Research
Genealogy Research
"People will not
look forward to prosperity
who never look backward to their ancestors."
Edmund Burke
Locations:
Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,Washington and West Virginia.
Surnames:
I have also done a great deal of Surname research on hundreds of family names. If you would like a Free Look up to see if I have data on your surname, email me a paragraph about your ancestors and be sure to include: dates and locations. Any detail no matter how small is always appreciated. My address is at the bottom of this page.
PLEASE put: "Free Look
up and Surname", in the Subject line.
I am here to Help if you:
do not have time to do the research yourself
do not have the necessary genealogical research skills
do not have access to the records in a particular locality
do not know what records exist that might offer a solution to your research problem
have reached a dead-end or brick wall
need specific on-site research
desire consultation on how to solve a research problem or extend a line
need help writing, editing or publishing your genealogy
wish to locate living family members
Resources used for my research:
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Research costs and Method of payment:
I feel that each pedigree is unique. I have found that most people are interested in the history of their ancestors, like myself. Whenever possible I do my best to keep the costs low. The names and the dates are important, but to have a copy of each birth, death and marriage record can be costly and cumbersome. Whenever possible, I prefer to use Vital record books for such information. Every state has these books and are available at their town clerk's office. It saves money and provides you with the same details found on the actual certificates.For single generation ancestral research for one specific record, individual or family to be found my fee ranges from $10.00 to $30.00. The higher range would cover various records researched for a that single generation. Most people appreciate having as many paper sources documented as possible. For three generation or more ancestral research, the most common course is to send a retainer and renew this when reports are received. I ask for a $30.00 retainer to begin research, then bill you for additional costs. Based on the information found, and the research needed to further investigate. It is necessary for you to authorize the research to be billed later. I do this, by emailing you a report of what I propose needs to be done, then I await for your email response, prior to completing the research.
In some families, several people share the cost of research. Such arrangements can make research more affordable, allow it to proceed more rapidly, or buy a greater range of services (e.g., compiling a family history in addition to tracing the ancestral lines).
My Genealogy research methods:
Research usually begins with an analysis of the problem and a survey of my published sources. The initial survey allows an estimate of probable research success and helps demonstrate my prospective research services. Depending on the available records and the individual family, this survey may produce a considerable or modest amount of information.
To ensure the preliminary survey does not merely duplicate what is already known, I need all of the information already gathered on the specific genealogical problem. I require a detailed report of your family tree, or copy of your GEDCOM. I will need to know who in particular you are interested in finding more information about.
My Reports
I provide you with a neat, methodical, documented report. My reports summarize the research, indicate what was found, and give suggestions for further research.
A complete report will include a professionally prepared copy of all research notes and identification of all sources searched; with negative as well as positive results. It might also contain maps, photocopies of documents, notes from interviews, and other material.
Concluding the research
How do you know when research on a given line or problem should be stopped? Some persons eventually see a line traced back to a point that satisfies them. If this happens, let me know. In other cases, I will report that all available documents have been exhausted. In all cases, understand there are diminishing returns in research, and it is possible that some records remain, but chances of success are small compared to the cost.
At some point a decision to end genealogical research altogether will be made. Notify me of this decision so research can then be concluded and a final report prepared. In the end, creating biographies of ancestors with the historical context of events they lived through; locating lost relatives and making meaningful family connections; even publishing the results of the research to preserve this heritage for others.
