Initial Consultation
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services provides a free initial consultation (up to one hour) to discuss your requirements. It is helpful if you have specific research questions that you would like answered but these can be formulated in the course of the discussion. Any previous research and documents in your possession should be identified at this time – these will need to be examined if you decide to hire me and will potentially decrease the costs involved. Once your objectives and priorities have been identified, I will provide you with an estimate of the minimum time that the research may take and what can be achieved within your budget. There is no charge for this consultation and you are under no obligation to proceed further.
Contract
If you would like Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services to undertake work on your behalf, I will ask you to sign a contract. This contract protects both of us and formally confirms our obligations to one another.
Before commencing any research, I will confirm in writing my understanding of the project and ensure that we are in agreement as to the work to be undertaken.
Services
The genealogical services provided shall include: reviewing information provided by the client; formulation of a work plan; genealogical and related research; analysis of evidence; evaluation and where necessary translation / transcription of documents; a written report. I will use my professional judgement to carry out the research in the most productive manner to achieve your goals.
Review of Documents / Previous Work
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services does not wish to duplicate work already performed, but there will be some necessary checking of information supplied by you if it seems that earlier researches are incomplete or incorrect or conclusions unjustified. It is your responsibility to ensure that the details of any previous research are disclosed to avoid any inadvertent duplication.
Report
Your report will include some or all of the following, depending on the nature of the research requested:
- Statement of aims
- Details of researcher and date of the searches made
- Background information about the sources consulted
- Details of any archives visited (if appropriate)
- Description of sources used eg original manuscript, website, index etc.
- Periods of time searched within each record, with any gaps or problems with legibility noted
- Copies of documents (where permitted by copyright, licensing and / or other restrictions) and, where applicable, translations / transcriptions or abstracts of documents
- Full references for all sources
- A summary of successful and unsuccessful searches
- Variants of surname searched if relevant
- Summary of results
- Analysis and discussion of findings and any anomalies
- Evidence to support any conclusions
- Where appropriate, pedigree charts, family group sheets and other charts or sheets to illustrate the research
- Recommendations for further research
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services will always try to find primary and reliable sources. Where secondary sources are used, this will be made clear, and an assessment made of the reliance that may be placed on them.
Sensitive Issues
I will discuss with you, at the initial consultation, whether or not you wish to be told about potentially distressing or uncomfortable discoveries. These may include:
- Family events – illegitimacies, divorces, remarriages, adoptions
- Court and legal events – arrests, imprisonments etc.
- Medical – illnesses, causes of death (including murders and suicides) etc.
Many clients wish to know the full details about their families because there is usually more information available about these ‘interesting’ ancestors which can add a depth to their family history. However, if the research is being commissioned as a gift, the sensitivities of the recipient should be considered at the outset.
Unsuccessful Searches
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services cannot guarantee finding any person or persons, family or other information and is not able to predict whether a search will be successful or unsuccessful. It is sometimes not possible to trace a family back as far as expected or find information in a specific document. This may arise for a number of reasons such as record damage or destruction, incomplete record sets, illegibility or a change of name.
Research time spent on negative searches is chargeable but will be fully documented so that it is known that this line of enquiry has been ‘ruled out’ for future work and therefore will not waste time by being repeated.
If it becomes clear at any point that little information is likely to be found, I will inform you and discuss whether to end the research. In such a case, any unused portion of the fee will be reimbursed to you.
Extending the Scope
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services will not exceed the time commissioned by you without prior discussion and agreement.
Copyright and Future Use of Work Product
Once the report is complete you become the owner of the report in its physical form. However, although the individual facts contained in the report are not subject to copyright, the display, interpretation, analysis and conclusions arrived at are and remain the copyright of Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services. You must obtain my express written permission to publish any part of it in any format, printed or electronic.
You may make a small number of personal copies of the copyrighted report, but you agree that you will not otherwise publish or make multiple copies of the report without written permission. If you make limited distribution of anything that includes my research, in whole or in part, you will report it accurately and credit the source. All attributions, document footers and copyright statements must be retained in any copy made.
You should also be aware that the copies of any documents or other materials supplied with the report may be subject to third-party copyright and should not be reproduced or sold in any way without the express written permission of the copyright holder. I will be happy to help you to seek such copyright permission.
Code of Ethics
I abide by the code of conduct of The Register of Qualified Genealogists and the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Applicable Law
The applicable law relating to these terms and conditions is that of the United Kingdom and the relevant courts of the United Kingdom will have exclusive jurisdiction.
Payment
Full payment is required in advance of any research being carried out for commissions of £250 or less.
For commissions over £250, including Research Packages, a down payment of 50 % is required in advance of any research being carried out. The remaining balance is due on completion of the work and before the report and any supporting documentation is sent to you.
For extensive projects it may be possible to negotiate a schedule of payments over the course of the work.
Understanding Backwards Genealogical Services accepts payment by PayPal, BACS or UK cheque in Pounds Sterling. You can use your debit or credit card with PayPal and do not need to open a PayPal account. No work will be started or reports / documents released until funds have cleared in my account.