DO YOU WISH TO USE MY SERVICES AS A RESEARCHER?
THEN
You need to tell me something about your family
BUT
Things to think about before filling in a request for me to do research
Family History is best started with what you already know and then work to the unknown.
Why do you want this research done?
Is it purely for interest?
Adoption?
Medical reasons? Trying to find if you ancestors suffered from the same ailments as you.
Family rumour? Trying to find the ‘skeleton in the cupboard’.
Visa or immigration reasons? Trying to find an ancestor born overseas in order to seek passport, visa or citizenship of another country.
Long lost relatives? – trying to find relatives you’ve lost contact with
Information (Birth Marriages and Death dates and places where these events happened where applicable and known)
I need to know the above information for you & your siblings. (This will be kept private see Privacy and Ethical issues)
Also for your parents & their siblings and so on as far back as you know.
Where they lived.
Their maiden names where applicable.
How far back to you want to go?
Stamvader or progenitor in South Africa – the first member of your family to arrive here if your family were settlers of any sort.
Ancestors in UK/Europe or other countries – trace ancestors of your family not in South Africa.
As far back as is possible. This obviously affects cost – see (What will it cost).
Back to a particular person. Usually in these cases it an ancestor’s information which will enable a foreign passport or a land claim (see FAQ)
If you have already done some of your own research, share this with me and save me ‘re-inventing the wheel’ and charging you for time and effort on things you already know.
If you have previously used a professional research please tell me so that my relationship with other researchers is not jeopardised.
It is important to remember that a researcher will not always be able to find what you are looking for — much depends on how much of a paper trail your ancestors left.
Adoptions
If you are adopted and you are using genealogical research to find your biological parent/parents, I would strongly suggest that you first contact a psychologist/social worker who can journey with you in your search. Do this before you embark on your journey. Although you might feel that you can handle it, it is never an easy journey.
Skeletons and Black Sheep.
In every family there will some sort of “skeletons in the cupboard” or a “shady character in the family” that you would rather not own. Be aware of this as you embark on this journey of discovery discovering your Family History.
Don’t blame me for your family!
To use another cliché “Don’t shot the messenger”. If I should discover something in your family tree that you don’t like, don’t blame me! I didn’t add it to your family history. It was there. Own it and see it as a small thing that made you what you are. (see Privacy and Ethical issues).
Answer the above in an email and send to info@thefamilyhistorian.co.za
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