EESTI GENEALOOGIA SELTS

What EESTI GENEALOOGIA SELTS does

Eesti Genealoogia Selts (Estonian Genealogical Society), founded May 5, 1990 in Tallinn, is a non-profit membership organization (mittetulundusühing) serving Estonian hobbyist genealogists and family-history researchers. It operates as the self-declared legal successor to the Estonian Eugenics and Genealogy Society and Genealogy Division that functioned during Estonia's first independence (1924–1940). The society is governed by a volunteer board (chaired by Aare Pällin) and has no paid staff; all operations are conducted by volunteer members.

The society delivers its value through three primary product lines. First, it maintains a microfilm archive of church records (personaalraamatud) for approximately 52 of Estonia's 107 congregations, housed at Tallinn University Academic Library's Baltika branch and supplemented by microfilm copies acquired from the LDS Church's Family History Library. Second, it publishes three branch-level newsletters (Põlvnemislugu from Tallinn since 1997, society-wide since 2004; Sugupuulane from Tartu since 1998; Genealogus from Viljandi since 1998) and co-publishes an annual yearbook (Aastaraamat) with Eesti Muinsuskaitse Selts since 2008. Third, it runs educational courses in gothic handwriting and archival research methods, plus community events including annual meetings (held every year since 1990, rotating across Estonian cities), 13 summer camps (suvep\u00e4evad) since 1996, and conferences co-organized with the Finnish Genealogical Society.

The society operates 11 regional departments across Estonia (Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Pärnu, Saaremaa, Läänemaa, Virumaa, Järvamaa, Võrumaa, Hiiumaa, Rapla, Valgamaa) which serve as the primary member touchpoints. Revenue derives from membership dues (10 EUR annual fee plus a one-time 5 EUR entry fee, paid by bank transfer), publication sales (yearbooks 3–12 EUR depending on edition), and branded merchandise (canvas bags 5 EUR, bookmarks 0.80 EUR, anniversary mugs 10 EUR). Distribution is direct and offline: bank transfer for dues, email orders for publications, and in-person sales at events. The society maintains no commercial software platform, no e-commerce storefront, and no mobile applications; its digital footprint is limited to its website, Facebook groups, a YouTube channel, and Geni.com curator accounts.

Name

EESTI GENEALOOGIA SELTS

Legal name

Eesti Genealoogia Selts

Website

https://genealoogia.ee

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Eesti Genealoogia Selts is an Estonian non-profit membership society, founded in 1990, that supports hobbyist genealogists through 11 regional departments, a microfilm archive of church records, publications, and educational courses. It serves approximately 200 individual members with no paid staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fee of 10 EUR per year, with a one-time joining fee of 5 EUR. Membership fees fund the society's operations, publications, archive maintenance, and event organization.
2. Publication Sales: Sale of annual yearbooks (Aastaraamat), the society newsletter Põlvnemislugu, and historical publications. Yearbooks are sold at 3-12 EUR depending on edition; the newsletter and back issues are available for purchase.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including canvas bags (5 EUR), genealogy table bookmarks (0.80 EUR each), and commemorative coffee mugs (10 EUR) for the society's 25th anniversary.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eesti Genealoogia Selts is a non-profit membership society that supports Estonian family-history research through regional meetings, educational courses in gothic handwriting and archival methodology, a microfilm archive of church records covering approximately 52 Estonian congregations, and recurring publications (Põlvnemislugu newsletter, regional newsletters, annual yearbooks) plus branded merchandise. Revenue is generated primarily from a 10 EUR annual membership fee, a 5 EUR one-time entry fee, and publication/merchandise sales.

Product overview

Eesti Genealoogia Selts is a genealogical research society offering a portfolio of membership services including publications (Põlvnemislugu newsletter, Genealogus, Sugupuulane, and annual yearbooks), educational courses in gothic handwriting and archive research, a microfilm archive of parish records, library services, and regular events (summer camps since 1996 and annual meetings since 1990). The society operates through regional departments across Estonia and does not offer a unified software platform or API product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Põlvnemislugu: The society's main newsletter/newspaper published since 1997 by the Tallinn branch, becoming the society-wide publication since 2004.
• Sugupuulane
• Genealogus

Products and services

• P\u00f5lvnemislugu Newsletter Society-wide newsletter published by the Tallinn department, serving as the main society publication since 2004. Contains articles on genealogical research methods, family histories, and society news. Available to members and by individual purchase.
• Sugupuulane Newsletter Regional newsletter published by the Tartu department from 1998 onwards, edited by Jaks Lankotsa and J\u00fcri M\u00fcntel.
• Genealogus Newsletter Regional newsletter published by the Viljandi department from 1998 until recently, providing Viljandi-area genealogical news and research.
• Aastaraamat (Annual Yearbook) Joint annual publication of Eesti Genealoogia Selts with Eesti Muinsuskaitse Selts, published since 2008. Contains scholarly articles on Estonian family history, archival sources, and genealogical methodology. Sold at 3-12 EUR depending on edition.
• Genealogy Courses (Gothic Handwriting and Archive Research) Courses in gothic handwriting, archive research, and genealogy research methods for members and the public. Conducted since 1990.
• Microfilm Archive of Estonian Church Records Collection of microfilmed parish records (personaalraamatud) covering approximately half of Estonia's parishes, maintained at Tallinn University Academic Library. Accessed by society members.
• Genealogical Library Services Genealogical reference library services provided at Tallinn University Academic Library's Baltic branch (R\u00e4vala pst. 10). Reading room access is available to members and the public.
• Summer Camps (Suvep\u00e4evad) Annual gathering of genealogists for research exchange, networking, and educational activities held since 1996 in rotating Estonian locations.
• Annual General Meetings Regular society meetings held annually since 1990, featuring presentations, research updates, board elections, and the annual genealogical publication competition.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 35 years of continuous operation with annual meetings held every year since founding in 1990.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Finnish Genealogical Society (Suomen Sukututkimusseura)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Estonian Genealogical Society has active cooperation with the Finnish Genealogical Society. The two societies have organized multiple conferences together. The partnership dates to the society's early years and includes exchange of research methodologies and archival access.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons / LDS Church)minorOthersThe LDS Church has microfilmed Estonian church records (personaalraamatud and meetrikaraamatud) from the Estonian Family Status Archive. The society has purchased microfilm copies covering approximately half of Estonian congregations from the LDS's collection. This provides members with access to records they could not otherwise obtain.
• National Archives of Estonia (Rahvusarhiiv)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe society maintains close working relationships with the National Archives (Rahvusarhiiv), whose SAAGA digital archive provides the digital gateway to the society's microfilm holdings. The society's microfilm collection is partially held at the National Archives, and the society directs members to the SAAGA system for primary source access.
• Tallinn University Academic Library (Tallinna Ülikooli Akadeemiline Raamatukogu)coreOthersThe society's library and archive — including its microfilm collection and genealogical books — are held and managed at the Tallinn University Academic Library's Baltika branch (Rävala pst. 10). The library provides reading room access to members and the public. Microfilms are loaned to society members only.
• Looduse Omnibuss (Nature Omnibus)minorOthersThe Tallinn department traditionally partners with Looduse Omnibuss for organizing excursions and field trips as part of the society's cultural heritage activities (e.g., Lahemaa manor visits, coastal villages tours).

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/983958195025267

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EESTI GENEALOOGIA SELTS