We have a flat rate fee, or for your convenience there are also package deals. Review the information below and determine what best fits your Research Goal and budget.

Research Goal

What is your research goal? The more specific you can be in stating your ultimate goals, the more efficient a genealogist can be with time. Some examples of a research goal are "I'd like a pedigree of my family to the 5th generation", "Who was my paternal great grandfather, and where did he come from?", "Who were my birth-mother's parents?", and "We lost touch with my mother's family, do I have living relatives on her side?"

We have experience doing research in several areas of the world and also within the United States. We are happy to give a FREE 15 minute consultation on any project to let you know what we can do for you.

Authorization of Time

All projects are unique, which makes it difficult to predict the amount of time it will take to solve a research problem or locate specific records. Some projects move forward quickly, whereas some others take a bit more time due to their complexity or types of records that need to be reviewed. Variables include commonality of the surname (i.e. last name of "Smith"), accessibility of records, land ownership of the ancestor, and life span of the individual.

After we have set the "Research Goal", I'll give you an estimate of the amount of time I believe it may take. If you would like to have a free estimate, including estimated costs, for your "Research Goal", please fill out this form and email to MacArthur Genealogy Services; or utilize this web-mailer.

Retainer

Once we have set a Research Goal and entered into the Agreement for Services, a retainer of 50% of the amount authorized is required before research can begin; however, this can be negotiated to fit the financial needs and budget of the client. An invoice for the balance of research fees and expenses will be sent with the research report and accompanying documents. Any unused retainer will be returned to you.

Payment

PayPal offers safe, instant and secure online payments. You do not have to establish a PayPal account. You can utilize PayPal to pay for some or all of the services provided by MacArthur Genealogy Services. We also accept payment by cash, check, or money order.

Payment plans are available upon prior arrangements between the client and MacArthur Genealogy Services. Hourly Fee Research is billed by the hour, in 15-minute increments, with a two hour minimum. Out-of-pocket expenses such as vital certificate fees, photocopies, postage, microfilm/fiche rental, pull fees charged by repositories, long distance telephone calls, parking, and mileage over 25 miles are also charged to the client. Billable time includes time spent on analysis, research, and report preparation.

I charge a flat rate of $25.00 per hour. Research Packages and Gift Certificates are also available.

Research Packages

In place of standard hourly research, you can purchase a Research Package, as defined below.

A quick hit package to get the basics in information. This package will give you:

The Research Report will be typed and bound in my standard binder (if you would like a customized binder, the fee for such binder will be billed to you). You will also receive a CD containing all information in the Research Report.

This is a more in-depth package. You will receive all of the above, but your family tree to will be researched up to six generations (64 direct ancestors), which will also include siblings and children of each generation.

This package includes everything in the Silver Package, with the addition of:

Visual Genealogy

What is Visual Genealogy? It's a customizable approach to preserving your family history, such as story recordings, audio interview recordings (Note: telephone interview unless within geographical driving distance), old documents, newspaper clippings, photographs, scrapbooks and other cherished possessions. All information will be catalogued and laid out in a concise and organized style. It will then be stored on a CD-Rom/DVD and/or website.

Visual Genealogy is a great way to safeguard your special photographs, mementos, and family records for generations to come. Visual Genealogy is easy for anyone to use regardless of internet and computer experience. Because this package is dependent upon the information you provide, the rate will vary. Once we agree on what to include in the visual package, we will be able to generate a more accurate quote.

Gift Certificates

Gift certificates for genealogical research can be purchased for a minimum of 10 hours, and in five-hour increments thereafter.