Have you ever repeatedly hit a genealogical brick wall over and over again and despaired of ever breaking through it? Have you ever felt as though your ancestors would let you know about their lives when they were good and ready and not a moment before? And have you then suddenly had an amazing coincidence that has seen those brick walls tumble? That’s genealogical serendipity, and it can feel downright spooky!
Ever driven past an overgrown cemetery in the middle of nowhere and decided to stop and take a look? Serendipity is when you find a grave with a surname you recognise and it turns out to be someone from a long lost branch of the family tree! That’s genealogical serendipity.
Genealogical Serendipity Strikes My Tree
When I moved to Australia with my parents as a child, I thought we were the first of our line to live in the state of Victoria. My mum had lived briefly in Sydney as a young girl before returning to England. However no one had ventured south of the New South Wales border. It turned out however that we were unwittingly tracing the steps of an ancestor.
Mary Scriven was my 4 x great grandmother. She spent most of her later adult life around Walsall in Staffordshire, after living quite a nomadic early married life with her husband William Sartain. However she suddenly turned up in a census under a different surname. I would have had difficulty finding her if she wasn’t living with a daughter. She had remarried and been widowed again in the years since the previous census. However, I could not find evidence of this second marriage.
I ended up putting this puzzle aside to brew, and instead traced where her various children went, in the time honoured FAN Club way. It turned out two sons had gone to Australia. Not just anywhere in Australia. One, Joseph, went to a tiny place in my state of Victoria that I happened to have visited a lot! Jamieson is literally just a tiny dot on the map, a former gold mining town of about 300 people. The other, Thomas, went to Melbourne (where I currently live), but then moved to Hamilton, a town in Western Victoria where I lived as a child. He is buried there in the cemetery just a few minutes walk from my old home.
Thomas Sartain and son William. Thomas was buried only a few hundred metres from my home in country Victoria. Credit: Steve Haynes
Intrigued, I started to investigate further…and discovered their mother, my missing Mary, had spent some time in Australia with her sons. Her second marriage took place in Melbourne. Thanks to the detailed nature of Victorian marriage certificates, this confirmed her mother’s elusive maiden name for me, and allowed me to progress the tree backwards. Genealogical serendipity. Mary’s second husband died soon after they wed and he is one of the first interments in Brighton Cemetery.
Mary Scriven’s second marriage.Mary Scriven’s parents revealed.
Have you had any serendipitous moments with your family history research? Comment below, I’d love to hear your stories!
During this past week, I attended the MyHeritage Live user conference in Amsterdam. Indeed this is the reason I flew all the way over here to the Netherlands from Australia! This was only the second genealogy conference MyHeritage has held. Their inaugural one was in Oslo, Norway last year. Sadly due to health issues at the time I was unable to attend. However this year I was determined to be there. I’d seen several of the presentations from Oslo which were available online and had been very impressed by the professionalism and content.
As you are probably aware, MyHeritage is one of the ‘big three’ genealogy megasites, along with Ancestry and FindMyPast, and it has been in a rapid growth phase over the past couple of years. They have celebrated multiple acquisitions and the commencement of their DNA service. They are the first of the three however to branch into live events for their users such as a genealogy conference. I think this is a brilliant innovation – how many big companies really want this level of input from their core customers? The CEO, Gilad Japhet was present and approachable throughout the entire conference.
The Program
You may think that the conference would be solely unashamed plugging of their product. This was not the case, however. There were three streams: Genealogy, DNA, and Hands-On Workshops, to choose from. Sure, there was quite a bit of content on how to use the tools and features available through the MyHeritage subscription to get the best value from it. Not to include information on this would have been somewhat remiss though, so I was very grateful for it.
For those who would like to see the program contents free of charge, MyHeritage live-streamed during the conference. These presentations are available now here for anyone to watch.
Personal Highlights
First and foremost, as with any conference, it was fabulous to catch up with fellow genealogists from all around the world. There were 450 attendees from 30 countries. Many of them I was familiar with from their blogs, books or professional reputations. Some I had previously struck up virtual friendships with from afar. This weekend was a great opportunity to meet people and forge friendships and networks with them.
Cyndi Ingle of ‘Cyndi’s List’ gave a great presentation on Searching vs Browsing.
Next it was brilliant to hear the announcements of what MyHeritage are now or soon releasing, and there was some exciting stuff!
The MyHeritage Education Center was launched – all free, multilingual, how to’s, everything you need to know about tools and techniques, downloadable resources etc.
