Skip to Content

Discover your family history

Exploring Your Central European Ancestry

Have you ever wondered about the lives of your ancestors who originated from Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic or Austria? Look no further! I offer research services that specialize in unearthing the stories and details of your Central European ancestors.
With my family history packages, you can learn their names, where they lived, what their professions were, their religions, how many children they had, and even how they died. It’s an amazing journey through history that we’ll embark on together. But before we do, it’s important to remember that the number of ancestors is roughly doubling each generation. You and everyone else on the planet has two biological parents, four grandparents, …

1st great-grandparents

2nd great-grandparents

3rd great-grandparents

4th great-grandparents

5th great-grandparents

6th great-grandparents

7th great-grandparents

In just seven generations, which is about 200 years ago, you have over 500 ancestors. That’s a lot of branches to trace! But don’t worry, my various family history packages include research up to three generations back from a given individual, and I also offer customized research solutions to fit your specific needs and budget.
Learning about your ancestors can give you a sense of identity and belonging. It’s fascinating to think that without any one of your ancestors, you wouldn’t be here today. You are a part of a vast family tree, and I want to help you explore its branches.
Let me accompany you on this journey to the past and discover the unique stories of your Central European ancestors. Contact me today to get started!

Huge tree with roots

Roots are not in landscape or a country, or a people, they are inside you.

— Isabel Allende

Services

Are you curious about your family’s history and want to discover more? My research services can help you find the answers to the questions that matter most to you. Whether you’re interested in tracing your family tree, finding living relatives, or seeking consultation and support, I am here to offer my assistance.
I understand that every family has a unique story to tell, and I’m dedicated to helping you uncover the hidden details and long-forgotten stories that make your family’s history so special. Contact me today to learn more about my research services and how I can help you discover the secrets of your family’s past.

Tracing Ancestry

Are you curious about your ancestors from Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic or Austria, but don’t know where to start? Let me help you trace your family history back to its roots. I will gather information on your ancestors’ most important life events, such as their birth, marriage and death records, and organize the data into a comprehensive family tree chart. If available, I will provide you with copies of the original church or vital records, all of which will be professionally translated into English. Additionally, upon request, I can extend the research to include other historical sources such as court records, cemetery records, old newspapers, census data, military records, and more.

Find out more
Grandmother and granddaughter watching an old photo album

Finding relatives

Have you ever wondered if you have living relatives that you don’t know about, or have you lost connections with relatives from Central Europe? Whether you’re a descendant of a Holocaust survivor from Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic or Austria, or an immigrant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire who has lost touch with family members who stayed behind, I can help you track down long-lost family members and reconnect with them. Although there are strict data protection rules in the European Union, a lot can still be uncovered from available and open sources. I will leave no stone unturned in my search. Let me assist you in locating your relatives, no matter where they are in the world, and discovering your heritage.

Tell me more
Puzzle with a missing piece and a loop

Consultancy and Support

Are you feeling stuck in your research due to language barriers or lack of guidance? Whether you’ve already done research on your ancestors or you’re starting from scratch, I am here to help. As a fluent speaker of Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and German, I can help you move your project forward, overcome language barriers, provide guidance on research methods and sources, and offer personalized recommendations based on your unique needs and goals. With my consultancy and support services, you can complete your family history research with confidence and ease.

Help me
Woman sitting at the table with laptop, photo albums and family tree charts

Prices

I offer four different family history packages that cater to a range of needs and budgets. Before beginning the research, you are required to pay 20 percent of the total cost upfront, with the remaining balance due upon completion of the research.
Please note that searching through archives and databases can be a time-consuming process, and there is no guarantee that the search will yield results. Despite my best efforts, I may encounter roadblocks and may not be able to find the information you are looking for. If this occurs, I will inform you promptly and can either adjust the final price accordingly or explore alternative avenues of research.
I strive to provide the most comprehensive family history research possible, but please keep in mind that my success is dependent on the availability and accuracy of the records we are searching. Contact me today to learn more about the family history packages and start uncovering your family’s unique history.

