Genealogy Detective

Rates & Services

 

Please contact me  to discuss the details of your research project. I offer a full range of Genealogical Investigative services that you may choose from.

I offer an initial one-hour free consultation. This enables the client considering the use of my services to discuss the proposed project, as well as any research that’s already been done.

At this consultation, we can also discuss the types of records that might be searched and an approximation of the number of hours this research would involve. Following this initial consultation, my fee is $15/research hour.

I want to keep my rates as reasonable as possible so that more families can afford to have their history researched. In addition to the hourly fee, other charges are:

  • for the cost of any photocopies or other reproductions made of records (usually 25 – 50 cents per page) .
  • .40/mi for local trips more than 15 miles each way or 30 miles total (the per mile charge is only for those miles in excess of the 30 miles and are for local research). If it appears a trip beyond the local area, such as to Washington, D.C., would be appropriate, I would first discuss this with the client.

What I have found works best for clients is if we have regular and open communication about the research. Usually, based on what has been determined in our initial consultation, a client contracts for a certain number of hours, as well as an amount for any additional charges. Thus, if we have decided on 8 hours, plus $20 in additional charges, the client would pay for half of those hours, or $60 in this case (4 hours x $15/hr) at the commencement of research.

 

 

 If the research goal is accomplished in the eight hours or less, the client pays for just the total number of hours of actual research. I keep track of the additional charges with the understanding that I will not go over the $30 without the client’s agreement. I submit a statement to the client for the amount of actual charges when the $30 is reached or the project is completed, whichever comes first.

At the end of the 8 hours contracted for, if the project is not completed, the client and I discuss what has been accomplished to date, the results achieved, and possible further avenues of research as well as likelihood of success.

 

 ←Fees→

Genealogy
Research Fees
#Hours

 $15/hr

6
90.
10
150.
15
225.
20
300.
25
375.
30
450.
35
525.
40
600.
Hourly rate: $15.

 

 

 

 

←Private Research & Family Reports→

Allow me to research your family history in an attempt to learn more about your ancestor's past. All genealogical investigations include a detailed family report that contains facts, the sources where these facts were found and a detailed family history report. Minimum Retainer Commitment: 6 hours.

←Biographies→

After securing and locating all your family records, I will put this imformation together in a biography that details your ancestor's life. The fee charge for this service is negotiable. 

 ←Census Lookup →

The information recorded in past censuses is often the best way to find an ancestor, and possible your ancestor's other relatives. Finding your ancestor's parents allows you to take your family tree back another generation. Census information usually includes the location (city, state, township) of your ancestor and the names of other people living with them.

This helps to ensure that the right person is identified by matching the names of parents, brothers and sisters, and children with the facts that you have provided.

Even if you've tried conducting census lookups yourself, you may want to ask the Genealogy Detective to try again for you. This is because the Genealogy Detective uses some clever lateral thinking and 'tricks of the trade to approach searches in a way that many people would not consider. Minimum Retainer Commitment: 2 hours

←In-Depth Research→

For extensive genealogies, personal histories, or brick wall solutions, I am available to take on complex projects. Maybe you have researched your line and have hit a "dead-end?" Provide the information you have collected and let a REAL INVESTIGATOR root out your family history. Minimum Retainer Commitment: 20 hours.

←Record Surveys and Simple Research→

I perform searches based on simple criteria, such as a survey of records looking for a family in a particular county.Minimum Retainer Commitment: 6 hours.

←Research Planning→

If you want to do the research yourself but do not know where to begin or where to go next, I can produce a custom research plan.Minimum Retainer Commitment: 6 hours.

←Cemetery Surveys and Photography→

I photograph grave markers and survey cemeteries. I use a 10 megapixel digital SLR: photographs are delivered electronically. Minimum Retainer Commitment: 3 hours.