Research: finding records online and offline
I have been doing research online since 1989, when Ancestry.com was in its infancy. Working as a reference librarian for two public library systems, I became familiar with websites and databases that yielded important information for people interested in family history. I'm now an expert in online resources, and have written and lectured about the vast array of resources that are available at the click of a mouse button.
Contrary to popular opinion, the vast majority of genealogically valuable records are NOT online! As well as researching for your family online, I also have a network of colleagues and researchers across the US and internationally, who are ready to pull and examine records that are not available online. These may include crumbling papers in dusty courthouses, wills and probate records on microfilm at the Family History Library, and Civil War pension records or War of 1812 Bounty Land records at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Whatever you need to prove a family line, I will figure out a way to get it!
Contrary to popular opinion, the vast majority of genealogically valuable records are NOT online! As well as researching for your family online, I also have a network of colleagues and researchers across the US and internationally, who are ready to pull and examine records that are not available online. These may include crumbling papers in dusty courthouses, wills and probate records on microfilm at the Family History Library, and Civil War pension records or War of 1812 Bounty Land records at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Whatever you need to prove a family line, I will figure out a way to get it!
Records That Are Not Online
Here is a small sample of some of the records that you won't find online:
Research Policies and Fee Schedule:
What I charge, for the most part, depends on what it is you want me to do for you.
Research Services: this is the heart of what I love to do best, and that is the research! In order for me to be an effective researcher into your family history, the following conditions must be met:
1. There needs to be a specific goal, with an agreed upon number of hours. Costs for additional records will be explained and agreed upon in advance.
2. I will need to examine all previous research that has been done, by you or by another researcher. This saves you time and money.
3. There is a 5 hour minimum for all research projects. This allows me to review previous research, formulate a research plan, do the research, analyze the records found, and write a complete report.
Currently, my hourly research rate is $40 per hour. This includes creating a research plan and writing a complete report. All reports and images will be delivered electronically, by email or DropBox.
Reimbursable expenses: include photocopies, record fees, postage, microfilm rental, and parking; supplies such as binders and archival CDs
Travel expenses: All travel time outside a 25-mile radius of my home billed at current IRS mileage rate.
Payment options:
Research is not begun until I receive the signed contract with your research goals and retainer.
I accept cash and checks drawn on U.S. banks; international clients have paid successfully through PayPal.
Balance of fees are due at the end of my research time; unused time is refunded.
Your report will be mailed/emailed upon receipt of all fees and expenses that are due.
What I charge, for the most part, depends on what it is you want me to do for you.
Research Services: this is the heart of what I love to do best, and that is the research! In order for me to be an effective researcher into your family history, the following conditions must be met:
1. There needs to be a specific goal, with an agreed upon number of hours. Costs for additional records will be explained and agreed upon in advance.
2. I will need to examine all previous research that has been done, by you or by another researcher. This saves you time and money.
3. There is a 5 hour minimum for all research projects. This allows me to review previous research, formulate a research plan, do the research, analyze the records found, and write a complete report.
Currently, my hourly research rate is $40 per hour. This includes creating a research plan and writing a complete report. All reports and images will be delivered electronically, by email or DropBox.
Reimbursable expenses: include photocopies, record fees, postage, microfilm rental, and parking; supplies such as binders and archival CDs
Travel expenses: All travel time outside a 25-mile radius of my home billed at current IRS mileage rate.
Payment options:
Research is not begun until I receive the signed contract with your research goals and retainer.
I accept cash and checks drawn on U.S. banks; international clients have paid successfully through PayPal.
Balance of fees are due at the end of my research time; unused time is refunded.
Your report will be mailed/emailed upon receipt of all fees and expenses that are due.
Getting Started:
- Call me or send me an email with a description of your research problem or brick wall, and what you'd like me to find.
- Tell me what research has been completed on your ancestor, including that of other researchers, so that I don't duplicate work that has already been done.
- Tell me how many hours you're authorizing. New projects have a minimum of 5 hours.
- Mail or email me copies (not originals) of any documents that would help in this research.
- Send a deposit of 50% of the authorized hours, plus the cost of records that we've discussed.
- Remember that you are paying me for the research, not necessarily the records or results that you may be hoping for.
- My report will include a research log that details my research and the results (even if it's negative), an analysis of the records found, and suggestions for further research.
- Keep in mind that while I am in charge of the research, your ancestors were in charge of the records they left (or didn't leave) for me to find!
All content (c) Claudia Breland, 2013
