Genealogy Research Projects: The Process
Below is a description of the typical process during a research project by professional genealogist Lene Dræby Kottal. The process may vary slightly from project to project, but in general the steps below are a part of all genealogy research projects.
Initial Contact Between You and Lene Dræby Kottal
You contact professional genealogist Lene Dræby Kottal via the contact form on this website.
Please include detailed information about the following in the message:
- Who is the research subject?
- What do you want to know?
- What do you already know about the person and their immediate family?
- What are your sources for the known information?
Furthermore, please state if you need the information by a specific date. This will enable Lene Dræby Kottal to quickly let you know, if she cannot meet that deadline.
Free Preliminary Survey by Lene Dræby Kottal
Based on the information you sent, Lene Kottal completes a free preliminary survey, including an evaluation of the known information to answer the following questions:
- Are there any unresolved inconsistencies and gaps in the known information?
- Does the known information suffice as basis for a research project aimed at identifying the information you want to know?
If the known information is insufficient, Lene Dræby Kottal will ask for more information or advise you on further research needed before the requested project can be begun.
If the known information seems sufficient, Lene Dræby Kottal will survey the availability of relevant records, including whether the project requires on-site research. Thereafter, she will send you an agreement with a suggestion for a number of hours for the project.
New information uncovered during the preliminary survey will not be supplied if an order is not made. If an order is made, the information will be included in the report.
Agreement Between You and Lene Dræby Kottal
Lene Dræby Kottal and you will meet via Zoom or correspond about the project via email to ensure that Lene Dræby Kottal has all the details needed to send you an agreement.
The agreement contains all the terms of the research project, including the scope of the research, the authorized number of hours, and the hourly fee, and any discount that is granted. Lene Dræby Kottal will send the agreement to you via email, and on the website with the agreement you can either accept or reject it.
Most agreements are relatively short, but please ask questions about the contents and any information you feel is missing before you accept the agreement.
Once you accept the agreement, Lene Dræby Kottal will set aside time in her schedule for your family history research project.
Prepayment by You
After you have accepted the agreement, Lene Dræby Kottal will send you an invoice for the retainer fee in accordance with the agreement.
Payment can be made via wire transfer or credit card.
Research and Reporting by Lene Dræby Kottal
Lene Dræby Kottal completes the research and writes a detailed research report as shown in the diagram.
Perhaps you have ordered fifteen hours of research. That does not necessarily mean that the research is done the week after you paid the retainer fee. Various factors influence the time needed to complete the research.
Unless otherwise agreed, Lene Dræby Kottal will deliver the research report as a PDF.
Any remaining payment will be invoiced in accordance with the agreement.
Questions about Genealogist Lene Dræby Kottal's Services
If you have any questions about the services or want to request a free preliminary survey, please contact Lene Dræby Kottal.