Evidence-based genealogy research

Build the case. Follow the evidence. Prove the connection.

ProofTrail is the investigation workspace for genealogy research that goes beyond the tree — connecting people, records, DNA, evidence, hypotheses, and conclusions in one defensible trail.

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ProofTrail
Investigation workspace

Research question

Who was the biological father of the case subject?

People

18 connected

Evidence

31 items

DNA

12 matches

Hypotheses

3 testing

Next research move

Test the strongest relationship hypothesis against the conflicting record.

One investigation. Everything connected.

From research question to defensible conclusion.

ProofTrail keeps the trail behind your answer visible. Each part of the investigation has a job, and each step moves the case forward.

01

Investigate

Define the question, document knowns, plan searches, and preserve negative findings.

02

Connect

Bring people, records, DNA match information, relationships, and timelines into the same case.

03

Reason

Test hypotheses against supporting and conflicting evidence without turning guesses into facts.

04

Deliver

Preserve the research trail and build evidence-linked reports when the conclusion is ready.

Built for real research

Depth without the clutter.

Instead of forcing every research problem into a family tree, ProofTrail gives the investigation itself a home.

Explore the ProofTrail Method

Case-centered research

Keep the question, people, evidence, tasks, history, and conclusions anchored to one investigation.

DNA in context

Organize genealogy DNA match information beside the documentary evidence it helps test.

Hypothesis testing

Separate possibilities from established facts and expose supporting or conflicting evidence.

Research reports

Turn documented work into evidence-linked deliverables without rebuilding the trail.

Made for investigators

Professional structure without a professional-only gate.

Use ProofTrail for biological-family searches, genetic genealogy, client research, difficult lineage questions, or any case where knowing why a connection is true matters as much as finding the name.

Your research stays under your control.

ProofTrail does not publicly publish your investigations. You decide when to use supported sharing features.

Privacy details

The ProofTrail ecosystem

Research. Learn. Work with a professional.

The investigation workspace stays at the center. Education and professional services are there when you need them.

Workspace

Build and manage your own evidence-centered investigations.

Start free →

Academy

Build research skill through lessons, competency levels, specialty pathways, and practical work.

Explore Academy →

Professional Network

Hire a ProofTrail Research Professional or follow the qualification path to become one.

Find a genealogist →

Simple, transparent pricing

Start free. Upgrade when you're ready for more.

Free

Free

Start one investigation with the essentials.

  • Free Academy guides & placement test
  • Included fictional Academy practice case
  • 1 lifetime investigation case of your own
  • Basic people & relationships
  • Basic evidence organization
  • 1 starter hypothesis (draft/testing)
  • Basic research log & timeline
  • Manual DNA match entry
  • Manual capture & filing
  • 3 lifetime document transcriptions
  • Data ownership & basic export
Get Started Free
★ Recommended starting plan

Researcher

$24/month

Billed monthly

  • Everything in Free
  • Unlimited investigation cases
  • Full people, relationships & evidence tools
  • Unlimited hypotheses, evidence correlation & Genealogical Assurance
  • Full timelines & case trees
  • Advanced DNA Matrix, profiles, comparisons & expanded imports
  • Full Quick Capture, OCR, AI suggestions & import-review workflow
  • Research timer, sessions & version history
  • Standard evidence-linked reports (ProofTrail branded)
  • Standard AI assistance & monthly transcription allowance
  • Individual case collaboration
Start Researcher

Professional

$49/month

Billed monthly

  • Everything in Researcher
  • Client portals & client-facing case sharing
  • Custom firm name, logo, accent color & footer
  • Remove ProofTrail branding on exported reports
  • Research timer & hourly billing tools
  • Higher AI & transcription allowances
  • Expanded professional workflow
  • Expanded audit & version access
Start Professional

Team

$99/month

Billed monthly

  • Everything in Professional
  • Team-wide collaborator management
  • Team workspace & role-aware administration
  • Shared team cases & researcher assignments
  • Case invitations, sharing & granular permissions
  • Team standards & shared report settings hub
  • Team audit trails & version accountability
  • Highest included AI & transcription allowance
Start Team

The Free plan includes one lifetime case to try things out — no credit card required. See the full pricing page for annual billing and plan details.

Frequently asked questions

A few things to know before you start

ProofTrail includes research software, education, and a professional network. Here is how the pieces fit together.

What is ProofTrail?
ProofTrail is a case-centered genealogy investigation workspace. It helps you connect people, records, DNA match information, evidence, hypotheses, contradictions, timelines, next actions, and reports around the research question you are trying to solve — rather than treating the family tree as the whole investigation.
Is ProofTrail free to try?
Yes. You can create a free account and use the Free plan with one lifetime case. No credit card is required to start.
Do I have to be a professional genealogist to use ProofTrail?
No. ProofTrail is built for family historians, adoptees, DNA researchers, genealogy hobbyists, investigators, and working professionals. You can use the research workspace without entering the professional credential pathway.
What is ProofTrail Academy?
ProofTrail Academy is the learning side of ProofTrail. You can study individual lessons and modules, complete full training levels, explore specialty pathways, or follow the complete competency path toward the ProofTrail Research Professional credential.
Do I have to buy the entire Academy at once?
No. You can purchase individual lessons, modules, levels, or other eligible Academy options and build your training over time. If you later move into a larger Academy option that contains eligible content you already purchased, the eligible prior purchase amount is subtracted from the larger purchase price. No store-credit balance is issued.
How do I become a ProofTrail Research Professional?
You must complete the required Academy competency pathway, meet the required assessment and practical standards, resolve any required revisions, and earn an active ProofTrail Research Professional credential. After that, you can complete your professional profile and choose whether to activate a public directory listing.
Can I hire a genealogist through ProofTrail?
Yes. The Hire a Genealogist directory features ProofTrail Research Professionals who have earned the ProofTrail credential and chosen to accept clients. You can send a research request and, when appropriate, share your ProofTrail case with the professional you choose.
Does ProofTrail accept raw DNA files?
No. ProofTrail works with genealogy DNA match and comparison information used as research evidence. It does not accept raw genotype files for sequencing or analysis.
Is my genealogy research private?
ProofTrail does not publicly publish your investigations. Cases remain under your control, and you decide when to use supported sharing features. Authorized service providers may process information only as needed to operate requested features, as described in the Privacy Policy.
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