Jennifer Miller, Genealogist

• I would be happy to help you fill in your family tree. I get as much enjoyment out of finding your long lost ancestors and other family members as I do my own.

• I work by the hour, but I do not have a set fee, as everyone’s needs are different. 

     • My first hour of work is free, simply to determine if you truly want to hire me, and to determine how much work may be involved in the search.

     • Payments can be made before I start researching (after the free first hour), or at the time I bring you the progress report. I will need to know exactly how much time you would like me to spend searching if you choose to pay when I bring you the progress report. If you pay in advance, any money not used will be returned if you decide to stop using my services.

     • A progress report is simply my way of telling you everything that I have searched, found, and what records I need to obtain. My research time includes, but is not limited to: all searching, correspondence, entering information into a genealogy database, and filling out paper charts and/or forms.

• Sometimes ordering a record is necessary in order to do further research. I will always let you know what the record is, the importance of the record and/or what I hope to learn from the record, and the approximate cost. You have the final say on whether a record is ordered or not.

• My primary area of expertise is in United States research. If you would like information on ancestors outside of the U.S., then it will likely take me more time to search those people because I am unfamiliar with those locations, and because translations may be required for some records.

• I have limited knowledge of adoption research. I will more than likely need a little bit more time to locate adoption records unless you have already started the process. Also, I may need help from others with more knowledge, or I can refer you to someone with more knowledge if you prefer. Sometimes finding adopted families can be quick, but sometimes it can take months or even years. Please keep this in mind during your search.

• Family Tree Maker 16 and Family Tree Maker 2008 are my primary genealogy programs, if you have a different preference, please let me know and I will make sure my file is compatible with your program, or do my best to get that program. There is free access to the following programs: Family Tree Legends, Legacy Family Tree and Personal Ancestral File (PAF). I also have the ability to give you access to your family tree and all documentation online at Ancestry.com for free after I have put it on their site, and after you have created a user ID on their site. Please let me know what you would like me to do.

• While collateral family members (siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) are important when searching, I will only research them enough to confirm or find your ancestors unless I’m asked to do further research on them.

• If at any time you would like me to change directions and move on to a different line, simply let me know.

• If at any time you would like me to stop researching, please let me know and I will give you the information that I have at that time.

• If you would like to see samples of my family’s trees, please let me know, I would be happy to share what I’ve found, what I’m working on for my family, and what problems I’m having, just to give you an idea of some of the things that can come up.

• Included in my e-mail information packet are Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets. There are instructions, and an example of each is included as well. Please feel free to make as many printouts as you need and fill them out as completely as you can.

• As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions by using the e-mail form under the Contact Us tab.