Frequently Asked Questions
Clear expectations and what you can expect from evidence-based genealogical research
How do I know if my question is a good fit for your research?
If you’ve been working on a problem for a long time and feel stuck despite careful, sustained work, your question may be a good fit. I focus on evidence-based evaluation—not quick answers.
Before I accept a project, I review your research question and available evidence to determine whether meaningful progress is possible using DNA, documentary research, or a combination of both. If I don’t believe a project can be addressed productively, I will say so honestly and explain why.
Do you guarantee results?
No.
Genealogical research involves uncertainty, incomplete records, and—especially with DNA—probabilistic evidence. I do not guarantee specific outcomes. What I do guarantee is a careful, ethical, and well-documented evaluation of the evidence, along with clear explanations of what the evidence does and does not support.
Sometimes the result is a solved problem. Sometimes it is significant progress or confirmation that the limits of the evidence have been reached. All of these are valid outcomes.
Does DNA testing guarantee answers in genealogy?
DNA testing has transformed genealogical research, but it has not made complex problems simple.
Many clients come to me with DNA results from one or more testing companies and still feel stuck. DNA evidence often requires careful interpretation, supporting documentation, and historical context to be meaningful. In some cases, DNA provides clear direction. In others, it helps rule out possibilities, clarify relationships, or support conclusions drawn from traditional records.
DNA is a powerful tool—but it is one part of a broader evidence-based process, not a shortcut to guaranteed answers.
Do I need to have taken a DNA test?
Not necessarily.
Some projects rely entirely on documentary research. Others benefit from DNA evidence, and in some cases DNA is essential. During intake, I assess whether DNA is likely to be helpful for your specific question and may recommend testing or uploading results to additional databases if appropriate.
What DNA companies do you work with?
I work primarily with results from Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilyTreeDNA, and I may recommend uploads to additional platforms when helpful.
Access to DNA matches is often necessary for meaningful analysis and will be discussed during intake. Some testing platforms make detailed match sharing more difficult; in those cases, additional steps or alternative approaches may be required.
How do you handle privacy and ethical concerns, especially with DNA?
I follow established professional ethical standards regarding confidentiality, informed use, and respect for living individuals.
DNA data and match access are reviewed solely for research purposes related to the agreed project and are not shared, published, or repurposed. I am careful about the scope and use of DNA evidence and expect research results to be used privately and responsibly.
Can your research be used for legal cases, citizenship, or financial claims?
No.
I do not accept projects intended for legal proceedings, citizenship or heirship claims, or financial or support claims. My work is intended for historical and genealogical understanding, not for legal use.
How long does genealogical research take?
That depends on the complexity of the question, the availability of records, and whether DNA evidence is involved.
Some problems can be addressed relatively quickly; others require substantial time due to record loss, migration, name variation, or the need to evaluate multiple hypotheses. For complex projects, I often recommend staged work with planned check-ins so we can evaluate progress before proceeding further.
What will I receive at the end of a project?
Deliverables depend on the type of research but typically include a written report explaining the work performed and conclusions reached. Reports may include source citations, copies of documents, a research log, and—when DNA is involved—a discussion of methodology and how conclusions were reached.
Where appropriate, I may also provide a documented family tree file (GEDCOM) with supporting records attached.
What if the evidence doesn’t support a clear answer?
That outcome is discussed openly and honestly.
Part of professional genealogical research is recognizing the limits of the evidence. If a question cannot be fully resolved, I explain what can be known, what remains uncertain, and why. Clear conclusions—even when incomplete—are preferable to speculation.
How do I get started?
To begin, please use the inquiry form to describe your research question, share what you’ve already gathered, and let me know what you hope to learn. After reviewing your submission, we typically begin with a structured preliminary assessment. This assessment allows me to review your materials carefully, clarify feasibility and scope, and outline the appropriate next steps before proposing a full research engagement.
What should I expect in a research engagement?
If a full research engagement is recommended following the preliminary assessment, I will provide a proposal and agreement tailored to your specific case. Research is conducted in defined stages with clear communication and documented findings.
Depending on the scope of the project, work may proceed in phases with planned check-ins to evaluate progress and determine next steps.