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Elizabeth Murray Vargas is a bilingual professional genealogist and the founder of Legacy Quest Genealogy. Known as "The Caribbean & Latin American Genealogist," she specializes in evidence-based research for families with roots in the Spanish Caribbean, Latin America, and related diasporas, with a particular emphasis on Cuba. 

As a first-generation American of Dominican and Scottish heritage, Elizabeth has a deep passion for immigrant research and tracing families back to their countries of origin. Her work is grounded in original records and cross-border methodology, drawing on established research relationships in multiple countries to access archives that are not fully digitized or available online.

Elizabeth holds dual bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Spanish, completed Boston University’s Genealogical Research Program and ProGen, and earned certificates from GRIP. She is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. Elizabeth has written intermediate-level course content for the International Institute of Genealogical Studies and has conducted research for the BBC television series Who Do You Think You Are? She serves on the board of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is chair of its Professional Development Committee.

Geographic Specialities
U.S. Mid-Atlantic states, Latin Europe, and Latin America, including the Spanish Caribbean, particularly Cuba.
 

Testimonials
"Elizabeth was a huge help to our genealogy journey. She was able to solve the fuzzy linkage and history of my 1700 era paternal tree thereby resolving a huge part of our total ancestral picture. We are so grateful for her efforts and expertise!"

Additional specialities or search keywords
Bilingual Researcher, family history, heir & probate research, dual citizenship processing

Publications/Media
Victorian Photo Album Gifted to Living Descendants 
Extreme Genes Podcast, Researching Cuban Records, Episode 472
 

Lectures
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society
Historical Society of Pennsylvania 
Historical Society of Plainfield, NJ, Drake House Museum, and the Plainfield Public Library.
 

Repositories
Elizabeth has established research relationships in multiple countries to access archives that are not fully digitized or available online, including Cuba.

Research Time Periods

• 21st Century
• 20th Century
• 19th Century
• 18th Century
• 17th Century

Languages
English, Native Spanish speaker, understand Italian and Portuguese

Honorifics/Credentials
FSAScot, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 
Board of Directors (2026-2028), Association of Professional Genealogists

Certificates
Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University)
ProGen Study Group Graduate

Affiliations
Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
The National Genealogical Society (NGS)
The Cuban Genealogy Club of Miami (CGC)
New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B) 
The International Society for British Genealogy and Family History (ISBGFH)
The Scottish Genealogy Society The Irish Genealogical Research Society (IGRS)
American Ancestors - The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS)
The International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
 

Degrees
Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and Spanish
Certificate holder in Genealogical Research from Boston University
ProGen Graduate - 14-month Genealogical Program