Family chart with one male line highlighted

Trace Family Name

If you are interested in tracing the ancestral roots of your family name, typically transmitted from fathers to sons, this package is an excellent fit for you. I will investigate your paternal ancestors, delving as far into the past as feasible, concentrating on their birth, marriage, and death records, ultimately crafting a detailed family tree chart for you.

300 €

More info
Family chart with one ancestral line highlighted

One-Line Family Tree

This package is for those who want to trace their ancestry on a single line of the family, such as the line of one of the grandparents either on the paternal or maternal side. I will research your ancestors up to three generations back from a given individual on the chosen line, focusing on their birth, marriage, and death records, and create a family tree chart for you.

400 €

More info
Family chart with two ancestral lines highlighted

Two-Line Family Tree

If you want to trace your ancestry on two lines of the family, such as the line of two of your grandparents, this package is ideal for you. I will research your ancestors up to three generations back from the given individuals on the chosen lines, focusing on their birth, marriage, and death records, and create a family tree chart for you.

700 €

More info
Family chart with different colourful funny icons of people

Customise

If you have specific research needs or requests that are not covered by the other packages, this package is for you. I will work with you to create a custom research plan tailored to your individual needs and budget. Contact me to discuss your requirements and receive a personalised quote.

from 50 €

More info
Old man sitting alone on a bank

Return to the root and you will find the meaning.

— Sengcan

How does it work?

  • Sharing what you know

    Let’s start by discussing what you know about your family history and what you hope to discover.

  • Choosing a package

    Select one of the four packages based on your research goals and budget.

  • Pricing of package

    After selecting the package, I will provide you with the pricing details.

  • Signing agreement

    I will send you a service agreement that outlines the scope of work and payment terms.

  • Planning research

    I will develop a research plan tailored to your specific goals and budget.

  • Collecting data

    I will collect and organize data from various sources, such as archives, libraries, and online databases.

  • Delivering output

    I will deliver the final product to you, which can include a family tree chart, copies of original records, and a research report.
Father and daughter draws a family tree

We are who we are because they were who they were. It’s wise to know where you come from, who called your name.

— Maya Angelou

Who I Am

My name is Zuzana Bodnarova, and I’m excited to help you discover your family’s history. As a researcher and linguist dealing with endangered languages, I’ve always been fascinated by uncovering stories and connections that might otherwise be lost or overlooked. My own interest in family history research began in 2017 when I carried out the background research for a book written by a Norwegian author, Nina F. Grünfeld, about the life of her grandmother, a Jewish woman in Central Europe, living before and during WW2. Since then, I’ve researched the history of my own family and many others, always enjoying the thrill of the hunt.
As someone who has lived in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria, and in various other countries like Montenegro, Kosovo, Jordan, Finnland and Norway, I’m passionate about understanding the rich cultural tapestry of Central Europe and the historical experiences that shaped its people. I’m fluent in several languages, including Slovak, Czech, Hungarian, and German, and I’d be happy to use my skills to help you discover your own family’s connections and stories.

People said

  • Without the language and archival knowledge, and the dedication of Zuzana Bodnarova, who supported me in my research, I would have been at a loss. I owe you the utmost gratitude.

    Quote from the book “Frida” by Nina F. Grünfeld

  • Zuzana did an amazing job uncovering the truth behind our family legend! Turns out, we’re not related to that famous figure in the Hungarian history after all. It was a shock, but thanks to her, we can now share the true story with our children without perpetuating a fake legend.

    A. Székesi-Perger (Hungary)

  • Fantastic! Very exciting! It feels like a real detective story! Thank you for the excellent job you have done.

    B. Hasvoll (Norway)

  • Thank you, Zuzana, for your research into our hidden past and making this heartwarming reunion with our long-lost relatives in Israel possible.

    A. Jeger (Slovakia)

  • Zuzana, what a find! Thanks to you, we’ve discovered relatives we never knew existed.

    M. Balo (Hungary)

Old letters

If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.

— Michael Crichton

Contact

Feel free to reach out for more information or any inquiries you may have. You can either fill out the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible with all the details you need, or write directly to me at info(at)familystory.at.