Celebrating 50 Years of Price Genealogy: A Timeline of Family History Excellence (1976–2026)

4
Jun

For half a century, Price Genealogy has done more than just look at census records and birth certificates; we’ve listened to the echoes of the past to tell the stories that define your present. When we first opened our doors 50 years ago, genealogy was a niche pursuit done with microfiche and dusty archives; today, it is a global journey of DNA and digital discovery. As we celebrate our golden anniversary, we look back at five decades of unmatched expertise, and more importantly, look forward to helping you uncover the next chapter of your family history.

The Spark (1966–1975)

Filled out His First Pedigree Chart. 6-year-old Richard fills out his first pedigree chart under his father’s direction.
The Box of Memorabilia. 12-year-old Richard was introduced to his grandfather’s file cabinet full of family treasures from his Great Grandmother.
The NEHGS Weekend. 15-year-old Richard takes his first trip to the New England Historic Genealogical Society with his father to discover his past.
England Calls. 23-year-old Richard journeyed to England in 1973, joined the Society of Genealogists, researched in Norwich and Ludlow, and slept in a band shell in London so he wouldn’t lose time researching when St Catherine’s house opened the next morning.

The Professional Foundation (1976-1979)

The $2.50/Hour Start. Richard worked with Johni Cerny, Phil McMullin, David Zolman, Mick Stanger and others at the Institute of Family Research (IFR).
The Post Office Box. In June 1976, Richard opened his first P.O. Box to begin taking on independent clients. He then traveled across the country, visiting the parents of his college friends who hosted gatherings for neighbors and locals. Through these events, he aimed to ignite a passion for family history and genealogy while actively promoting his services. This was the true beginning of Price Genealogy.
A Brush with History and Fame: Johnny Carson and Alex Haley. In the late 1970s, while working at IFR (where he specialized in English research), Richard was part of a landmark project that bridged the gap between Hollywood and history. Alongside colleagues like Johni Cerny and Mick Stanger, he helped research and compile the ancestral history of late-night legend Johnny Carson.

The gravity of this project was cemented when Alex Haley, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Roots, was chosen to personally present the finished genealogical volume to Carson. At a time when genealogy was exploding in the American consciousness, Richard was on the front lines, providing the rigorous research that backed these high-profile discoveries. Following this episode of The Johnny Carson Show, IFR received 75,000 postal inquiries from people who wanted to find their roots. This experience reinforced a lesson that has guided the firm for 50 years: every family story, whether for a celebrity or a private client, deserves an unwavering commitment to archival truth.

Creating the Standards. In 1979, Richard was one of the twelve original founders of the Association of Professional Genealogists https://www.apgen.org/. He didn't just join an organization—he helped build the framework for an entire profession. For two years, the founders gathered for two hours every Wednesday morning with a singular goal: to create a code of ethics and professional standards that would elevate genealogy from a hobby to a respected academic discipline. His commitment to these standards remains the bedrock of Price Genealogy & Lineages today. He served as the 2nd President in 1981. The APG now has grown to more than 2000 members globally.
Accreditation: In 1979, Richard received his English genealogy accreditation.
Guild of One Name Study. Later that year, Richard joined the Guild as member #284 and he started the "One-Name Studies" for Daynes and Daybell. There are now thousands of members of this guild. https://one-name.org/

Growth and Downtown SLC Era (1981-1989)

The Downtown Office: Richard moved Price & Associates into a private space in Salt Lake City in 1981 above Utah Woolen Mills on the corner of West and South Temple.
The Master's Degree: Richard graduated with his master’s degree in Family History in 1984. His thesis studied English child-naming patterns from the 1500s-1700s. His formal education helped to sharpen the company’s methodology.

Our Clients: During college, Rick built a network of friends whose families shared a profound interest in family history. What started as casual visits to Washington DC, often turned into community presentations, where he would share his research techniques with eager neighbors and friends. From his parents’ home in Arizona to relatives in San Diego, Oregon, and Denver, Rick’s reputation grew rapidly. Before long, word of mouth referrals created a client base larger than he could handle solo. This growth allowed him to bring on trusted researchers he had personally trained, ensuring the same care and expertise for every project. We are deeply grateful to our clients, who are the true heart of our success.

Archival Immersion: For 15 years, Richard took a 6–8-week research trip to England. He would have a friend order the birth, marriage, and death records from St Catherine’s House so they would be ready when he arrived in England. Then he traveled all over England, to every county. He stayed one week in Northampton working for one client and another week in Somerset for another client on each trip. Then he spent 2-3 days in many other county record offices throughout England, Wales and Scotland, depending on the clients’ needs for whom he was researching. It took physical grit and planning to get the most affordable and closest bed-and-breakfasts to the archives. Traveling to counties record offices and archives across England, Scotland, and Wales was a lot of work!

Our Researchers: At the heart of our fifty-year journey are the researchers who transform a list of names into a living history. Our team is defined by a relentless commitment to accuracy—they search and search until they find the right records, ensuring every connection is backed by solid evidence. Their detail-oriented approach is matched only by their professional efficiency, navigating complex archives and collections with the skill that only comes from years of expertise. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and the high standard of excellence they bring to every project. Simply put, Price Genealogy wouldn't be the pillar of the community it is today without the incredible talent and passion of our research team.

