Research Services & Pricing

Genealogists are like detectives for your family history. We explore a variety of sources, following even the smallest clues to uncover who people were and how they were connected across generations. We put each discovery in its historical context and share our findings in easy-to-understand charts, reports, and stories.

Genealogy research take time - a lot of it. There are reasons why genealogical software programs include an alarm clock. There's so many paths to go down. For many, hiring someone boils down to the lack of time that someone has to dedicate to this. Others are interested in discovering their family history but lack the patience or inclination to conduct the research themselves. Some have made progress on their own but need an experienced perspective to continue the progress made.

Outside help can bring specialized knowledge of historical records (census records, newspapers, military records, church records, personal accounts, family Bibles, photos, etc.), where to locate them, how to interpret them, and their limitations. We efficiently organize information, analyze problems, develop research plans, carry out investigations, compile results, and prepare detailed reports. We also stay current with advanced research techniques, the availability of records, and the use of DNA testing in genealogical research. Even if you lack a ton of interest in the topic, your descendants down the road will thank you.

For many, the Family Foundations package is a good place to start. Before any research takes place, I ask for your research objective(s). For some, it's simply to build a family tree. For others, it's to learn more about a specific ancestor, among many others. It gives you 10 hours of research time which will be used as a starting point into your journey. Once the initial 10 hours has been completed, you can choose to extend the research or continue at a later time. Each project is unique. That is where the initial consultation will come in play.

A Research Report provides all the information found for your project, including available sources and copies of any related documents. A sample of a report can be provided.

You are guaranteed that the time spent will not exceed the initial agreement and that the services rendered will be done professionally and thoroughly. That said, while every effort is made to uncover useful information, the nature of genealogical research does not always yield new results. Some records may be unavailable or lost over time. While it's extremely unlikely that no new information would be found, sometimes even the peace of mind is reassuring. In these cases, you will still get a detailed report with what information is available.

The initial consultation is free of charge. During or shortly after that consultation, you will receive an estimate of the amount of research that will likely be required. You are under no obligation to go further than your initial consultation.

While it's extremely unlikely that no new information would be found, we have to say it anyways. Because payment covers the time devoted to research and preparing your detailed report, it is required even if no new information is discovered. The total cost will never exceed the agreed-upon number of hours. At the very least, sometimes just knowing that there is no new information is worth the price.

Though Jonathan has been studying and taking part in family history research for over 15 years, he has not yet pursued professional certification for this service and therefore the savings are passed onto you.