Ancestry Unlocked

Great question!  Maybe your research needs a fresh pair of eyes to find details and clues that have been missed.  Or,  you aren't familiar with records and resources that are available.  Perhaps the repository that may have the information is too far for you to travel.  The Association for Professional Genealogists has created a brochure to help answer this question.   Read it here.

Your first step is to submit a research request!  We will then work together to determine your objective; what question do you want answered or what problem do you need help solving?  I will review information you already have to avoid duplication and prepare a research plan that will include the repositories to be searched and an estimate of the time needed for research, analysis and preparation of a report.

Once the research plan is agreed to a contract will be prepared. In addition to frequent communication and progress updates on your research project you will receive a written report of all findings with copies or abstracts of relevant documents, detailed analysis, formal citations and suggestions for additional research, if relevant.   You will also receive an exact final accounting of my time and expenses. 

For jobs anticipated to be $500 or more, a retainer may be required for review of prior research and preparation of a research plan. In no event will research commence until a signed contract is received.  I accept PayPal, as well as money orders and personal checks.  If paying by check please note that research will not commence until your payment has cleared the bank. 

Not every ancestor leaves a paper trail and there are those rare ocassions when experience and reasonably exhaustive research are not enough to locate them.   However, even in the most difficult of cases, it is usually possible to find some trace of an individual.   Fees are paid for my expertise and time, not for the information uncovered.