Legacy Histories
Preserve your legacy with us.
- Reveal Your Roots
At Legacy Histories, we specialize in personalized historical research for individuals, families, and institutions. Our dedicated team of historians works closely with clients to construct unique narratives through techniques of oral history, genealogy, and archival source research. With our expertise, you can ensure that your history is honoured and preserved. It's time to bring your past to life.
Contact us for your free consultation - no strings attached.
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Why Choose Us?
Tailored historical research for individuals, families & institutions.
- Expert historians dedicated to preserving legacies.
- We craft compelling narratives from your unique history.
- Meticulous research and personalized service guaranteed.
- Clear deliverables, timelines, and transparent pricing
- No more fumbling with genealogy websites or do-it-yourself life stories
- Ottawa-based, independently owned and operated.
Our Services
Your stories are unique, so are our services
Genealogical Reports
✅ These briefs distill the details of one's ancestry into a brief, facts-first report featuring a family tree, short biographical sketches of one's direct ancestors, and copies of all pertinent source materials e.g. marriage certificates, census records, military service records etc.
✅ Availability subject to source material📆 Genealogical reports can usually be prepared within a few week's time
Pamphlet Biographies
✅ Whenever possible, our historians always begin our biographies by conducting a thorough oral history interview, one-on-one, with the biographical subject. That's how we best preserve the precious memories that will form the core of our biography.✅ Supplemented by archival and genealogical research, newspaper inventories, personal diaries, photo albums, and other sources, our experts then craft a compelling narrative that will read like anything you'd find in the biography section of your local bookstore.
📆 Biographies can range in length from 5 to 40+ pages
Family Histories
✅ Our family histories are perhaps best understood as a tapestry of individual biographies, thoughtfully interwoven to create a unified narrative. These projects include in-depth oral history interviews with each family member, along with a group session—when possible—led by one of our historians. In these conversations, memories are revived, stories take shape, and details are explored, questioned, and often clarified together.
✅ Supplemented by archival and genealogical research, newspaper inventories, personal diaries, photo albums, and other sources, our expert historians then craft a single, engaging and accessible family legacy history that is certain to become a treasured family keepsake for generations.
📆 Family histories can range in length from 25 to 100+ pages
Institutional Histories
✅ An institutional history is an embodiment of community. Rather than focus on any one or another of its constituent members, parts, or periods, these histories tell stories of contribution, togetherness, and 'the whole'. Whether of a church, business, school, association, or club, we at Legacy Histories know how to construct meaningful, carefully-researched, and compelling narratives that will do justice to all those who had a hand in building your unique community.
📆 Institutional histories can range in length from 25 to 100+ pages
Citizenship by Descent ResearchProving a connection to Canada can mean reaching generations into the past. Legacy Histories conducts genealogical and archival research to establish a documentary chain, generation by generation, between an applicant and their Canadian ancestor(s).
✅ We search vital, church, census, immigration, military, and other historical records to document your family line.
🏛️ Not everything is online. Based in Ottawa, we have in-person access to Library and Archives Canada and other repositories, with researchers available in Toronto for the Archives of Ontario.
✅ We prepare fully sourced reports tracing your relationship to your Canadian ancestor(s), with copies of supporting records.
🔎 Where an expected record cannot be found, we investigate alternative sources and contemporary evidence.
📜 Where a record appears unavailable, we can provide a professional letter documenting the search, historical context, and evidence supporting that conclusion.
Our Reports
- What you can expect in every report: 🔍 Thorough Research — We consult archival collections, genealogical databases, newspapers, photographs, diaries, and other primary sources to ensure accuracy and depth.
- 📜 Clear Documentation — Copies of key source materials (marriage certificates, census records, service files, etc.) are included for your reference.
- ✒️ Compelling Narratives — Beyond dates and names, we craft stories that bring lives, families, and communities into focus.
- 📖 Professional Presentation — Reports are designed to be accessible, visually appealing, and suitable to share with family, colleagues, or community members.
- 🕰️ Lasting Keepsakes — Each report becomes a part of your legacy: something you can return to, expand upon, and pass down to future generations.
Every report we deliver is more than a bundle of records — it is a carefully researched and thoughtfully written document that honours your past and preserves it for the future. Whether short and fact-based or expansive and narrative-driven, each report is crafted by professional historians who combine archival research with clear, engaging storytelling.
Documentary Video Add-Ons
In partnership with Onofrey Films, we offer professional documentary filmmaking—available either as a standalone service or as an add-on to your project. These films bring family and institutional histories vividly to life, transforming names, dates, and stories into living memories. They complement written histories beautifully by adding faces, voices, and emotions to your legacy. Pricing shown reflects standalone services, with discounts available when added to existing projects.
The Story Unfolds —
A warm, in-depth filmed conversation (up to 2 hours) capturing your voice, memories, and wisdom.
✅ Filmed in a comfortable setting of your choice, with professional camera, sound, and gentle lighting.
✅ Edited with care — light color grading, sound polish, and smooth storytelling flow.
✅ Delivered as a full conversation in your own words (shorter cut available upon request).
✅ Perfect for preserving a family history or marking a meaningful milestone.
The Story in Motion — Your story, transformed into a cinematic short film (about 40 min or less).
✅ Your interview woven with 1–5 beautifully filmed everyday scenes — cooking, tending your garden, creating art, sharing a family recipe, or similar moments.
