FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each + to learn how it works
We have developed these FAQs to explain our process and workflow. If you have questions or concerns that are not discussed here, please contact us. We will be happy to address them. All of our projects are customized to meet your research needs!
HOW DO WE GET STARTED?
Most projects begin with the immigrant ancestor(s) or their descendants as a starting point as a way to cross the ocean. Information is exchanged over the course of a few emails, which puts us on the same page. We ask you to be specific as to what you want us to research and the type of information that is of interest.
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED FROM ME?
SlovakGenealogy, LLC does a free review of your information and project goals. This review ensures that we are researching the correct family. We ask that you share any previous research, scans of documents you may have, or information to help us develop an internal research plan.
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST?
Based on years of hands-on experience, we understand that these projects are difficult to quote by the hour. Typically, professional genealogists work on an hourly basis ranging from $30-35.00 per hour. This is why we do the review and develop a meaningful research plan. I can’t quote you until we see what research might entail.
DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN QUOTE?
We provide you with a preliminary contract stating the scope of work, price, and estimated delivery of the final report. Another email exchange confirms we are clear as to the desired scope of work. Once agreed, we send you two copies of the final contract. You will sign two copies of the contract, keeping one and returning one to me for our files.
WHAT DO I HAVE TO PAY UPFRONT?
We require a small down payment payable by personal check or PayPal (a small surcharge is applied if payment is by PayPal). This money will be applied to the final quoted price. It is non-refundable and puts you in our work queue. We take all of our clients in order of receipt of the contracts. You do not pay the final payment until you have received the written Final Report. So, as you can see, you are trusting us with your family history, and we are trusting you with payment.
DO YOU PROVIDE UPDATES WHILE RESEARCHING?
We notify you by email when we are going to begin your work. We enter into a quiet time when we are actively researching. You will receive updates as to the progress or if any questions arise that we may need your direction on how to proceed. We also report any anticipated changes in completing the final report. We never rush through a client’s project just to meet a proposed deadline.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL TIME TO COMPLETE A PROJECT?
Depending upon the scope of work, our estimated time to complete a project is 2-3 months from the time we begin. This time can also be impacted based on weather and accessibility permitted to church records especially during holiday periods.
WHAT DOES THE FINAL PRODUCT INCLUDE?
Upon completion of our research, we send you one copy of the copyrighted written final report. Our report is quite extensive including Table Content Titles such as: Agreed to Scope of Work, Record Quality, Record Availability, Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, Ancestral Village / Church Histories and photos (if chosen), and Bibliography.
The Final Report will include all agreed to elements of the contract. Examples include:
- The Direct Pedigree in pdf format.
- For each birth, marriage, or death record that is placed on your pedigree, you will receive a digital photo of that supporting record or copy of the microfilm page.
- All supporting documentation and records provided in family group folders on a memory stick. We also provide a printed copy of the record for transcription.
- Transcriptions of the direct pedigree birth, marriage, and death records into Excel spreadsheets. Our clients have found this to be very helpful. The Excel spreadsheets serve as family group sheets.
- Genealogy notes to help the client follow through the findings of the research.
- An assortment of copyrighted photos of the Churches and villages taken by SlovakGenealogy LLC can be provided.
- We offer translated village and church histories can be provided.
- All primary and secondary sources used to complete the project are provided.
Typically the number of villages required to complete the pedigree is 2-3 villages. Your ancestors jump to other villages, so do we!
Our motto is that “We treat your family history as if it were our own.” So we try to anticipate what other information helps to tell your family story.
That is our process. If you are interested in having us quote your project, please feel free to contact me again with any questions.