The acquisition of Promethease and SNPedia was announced, as they continue to expand their DNA presence. Promethease has been made free until the end of the year (usually $12 to access the health information). Existing Promethease uploads will be added to the MyHeritage DNA database. The donors will receive free matching and ethnicity results from November 1st (European users will need to opt in for this due to GDPR regulations). This will increase the database size by around 10%.
Theories of Family Relativity is apparently close to being automated rather than having periodic updates.
Ethnicity estimates will be updated soon and will be incredibly detailed, which is great to hear. I for one have found their ethnicity estimates the least accurate for my known tree of all the current providers. Having now seen a sneak preview of the work they are doing, I am confident we’ll be seeing some really good estimates coming out.
A huge pipeline of genealogy content with a strong focus on Europe, including more exclusive French records.
Free text matching technology will help match family trees to newspaper and book records more easily.
Every-Jan Blom of Genetic Affairs did a hands-on workshop on his Autocluster tool which is taking the genetic genealogy world by storm.
In conclusion, this conference was well worth attending. In 2020 it will be held in Israel, though dates and other details have not been announced yet. I heartily recommend attending, especially if you have an active subscription with MyHeritage or have had your DNA tested with them.
In just a few days I am lucky enough to be taking the genealogy roadtrip of a lifetime! This year was always going to be exciting on the genealogical front. The first full year of my long-time hobby now being my profession, and a conference in Europe to attend. A floating conference, no less! However, it grew from there.
Conference #1
When I initially booked the ‘Unlock The Past’ Mediterranean genealogy cruise for late September I decided immediately that I would add a couple of extra weeks to my trip to spend some time poking around in the UK. I hadn’t decided whether to do it before or after the cruise though, so hadn’t booked the flights.
Conference #2
Then another conference in Europe came up – the MyHeritage conference in Amsterdam at the beginning of September. I had sorely wanted to go to their previous year’s conference in Oslo, and had watched some of it online, so I decided then and there I would attend this one. So, it was going to be a whole of September trip, bookended by two conferences.
Conference #3
THEN…before I could book the flights the announcement came out that Rootstech was taking place in London in October. Rootstech? The massive conference held annually in Salt Lake City that I had long dreamed of attending? In London?
Now I was torn. MyHeritage or Rootstech? September or October? Then it dawned on me. No longer did I have the constraints of a regular job. I was…drumroll…self-employed! I decided then and there that this was my year to indulge in ALL the conferences! They all had fantastic programs, and of course great opportunities to meet up with fellow genealogists from around the world. Before I could change my mind (or end up permanently in Europe as more and more conferences popped up!), I booked the flights.
Genealogy Roadtrip of a Lifetime
So now I have three major conferences across two months in Europe. I expect to learn much about refining research techniques, using new and previously untapped resources and researching in different places. I will spend some time in between each of these conferences visiting archives, libraries, and no doubt walking the streets of ancestral towns and villages in between. It feels like I’m a kid again, and it’s Christmas Eve.
I’m hoping to keep up to date with the blogging while I am away, and I will be bringing you nuggets of informational gold from the conferences (they are always great for finding out about new or untapped resources!). And possibly even some pictures…
This month there has been a genealogy roadshow around Australia like nothing seen before. For the first time, there has been a series of events solely focused on genetic genealogy. Given the rapid growth in this branch of genealogy over the past decade or so, this is a fantastic idea. Many people are very nervous when it comes to the science of genetics, especially when most genealogists are used to being focused on humanities skills for their research rather than science. And that’s where the DNA Downunder events come in.
Events are in the process of being held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The programs are different in each city. Each contains a full day of presentations from various experts – except for Sydney which has a 3 day ‘DNA to the Max’ event. The main speaker is Blaine Bettinger, one of the most well-known genealogists specializing in genetic genealogy on the planet.
DNA Downunder in Melbourne
Yesterday, I attended the Melbourne event. Blaine gave an introduction to DNA for those in the audience with no background in the subject. His other presentations looked at using DNA to solve mysteries from the 18th and 19th century, using third-party tools to help analyse DNA (such as Gedmatch and DNA Painter), the limitations of cousin matching and a case study from his own tree.
Blaine in action!
It was wonderful to hear how a DNA match led him to find an Australian connection. This led to him making use of our amazingly detailed Victorian death records and which now gives him the opportunity to visit an ancestral grave while here!
