About & Methodology

Rigorous methodology. Human stories.

Hansen Origins brings careful, evidence-based research and the profession’s standard of proof to every family and every case.

Meet the founder

Jordan Hansen

Founder & Lead Researcher

Jordan founded Hansen Origins to bring careful, evidence-based research to families and to the legal professionals who serve them.

Every investigation follows the Genealogical Proof Standard, the benchmark used by professional genealogists to ensure conclusions are thoroughly researched, fully cited and soundly reasoned. It's the same rigor whether the question comes from a family or a courtroom.

Our standard

The Genealogical Proof Standard

A conclusion is only as good as the evidence and reasoning behind it. The Genealogical Proof Standard, set by the Board for Certification of Genealogists, defines five elements every sound conclusion must meet.

For families, it means answers you can trust. For attorneys, it means findings that hold up to scrutiny.

Reasonably exhaustive researchEvery source that could reasonably bear on the question is searched, not just what's online.
Complete, accurate citationsEvery fact is tied to a source that you, or a court, can verify.
Analysis & correlationEach record is evaluated for reliability and compared against the others.
Resolution of conflicting evidenceWhen records disagree, we explain which to trust, and why.
A soundly reasoned conclusionFindings are written so the reasoning is clear and defensible.

Methodology

Where the paper trail meets DNA

Records and genetics each have blind spots. Used together, they confirm what either alone could only suggest.

Documentary evidence

The paper trail

Traditional records remain the backbone of every investigation, establishing names, dates, places and relationships.

Courthouse & probate records
Land deeds & tax rolls
Military, census & church records
Immigration & naturalization files

Genetic evidence

Modern DNA analysis

DNA confirms biological relationships, breaks through brick walls, and reveals connections records never captured.

Autosomal DNA for recent generations
Y-DNA for direct paternal lines
Match clustering & relationship mapping
Correlation with documentary evidence

Begin

Let's find your answers

Book a complimentary 15-minute consultation for personal research, or submit a case inquiry for legal matters.

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