Solve a Family Mystery
Focused genealogical research to investigate difficult ancestors, missing connections, conflicting records, and unanswered family questions.
Starting at $349
Some family history questions can't be answered with a simple record search. An ancestor may seem to disappear, records may contradict one another, or the evidence connecting two generations may be unclear.
This service focuses on a specific genealogical question and follows the available evidence across multiple record types to determine what can be proven, what remains uncertain, and where the research should go next.
What This Service Can Help You Discover
Family mysteries often involve conflicting records, missing people, uncertain relationships, or stories that have been passed down without clear documentation. This research focuses on a specific question and follows the evidence wherever it leads.
Find a Missing Ancestor
Investigate an ancestor who seems to disappear from the records, changes locations or names, or cannot be found during a particular period.
Resolve Conflicting Evidence
Compare records that disagree about names, dates, places, relationships, or other important details to determine which conclusion is best supported.
Prove a Family Connection
Investigate uncertain relationships between generations and locate evidence that may confirm—or challenge—a suspected family connection.
What’s Included in Your Family Mystery Research
Your project begins with a clearly defined family-history question. I research and analyze the available evidence to determine what can be established, what remains uncertain, and where additional research may lead.
Research
Focused Genealogical Research
Research centered on the specific ancestor, relationship, event, or family question you are trying to resolve.
Multiple Record Types
Searches across relevant sources such as census, vital, church, probate, land, military, court, newspaper, immigration, and other available records.
Evidence Analysis
Records and clues are compared, conflicts are evaluated, and evidence is assembled to determine the most supportable conclusion.
What You Receive
Research Findings
A clear explanation of what was discovered and how the evidence relates to your original family-history question.
Records & Source Citations
A clear explanation of what was discovered and how the evidence relates to your original family-history question.
Written Research Summary
A documented explanation of the research performed, evidence analyzed, conclusions reached, unresolved questions, and recommended next steps when appropriate.
How the Research Process Works
1
Tell Me What You Know
Complete the Family Mystery Research Intake with the people, dates, places, family stories, records, and clues you already have.
2
I Review Your Question
I review the information and the question you want answered to determine the appropriate research approach, scope of work, and project cost.
3
Research & Analysis Begins
Once the project is approved, I research relevant records, compare conflicting evidence, and follow the available clues across multiple sources.
4
Receive Your Findings
You receive documented findings, source information, an explanation of the evidence and conclusions, and recommended next steps when appropriate.
See What You'll Receive
Before starting your project, you can view a sample family-history research report to see how findings, records, sources, evidence, and conclusions are presented.
Ready to Solve Your Family Mystery?
Tell me what you already know and the question you’re trying to answer. I’ll review your information and determine the best research approach for your project.
Starting at $349