How long will the research take?

Understanding Backwards aims to conduct your research as quickly as possible. However, I purchase original certificates and sometimes it may be necessary to wait for one certificate to arrive before the next can be ordered to ensure that the details are correct and the research is progressing in the right direction.  This can lengthen the time taken for the research. It is important to remember that accuracy is more important than speed.

During your initial consultation it will be possible to give an estimate of the time needed for your specific project. If the research is for a gift with a specific deadline the feasibility of what can be achieved in the time available can also be discussed at this time.

How far back can you trace my ancestors?

Civil registration began in 1837 in England and Wales and 1855 in Scotland. The earliest census records which recorded useful information for the genealogist  were taken in 1841. Using these records, it will usually be possible to trace your family back to the late 1700s / early 1800s e.g. if someone appears in the 1841 census or dies in 1841 aged 50  this will take your tree back to 1790. These records are all available online and I am therefore able to research any family based in these three countries back to around this time and this is the period used for all of the family history packages.

Researching further back will depend on the availability of records online or visiting a local archive and will not routinely be included in the family history packages

Why do you purchase birth, marriage and death certificates?

It is possible to rely on the limited information that is available in the Birth, Marriage and Death Index to gain a basic understanding of your family, although this may lead to incorrect identification, especially with more common surnames. In order to gain a complete picture of your ancestor’s lives and verify that the details are correct it is necessary to purchase the certificate. In England and Wales the certificates cost £11.00 and take around a week to be delivered. Scottish records are available online at £1.50 per certificate. Certificate purchase is included within the family tree packages and charged at cost for bespoke research.

Why do you write a report – can’t you just give me the documents?

While it is important for you to see copies of the documents, on their own they do not tell the whole story. The research report explains how the documents are relevant to your family history by examining the evidence, analysing the information and providing reasoned conclusions giving you confidence that the right tree is being followed. The report also lays out all of the research, including positive and negative findings, so that any future researcher can carry on from the same point rather than repeating the work.

Why do you cite sources?

Citations are needed so that any future researcher can easily find and examine the documents, know exactly what has and hasn’t been searched or make new assessments of the evidence.

What am I paying for?

The family tree packages are all inclusive and details of what is included can be found on the relevant pages for the different packages. For bespoke research paid time includes research, analysis, reporting time and time spent communicating with you, the client, by telephone and email. Expenses such as certificates, reprographic costs, car parking at archives etc, if applicable, are charged at cost. In some cases it may be necessary to charge mileage but this will always be discussed with you first.

Which family tree computer program do you use?

I use Family Tree Maker 2017 for all of my work. Every detail that can be extracted from each source is added meticulously to each appropriate person on the tree. I supply a copy of this tree both as a Family Tree Maker file (for use with Family Tree Maker if this is the program that you use) and as a Gedcom file and multimedia file which can be used with any other family tree program.

Why have you declined my commission?

I may not be able to accept your commission if I believe the likelihood of success to be low because you have given me few specific details as a starting point eg please research David Jones in Cardiff around 1900. While research into David Jones would be possible, more details would be needed to identify the correct person as a starting point.

I also do not accept work that is outside my professional competence but may be able to point you in the direction of someone who is qualified in the specific item you are researching.

I do not usually take on research that involves living people (other than as part of a DNA testing strategy), heir searches, or work where there is any dispute regarding the descendants of any deceased person.

Who are the people in the photographs on your website?

The photographs on the site, except blog posts, are from our family collection and are relatives of either my husband or myself. Blog photographs will be credited in the blog.

Where is your logo from?

The logo was designed by my husband using silhouettes from http://all-silhouettes.com/