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Let me help you find out more about your Canadian family tree!
As a trained historian and experienced family history researcher (a genealogist), I can provide the critical help you need to discover your family’s history.
A custom-written family tree can make an amazing gift that keeps on giving.
What a moving way to welcome a new bride or groom to your family!
What a great conversation piece for the person who seems to “have everything”!
What a treasured source of wonder for your family members!
Let me provide you with a rich, well-developed, meticulously researched story of your family’s ancestors, presented in an attractive, easy-to-read format.
What skills do I have?
As a genealogist who has spent over a decade learning about my own family history (my family came to Canada over 150 years ago!), I have spent a significant amount of time becoming familiar with what information is available about the lives of Canadians. As a university-trained historian whose work focuses on Canada, I have the critical skills to use these resources effectively and efficiently, and to understand some of the larger social, economic, and political forces that have shaped the movement of peoples to, from, and within Canada. When you enlist my help, you don’t just get someone to find and photocopy documents, you have an assistant who can help you make sense of where these documents, and the people you are researching, fit into the larger ebb and flow of historical events. You also have the help of a published author, who can weave a compelling story about your family and your family’s history.
What kinds of questions can I help you get answers to?
Have you ever wanted to know more about your ancestors, but had no idea where to start looking? Maybe you’ve asked a few family members for information, and heard some interesting stories, but have no idea how to find out if those stories are true?
Maybe you have a specific question about your family’s history, such as when did your ancestors immigrate to Canada, or emigrate from Canada?
Perhaps you have already done some research on your own, and have a particular question about where an ancestor might be buried, or where they lived, or what kind of work they did. Maybe you know those records exist, but can’t get access to them in your area.
I am happy to help with any requests like this. I am particularly eager to help those who have no idea where to start researching their family’s history. There is no more thrilling exercise for a researcher than to help someone see the horizon of knowledge about their own family’s history extend, with a little work, from vague, half-remembered stories to a rich and compelling historically accurate tale ranging back over a century, built upon a detailed collection of documents.
What places can I help you get information about?
I can provide you with efficient and effective research assistance addressing most areas of Canada, and have access to particularly impressive and helpful resources for most areas within the province of Ontario. Living in Toronto, Canada, I have access to the Ontario provincial archives, City of Toronto Archives, archives associated with three universities and a multitude of organizations, as well as a number of Canadian and international digital databases and finding aids. Most importantly, as an active researcher, I use these resources regularly. This familiarity means that when you enlist my research assistance, you aren’t waiting for me to learn what is available, where information is housed, or find out if I can get access to it.
How much will my research assistance cost?
When you enlist my help, you are hiring a published author and university-trained historian, with significant experience dealing with Canadian records essential to understanding family histories, and access to an abundance of both digital and documentary collections. A certified genealogist might charge between $60 and $80 per hour of research time to bring such skills to bear. Some even charge more. I, however, do not. In terms of what I charge, I am happy to negotiate a rate with you that depends largely on how much research time might you require of me. As a "rule of thumb", I generally charge about $50 per research hour.
Rates can vary, however, depending on the size of the project:
- Working on a single family’s history helps provide a sense of continuity, productivity, and I have to admit, excitement of seeing a story develop “from scratch”. Of course, this type of process does take some time.
- If you just need an hour or two of research help, this likely still involves a trip to an archive, and time and trouble on my part.
I also recognize that you are trusting me, as a researcher, with your family’s history. This is a responsibility I take very seriously, and which I hope you find well worth your faith. That being said, “word of mouth” recommendations of my services are appreciated. If a new contact mentions they have been recommended by one of my satisfied clients, I am happy to give the client additional, discounted research assistance as a way of saying thank you. These ‘thank you credits’ can be passed along to friends! (Another great gift for the person who has ‘everything’!)
How do I arrange to use your services?
If you would like to enlist my research assistance, simply contact me at: ???? . Feel free to give me an idea of what sort of assistance you might be seeking, including whatever details you think would be useful for me to know.
I will respond to your email within one week, either asking for more information, or suggesting how I might be able to help you answer your questions. From this initial discussion, we can arrive at an agreement regarding what sources you would like me to check, how much time you would like me to initially commit to your research, and a mutually acceptable fee for my time. Once I receive your payment, I will conduct the research that we have discussed.
So that we both feel comfortable, I recommend, at least initially, that we start with small allotments of time, so that you feel comfortable with the level of service that I offer, and that your money is well-spent.
I look forward to hearing from you, and to finding out, together, your family’s history.