WHAT TO EXPECT From REquisite Research
Discovering facts to support conclusions is what it’s all about. Requisite Research involves finding what is essential and necessary to answer your research questions. Every effort begins with a question to be researched. While each research project is unique, the process to work together is easy! Generally, the following steps will be taken together to ensure I understand what you need while also ensuring that you, as a client understand how I approach each new opportunity.
1.
Tell me what help you need. You can contact me using the ‘Form Request’ link (in red below). You can also send me an email, or an email with attachments if you have documents you would like to share with me. My email address is on the contact form. That’s how we get started!
2.
After receiving your inquiry, I may respond via email with any additional questions I might have regarding your research question. If you have any supporting documentation or other references and/or previous research, I will also ask to see that information.
3.
Based on your goals and the information provided, I will create a formalized work plan that defines a clear research approach/strategy and timeline. That plan will also consider other factors (e.g., travel, accession, or special plan needs). Based on that work plan, I will then provide you with a formal estimate of proposed hours and cost associated with undertaking a defined effort.
4.
With your approval of my proposed estimate, I will prepare and send you a standard contract detailing the mutually agreed upon approach. I will also request that you sign and return the contract along with an advance payment of the retainer fee which will be applied to the overall effort upon billing.
5.
Upon receipt of a retainer payment I will schedule the Requisite Research to be performed on your behalf. Then it's time for me to get to work! Depending on the size/length of the effort, you may receive interim reports from me detailing the findings of the research conducted to-date with progress reports and an accounting of the resources applied. I may also reach out to you via phone or email during the research process to keep you informed.
6.
Once the research is complete, I will deliver a formal report detailing the findings, sources, and methods of discovery. This may include copies of documents/records, abstracts, and/or transcriptions of documents/records uncovered or otherwise used in the Requisite Research, as appropriate. In most cases, reports of findings will also include a prioritized list of recommendations for possible continuing future research.
My Promise to My Clients
I value my clients and the trust they place in me. I approach each project with a personal commitment to each client, following the best practices of professional genealogy in keeping with the established standards and the code of ethics defined by the Association of Professional Genealogists.
I always hold confidential and will not disclose a client’s personally identifying information, to include, as applicable, DNA test results. I treat with the same discretion all matters that concern living persons identified during genealogical research. I also accord confidentiality to all material furnished to me by clients which contain information that is not a matter of public record or which cannot be rightfully obtained from another non-confidential source.
General Fee Information
Upfront retainer fee payments are necessary before I can schedule and begin any Requisite Research work on a client's behalf. Payment of an agreed upon retainer fee is required before any research*, travel, or other logistical costs are undertaken.
Clients are advised that negative research findings are possible (where research is performed without finding certain hoped-for information or other results). Negative research finding efforts are still subject to research fees and other applicable related charges as would be charged for any research resulting in findings.
*Research time includes travel time, telephone time, and email time as applicable. Certain other charges, agreed to in advance may also be billed upon the completion of a clients Requisite Research (e.g., entrance and other fees, photo-copying and printing costs, digital memory, postage/shipping/packaging, etc.). Automobile travel mileage costs are figured in accordance with the standard IRS mileage reimbursement rate.
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