I was also extremely happy to hear that DNA Painter has released another fantastic tool which provides a range of charting options for your tree. This includes the ability to mark those relatives confirmed by genetic testing. This way you can make charts of not only your genealogical tree but your genetic tree too. Hopefully I will get a chance to check it out before I depart overseas in a week or so!
Louise Coakley, a well-known Australian genealogist with expertise in DNA presented on standards, ethics, risks and limitations when working with DNA (a crucial and very hot topic!), and verifying family lines. Apologies to Louise, I was too engrossed to take a photo!
The other two speakers for the Melbourne event were:
Michelle Patient, another Australian genetic genealogy expert, talking about pros and cons of the various companies offering genealogical DNA tests; and
Brad Argent from Ancestry talking about how to get the most from AncestryDNA results.
I missed both these speakers sadly as their talks were held concurrently in another room As their presentations were focussed more towards the beginners, I elected to attend the more advanced topics. I hear they were excellent though!
The day was exciting, interesting and very well organised. I hope to see more of this kind of event in the years to come. The attendance not only in Melbourne but all around the country so far has shown there is a huge demand for great quality speakers about modern genealogical techniques. Thank you to the organisers at Unlock the Past!
Abandoning genealogy research seems at best a little counter-intuitive, at worst downright crazy. But giving yourself some distance from a frustrating brick wall line can help you to knock it down.
So here’s the situation. It’s 2am. You have been going round in circles all night with a tricky ancestral line. You’ve tried every source you can think of. You are now randomly googling every variation of the ancestor’s surname you can think of, and you’re getting nowhere. You are at an impasse and your eyes are dropping out of your head. Is this productive? Chances are, you’re not going to find this ancestor tonight, and if you find a clue, you’re now so tired and so close to the problem that you risk missing it. So it really is time to call it quits and go to bed.
Extrapolate this situation to one lasting for several weeks, months or even years. Some of our ancestors really do test the limits of our research skills with their ability to hide from all who wish to document their existence!
What to do when the ancestors aren’t cooperating
My advice – abandoning genealogy research for a while can be extremely effective. Even if it’s just that one pesky family line.
Science backs this up. There appear to be multiple reasons why a distraction, even a short one, can help with problem-solving. The brain unconsciously continues to work on the problem in the background. Having a quiet mind helps connections to be made, but the effects of even brief distractions can be remarkable. The problems appear to be restructured during the process, allowing for new solutions to present themselves as fresh insight. AHA!!!
This wonderful ‘Eureka’ moment has happened to me several times since I took up genealogy. I’ll tuck away my notes on a branch, go pursue another one and suddenly one day I will see the answer clearly. Occasionally, when I’ve had a few resistant lines at once, I’ve taken a complete break from genealogy for a couple of weeks. It’s worked wonders.
But the thought of doing this makes me twitchy…
Don’t worry, it’s quite safe to do this. The great thing about genealogy is that your ancestors aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be there when you get back. There will be no missed opportunities.
So try it today. Close your notebooks on the mysterious great-great-grandmother Vaughan (yes, I’m talking about YOU, Nora!). Walk away. Go do some work on the Morris family instead. Or watch a movie. See what crops up when you abandon genealogy research.
This week I’m focusing on the final resting place of our ancestors, their epitaph and other inscriptions on their headstone. Why is the information to be found at the gravesite so useful?
The headstone of Joshua Pearce of Earlham, Norfolk
What will you find on a headstone?
There are four main types of information on a headstone:
Names – usually the first and last name are provided, sometimes middle names, and quite often you will find (usually in inverted commas) any nickname they were known by.
Dates – these may be just the years of birth and death or the full birth and death dates.
Other family members – there are two ways family members may be mentioned on the headstone. They may also be buried in the same plot and have their own inscription, or they may be listed as, for example, ‘beloved husband of [name of widow]’.
Epitaphs – these are additional words inscribed on the headstone, chosen by the family. This may be an appropriate religious text or something personal about the deceased.
What’s special about the epitaph and memorial inscription?
The information on the headstone has generally come directly from the person paying for it. That is usually a family member. Therefore the information is personal. Please note that this doesn’t always mean it is 100% accurate. For example, sometimes the dates can be slightly off, or the middle names not quite right. The person giving the information was grieving at the time, so mistakes were made. Sometimes the mason would make a mistake when transcribing the requested information onto the stone. Therefore if you have several other sources for a birth year that disagree with the headstone do not presume the headstone outranks them in reliability.
