Frequently Asked Questions:                                                            Back to Main Page

1)        What will I get?
2)        What will you be doing?
3)        How do you bill us?
4)        Cost per hour/price of project?
5)        Sizes of your packages?
6)        What do I need to provide you with in order to begin?
7)        Length of time to finish the research?
8)        What are your credentials and/or experience?


I will attempt to answer your questions, but it should be noted that the specifics of each case vary greatly. Some family trees "grow quickly", others do not.

1)        What will I get? Such as the report, research calendar, copies of research,

            family group sheets, consultation, analysis of records, biographies,

            photos, etc.

                 1) I typically provide an (automated) narrative report of the ancestry found; a copy of my Research Log; copies of pertinent documents (census, wills, etc); and an analysis of any special problems or situations. The research log shows resources checked, their pertinence, and the time expended- this is the billing documentation. Additional/alternate presentations -family group charts, pedigree charts, etc will be provided based on the preferences of the client. I do not write "biographies" in any full sense - the key elements of "who, where, when" for major life events are the focus. Biographical information, when found, would be cited or referenced depending on the extent of the material. "Consultations" with my clients are vital - the client must set the expense limits, as well as provide the initial information from which to work. The extent of the consultation could vary from "My grandmother Jane Smith was born in June 1926 in Thattown, Thisstate.  Tell me what you can about her ancestry, but spend no more than $100." to active participation in the research process.

2)        What will you be doing? Such as what is your process and what is it that

            you do? (I am new to professional genealogy and need a brief description

            of what it is that you do)

                  2) After establishing the starting point and expense limits the process these days begins with an online survey to see if the work has "been done" - of course the accuracy of such work is at issue! Using whatever leads have been provided by the client or generated by the survey the next level involves documentation through online resources such as Census records, etc. This material may establish additional generations of ancestry, and much information about the family groups involved. Third is "on site" research. This is often most economically done by a trip to the Family History Library at Salt Lake City. The millions of rolls of microfilm (and the books, etc) available at one location expedite the process. Naturally, not all material is available there. Thus, the Fourth step in the process can involve research at local repositories in whatever area. This can be undertaken by mail, through access to local researchers, or personally by the primary researcher. Consideration of costs - in time, confidence, and cash - must fall into the client’s guidelines and will determine the level of activity. Reports of findings are prepared and presented.

3)        How do you bill us? What I mean is what the break down is of the cost of

            your services by area. (i.e. report, researching)
 
                 3) Billing for time is at a straight hourly rate for all time devoted to the project- research, analysis, document and report preparation, etc. One copy (usually inkjet printout or photocopy) of each major document found (census, will, etc) is included. Additional summary documents are also included. If the client desires extensive duplication of all records searched, or if there are other costs involved (such as fees for obtaining Government records) these will be added , at cost. If a client desires "on site" research, travel expenses may be incurred. When the client is willing to wait for research at Salt Lake City to occur on a scheduled trip there are generally no travel costs billed. Specially scheduled trips there, or other trips, are all billed - but will only be undertaken after specific, individualized written agreements have been reached. Typically, available airfare, car rental, and available accommodations are the major factors in addition to actual research time.


4)        Cost per hour/cost per block of time/price of project? Do you charge by the hour, the job or a block of time? 

            Since the nature of the work precludes a guarantee of results (specific relative identified, specific documentation found, or anything located in a given time frame!) all projects are billed on an hours spent basis. My efforts will be directed to providing as much information as I can, as economically as I can. My fee is $35.00 (US) per hour. New clients are expected to purchase a minimum starter block of 3 (three) hours for $100.00, prepaid. The initial report for this would include any indications of exceptional difficulty (example: there were 20,000 individuals by that name in those census years, without knowing where he lived, when he was born, or his wife or siblings names I cannot reasonably identify this individual)  or of good fortune (example: this individual is included in a reputable Family History. All known descendants of an original ancestor born 1634 are included in a book available from the family organization for $52.) Both of these examples are approximations of actual occurrences in my research.

5)        Sizes of your packages? By hour/length/time.

            Other than the initial new client minimum, clients my request any reasonable package size by specifying an expenditure limit. This would include all billable items agreed to. The timing of work (elapsed time, request to report) is contingent on many factors. Large commissions would generally be spread over an extended period. Time spent "waiting to hear from..." is not billable, but has a major impact on progress.

6)        What do I need to provide you with in order to begin?

            In order to begin I need:
           a) An agreement as to authorized cost limit, with prepayment of at least the minimum.
            b) Sufficient information to identify a subject individual or family at a given date and place. Privacy restrictions are such that this is most effectively someone born before 1930. (I will specify here that I am not multilingual. Although translators are available, if you anticipate the need for extended work with non English resources you would be better served by some other researcher.) The more plentiful (and more accurate) this information is, the more likely it is that satisfactory research can take place in a timely fashion.
            c) Guidelines as to the type of project you desire (emphasis on maximum number of generations, emphasis on the individual's siblings and their descendants, connections to historic events, etc.) and the preferred forms of report/documentation desired.
            d) Preferably the above in writing.
            e) Full contact information for the client.

7)        Length of time to finish the research? 

            Elapsed time - a minimum project is usually completed in a few days. Large scale projects are highly dependant on response times from other agencies, travel schedules, and general workload variables. If checking for the record of a will can wait till my next scheduled trip to Salt Lake City that is "project delay", but inexpensive. If the client needs the actual cemetery inscription from a grave in Boston - tomorrow!!- that may be possible, but more expensive. As I said above, "client consultation" is vital. 
8)        What are your credentials and/or experience?   

            As noted as you entered the website I am neither an Accredited nor Certified Genealogist. I am a member of the National Genealogical Society, The Association of Professional Genealogists, The Genealogical Council of Oregon and various subscription research organizations. I am currently doing this research on a part time basis to develop a "retirement occupation". My genealogical research experience includes hundreds of hours of research, several weeks' work at Salt Lake City, and trips across the country for on site work in courthouses, cemeteries, libraries and Historical Societies in New England and the Middle Atlantic States - over the past 30-35 years. Non Genealogical research experience includes the development of Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Tax Exemption documents, seminars and presentations for a (now defunct) Nonprofit Corporation and a "for fun" project which, when presented to Dr.___, Librarian of an accredited college, invoked the initial question "Are you working on your Doctoral thesis?"

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