[INTERVIEW]Portrait of Svitlana Labets - Genealogist in Ukraine
First portrait in the “Family of Heart” series – by ADD Associés
In a world shaken by war and uncertainty, some individuals manage to stand firm, with quiet strength and unwavering purpose. Svitlana Labets is one of them. Based in Ukraine, Svitlana is a genealogist and legal expert who has collaborated with ADD Associés for many years. Her professional journey began with dual academic degrees in International Relations from Lviv National University and Law from the Kyiv University of Economy and Law. Initially drawn into genealogy by chance, during an internship at the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she was quickly immersed in the world of international probate law. Appointed assistant to the vice-president of Ukraine’s oldest law firm in the field, she soon rose to become head of research and tracing services.
Over the years, Svitlana has built strong ties with international partners, especially in the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, France, and the United Kingdom. Her deep love of history—nurtured through her academic background—proved to be an invaluable foundation. In 2014, she established her own private practice, combining her legal expertise and genealogical skills into a singular vocation.
Healing the rupture of History
To Svitlana, genealogy is far more than a profession—it is a passion and, as she puts it, a weakness. Over a 25-year career, she has handled hundreds of cases, each one a deeply human puzzle of lives, documents, and histories waiting to be pieced back together. Often, the facts she uncovers are painful—stories of war, repression, deportation, and exile. And yet, they provide families with long-lost connections, sometimes joyful, sometimes tragic, but always grounding.
She recalls one case in particular that still haunts her: the descendants of a prominent Ukrainian exile leader, who had grown up disconnected from their origins and from each other. The discovery of their ancestry came as a shock to them—and to Svitlana—a sobering reminder of how fragile the thread of memory can be when not nurtured. For her, genealogy is about preserving identity, healing the rupture of history, and offering families a renewed sense of belonging.
Genealogy in times of war
Since the full-scale war in Ukraine began in 2022, Svitlana’s work has continued—often under harrowing conditions. Missile alerts, power outages, and destroyed infrastructure are now part of her daily reality. Yet archives, civil registry offices, and notaries still operate across much of Ukraine, including frontline cities like Kharkiv, Kherson, and Sumy. In such circumstances, Svitlana’s resilience is nothing short of remarkable.
She outlines the numerous obstacles that now accompany every case: the inaccessibility of archives in occupied regions such as Donetsk and Luhansk; the loss of local records due to building destruction; the impossibility of reaching heirs in territories without postal or phone access; and the dramatic displacement of millions of Ukrainians. In many cases, heirs are now scattered across continents—or presumed missing altogether.
Despite all this, Svitlana continues to deliver precise, verified, and ethically sound research. She is part of Ukraine’s broader archival community effort to digitize vital documents as a safeguard against war-related destruction. Her methods have evolved—using social media to trace heirs, relying on international intermediaries to retrieve data—but her goal remains unchanged: to rebuild family stories, piece by piece.
A message to readers in France — and beyond
When asked what message she would like to share with people outside Ukraine, Svitlana does not speak of anger or despair. Instead, she speaks of resilience. “We try our best to survive,” she says. Life goes on — with children going to school, people going to work, even sometimes to the theater or a restaurant, between air raid sirens.
But what Ukrainians need most, beyond financial or military aid, is moral support. “They need to feel supported,” she tells us. “Not only with weapons or money, but emotionally.”
For Svitlana, the smallest expression of international solidarity — a message, a gesture, a simple acknowledgment — carries great meaning. It reminds her and her fellow citizens that they are not alone. That they matter. That the world is still watching.
Bonds and recognition
Svitlana’s definition of family extends far beyond blood. Her bond with her husband, currently far from her, is matched by her closeness to his family. Likewise, her relationships with her professional partners are marked by deep emotional and ethical commitment. She speaks warmly of her interactions with ADD Associés, especially the Paris team whom she met annually before the pandemic and the war. These ties, built on trust and shared purpose, form what she calls a “professional family,” one that transcends borders and has stood by her throughout the darkest times.
Her nomination for the Unsung Hero Award at the International Probates Awards in London came as a surprise—but one that deeply moved her. The recognition, initiated by Antoine Djikpa, Chairman of the ADD Group, was a ray of light during difficult days. For Svitlana, this honor is not merely professional; it affirms the moral dimension of her work and the profound impact it can have.
As for where she finds strength?
The answer is as human as it is unexpected: in Formula One races, which she has followed for 30 years; in her love of the sea, her “place of power”; and in travel, which brings her moments of calm and renewal amidst chaos.
Our unsung Hero
At ADD Associés, we are immensely proud to support Svitlana Labets—not only in her nomination for the Unsung Hero Award at the 2025 Probate Industry Awards, but also in her everyday work and life. Her courage, precision, and deep humanity are a source of inspiration for us all. Whatever the outcome of the award, Svitlana is and will always remain our hero: a vital link between generations, a guardian of memory, and a cherished member of our Family of Heart.