The greatest value is in the information that may not be easily found in more formal documents. The details that make the name into a person. The words dedicated to them on the stone in their epitaph.
The headstone of Blanche Bowen, aged 12, of Neven, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Even when the epitaph is a simple religious verse, it can give an insight into the personality or outlook on life of the deceased ancestor. Their family chose that verse for a reason. If the epitaph is a statement or poem about them it gives an even clearer insight into them and their relationship with their family. Often touching, sometimes humorous, they provide a glimpse of the real person behind the dates.
My personal experience – I never would have known…
I was lucky enough to have a family with a vault in their local church. The parents had many children, most of whom did not live to adulthood. In fact, they tended to die so early that they had not even appeared in the baptism registers. They certainly didn’t live long enough to appear in censuses. The only record of their existence was the inscriptions on the vault. Oh and their names in the burial register, but I’d never have known they were children of this family as only their names were recorded.
One child that did reach adulthood married and set off to America on the Mormon trail, dying of cholera along the way. This was recorded on the vault, even though he was not buried there, but in an unmarked grave somewhere on the way to Utah. How would I have ever known this if it weren’t for the inscription on the vault?
Do I have to go to the burial site to read the epitaph, it’s 1000 miles from here?
Ideally, if you get the chance to visit the burial place of your ancestor I would recommend it. There is a real feeling of connection to stand at the foot of their grave and read the headstone in person. You will often also find that there are other connected families buried nearby. It’s always a bit of an adventure walking around a churchyard or cemetery, seeing who else is interred in the vicinity. However, it may not be practical or possible to visit in person.
Do not fear, there are plenty of resources available which may be able to help you. If all else fails, you can hire a professional in that local area to go find them and take photos for you!
Some sources for epitaphs and memorial inscriptions
Global
BillionGraves.com and FindAGrave.com are the two most well-known sites for finding your ancestors’ graves. Each has global though incomplete coverage. Billion Graves is GPS linked with both photos and transcriptions of the headstones. Find A Grave sometimes has photos of the grave and sometimes has biographical information provided. It is worth checking both sites for your ancestor. FindAGrave is owned by Ancestry so a search on Ancestry will also show if there is a FindAGrave entry. FindMyPast searches will find if an ancestor is in the BillionGraves database. Both sites are also indexed on FamilySearch.
Local
Many cemeteries (especially the larger ones) have online search facilities available. these will provide the location of the grave and in many cases the information on the headstone. If you know the area that your ancestor died in, try looking at the local cemetery websites.
Family history societies and genealogical societies often produce transcriptions of local churchyards and cemeteries. If you have several ancestors (or one really tricky one!) in a certain locality, it is well worth considering being a member of the local family history society. They have so much good information that is yet to make its way into the wider world and often at a substantial discount for members. Most of them have a presence on the web these days, and you should be able to purchase downloads or CD’s containing relevant data. For those with ancestors in the UK, the National Burial Index (NBI) may help you find the burial place of your ancestor. Search the NBI via FindMyPast.
Worth a try – epitaph collections!
In the ‘good old days’, people were very entertained by clever epitaphs, especially if they were witty. Several volumes were published and are now mostly out of copyright. This means you have a good chance of finding them at sites such as the Internet Archive, FamilySearch Digital Library, or Geneanet. This is a ‘potluck’ method rather than a targeted search. However, if you don’t find an ancestor’s epitaph amongst the offerings, you will certainly be entertained!
August 1st marks the beginning of National Family History Month in Australia. August is a bonanza month for anyone with an interest in genealogy (this means you, or you wouldn’t be reading this blog!). Family history events, activities, workshops and education sessions are available across the country and online. There are also bargains galore offered by providers of resources and services in the genealogy field.
National Family History Month is the brainchild of the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO). But it’s not just family history societies who are holding events. Many state and local libraries, archives and other bodies are also getting involved. So wherever you are, around Australia or the world you should be able to access some of the exciting activities available.
As I write this blog there are 180 events listed on the National Family History Month website. Obviously, many of them will be in local communities – go to the website to find out what’s happening near you. However, I’ve picked out some that are more widely accessible (i.e. online!) to highlight in this blog.
Births, deaths and marriages
Marriage between (James) Augustine Hoy and May Beatrice Hindhaugh (Beard).
If you have ancestors in Victoria or New South Wales you are in luck this month. Time to check if any of your ancestors’ vital events are not yet sourced beyond an index entry and fill those gaps.
