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Frequently
Asked Questions
Listed
below are some of the more common questions and answers. However,
if you still cannot find the answer you are looking for, please
do not hesitate in contacting us.
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hit CTRL-F to search this page
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1.
Ancestors
Professional Genealogy Service, who are they?
Ancestors Professional Genealogy Service are
a professional firm of qualified genealogists and family historians.
With over 100 years of cumulative experience their genealogists
direct a team of around 100 local expert record agents in this
country and abroad.
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2.
Ancestors
Total Peace of Mind Money Back Guarantee...
We will guarantee that if the starting
point for research of your family is after 1900 and based
in mainland Great Britain, we will extend one ancestral
line by at least three generations during the first
round of research or YOUR MONEY WILL BE REFUNDED IN
FULL!!! We guarantee to act in a professional
manner and conduct genealogical research accurately. We
are the ONLY genealogical organisation that offers
such a Guarantee.
For example, if you already know that your
Great-Grandfather was born in 1907...
We will GUARANTEE to find the
next three generations or
YOUR MONEY BACK!!!
NO RISK!
ALSO:
see QUESTION 9
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3. Do
they include Brothers and Sisters in the research?
Where siblings are discovered during the course
of research this information is included on the family tree.
However, our main aim is to extend the family tree backwards
as far as possible and we may not therefore locate every sibling
along the way. Where this is of specific importance research
can be tailored to that end but this may divert funds from the
backwards research and may invalidate the guarantee.
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4. How
confidential is the information?
All research conducted by Ancestors is held in
the strictest confidence. The research obtained will not be
disclosed to any third party without specific prior instructions
from yourself.
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5.How do Ancestors
do their research?
The 4 main sources for research are the Birth
Marriage and Death indexes; Census returns; Parish registers
and Wills. There are many other genealogical sources that would
be utilized according to the individual circumstances, such
as Service records; Occupational sources and land records etc.
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6. How
far back can you trace my ancestors?
In England and Wales most families can be traced
back to the start of civil registration in 1837, many to the
1700's and some to the start of parish registers in 1538 and
beyond. We would normally expect to trace the family line you
choose back several generations, although progress varies depending
upon the survival of records, the frequency of occurrence of
the surname and mobility of the family.
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7. How
long will the research take?
Usually the process takes about 16 weeks to complete.
If the research is due to take any longer, you will be kept
informed of the progress.
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8.
I already know back to ???? what else can be done?
(1900-2006) If the research is based in Great Britain, Ancestors
will extend one ancestral line by at least three generations
during the first round of research or the money paid will be
refunded in full.
(1538-1899) All documentation is required to avoid duplication
by Ancestors. The guarantee does not apply in this instance
but Ancestors will do as much research as the funds provided
allow.
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9. What does
one line of research mean?
One line of research means that Ancestors will
follow one surname, generation by generation: i.e. Father- his
Father- his Father- his Father etc. or Mother- her Father- his
Father- his Father etc.
Bear in
mind, along the way, a lot more names are usually discovered
relating to your relations brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles
and more beside... In fact, in order for us to fulfill our guarantee,
we will find at least the three males in the line and if they
were married, their respective spouses. This in turn will add
a further six names to your existing knowledge. Good cases in
the past involving large families have resulted in us adding
upwards of fifty names to a client's existing knowledge, along
with occupations, place names and family movements!....see
also question 3
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10.What
information is required to trace my ancestry?
Your name, date and place of birth are all that
we require to commence research. However, many have information
about their parents and grandparents. Some clients have even
been working on their family tree themselves and have come to
us with a specific problem. You DO NOT have to fully complete
the Family Tree Chart that we provide but, whatever information
you have, it is vital to provide all that is known to you -
however insignificant it may appear to be. In this way you will
prevent us from duplicating information that you already know.
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11. What is
a stage of research?
One stage of research means that as much research
as possible will be carried out within the funds provided. Ancestors
will start with the earliest information provided by the client
and if this starting point is after 1900 and based in Great
Britain, then they will extend one ancestral line by at least
three generations during the first round of research or the
money paid will be refunded in full.
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12. What will
I receive immediately on placing an order?
You will receive an acknowledgement of your payment,
answers to Frequently
Asked Questions and a Family Tree Chart. You will need to complete
this
chart with what you know and then return it to us.
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What will I receive when the
round of research is complete?
You will receive a loose-bound A4 report with
title page that includes a detailed narrative on the records
searched and the results obtained, as well as a drop-line pedigree.
Ancestors also include copies of any documents obtained on your
behalf. Duplicate reports can be provided directly from Ancestors.
more
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14.
Worldwide research?
Ancestors can conduct research in many countries
throughout the world. However, as different countries have different
record keeping systems, the success of research is varied. If
Ancestors can’t carry out the research due to the lack of available
records then you will be informed and a full refund will be
provided.
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5.
Testimonies from some of our existing clients...
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"...to
say I am pleased with progress is an understatement! The details
found to date are far more than I had expected and this letter
is to advise that I wish to have further research done on both
family lines...."
M.E.W
(New Zealand)
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have been studying your report with considerable interest and
I am amazed and delighted that you have discovered so much about
my family history, when I could only supply scant information
with which you could begin the search..."
R.A.M
(Peterborough)
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"...Thank you very much for a most
detailed and comprehensive investigation
concerning our family history, It was a
most absorbing and facinating study..."
J.P
(Herts)
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