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The
client has a right to know how his money is spent, but must also realize that
searching records is only a part of the process. Some of the steps are: analysis
of information provided by the client, establishing the client's goals, determination
of available records for assistance, ascertaining the availability of those
records & their locations, developing an initial research plan, the actual
searching of records, evaluation of records searched, and lastly preparation
of the report, charts, & copies of documents. Other factors that influence
the amount of time spent in research are the number of surnames involved, how
common they are, the social standing (and thus the availability of historical
information) on the family , and how many spelling variations can occur on the
name. The compilation of family group sheets, pedigree and other charts, if
required, will also take extra time.
Searches in some records may seem time-consuming because of the procedural steps in locating the date/place of an event or in archival cataloguing systems; sometimes three or four microfilms have to be consulted for document or file references. Extra time may also be spent waiting for archival retrievals, copying and travel between repositories locally and outside this local area. We do not charge travel time between this office and any of the ordinary work bases used by the researchers within their local area.
Prior to acceptance of a contract by the client or by us, GEN-FIND Research Associates, Inc. will review the submitted documentation supplied by the client and assess whether any of our researchers are capable of researching the request and an evaluation and research plan will be submitted to the client suggesting how we would propose to pursue the search. If the client then chooses that we should continue with the search, the retainer will be used accordingly, along these lines. If however, the client chooses not to continue for whatever reason, then the full retainer will be returned to the client except the amount required for the consulting services which is currently $50.00 (US) or $75 (Cdn) plus any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred to that date.
Should the client continue with the intended research plan, the client will receive a research report which lists the records and sources which were searched, in the order in which they were done, and in the priority given to them by the assigned researcher in the time & budget allotted. In addition, the fee will include a compiled Family Group Chart (as we see it) for each appropriate family documented as well as a single Pedigree Chart for the key individual the search is based upon as ascertained by the researcher. With this will be a covering letter with summary analysis of the results and some explanatory comments.
The client may discontinue the research at any time for a refund on his retainer of any prorated monies unspent and will receive a final report on results found to that date, provided the request for discontinuance is in writing. The discontinuance will be effective the date the written request is received at our office. The client will also be responsible for any monies owing in excess of the retainer to the date of receipt of the written request for discontinuance.
The client must be aware that this firm and any responsible genealogist must pass along to potential clients some important 'bewares', namely:
What the researcher requires from the client is a concise outline of the ancestral problem, any specifics known on each individual involved (ie., Birth/Marriage/Death, etc.), and detail notations of all previously searched sources (if any). It would be most helpful to have a family group sheet for the "problem" generation, and an indication of the direct ancestor in that family. Time spent in analysis of previous research is proportionate to the amount of material the client sends, but again, a hired researcher must be aware of all previous efforts that have been made, ending with positive and negative results.
Keep in mind, that the longer the researcher has to disseminate your problem, what has been done and what hasn't, costs our clients' money and thus "concise, clear, and comprehensive" are the key to submission of your information!
We are pleased that you contacted GEN-FIND Research Associates, Inc. and should you choose to contract your research through us we will do our best to uncover your intended information!
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| © 2002-08 GEN-FIND Research Associates,
Inc. All Rights Reserved. |