How Research Works
Most projects move through the stages below. Each one has a clear scope and a clear result, and after each one you decide whether to continue.
Some people use me once for a single question. Others come back over months or years as new records get digitized. There's no requirement to complete all stages — you can stop whenever you've learned what you need or reached the limits of available sources.
Source Scan
Understanding where research is realistically possible
A focused initial search to determine what records exist and where they can be found. I check major online databases for your surnames and locations, identify spelling variants, and assess which collections are worth deeper investigation.
What I Do
- Search major online databases (FamilySearch, archives, regional collections)
- Check for surname variants and spelling differences
- Identify which collections have promising matches
- Translate sample records to verify relevance
What You Get
- Written summary of databases searched
- List of collections with promising matches
- 2-5 translated sample records
- Assessment of research potential
- Recommendations for next steps
"You know your great-grandfather Ivan Petrov was born around 1885 in Kyiv province. I search Ukrainian metrical books, find 12 potential matches across 3 different parishes, translate the most promising records, and explain which are worth investigating further based on dates, locations, and family names mentioned."
Extended Online Research
Comprehensive investigation of all accessible online sources
Deep, systematic research across all relevant online archives. I extract records, translate documents, cross-check information across sources, and build a coherent picture of your family history from available materials. This is the main research stage, where most discoveries happen.
What I Do
- Systematically review all relevant online collections
- Extract and translate birth, marriage, death records
- Cross-reference names, dates, and places
- Follow family connections across documents
- Build timeline or family tree from findings
- Send weekly progress updates
What You Get
- Comprehensive research report (10-20 pages)
- All translated records with sources cited
- Family timeline or preliminary tree
- Digital copies of all original documents
- Analysis of findings and gaps
- Suggestions for future research
"Building on the source scan, I work through Kyiv metrical books from 1880-1890, find Ivan Petrov's birth record from 1884, locate his parents' marriage in 1883, discover his siblings in subsequent years, trace the family to a specific village, and find census records showing the family's occupation and household composition."
Manual Record Review
Page-by-page examination of unindexed materials
Plenty of record books are digitized but have no searchable index. The only way to find your family in them is to read every page. It's slow (a single book can take 2–4 hours), and there's no guarantee the record is there. So this only makes sense when the place and years are narrowed down.
What I Do
- Page-by-page review of target record books
- Scan for specific surnames in defined years
- Extract and translate any matches found
- Document which sections were reviewed
Important Considerations
- Very time-intensive (2-4 hours per book)
- No guarantee of finding records
- Only feasible with narrow date/location range
- Usually done after online research exhausted
- Charged by estimated hours required
"You've narrowed Ivan Petrov's birthplace to one of two villages in Kyiv province between 1883-1886. The metrical books for those parishes are digitized but not indexed. I manually review those specific years, checking each birth entry for the Petrov surname. This might take 6-8 hours and could find the record or confirm it's not in those books."
Archive Monitoring
Because new records keep appearing
Archives digitize constantly, and other researchers keep posting new indexes and transcriptions on genealogy forums. So finished research doesn't have to stay finished: a book that wasn't online when we looked may appear next year. I can check the relevant archives and forum threads monthly and tell you when something new about your family turns up. Low-intensity, cancel anytime.
What I Do
- Monthly checks of relevant archives
- Track new digitization projects
- Alert you when relevant records appear
- Provide quick assessment of new materials
When This Helps
- You've exhausted current online sources
- Known records haven't been digitized yet
- Archives slowly releasing new materials
- Long-term family history project
"We've traced the Petrov family through 1890, but the books for 1891–1900 aren't online. Six months later the archive uploads the 1892 book. I check it for Petrov entries and send you what I find."
Independent Research Support
Help for people doing their own research
Not everyone needs a full research project. If you're working independently but need occasional help, I offer support without starting a formal project. This can include answering specific questions, translating documents you've found, or reviewing your findings.
Services Available
- Document translation ($25-50 per document)
- 30-minute consultation ($100)
- Review of your findings or family tree
- Interpretation of specific records
- Guidance on next research steps
Good For
- DIY researchers needing expert input
- One-off questions or documents
- Second opinion on findings
- Help unsticking a research problem
- Strategic planning for next steps
"You've been researching on FamilySearch and found a Russian document you can't read. You send me the image, I translate it, explain what it says, and identify any useful details for your research. Or you've hit a dead end and need suggestions for where to look next — we have a consultation call to review what you know and discuss options."
Not Sure Where to Start?
Here's what typically works best depending on your situation
Just Getting Started
You have names and places but don't know what records exist or where to look.
→ Start with Source Scan
Ready to Dig Deep
You know generally where your family is from and want comprehensive research on available records.
→ Extended Online Research
Have Specific Questions
You're researching independently but need help with translation, strategy, or stuck points.
→ Independent Support
Common Questions
How long does research typically take?
Source scans usually take 3-7 days. Extended research takes 4-8 weeks depending on the volume of records and complexity. Manual Review is quoted based on scope. I provide regular updates throughout the process.
What if you don’t find anything?
It happens, and I’ll tell you plainly. That’s partly what the source scan is for: finding out cheaply whether deeper research makes sense before you commit to it. And even then you’ll get a list of what was searched, so you (or another researcher) won’t repeat the same work later.
Do I need to commit to multiple stages?
No. Each stage stands alone. Many people start with a source scan and decide afterward whether to continue. Some pause between stages while waiting for new records to be digitized. You’re never obligated to proceed to the next stage.
What information do you need from me to start?
As much as you know: full names (including maiden names), approximate dates or years, places (villages, cities, provinces), and any documents or family stories you already have. Even partial information can be useful — we’ll discuss what’s feasible based on what you can provide.
Can you request records from physical archives?
My work focuses on online-accessible materials. Physical archive requests involve different costs, much longer timelines (months to years), and often require official documentation. If your research requires physical archives, I can explain the process and limitations, but I don’t handle those requests directly.
What regions and languages do you cover?
I work with records from the former Russian Empire and Soviet Union — primarily Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and parts of Poland. I read and translate Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish. For other languages in the region (Yiddish, German, etc.), I can provide general guidance but may need to refer translation to specialists.
Ready to begin?
Let’s discuss your family history questions and figure out the best way forward.