Frequently Asked Questions

There are many excellent reasons for hiring someone else to help you with your family history research:

1. Expertise and Access to Specialized Resources

• Knowledge of Sources: Professional genealogists are skilled in identifying and interpreting a wide variety of historical records, including those that are obscure or difficult to locate.

• Access to Exclusive Archives: They often have access to subscription databases, restricted archives, or records in foreign languages that might be challenging to navigate.

• Understanding Context: Professionals know how to place records in their historical, legal, and cultural contexts, ensuring accurate conclusions about your ancestors.

• Ethical and Privacy Concerns: Genealogists are familiar with the ethical considerations of DNA testing and can guide you on how to protect your and others’ privacy while sharing results responsibly.

2. Overcoming Research Challenges

• Brick Wall Problems: Genealogists specialize in tackling roadblocks, such as finding elusive ancestors or resolving conflicting information.

• Complex Lineage Questions: If you’re applying to a lineage society like the Mayflower Society or DAR, genealogists can ensure your documentation meets their strict standards.

• Cross-Border Research: Many professionals are experienced in international genealogy, helping you trace immigrant ancestors or research in other countries.

• Advanced DNA Tools: Professionals are proficient with advanced tools like GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, and DNA Painter, which provide deeper insights than basic testing platforms. Genealogists use tools like shared DNA amounts, centimorgans, and chromosome mapping to confirm relationships and identify common ancestors.

3. Time Efficiency

• Focused Research: Genealogists can quickly narrow down possibilities and avoid common pitfalls, saving you hours of trial-and-error searching.

• Comprehensive Reports: They provide well-documented findings and reports that are easy to follow, ensuring you have a complete picture of their research.

• Project Management: If your project spans multiple generations or requires extensive travel or correspondence, a professional can manage this efficiently.

Our greatest strengths at Family History Sleuth, LLC are our passion and curiosity to seek out the documented histories of ancestors, whether it be through traditional genealogy or genetic genealogy. We have decades of experience following ancestral trails and sifting through clues to determine a greater understanding of the people and the story of their lives. We are knowledgeable of the resources available through on-line sources, county or state governments, archives or national repositories, and we are perpetual learners always curious to learn about new sources or new techniques. Contact us to schedule your FREE 1-hour Consultation so you can learn for yourself.

It really depends on the project. For example, does the project require a DNA Test to be submitted? If so, then the work can not even begin for 6-8 weeks after the results come back. However, if all of the records or documents can be acquired locally or available on the internet, then it is possible for the work to be accomplished in 1-2 weeks. At the point of signing the contract, we should be able to share what timeframe we expect to be able to complete the work within. Contact us to set up your FREE 1-Hour Consultation.

ABSOLUTELY! While we think that the packages offered for the various services will fit most people's needs, there is always room to be creative. Contact us for your FREE 1-Hour consultation and we can talk about your needs.

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