In the midst of revolution in 1917, Russia, the Romanov family — Russia’s last imperial dynasty — met a violent and tragic end.

Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their five children are executed by Bolshevik forces, their bodies discarded in unmarked graves. For decades, their fate remained a mystery, lost amid the upheaval of history.

In 1991, hope for answers emerged. Skeletal remains discovered in a remote Russian forest are suspected to belong to the Romanovs. Using mitochondrial DNA, scientists confirm their identities with the help of a living relative, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

As Tsarina Alexandra’s great-nephew through the shared lineage of Queen Victoria, Philip’s genetic material provides the critical link that uncovers the truth. After nearly 75 years, the Romanovs are laid to rest with dignity, their legacy no longer hidden in the shadows.

This discovery is a powerful reminder of why preserving history matters. Through science, genealogy and the determination to seek, even the oldest stories can be reclaimed.

Today, history is preserved through genealogy, which uses family trees, DNA testing and historical records to trace lineage; local historical societies, which preserve archives, photographs and oral histories that provide insight into community connections; and oral histories, where interviews with older relatives capture personal stories and traditions passed down through generations.

Tim Seman, Youngstown’s local librarian and genealogist, said the best place to start is to draw a family tree on a piece of parchment. A simple chart can jumpstart curiosity to complete the puzzle. “I call it the low-hanging fruit — easy to pick,” Seman said.

In the early stages, he looks for material anywhere and everywhere. He mentioned census records, church records, city directories, medical history, war enlistment and even obituaries. Although time consuming, this is very important.

However, one common obstacle that emerges — especially when tracing early immigrant families — is that names change. Whether due to errors in record-keeping, deliberate assimilation or linguistic differences, these name changes can make tracing lineage more challenging.

“My own surname ‘Seman,’ it’s actually ‘Simon.’ But in Galicia, Poland, it’s pronounced ‘See-mon,'” Seman said. “When my grandfather spoke his name, the clerk, he or she, wrote what they heard. If they did notice it, they didn’t care.”

This could be easily solved by acknowledging the name could change over time, finding different variations of it and trying to match dates instead of letters.

Seman also emphasized the importance of bringing humanity to the research process — looking beyond pictures and documents to truly understand the people behind them. He explained the value of imagining yourself in their shoes, considering their experiences, challenges and emotions to form a deeper connection.

“My own ancestors were forced famines, they were mistreated,” Seman said. “They also weren’t allowed to own land without Hungarian or Austrian papers, so they wanted to leave Europe in the worst way.”

Seman’s reflection on his ancestors’ struggles shows the drive for freedom and opportunity that has defined the immigrant experience.

That sentiment also resonates with Amy Fluker, an associate professor specializing in American history, who explores the concept of the “American Dream” and its significance to early immigrants.

One of the first to embody that dream was French aristocrat Marquis de Lafayette, who played a key role in America’s fight for independence.

“He came to the States very young. After reading the Declaration of Independence once, he immediately enlisted to fight for this cause and hung it on his bedroom wall,” Fluker said. “It’s clear these ideals were very meaningful to people, it says it all — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Although, as wonderful as these ideals sounded, it took a long time for the government to figure out how to ensure these rights were granted to everyone equally. Which means over time, not everyone was treated nicely.

According to History.com, immigrants faced backlash in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as millions arrived from Southern, Eastern and Central Europe, much like Seman’s family, prompting restrictive policies like the Emergency Quota Act of 1921. This placed a limit on their numbers and maintained the country’s ethnic composition.

The National Park Service notes that the Great Depression in the 1930s intensified anti-immigrant sentiment, as immigrants were often blamed for taking jobs during a time of widespread unemployment.

The U.S. Department of State highlights that in the 1950s, Cold War fears of communism led to increased scrutiny of immigrants’ political beliefs, further restricting immigration. These examples illustrate how immigrants have historically been easy targets during periods of national stress.

“You didn’t want an ethnic last name back then, because you would be considered as ‘other,'” Fluker said. “There was a lot of pressure on immigrants to blend in, to be American, which meant the norm was white Anglo-Saxon.”

After applying all the external circumstances that might have shaped your ancestors’ lives, the story becomes more interesting.

Each piece of history — be it a war they fought, a migration they endured or a revolution they survived — adds depth to their narrative, which turns their lives into a saga of triumph and the human spirit. And all of it could be backed up by authentic records, with some kept as close as your own neighborhood.

According to the Society of American Archivists, local historical societies play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the history of specific regions, periods or subjects. They gather materials such as government records, photographs, letters, artifacts and oral histories, often focused on a particular state or community.

Societies obtain materials through donations, purchases or transfers from other institutions. Through appraisal, the significance and authenticity of these materials are evaluated to determine their relevance. Once selected, materials are arranged and described to retain their original context and ensure accessibility for researchers.

Bill Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, explained that their collection includes a wide range of records not just from Youngstown, but also from nearby cities, and even church records from congregations that no longer exist.

“We sometimes even stumble upon old company records,” Lawson said. “But we have to be careful because a lot of them are considered confidential.”

This makes sense, as Youngstown’s history is deeply rooted in the steel industry, much of which no longer exists. These factories, however, once played a vital role in the community, feeding hundreds of families and shaping the region’s identity.

Preserving history isn’t just about safeguarding facts and figures — it’s about keeping the human spirit alive through the stories of those who came before us. Whether through genealogy, historical societies or simply talking to grandma, uncovering the past deepens our understanding of who we are and where we come from. It connects us to the struggles, triumphs and legacies of our ancestors.

As advancements in technology continue to make the past more accessible, the importance of preserving and protecting these stories becomes even clearer.

Every document, photograph or artifact tells a story worth sharing, and every name — whether it survived intact or was changed over time — carries the weight of generations. By keeping these histories alive, we ensure that the people, places and memories of history are never forgotten.