Victorian uncertified historical certificates are available here all month at a reduced price of $20, saving you $4.50 each.
For those seeking NSW ancestors, the cost of certificate transcriptions has been reduced from $20 to $18 here till August 11th and here for the whole month.
Webinars
The National Library of Australia is holding a free webinar on August 7th on their eResources. They will be specifically looking at how to access newspapers that aren’t available on Trove. More information can be found here.
The following week they are holding another free webinar covering search skills and techniques, called ‘Ask A Family History Librarian’. Bookings can be made here.
The National Library of Australia is running some great webinars this month!
Keeping abreast of events
You can keep up to date with changes and additions to the activity calendar either at the website or the Facebook page.
The genealogy world has been happily stunned this week by a massive drop in the price of post-1858 probate records and wills for the United Kingdom. When the UK Government’s Find A Will site was first launched a few years ago, wills were £ 5 and over the years that became £ 10. This week they have dropped back to only £ 1.50 each! I have heard that this may be a temporary price drop for only 12 months but have not seen the source of that information, so this may or may not be the case.
What Does This Mean For Family Historians?
In a nutshell, it means you have a golden opportunity to purchase probate records not just for all your direct ancestors, but also others in the broader family. If you recall from a recent blog post, wills can be a great way to find out who was in the extended family and how they were related to the willmaker. Often the quality of the relationships between family members was also revealed.
Finding the Probate Record
There are three ways to find the probate record details so that you can order it. There is a search facility on the site itself. This a simple surname and year search. Please note that year may not be the same as the year of death. Some estates were not settled till months or years later. The year they are asking for is the year of probate. There may also be difficulties finding the right records if the surname you are searching is common.
I recommend doing your searching at one of the other sites who have indexed these records. In most cases it will be much quicker. Once you’ve found the record, use the details to place your order at the Find A will site.
The two sites that I am aware of that have indexed the UK probate calendars are Ancestry and FindMyPast. You do not need subscriptions to do a simple search of the index.
FindMyPast holds the indexes from 1858-1959 at this stage. Its search page is slightly different in that it searches by keyword and first letter of surname. See image below.
FindMyPast Probate Calendar search page
I would advise trying one and if you don’t find your ancestor, try the other. They each use a different search algorithm so you may get lucky on the second search!
Enjoy this little windfall of genealogical joy. It may only last a year, so fill your information coffers while you can. Good luck and happy hunting!
I remember attending a genealogy conference and being shocked by a presentation by genealogist Judy Russell. She reminded us that family stories are lost within 3 generations if they are not passed down. It is true, think about it…what do you know of your great-grandparents’ lives? Unless you have had a story passed down to you by your grandparents or parents, there is probably nothing beyond the documents you have found through research.
As genealogists, we spend our time looking backwards. However we also need to look forwards, or all our work is for nothing. What will happen to your research when you are gone? Who will fill in your death date on the family tree?
There are a lot of positives around kids and genealogy. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to spend time with them. Children are naturally curious, especially about things to do with themselves and their family. They can also offer a refreshing perspective on why things happened the way they did. Kids cut through all the social niceties and see the human nature around actions. They certainly know how to call a spade a spade, and can unwittingly help you to break down brick walls through their alternative perspectives! Out of the mouths of babes…
Research has shown that getting involved in the family’s history is good for kids’ emotional health too! They have better self-esteem, strength, resilience and sense of connection via the memories shared with them.
Get the kids interested in the family tree!
Therefore, children’s involvement in your family’s history ensures the legacy for the future while making memories in the present. It’s all about continuity!
How can you get the children to interact with the family history?
You may have noticed that one child has already taken an interest in the topic and ‘target’ them. However, my advice is to at least start with age-appropriate activities for all of them. You never know which child may suddenly get the bug depending on how engaging you can make the topic! Also, you don’t want to run the risk of children feeling left out, even if they will never be the family genealogist. If possible, catch them young. Get them used to hearing stories about how the family came to be where they are today, or how Uncle Jim saved someone from drowning.
Activity ideas:
There are lots of ways to keep the kids engaged with genealogy. Here are just a few:
Family photos spark interest for kids
Share photos and objects from your family’s past, and tell the stories that go with them.
Have them interview different family members and record their stories. Depending on their age, they could then write up one of the stories. Or they might draw a picture to give to that relative. This activity builds up connections and strengthens relationships between the generations.
