Research Services

  • Have you wondered where your ancestors came from?
  • Have you heard family stories and wondered if they were true?
  • Do you have a specific ancestor you’d like to learn more about?
  • Do you want to get started yourself but need a little help to figure out how?
  • Do you have boxes of photographs and documents that need organizing?

With more than 16 years of research experience, I can help you with those questions and any others you might have. Let me find your ancestors and help you make a connection to your past. Bringing ancestors to life via genealogical research honors their memory and gives you a unique perspective on those whose shoulders you stand on today.

Areas of Specialty

United States:

Mountain West (Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming)
Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio)
Pacific (California, Oregon)

International:

England
Wales
Isle of Man
South Africa

Although these are areas I have the most research experience in, I am happy to engage in research in other localities.

Professional Research Services:

Using a wide variety of sources such as vital records, census records, city directories, land records, military records, historical newspapers, and many more, I am able to help you with the following:

  • Research Reports detailing an individual and/or a family
  • Research on those difficult to find (“brick wall”) ancestors
  • Narrative Reports using social history to give context to your ancestor’s life
  • Record Retrieval at local repositories
  • Assist with writing or editing of your family history projects

Services to help you get started:

  • Research Plans that give you direction on your research
  • Getting started using Familysearch.org or Ancestry.com
  • Getting your data into RootsMagic software

Services to help you get organized:

  • Scanning of documents and photographs
  • Transcription of difficult to read letters, journals and other documents.

Other services:

  • Digital presentations of photographs and documents for family reunions, weddings, funerals and other family events.

I comply with the Genealogist’s Code of Ethics and the Genealogical Proof Standard as developed by the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

All clients will receive a professionally prepared, written report which is fully sourced and documented.

Please contact me at sue.mcnelly@gmail.com with any questions regarding your family history project.