Research

Research Services

In its simplest terms, you decide on what you want to learn, I develop a plan for how to go about finding the answer, followed by conducting the research, analyzing what was found and developing a report presenting the findings and the analysis that led to the conclusions. Obviously the components of this process expand or contract depending upon the complexity of the assignment. It might be a simple record look-up, the development of a lineage or a full family history going back many generations.

Deciding on a goal

We can start working together at this stage. I can help you focus on exactly what it is you want to learn about next.

Analysis of past efforts and results

Here we further refine the goals and helps prevent repetition of past work. This saves both time and money.

Development of a research plan

A good plan identifies which sources to examine, in what sequence and indicates where to find these sources.

The plan is then put into action.

Each piece of evidence is fully documented. The findings are analyzed. Conclusions are drawn and the plan is modified as needed or desired.

A report is prepared.

Quality research always results in a report that states the goals, outlines the plan, presents the evidence, discusses the analysis, presents conclusions and recommends next steps.

Every project is made up of the same basic steps. A full Genealogy or Family History is a compilation of many such individual projects as we move from defining one generation after another or fill out the life story of each new relative discovered.

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The Research Report

The research report, along with copies of key records, is the real deliverable for the client.

The final product is a report that presents the goals, the background, the path taken, with exposition of what was examined, the new information found and the conclusions. A thorough report also points to the next steps to take to extend the overall research effort, whether these be taken by the client or a professional researcher. A professional report does not give just the conclusion, but shows where the evidence came from, and lays out the thinking process that led to the conclusion. This step-by-step analysis of well-documented evidence leading to a thoroughly considered conclusion is what separates professional level genealogy research from amateur work in the field.

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Reasons to hire a professional genealogist

• For their expertise in analyzing evidence.
• For their knowledge of sources, their content and location
• For their planning ability which saves time and effort
• For their expertise in particular areas and or record types
• For their knowledge of and access to repositories in their locale
• For their ability to write-up a project’s results in a professional report format
• For their ability to put all of the pieces together
• For their ability to extend your own efforts by producing quality results in a more timely and efficient manner.

See the Association of Professional Genealogists online article on hiring professional help with your genealogy.

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