Genealogical or Historical Questions
Every client project involves these steps:
1. Seeing if we are a good fit for each other, via a phone chat or a meeting at a place and time of your convenience. For instance, the resources for your question may not exist in the Chicago area. Or you have a deadline that we cannot fulfill, due to current projects.
2. Learning the information you have, and understanding where you have looked for answers previously, so we don’t waste your time going over the same ground.
3. Analyzing your information and previous work to develop a research plan grounded in Heartland Historical’s decades of experience and contacts in a multitude of subjects.
4. Executing the research plan within the specified number of hours and expense amounts.
5. Writing a report of both positive and negative findings, including documentation and suggestions for further research by us or other specialists. Often we suggest steps you can take yourself.
Because each client and question is different, all work is custom. There are no economies of scale.
Genealogical or historical questions are handled in blocks of 8 hours at $60/hour. You can begin with one block and authorize additional blocks as we go along. Or you can specify the maximum you want to spend upfront. You are in charge of your budget.
To book a project:
- Email or call for initial exploration
- Assuming we’re a good fit, fill out and return our standard agreement (see pg X)
- Include a retainer for 4 hours work ($240)
Good to Know
Negative findings are as important as positive findings and involve the same amount of work. Therefore, we do charge for research yielding negative findings.
We do not accept questions needing a turnaround of less than a month. Our deliberate and analytical approach yields results not found with quick online searches.
Questions for Christmas delivery need to be booked by September. Shortened hours and holiday closures at research repositories mean we cannot do a good job for you in the fourth quarter of the year.
We do not accept questions pertaining to Al Capone.
Heartland Historical Research Service 