Research Guidelines

Virginia Ancestry

Research Guidelines:

Clients frequently ask "How many hours do I need to request?" Each research situation will be different so it is difficult to accurately estimate the number of hours needed. However, following are suggested guidelines:

Record retrieval - 5 hours.
Proving a generation for an individual born after 1850 - 5 hours per generation.
Proving a generation for an individual born before 1850 (no indication of "Brick Wall" problems) - 10 hours per generation.
"Brick Wall" ancestors - 20 hours initially.

Please remember to factor in copy, travel, library and parking fees.

Questions & Answers:

Q: What information do I need to provide?

A: Please provide the following on your "problem ancestor" or earliest known ancestor if available:

§ Vital statistics.

§ Information on spouses and his/her parents.

§ Names of children including their vital statistics and spouses.

Names of siblings.
Records of land ownership, census records, wills, court records, military service and family traditions of origin.
A listing of sources previously searched that you do not want duplicated for this project.
Research reports prepared by other researchers.
You do not need to include all information on the descendants, such as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. However, please indicate if there is a first or middle name that appears to be a family surname that has passed down through the generations.

Q: Can I send the information in an electronic database or family tree file?

A: Yes, in most cases, I will be able to access the information sent in a family file.