Research and Fees

Based in Edinburgh, I am ideally placed to access three of Scotland's major repositories on short notice, including:

  • The National Records of Scotland (NRS) 
  • The National Library of Scotland (NLS)
  • The Glasgow City Archives (GCA, in the Mitchell Library, Glasgow 

In addition, I make frequent visits to the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness, and can travel to any archive in Scotland, by arrangement, and with travel costs agreed in advance for more distant archives.

As well as Scottish research, I am pleased to conduct English genealogical research on your behalf. Many of my interests lie within the realms of English genealogy, and I make regular trips to the National Archives at Kew (London). Visits to the National Archives and other archives in England may also be arranged where appropriate, subject to agreed travel costs.

My location also allows easy access to the FamilySearch Affiliate Library at the Scottish Genealogy Society, giving me access to FamilySearch’s invaluable restricted (locked) records. I have extensive experience with FamilySearch’s collections and search systems, enabling me to use these resources efficiently and effectively for client research.


Research Services

Fixed Research Packages

I offer the following structured research packages, which may suit clients seeking a clear and defined scope of work:

3-Generation Package – £300

Select an ancestor of your choice (yourself, a parent, grandparent, etc.), and I will trace three further generations backwards.

This package includes:

  • 10 hours of online and offline research
  • One full day at a ScotlandsPeople Centre

5-Generation Package – £500

As above, but tracing five further generations backwards from your chosen ancestor.
This package includes:

  • 18 hours of online and offline research
  • Two full days at a ScotlandsPeople Centre
Bespoke Research

If your research needs fall outside the scope of the fixed packages, I offer a fully bespoke research service, tailored to your specific goals.

You are very welcome to contact me for a free, no-obligation quote. If preferred, we can arrange a Zoom or WhatsApp consultation, free of charge, to discuss the scope and objectives of the research before work begins.

Bespoke research can include (but is not limited to):

  • “Brick wall” research
  • Illegitimacy and complex parentage research
  • Patrilineal research (direct paternal line / surname studies)
  • Matrilineal research (direct maternal line)
  • Archive lookups
  • Specific genealogical or historical research questions

Bespoke research is charged at a flat rate of £30 per hour, with a minimum of two hours.

  • The first hour includes the cost of one full day at a ScotlandsPeople Centre
  • Any additional ScotlandsPeople Centre days required or requested are charged at £15 per day
Deposits

Before research begins, I require:

  • A 20% deposit for fixed packages - £60 for 3 generations, £100 for 5
OR
  • payment for the first two hours (£60) for bespoke research

Research Deliverables

At the conclusion of your research, you will receive:

  • A detailed research report, outlining the research process and findings

    • Including transcriptions and, where necessary, translations of records consulted

  • Family trees visually presenting the research conducted

  • Any copies of original records you have requested

Where requested, copies or images of original records can be provided for an additional fee.

Every family history is unique. If you would like to explore yours, or simply discuss a research idea, I would be delighted to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me using any of my contact links, or the contact box to the left, for an informal, no-obligation conversation. If you are interested in commissioning research, or would like advice on how best to proceed, I am happy to talk through your research goals and recommend an appropriate approach!

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