FAQ

How many hours does a typical genealogical research project take?

A typical genealogical research project requires 15-25 hours of research and writing time, billed at Kate's hourly rate. The Client is also responsible for outside research expenses (i.e., repository fees, transportation costs, photocopy fees, etc.)

What is your hourly rate?

Kate now holds the Certified Genealogist® credential. Kate charges $100.00 per hour for research projects. She also offers research consultations at a rate of $150.00 per hour. Kate will be raising her fees to $125.00 for research projects in January 2026.

Additionally, her rate for presentations is $250.00 per hour for a one-hour lecture. Please note that Kate is also happy to be flexible on her speaking rate with smaller organizations and societies.

What does your current research calendar look like?

Kate is booking research projects into March 2026. Please contact her to be added to her research calendar.

What type of projects does Kate take?

Kate will conduct research using public records from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries, with a focus on Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia. Unfortunately, she does not work with DNA, adoption, or heir tracing.

My brother said he went on Ancestry.com and discovered that we are related to William Wallace, who was born in 1305. Can you confirm his research?

The genealogical research Kate conducts is based on research in public records. Public records were either not created or kept for much of history; therefore, making connections this far back in history is difficult, time-consuming, unreliable, and often impossible.

My grandmother said we were related to Mary Todd Lincoln. Can you verify that we are?

Maybe. If you are a direct descendent of someone born in the past 200-300 years, it might be possible to verify this information. However, if you are related through multiple family connections (i.e., third cousins twice removed from someone), it can be much more challenging to do so. It is also a very time-consuming process to explore these connections.

I was adopted and did a DNA test. Can you find my birth mother?

Unfortunately, Kate does not work with adoption cases or DNA research. She suggests you find a researcher who does this by exploring the Association of Professional Genealogists or the Board for Certification of Genealogists websites.

I need help with my DAR application. Can you help me complete the application?

Kate does not work with lineage society applications. However, she suggests finding a researcher who does this by exploring the Association of Professional Genealogists or Board for Certification of Genealogists websites.

I saw an episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" and want my genealogical research done this way?

Doing a deep dive into your ancestry like it is shown on television shows like "Who Do You Think You Are" can take hundreds of hours of research time. It is best to start doing genealogical research one step at a time. Kate suggests first identifying everything she can on your earliest known ancestor and working her way backward in your family tree. This can be time-consuming, but it is the most accurate approach to genealogical research if you want to do a deep dive.

I am interested in hiring you to do my genealogical research, but I can't afford to pay for an entire research project. What do you suggest?

Kate suggests that you do a series of one or more genealogical research consultations with her. Kate can get you on the path to completing your research goals and coach you throughout the process.