mitigate the possibility of unsatisfactory search results. Over the past decade, we have cultivated and maintained relationships with the highest quality researchers worldwide, creating the largest network of over 4,000 professional genealogists, private investigators, archivists, and historians. Since 2014, we’ve successfully managed thousands of projects for clients from over 25 countries.Genealogy Courses and Family History Education:In 2021, we proudly expanded into the realm of genealogy education, offering a wide array of genealogy courses designed to enhance your family history research skills. Our platform is dedicated to creating a comprehensive learning environment that bridges the gap between generations, cultures, and histories. We provide accessible, engaging, and accurate educational resources tailored to both novice family historians and seasoned genealogists.Learn to Use DNA in Genealogy Research:At TraceYourPast.com, we understand the transformative power of DNA in genealogy research. Our specialized course on genetic genealogy empowers learners to use DNA evidence to trace their ancestry and discover new biological family connections. By learning to use DNA in genealogy research, you can unlock deeper insights into your heritage, uncovering connections that traditional research methods might miss.Our Commitment:We are committed to offering a blend of innovative technology, expert insights, and a supportive learning environment. Our goal is to facilitate the unlocking of personal histories, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our collective human story. By enrolling in our genealogy courses, you gain the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the in
Trace Your Past (trace.com) has 222 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5.
Also known as
trace.com
Website
trace.com
Category
Kids & Family
Location
Provo, Utah
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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The company replied to 98% of reviews.
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Most recent review: September 2026.
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My initial phone call with Matt Bidstrup was great. He was clear & easy to understand, and asked the 'right' questions about my project. I look forward to working together, as this is my 3rd project with TRACE!
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 26, 2021
Chris, we love working with you! It has been our pleasure to help you with your genealogy projects and we look forward to helping you in the future. Please let us know if there is anything else we can help you with by contacting us at [email protected]!
VS
vladimir S.
Very happy with Trace and the results!
Very happy with Trace and the results!
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 26, 2021
Hi Vladimir! We are so glad that you enjoyed your experience as well as the results of your project. We love being able to connect individuals with their ancestors and we are happy we could help you with that as well. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if there is anything else we can help you with!
AL
Alan
It took Trace several weeks to tell me…
It took Trace several weeks to tell me that they MIGHT be able to help with my research goal. And if I wanted them to pursue the research, it would cost several thousand dollars, no guarantee of satisfactory results.
No thank you.
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 26, 2021
Hi Alan, thank you so much for sharing this with us. We sincerely regret that we were unable to help meet your research goals and we wish you the best in your future research. If you have any questions or if there is anything else we can assist you with, please contact us at [email protected]
MO
Mike O.
Matt is awesome
Matt is awesome. Great communicator, keeps you informed as the process moves along. I was happy with the results that were rendered.
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 24, 2021
Hi Mike! We think Matt is pretty awesome and we're glad you feel the same! Please contact us at [email protected] if there is anything else we can help you with.
DF
Deb F.
Great research by Trace.com
Trace.com researched my 3rd great grandmother’s lineage beyond my 5th great grandfather. Researcher did an amazing job, very thorough, lots of
documentation. Exceeded expectations!! Would highly recommend!
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 24, 2021
Hi Deb! Thank you for your review; we are thrilled that your researcher not only filled but exceeded your expectations. If there is anything else we can assist you with, please send us an email at [email protected].
KI
KimF
Contract breach
On August 20, 2020, Trace prepared a proposal for me. The proposal was to “obtain notarized/apostilled copies of” three documents: (1) the birth record of [my great grandfather] (2) the marriage record of the same to my [great grandmother]; (3) the birth record of [my grandmother].
These were for me to apply for Hungarian citizenship, as noted in the proposal.
The 2nd and 3 documents were to be obtained first and the birth record to be looked for in a second assignment.
I submitted at the time of the proposal, an image of my grandmother’s birth certificate and the record from Saint-Michel-de-la-Pierre with my great grandmother’s birth certificate noting her marriage.
Trace returned to me an unapostilled or notarized version of my grandmother’s birth certificate (so a document that I sent to you in July of last year) as well as an unapostilled or notarized verion of the marriage certificate. You have also submitted a note that documents between the Czech Republic and France do not need to be notarized. For this, Trace have charged $150 in scoping and $440 to find the birth certificates.
