Q:  How do we get started?

A:   Just a simple phone call or email will do it.  Immediately it will be determined if you have enough information for us to begin to find your ancestors in the records. 

 

Q:  What information do I need to get started?

A:  Before starting your research, we'll ask that you provide the name, date and place of birth for the relatives you wish to know about.  At least a ballpark guess if you don't have exact dates and places. Many people already have information about their parents and grandparents.  Some have even been working on their family tree themselves and have come to us with a specific problem.  Whatever information you have, no matter how small, we want to know about it.  It will save you time and leave us free to find out the bits you don't know.

 

Q:  What will I find out?

A:  We aim to discover when and where your ancestors were born; who they married; what their occupations were; where they lived, and any children as revealed by the censuses.  It's not usually necessary to obtain death certificates for the purpose of proving one's ancestry, however if you'd like details on what your ancestors died from, we can order these.  More information is gleaned usually from birth and marriage certificates. 

Research is flexible, so we'll aim to provide the information that you indicated an interest in.

 

Q:  What if you don't find anything in my search?

A:  Our initial search during the FREE CONSULTATION will ensure that enough records do exist to begin your project.  However if the trail does run dry, the total cost will be reduced, pro-rata, so you'll only pay for the research that has been carried out successfully.

You might expect to find up to great great grandparents as a minimum.  Final price will be reduced pro-rata if this is not completely achieved.

However, rest assured we don't simply stop at great great grandparents.  If the information is available, we will research it for you.

 

Q:  How do I get my photos to you?

A:  We prefer them by email, but snailmail is fine as well. 

 

Q:  How long will it take to research my ancestry?

A:  That is always a variable.  It depends upon how much research you want to do, and also of course on whether your ancestors are able to be located.  But on average, it could be from 3 weeks to 3 months.

 

Q:  How is payment made?

A:  We accept all major credit cards through PayPal.  See "Services/Pricing" page.  If you can only use personal check, it will be accepted, however the project will commence when the check clears.

 

Q:  Are there other costs involved?

A:  There may be additional costs, such as applications for original certificates or records.  However we will always ask you first if you want to purchase these additional documents from the appropriate offices.  Most of our research, though, is done online with copies of those records off the computer at no additional charge.

 

Q:  How do your prices compare to other genealogy sites?

A:   You'd be paying up to 2-3 times this amount (as in $75/hour) on other websites.  We try to keep our costs down, because we truly care about family history.  We want you to be able to pass along to the next generation what you know about your ancestors.

 

Q:  Why do I need to pay for 3 hours in advance?

A:  An initial search and write-up will take at least 3 hours.

 

Q:  When do I pay for the remainder of my package? 

A:  The remainder is due upon completion of the search, before it is sent to you the client.  For the BASIC PACKAGE the remainder is $105.  For the PEDIGREE PACKAGE the remainder is $350. 

Generally in the genealogy community total payment is due upfront.  We are relying on the integrity and honesty of our clients, as they are of us.  After all, we are both passionate about your family history!

 

Q:  Do you sell my information to any other party?

A:  No.  Never.

 

Q:  Do you do adoption research?

A:  Sorry, we do not do adoption research.