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Research Packages
If you are curious about your family history but don't have the time to devote to the search, I can use my experience and skill as a genealogist and editor to do the research for you. I offer two different fixed-price packages:
- Starter Package ~ research focusing on a grandparent or greatgrandparent
- Victorian Package ~ research back to the beginning of
the Victorian era __
~ Starter Package
This package is intended as introduction for someone just beginning their research. I aim to find four documents relating to your family - two birth and/or marriage certificates and two census entries. You will receive:
- A report summarising the information discovered.
- Copies of the original documents, with transcripts of any which are handwritten.
- A family tree diagram.
- Advice about how the research could be extended.
If you then wish to upgrade to
a Victorian package, a discount is available. Please see the
FAQs below for more details.
~ Victorian Package
The full Victorian Package comprises an illustrated presentation-quality book, family tree charts and CD. It makes an unusual gift for a special occasion, and is particularly appropriate to celebrate a milestone birthday, a new baby or a wedding - gift vouchers are available.
As
well as the names, dates, addresses and occupations revealed
by your ancestors' records, I will put your family's story into
its local and historical context. Illustrations and copies of
the original documents will be included, helping to bring the
story alive. Sample pages are available on request.
Your family book will be delivered in a hardback presentation binder, and printed on quality paper stock (meeting the ISO 9706 standard for permanent paper). It will include:
- The story of one direct line of your family in England, usually going back to an ancestor born in the late 1700s, told in understandable narrative form.
- Relevant illustrations, a bibliography and a name index.
- Birth, marriage and death certificates for key events, with transcriptions.
- Copies of census or other original material, with transcriptions of the handwritten items.
- Family tree diagrams.
- Information about the origin and UK distribution of the main surname researched.
- Explanations of the principal sources used in the research.
To complete the story, I can scan and enhance a selection of your old family documents and photos for inclusion. Information about the modern generations of your family, supplied by you, can be added to the family tree if you wish.
As well as the family book, the Victorian Package includes attractive family trees printed to A3 size showing the relationships of the key people covered in the research, and a resource CD, featuring:
- A family tree chart in pdf which you can print out or email to other relatives.
- A detailed and fully referenced electronic family tree for you to explore in a standard browser.
- Electronic copies of original documents recorded in the course of the research (subject to copyright permission).
- A GEDCOM file of your family history data. This can be used to place all the known facts into almost any commercially-available family history computer program. Even if you do not have such a program yourself, you may find it invaluable to send to another genealogist in the future.
- High-resolution colour files of any scans I have made of the photographs or documents you have provided (you can also order printed or photographic copies from me at cost).
These histories make excellent presents to celebrate an anniversary or birthday. Give a gift voucher and let the recipient select the starting point for the research.
~ FAQs
How do the
fixed-price packages work?
Please feel free to ring me with any queries about this service
and for a no-obligation discussion. When you have confirmed that
you would like me to go ahead, I will get in touch with you to
gather the details I need in order to begin work.
What do I have to send?
I have produced some charts (including the one above) which can
be used to help you to record the information you already know.
Package customers also receive an illustrated 27-page booklet
("Family History Begins at Home") to help you get started.
This is full of advice such as how to find clues around your
home, how to gather information from your older relatives, and
how to look after any photos and other interesting items you
may have. The more information you can give me, the more it will
allow me to concentrate on making new discoveries - but don't
worry if you don't already know very much, as I can start with
very little if necessary.
How long does it take?
A Starter Package will usually take no more than 3 weeks. Typically
a Victorian Package should be completed within 12 weeks. If the
research seems likely to take any longer than this, I will let
you know as soon as possible. If you are planning this as a last-minute
or surprise gift, why not consider a Family Folios gift voucher?
I will send the copy of "Family History Begins at Home",
blank charts and voucher to you as the purchasor. The gift recipient
can then contact me at any time over the next 6 months to begin
the process (or to request a full refund).
What does it cost?
The Starter Package costs £75, which includes 6 hours of
research and preparation, the cost of obtaining the documents
and UK postage. If you then wish to upgrade to a Victorian Package,
a discount of £50 will be given. The total cost of the
Victorian Package is £440, of which £100 is payable
as an initial deposit. This covers everything specified above,
including all the costs associated with obtaining the official
certificates/records required, materials, postage, and over 40
hours of research and preparation. Although the focus will be
on one direct line of your ancestry, much information about other
family members will be discovered along the way. A completed
report will typically include details of up to 14 direct ancestors
and 50 other relatives (often many more).
What if my ancestors can't
be found?
We cannot know what will be found. It may be that your selected
ancestral line will be untraceable in English records due to
loss of the archives, illegitimacy, adoption, immigration etc.
If I cannot complete the Starter Pack, a 50% refund will be given,
less expenses. For the Victorian Package, I aim to take one of
your direct ancestral lines back to an ancestor born before 1800.
If this is not possible an scaled refund will be given, so that
you pay only for the work successfully completed. Please see
Terms & Conditions.
I would like to share my Victorian
Package book with other family members - can I have several copies?
Additional copies of the book, trees and/or CD are available
from me for a small additional cost. You may like to share the
cost of the package between several family members. If you would
like copies of the book to be hard-bound, this can also be arranged
- please ask for a quote.
Sample pack
A sample pack for the Victorian Package is available on request.
Angela Aldam BSc DipInfSc
14 Chantry Road, Bishop's Stortford CM23 2SF
Tel: 01279 755089
Angela@FamilyFolios.co.uk
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