Online genealogy for Russia,
Ukraine,
Imperial- and Soviet-era records
Looking for your roots in Eastern Europe? I can help.
Genealogy can be overwhelming — especially when it involves old Cyrillic records, foreign archives, Soviet chaos or just not knowing where to start.
I offer flat-fee analysis of historical records and archival sources that can be found online.
If you're trying to trace your roots somewhere in the former Russian Empire or USSR (modern-day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, etc.), I can:
Access Historical Records
I help you navigate available online archival records in Russian, Ukrainian, Polish – and English as well.
Together, we clarify what materials exist, where they are located, and how relevant they are to your surnames and places.
Translation of Records
If you have old records or family notes, I can help you make sense of Cyrillic documents, names, and archive language.
This helps make sense of spelling variations, dates, and references before deeper research begins.
Research Consultation
A practical conversation about your case, your questions, and your constraints. We look at what you already know, what feels unclear, and what options make sense.
It’s useful when you want a second look, a clearer plan, or help deciding what to do next.
The Research Process
When I’m directly involved in research, the work is usually done in stages.
Not every project goes through all of them.
Some projects stop early. Others continue gradually over time.
Some stages have fixed fees. Others depend on scope, time, and availability of sources.
We usually start small and decide together whether further work is justified.
Research Packages
Consultation
$100
One-time session
- 30-minute consultation
- Review your existing materials
- Research strategy planning
- Recommendations for next steps
- Written summary provided
Initial Research
MOST POPULAR
$450
Flat-fee package
- Initial source scan (2-3 surnames)
- Document translation (up to 5 pages)
- Online database searches
- Detailed research report
- Digital copies of all findings
- Follow-up consultation included
Extended Project
$900+
Custom scope
- Comprehensive archival research
- Multiple surname lines
- Manual record review
- Extensive translation work
- Ongoing archive monitoring
- Detailed family tree construction
Hello, my name is Alexander Polezhaev
(pronounced po-leh-ZHAY-ev)
You work directly with me
I personally do all the research — no outsourcing, no assistants.I start from what you already know
We begin with your family story as it is, and I look carefully at what can realistically be discovered next.I explain what I do and why
You’ll see what I searched, where I looked, and how I reached each conclusion, in plain language.I’m honest about dead ends
If records don’t exist, a path runs out or search is beyond my capability, I’ll tell you clearly.You get work you can build on
Everything I find is documented and organized so you can return to it later or continue the research.
Independent Research Support
In addition to research projects, I also offer support for people working on their family history independently.
This can include answering questions, reading or interpreting documents, or taking a second look at specific findings — without starting a full project.
What people say about working with me
Get in touch!
Get in touch if you’d like a second look at what you have or want to start working together.
We’ll take it one step at a time.