The business-types call them deliverables. We just want you to know how we do what we do, most of which is conducted through a three-step process.
Our Initial Consultation is a totally free, no obligation discussion with you to learn what your needs and goals are, and then determine the best way to move forward to get you there. We’ll learn what information you already have, what steps you’ve already taken, any “brick walls” you have run into, and, most importantly, what you want to accomplish.
The Initial Consultation is done in person if possible but we can also meet by telephone or by video chat using Zoom or Microsoft Teams. The Initial Consultation generally lasts from thirty to sixty minutes and can be scheduled at your convenience.
To begin the process, we suggest that you gather up any relevant documents you may have. You can send up to five with the Request for Initial Consultation form below.
Don’t worry about being comprehensive at this point. You just want to be able to start thinking here about what you want to accomplish and maybe some of the prominent documents that you think we might find of immediate interest. There will be ample opportunity to drill down to the nitty gritty later.
We’ll also discuss budgets and costs, answer any questions you might have, and, if things work out, memorialize in writing any agreement to proceed. We always try to keep things flexible to account for any changes or new information we uncover (which happens in virtually every case).
Next, we do a Preliminary Assessment, where we take what you have provided us from the Initial Consultation and any documents, photographs or other materials, do some basic research primarily looking into the availability of additional sources. At this point we are in a much better position to set a course of action and establish the anticipated time frame for completion of your project, always taking into consideration of your budget.
Depending on your project, the Preliminary Assessment may be very short but there are times when more extensive research will be needed. As always we will keep you informed of our progress.
The third stage is where the fun really begins!
This is true genealogy, true family history The End Game, where we build out your family tree, investigate the social history behind the tree, conduct DNA testing and analysis, put it all in a final presentation — whatever scope of work we have previously agreed upon — and transform the raw data into a meaningful report and whatever presentation you have chosen.