✅ Thoughtful pre-shoot planning to highlight your personality and meaningful details.
✅ Gentle documentary style, rich in atmosphere.
✅ Bonus: a 3–5 min highlight reel, perfect for sharing at family gatherings.
✅ A crafted, living portrait that feels both intimate and timeless.
The Legacy Experience —
A two-day immersive portrait of your life and legacy. ✅ Day 1: a cinematic interview and authentic daily-life moments.
✅ Day 2: filming a special event, family gathering, or meaningful place.
✅ Additional short interviews with family or friends, adding layers to your story.
✅ A beautifully edited film blending all moments into a rich, multi-dimensional keepsake.
✅ A legacy piece designed to be cherished by generations to come.
Custom Packages
Didn’t find the perfect fit? We’ll create a bespoke package tailored to your story, schedule, and vision — so your film feels truly yours from start to finish.
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Testimonials
Safeguarding your stories
The Bilsky family album was both a cherished heirloom and a valuable window into early life in Ottawa. More than family memories, the albums can serve as a visual archive of a community’s roots.
A faded letter was the only thing Margaret had from her grandfather. From there, we traced four generations of her family, connecting her to homesteaders, war heroes, and a lost cousin in PEI.
""We can't thank David and Legacy Histories enough for the incredible gift they've given us. I have no doubt that our kids will cherish our family history as much as we do." -Maria A.
“We gifted a Legacy Histories report to our parents’ for their 50th anniversary. They said it was the most meaningful gift they’ve ever received.” -Jay K.
Our Founder
Born and raised in Toronto, David C. Martin is an accomplished Ottawa-based historian who has spent the last several years researching and writing about the city’s rich and complex past. David attended Carleton University (B.A. Honours), Dalhousie University (M.A.), and Queen’s University (Ph.D.), where he developed specializations in nineteenth-century Canadian political history and Crown–Indigenous relations.
David’s professional experience includes positions he's held with several major research consultancy firms, serving both government departments and major private sector clients. This background provided him with a solid foundation in archival research, data analysis, and public history—all of which he has brought to his own independent venture, Legacy Histories, which he founded to make high-quality historical services accessible to individuals, families, and communities.
In addition to his academic publications, David is a regular contributor to public discourse on history and heritage. His opinion and historical columns have appeared in the Ottawa Citizen and the Montreal Herald, and he is a volunteer researcher and writer for the Ottawa Jewish Archives. He also serves as a director of the Ottawa Historical Society, further advancing his commitment to the preservation and interpretation of local heritage. David lives in Ottawa South with his wife and son.
In addition to his academic publications, David is a regular contributor to public discourse on history and heritage. His opinion and historical columns have appeared in the Ottawa Citizen and the Montreal Herald, and he is a volunteer researcher and writer for the Ottawa Jewish Archives. He also serves as a director of the Ottawa Historical Society, further advancing his commitment to the preservation and interpretation of local heritage. David lives in Ottawa South with his wife and son.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there costs involved in consultations or correspondence? ✅
A: Absolutely not. Charges are only incurred after you accept your quote and direct us to begin our work.
Q: How will you contact me? 📞
A: After reaching out, either through email (info@legacyhistories.ca) or via our 'contact us' form, you can expect to receive an email inviting you to schedule a phone or video chat consultation.
Q: Is the video/phone chat necessary or can we just use email? 📩A: While we prefer to have direct contact with our clients through phone or video chat, if you’d prefer, we are able to conduct consultations exclusively through email or messenger.
Q: What does it cost? 💵
A: It’s difficult to give precise figures without understanding your project-specific goals and expectations. After our initial chat, we'll be able to present you with a specific quote which we'll honour for up to 90 days.
Q: What if I’m not happy with my final report? Can I make changes? 📜
A: Absolutely! We want to ensure that you’re happy with our work. If you feel that changes are warranted, Legacy Histories will continue to work with you until you’re satisfied.
Q: What is an oral history and how are they done? 💬
A: Oral history is a field of study and a method of gathering, preserving and interpreting the voices and memories of people, communities, and participants in past events. Oral history is both the oldest type of historical inquiry, predating the written word, and one of the most modern, initiated with tape recorders in the 1940s and now using 21st-century digital technologies. At Legacy Histories, our oral histories can be conducted through phone and/or online video chat.
Q: I’ve lost or misplaced my report, can I get another copy? 🎁
A: Following completion of a contract, additional electronic copies of reports will be made available upon request and without cost. Report hard copies will incur additional charges for printing and shipping.
Our Newsletter
- Stay inspired, stay connected, and discover new ways to preserve your story. Each month, our newsletter delivers: 👉 Feature stories from real projects that show how family and community histories come to life. 👉 Practical tips on genealogy, oral history, and preserving photos and documents. 👉 Seasonal highlights with reminders of how history connects to our holidays, milestones, and traditions. 👉 Local heritage spotlights, shining a light on Ottawa’s rich history and community stories. 👉 Exclusive offers and early-bird promotions available only to subscribers. Whether you’re curious about your ancestry, planning a gift for loved ones, or considering a full family or institutional history, our newsletter will keep you inspired with ideas, resources, and opportunities to preserve your legacy. 📬 Delivered to your inbox on the first of each month — free, no strings attached.
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Contact us
Legacy Historiesinfo@legacyhistories.ca(819) 431-9839Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Preserve Your Legacy
Explore personalized historical research services tailored to you. Contact us for your free consultation - no strings attached!
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