Building a Legacy: The People (1990s–2020s)

The "Price Alumni:" Richard Price’s influence on the field of genealogy extends far beyond his own research; it is woven into the careers of many of today’s most prominent genealogical authorities. Richard transformed his private company into a premier training ground for the next generation of researchers. The individuals he has mentored have gone on to become the Chief Genealogical Officers for Family Search, the director of the Great Migration Study Project, have founded their own successful businesses and become experts in their areas of study. For Richard, mentorship has never been about simply teaching someone how to find a name in a census record. It is about instilling a professional level of discipline, requiring correct grammar, rigorous punctuation, and a logical sentence structure in every report. He taught his proteges that a genealogist is only as good as their writing and their ability to prove a case through exhaustive evidence.
Moving Offices: As Price Genealogy grew, its headquarters relocated several times to adapt to changing circumstances. For many years, the business operated out of the Utah Woolen Mills building on South Temple in downtown Salt Lake City. Situated near the Family History Library, this location was premier for professional genealogists and researchers alike. Over the years, the office shifted between the fourth, fifth, and seventh floors of the building. However, when construction began on the Crossroads Plaza project in 2006 and their building was slated for demolition, Price Genealogy relocated to the fifth floor of the nearby Key Bank building, where it remained for the next 14 years.

The Daily Commute: A new chapter began in 2020 with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world transitioned to remote work and vast genealogical resources became accessible online, the physical office was relocated south into Richard’s home. With most employees successfully set up to work from their own homes, Richard traded his daily downtown commute for a much shorter walk downstairs.

Adapting to Change: The Records (1962-2026)

Record access has changed dramatically over the past fifty years. Richard’s career has spanned the full evolution of genealogical research. He started out traveling to individual parishes to examine original registers, ordering certificates and wills by mail, and waiting days or weeks for documents that led to the next record source. This was followed by working with indexed, microfilmed, and microfiche collections which were delivered to local family history libraries.

Richard spent countless hours reviewing entire county census microfilms to locate a single family. As indexing improved, research became more efficient, allowing targeted searches instead of page-by-page review. Eventually, large-scale digitization transformed the field entirely. Records that once required international travel and extended waiting periods can now often be accessed within minutes from a personal computer.

Now we have DNA tools to help with genealogical research as well. We have several specialized researchers who use DNA to prove biological relationships. Recently we helped a man find his biological grandmother who was left on a doorstep of an orphanage in New York City. This work is exciting and it’s notable what can be done with these advanced tools!

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we uncover family histories, driving unprecedented efficiency in modern research. AI-powered transcription has replaced hours of physical microfiche searches, while advanced algorithms streamline DNA analysis and power automated hint engines. Yet, technology is only a tool. A professional genealogist remains vital to authenticate data, resolve conflicting records, and solve intricate brick walls. Over its 50-year history, Price Genealogy has consistently evolved alongside these technological shifts, blending cutting-edge tools with human expertise to deliver unparalleled research results.

Acquiring Lineages (2020)

In 2020, the genealogy community lost a pillar when Johni Cereny, owner of Lineages and chief genealogist of Finding Your Roots, passed away unexpectedly. To ensure the continuity of her work, Richard, a trusted former colleague, assumed leadership of her company. He has since continued her legacy of professional research.

Looking Forward: The Next 50 Years

Price Genealogy and Lineages is powered by a dedicated core team: Richard Price, President; Nancy Price, Vice President; Emily Alley, Researcher and Marketing Director; James Rasmussen, Clerical Director; Diane Rogers, Research Coordinator; Jessica Adlard, Office Manager; and RaNae Colby, Bookkeeper. They lead an elite network of more than 30 world-class researchers.

Fifty years ago, we began a journey to make family history accessible, and today, we stand on the cutting edge of technological innovation, including DNA analysis and artificial intelligence. While we take pride in our half-century of legacy, we are even more excited about the future of discovery. We remain dedicated to bridging the gap between the past and the present, ensuring that as new records emerge and technology advances, our clients are always equipped to uncover their roots.

We are honored that you have chosen Price Genealogy for your professional genealogy research needs. Here’s to the next fifty years of unlocking history!

Jessica

Photos:

All photos owned by author

Portrait of Richard W Price, Salt Lake City, Utah, circa 1988, photo taken by Nancy L Price.
A church in England, England, 1987, photo taken by Richard Price.
A side by side photo of Johnny Carson genealogy book and signed page of Alex Haley, photo take by Jessica Adlard in Sandy, Utah, 2026.
Price Genealogy Associates, Genealogical Society or Utah, Salt Lake City, 1990, photo taken by Nancy Price.
Richard’s graduation, Provo, Utah, 1984, photo taken by family member.
Richard meeting with clients, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990, photo taken by Nancy Price.
Richard with an employee at Elm Chapel, Gadfield, England, 1987, photo taken by friend.
Portrait of Richard, Salt Lake City, 2012, photo taken by Nancy Price.
Portrait of Richard W Price, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010, photo taken by Nancy Price.
Photo of Nancy Price with a secretary, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1990, photo taken by Richard.
Photo of current team, Sandy, Utah, 2025, photo taken by friend.