Chris' Services
Family History Research
Experience has shown that most clients wish to explore as much of their family tree as possible within their available budget. As a result, Chris has found that, in the first instance, the most productive approach is to contact him by phone or email to discuss your aspirations in outline. Having identified what you already know of your family tree, the branch of the tree that you are most keen to explore and your indicative budget, Chris will then undertake a free assessment before making a proposal to you.
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Once a detailed proposal has been agreed, research will be based on an hourly rate of £25 per hour. It is recommended that initially 10 hours work is authorised which can then be extended or terminated as desired. Half the agreed budget should be paid before the research begins with the balance paid on completion. If certified copies of documents, such as Birth, Marriage and Death (BMD) entries from the General Register Office (GRO), are sought, your agreement will first be secured and charges from third parties will only be made at the purchase price.
Regular contact will be maintained with you throughout to help guide the research, test hypotheses and to monitor progress to ensure that your aspirations are being met.
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Frustratingly, the records of some ancestors will inevitably remain elusive and there is no guarantee that your aspirations will always be fully met. Nevertheless, every effort will be made to ensure that the resulting family tree is as complete and comprehensive as can be achieved with the available information.
Family Migration to North America
As a result of several commissions to research the circumstances surrounding the emigration of families to the United States and Canada from the United Kingdom and Ireland, Chris has developed a flexible offer to meet your particular aspirations. In essence, he is able to offer three levels of service:​
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Bronze - This is the same service that is described under Family History Research (above) except that it is focussed around the family at the time of emigration.
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Silver - Using that research, this service creates a travel itinerary based on the key locations and events identified for you to follow in your own time and at your own pace.
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Gold - Using the itinerary created, this is a fully accompanied service with Chris acting as your guide throughout.
Prices for the Bronze service are the same as those for the standard Family History Research described above. Prices for the Silver and Gold Service will vary depending on the agreed itinerary.
Interpreting Military Records
With many generations of the Royal Navy and the Army in his own family tree and after a 38 year career in the Army himself, Chris has considerable understanding of the military and its records, which frequently appear indecipherable to those not used to its hieroglyphics and abbreviations. If he comes across military records in the process of researching your family history, he will interpret those records for you as part of the service. However, he is equally happy to interpret military records that you might have come across as part of your own research. Contacting Chris by email with an explanation of your issue should suffice in the first instance.
