One question. Research done for you.
One question. A sourced story.
We investigate one agreed question or ancestral line, then explain what the surviving records support in a readable report and one-page family summary—without you having to do the archive work.
01 / What you receive
A family story you can understand, check and share.
One agreed question or ancestral line, followed through the surviving records. A sourced report and family summary, with a relationship diagram or timeline where useful—not an unlimited, all-branch tree.
Family Story Investigation
£695 totalOne agreed question or ancestral line£347.50 to commission the agreed work. Then £347.50 when the report is ready, before it is released.
All costs required for the agreed investigation are included. No VAT or mandatory extras. Your written proposal sets the boundaries and dates before you pay.
- Understand your family
- A readable, sourced PDF report explaining the people, relationships and events the records support, with a diagram or timeline where useful.
- See what you can trust
- Citations you can follow, permitted record copies, and facts clearly separated from interpretations and gaps.
- Share the story
- A one-page family summary to pass on without asking everyone to read the whole report.
- Know how it is going
- An early progress update on the agreed date: work completed, findings or limits, and the next direction.
- Make sense of the findings
- One follow-up by email or a call of up to 30 minutes to clarify your report, with suggestions for future research.
No date, generation count or discovery is guaranteed. You receive the agreed investigation and a clear account of what the evidence can—and cannot—support.
Ask about your family line02 / From question to report
You bring the starting point. We follow the records.
- 01
Tell us what you know
A person, family line or question is enough to ask. Nick assesses the likely routes without searching records. The assessment is free; we normally reply within one working day.
- 02
Agree the scope and dates
If there is a worthwhile route, you receive a written proposal with the sources, limits, start, early-update and delivery dates. You decide whether to commission it.
- 03
Receive your findings
We investigate the agreed question or line and send your progress update. When the report is ready, the second payment is due before release. Your findings follow-up is included.
Research starts on the agreed basis set out in your proposal and service terms. Read how we check the evidence
03 / Before you begin
A few sensible questions.
What if I know very little?
Tell us who you would like to research and what you hope to find out. A name, relationship or place can give us a starting point. You do not need a complete tree or exact dates to ask; Nick can request any useful details in his reply. Please avoid sensitive information or exact birth dates for living people.
How far back will you go?
That depends on your starting point and the surviving records. We agree one question or ancestral line, a period and research boundaries before payment; no date or discovery can be guaranteed. Researching every ancestral branch is a larger project, assessed and phased separately.
What if the records do not answer my question?
We explain likely limitations before you commission. The fixed fee covers the agreed investigation, not a promised discovery. Your report records what was checked, what can be supported, what remains unresolved and the most useful next research routes. Your rights under the service terms are unchanged.
How long does it take?
We normally reply to your free assessment within one working day. The research timetable depends on scope, record access and current availability. Your proposal gives the start, early-update and delivery dates before you pay. If you have a gift deadline, mention it when you enquire.
How do payment and delivery work?
The total is £695: £347.50 when you commission the accepted proposal, then £347.50 when the report is ready, before release. No VAT or mandatory extra is added. The report and one-page family summary arrive digitally by email, with a useful relationship diagram or timeline and permitted supporting material where applicable. A printed or bound book is not included. See the terms and cancellation information before commissioning.
Who researches and checks the work?
Nick James leads the investigation. AI tools can assist with research and drafting; Nick checks the evidence, citations and conclusions before signing off the report. AI output is not a historical source. Our research method and privacy notice explain the approach and data handling.
Initial question assessment
Who would you like to know more about?
Tell Nick which person or family line you want to research and what you hope to discover. A few starting details are enough to ask. The assessment is free, with no record searches or obligation to commission.
Included: sourced report, one-page family summary, diagram or timeline where useful, early progress update and one findings follow-up. Scope and dates agreed before payment.