Find out what they are studying at school and provide examples related to the topic from within the family tree. I did this with my son when he was studying World War I in primary school. His project included photos, medals and documents about his great-great-grandfather. It enhanced his learning, and he got a great mark. He still has that project and memories of an ancestor he never knew!
Take them on field trips. Destinations may include ancestral places, cemeteries, cultural festivals for your ethnicity, attractions set in a different era (e.g. Sovereign Hill). What kid doesn’t love a day out, and if you can tie it in with the family tree, all the better!
Make maps with them that show the places different branches of the family have lived over the centuries. Perhaps link the places with marker or ribbons to show the movement, and where each branch connected up.
There are many websites to help you find ideas too, here are just a few that may help you:
Last week we talked about why you might want to consider hiring a genealogist. This week, let’s look at some of the things you should take into account when choosing a professional genealogist to work with.
Get the Right Person For You
There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a professional genealogist.
First and foremost must be their ability to demonstrate a high standard of genealogical research skill. If you’re paying good money, you want the results to be accurate and reliable. Anyone can call themselves a professional genealogist, it is not a phrase restricted to people who have sat a special exam.
Look for some qualifications (such as a related degree or diploma) or credentials. Credentials are often specific to a particular area of the world, which means the genealogist has to be a super specialist in that area! Your genealogist should be familiar with the Genealogical Proof Standard and be willing and able to provide research that meets this standard.
Look for extensive experience, the more the better. A good proportion of that experience should be in the area/subject matter of your research question. Someone familiar with local geography, history, customs and culture will be much more efficient with their research. If your ancestors were pioneers of the early Port Philip district, it’s better to hire someone familiar with the place and the records than to hire someone in the US for example. If you come from a line of Birmingham gunmakers and you want to do an occupational history of your family, it would be great to find someone familiar with both the gunmaking trade and Birmingham to help you with your research.
Choose a professional genealogist with good reviews. Word of mouth is an excellent indicator of quality of work.
Find someone who is willing to meet with you before beginning the project to discuss your needs. No project should begin without a mutually agreed research plan based on your objectives. They should be upfront about their fees and any other potential associated costs. You should also feel comfortable with them. Sometimes they may uncover sensitive information about your family.
Prepare to share
The sure way to have your costs blow out is to just tell the genealogist to start from scratch. Reinventing the wheel takes time, especially with more recent generations where public records are less accessible. No matter how self-conscious you may feel about the quality or amount of work that has been done so far, share it with your genealogist. They will be able to assess it much more quickly than beginning from scratch, saving you a ton of money! The genealogist will love you for it, because there is nothing worse than slaving over hot documents and writing up copious research notes to be told, “Oh we already knew that”. And you don’t want to be charged for that scenario!
How big is your budget and how do you want to spend it? It’s important to remember that your family history is never finished. You need to have a very clear idea of what you need the professional genealogist to do for you. Otherwise, you could end up asking for a little more and a little more until you’ve way exceeded what you planned to spend. Set your budget before you begin and stick to it. Make sure your genealogist is aware of where the ceiling is. As that ceiling approaches, they should let you know what they have left to do, and ask what takes precedence if the well runs dry!
There are usually two things you pay for with genealogical research:
Their time, knowledge and experience
Costs, for example, documents and if required, travel
Remember the genealogist is a professional. Do not expect a good genealogist to work for minimum wage. Anyone can do the job badly for peanuts (just take a look at some of the family trees on Ancestry!). A good genealogist is worth paying a decent rate for quality work. They will work faster and more efficiently than you expect due to practice, knowledge of where to look, and the ability to use context to point them in the right direction.
If your genealogist charges an hourly rate, specify how many hours you want to pay for. They will let you know if this is likely to be adequate to meet your research objective. Also ask if they offer a discounted rate for pre-payment or partial pre-payment. Many genealogists will happily do so for the piece of mind of not having to chase people for payment after the job is handed over. For example, if someone prepays me, I will discount by 40% for full pre-payment, and 20% for half pre-payment (in blocks of 10 hours).
Your outcome…
By the end of this process:
you have chosen an experienced professional genealogist with relevant qualifications and/or credentials, good reviews, and who is knowledgeable about your research area
you’ve decided exactly what you want from them and prepare them accordingly
you have agreed on a research plan and how to allocate your budget together
they will provide you with their findings and evidence in a report, with regular progress reports/research logs provided along the way for larger projects or between payments.
May you find amazing and intriguing stories with the help of your professional genealogist that you could never have found alone!