(Not the mention the second project, for which I paid about $900 for searches for my great grandfather’s birth certificate; Trace’s researcher could not find it but I hired a Czech genealogist who located him almost immediately.)
I cannot get Trace to fulfill its contract. I have had to filed a BBB complaint. I have used Legacy Tree for other jobs (also during the pandemic) and recommend them highly.
UPDATED: I do not dispute that The Hague Convention is in effect. I dispute that you fulfilled the contract, which was to get apostilled/official versions of the documents. What I do with them, frankly, is not your business.
(I also do not dispute that your researcher spent the time in the Czech archives and that you fulfilled your contract on that project. I just note that I spent a $150 on a Czech researcher who was able to find the documents within two weeks, as opposed to your efforts, which cost $900 and took much longer.)
I appreciate your reply but stand by my review.
Response from Trace Your PastFeb 15, 2021
Hi Kim,
Thank you for reaching out to us to share your experience.
Our researcher in France provided the research as outlined in the proposal and submitted the records the obtained for the apostille, fulfilling the agreement. When the researcher presented the documents to the Cours d’appel de Paris for apostille, they were denied and the Hague Act referenced.
The government entity who is responsible for apostilles in France, Cours d’appel de Paris, indicated that the apostille was not required for use in the Czech Republic due to a dispensation (exemption) in place between the two countries. Basically, outside of the Hague Act, (which is what allows for the apostille to be accepted between member countries), these participants can also have a bilateral agreement between themselves. There are bilateral agreements in place between France and Hungary, as well as France and the Czech Republic, which removes the need to have an apostille for some records, including vital records, when issued by a government agency in France for use in either the Czech Republic or Hungary. Were one to hold personal documents, as opposed to official vital records issued by the government, apostille would be required.
In regard to the second project mentioned, the proposed research plan, which you agreed to, was limited to research in the digitized Roman Catholic records of Kostelec nad Labem which were originally held in Státní oblastní archiv v Praze. The records did not include any reference to the subject for the time period provided. As is the nature of genealogical research, one is paying for the time and efforts for the research specified, not specific results. We are happy to hear that a researcher was able to locate your great grandfather’s birth certificate in another record set.
We are committed to the highest quality research and our research team went beyond the scope to make this outcome optimal by providing their expert explanations and insight. Please contact us via [email protected] if you require further assistance or have any additional concerns.
Update:
Hi Kim,
As outlined in our terms and conditions listed in your proposal agreement, "research proposals outline research that is to be conducted by the researcher(s). Due to the nature of genealogical research, research outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Accepting and paying for a research proposal serves as an agreement for services rendered as outlined in the proposed research plan(s), regardless of whether the research results in positive or negative findings. All findings, whether positive or negative, will be reported to the client, as outlined in the accepted research plan(s)." Our Terms and Conditions can be accessed at https://www.trace.com/terms. We understand how frustrating it can be to not have positive results and we are thrilled that you were able to obtain the records you sought. Although our researcher was denied the apostille of your records, we hope that you are able to use them in your research goals.
MC
Monica C.
Well organized proposal plan
Although I have decided to put my research on hold for a few months due to Covid-19, the account representative was very good, answered questions and concerns and always kept me informed of where they were in the process of developing a plan. I do hope that when I can resume this plan, the researcher will be able to help me fill some gaps in my family tree.
Response from Trace Your PastJan 28, 2021
Hi Monica, thank you for your review! We are happy that you were pleased with your experience with Trace. Covid-19 has caused a lot of problems and we are excited for when we can resume your project in the future. If there is anything else we can help you with, please send us an email at [email protected].
AD
ASHLEY D.
Bad at following up
We have been exchanging emails with Trace.com and had a call scheduled. Received a confirmation text for the appointment but never received a call. We have called several times and left messages, they have not emailed or called back.
Response from Trace Your PastJan 27, 2021
Hi Ashley,
Thank you for taking the time to share this and to make us aware of your situation. We sincerely apologize for the experience you have had and we apologize that we were unable to connect for a call with you. In the past, we have had problems regarding different time zones in our scheduling software, which has resulted in a disconnect between clients and our team. We want to offer you a 100% discount on our $150 scoping fee and a commitment that we will contact you if you are interested in continuing with us; I have called and left a voicemail to make sure we get you an appointment at your earliest convenience. Please let us know how we can best help you by contacting us at [email protected].
