Old English: tréow [TRAY-oh]
1. noun tree, wood
2. noun truth, fidelity, faith, trust, belief; pledge, promise, agreement
How it works...
1
Research Call
The process starts with a free research call (via phone or video) in which we discuss what you're hoping to find out and how I may be able to help you.
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2
Proposal
I will put together a brief proposal in which I outline:
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The expected time frame for completing the research
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The likely cost
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A realistic idea of what can be found and the chances of success
3
Research
I undertake the research and will keep you updated. If there are any problems or circumstances that may significantly affect the overall cost of the project I will let you know immediately. Likewise, I am always to happy you hear if you have uncovered anything that may help the search.
4
Findings
Following my research, I will prepare a Research Report and Family Tree (if requested). The Research Report will contain all the information and sources I have found.
Fees...
My standard fees are £25 per hour, plus expenses (agreed in advance).
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For larger projects or those that are more open-ended (family tree building, tracing an ancestor, putting together a family report) I can tailor fees to suit.
Fees cover the cost of
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time spent researching (at archives and online)
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report writing
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preparing family trees
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Birth, marriage and death certificates from the General Records Office will be charged at cost - £12.50, £8.00 or £3.00 according to type - as will any document copying, printing or postage.
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Some helpful guidance from the Society of Genealogists...
​"Most researchers on answering a first letter or email will give an idea of their charges. This will normally include a statement of their usual hourly rate. It is often not possible to estimate in advance how difficult or how time-consuming a case will be. Very many researchers invite the client to specify an initial sum which they are willing to spend - perhaps equivalent to one or two days’ work. The hourly rate quoted will normally include not only time spent looking at documents but time spent on correspondence, phone calls and general advice.
It may be that a morning’s work will take a family back 300 years in the same small village or that months of work won’t prove where ‘your’ John Smith was born about 1860. By putting down the money a little at a time the client can safeguard their pocket and turn the research from this branch to that, giving up Dad’s side when it gets difficult or trying Grandma’s side again when the previous disappointments have faded away and hope springs afresh."
